Tablet PC's

[Scroggie]

Anybody using these in patient care on a regular basis? If so, how are they working out?

I am setting mine up to run my access style database, does anybody have suggestions on configuring or tips on working with em?

Thanks

[Scroggie]

Here's one. You can insert ink recognition controls to store signatures or convert to text. But only on the tablet.

Made a pretty good one.

I've got 5 posts to make up in order pass Kursk again, so I'm answering my self.

[BigDoc]

Scroggie, here is a forum on Tablet PCs (http://forums.tabletpctalk.com/viewforum.php?f=5) keep us posted

[Scroggie]

Thank for Link
I'll Let you Know what l find

[BigDoc]

Scroggs, another one (http://www.whatisnew.com/PNphpBB2.html)

[ozzie]

http://www.cross.com/Catalog/PenDetail.aspx?cat_name=Penabled+Executive+Pen

The erasor looks cool and least it won't leak LOL

[Scroggie]

BigDoc, the awards site has some good links. the ritepen is neat. I can write anywhere on the screen and it intreprets and puts in the right box on a multibox form. Gotta fine tune my writing style, but its a good program.
Al, they have it for tablets, palms and pocket PC, wonder if it'll work on your airpanel...

[alborg]

Hi Scroggs:

Today I got my 2nd Airpanel... I first have to get one of my Win 2000 computers setup as a Win XP machine. I have to check out the ritepen, but I don't think it'll work better than the plastic tool that comes with it (heck, a toothpick will do...).

BTW, I plan to catch up with your posting numbers in about a week or two... ROFL!!! But none of this posting to yourself- that's cheating!!! Only 200 more posts to go...

Regards,
Al

[Scroggie]

Ritepen is a program, not a pen man. It enhances the native text recognition and allows you to write anywhere. Tablet PC's are a little limited in that you have to be in an ink-aware app (hence my experiment with inkedit controls in access) or use a broader 3/4 screen ink area (but then its tougher to tap on a menu item).
PLus it supposed allows you to add words to the dictionary and offers alternatives if it misses a word.

I'll let you know more as I play.

BTW, just got a nice NEC 15" LCD monitor off ebay. My wife is cutting me off from bidding for coupla months (transition to civilian life and one month without a pay check).

[alborg]

>>> Ritepen is a program, not a pen man. It enhances the native text recognition and allows you to write anywhere.

You mean that text recognition can get even better? Wow... sweet. My newly purchased Airpanel's screen ink area is very small- similar to the little boxes at your Home Depot where you sign for credit card purchases. Anywhere where you can type in text you can add the output of your handwriting recognition, which is what initially blew my mind. It doesn't have a dictionary, though. That would be a neat addition!

The best place to purchase LCD panels is in eCost.com (shipping is free). You can get 15" LCD panels for as low as less than $300 range.

Regards,
Al

[alborg]

Interesting article on eWeek.com...

Analysts: Tablet PC Could Quietly Vanish
By Mark Hachman
May 12, 2004

The "slate" version of the Tablet PC platform that Microsoft Corp. and its partners pioneered is being increasingly marginalized, a victim of a desire to bring "electronic ink" technologies into notebook PCs, analysts and vendors said...

(for rest of article, go to http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1590939,00.asp)

I guess after I eventually wear out my Airpanels, I'll be able to buy them "Tablet PCs" for a fraction of the gallery price after all!!! Microsoft gets rid of its hardware like I use toilet paper in the loo...

Regards,
Al

[Scroggie]

Al, why are all your posts at 1-2 in the morning. Are you staying up on an Airpanel high? ;)

Anyhow, just got a Dell server to play with (put win2KPro on it). An ebay special sans OS.

[Ducknet]

I have created a commercial Access 2000 EMR that has the charting. a scheduler and is integrated with a VB program that uses Access for storage. I can add a little information here that might help. My Access retail program works very well with a tablet pc. I also train physicians on how to all around get the "most" out of their tablet pc. If you are running Office XP or 2003, you can fully take advantage of all the inking capabilities included. You do need the professional version of either to have Access included. Office also has several free language packs you can download for free, so the Access program can support several languages via inking. Channel 9 (Microsoft internal blogging site that you can locate with Google) does a good job with some nice videos and information to also keep you posted on where the Tablet is going. They currently have a nice video showing one of their developers writing in Japanese and the tablet inputting either English or Japanese - worth a look!

In my opinion, inking is the best thing that has happened for the medical industry. The screens on the EMR Data Base are designed to be smaller to avoid having to scroll. When purchasing a tablet pc and after adding Office, go to the Microsoft site to download the tablet pc office pack to fully integrate. It works well. The tablet not only works well with the inking in Access, but will make inking available in almost every application on the tablet. Also, with Office XP and 2003, you can also load the speech application to enable dictation. This is a real added feature so you don't have to spend additional money on more software! The dictation software is L and H as you could also buy off the retail shelf. A couple other items that might be of interests regarding Office is that each copy can be installed on 2 computers legally, one being a desktop and the other being a notebook. Office 2003 pro is not inexpensive by any means at $499.00 a copy; however if you have purchased a new computer with MS Works, it does qualify for the $329.00 upgrade. Another way to save a few dollars is to purchase a copy of MS Works if there is no installation of either Works or Office (many times you can find this for as little as $25.00) and install first. $25.00 plus $329.00 versus $499.00 (the math speaks for itself).

The tablet unit itself should be using the Centrino processor as you will see the best performance here. It is not as speedy as a pentium 4, but runs cooler and optimizes the back end of the processor for additional cache. There are a few sites that might help you out in learning more about it's capabilities. One of the best is by Chris Herrera, a Microsoft MVP who does a real good job in even posting pictures and current news articles.

Battery life is always a good concern as well. There are a few slate models that use the patented Electrovaya 6 1/2 hour battery. On a retail level, the best performing model is the Toshiba M205, yielding about 5 hours maximum, depending on the program load. Running a lot of video formats will cut this short.
Barbara Duck

[alborg]

Hi Sroggie!

Yeah, I'm a night owl, allright. I don't begin working until 12 noon... The Airpanel is going great... actually you should get one, since for a mear $425 you can buy one at Tigerdirect.com WITH A FREE COPY OF WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL and A FREE DOCK (I had to pay $125 for that)... so the Airpanel itself will cost you about $100. This would truely be a giveaway price. You'll love it! My associate who uses a Table PC has noted that my Airpanel is not only speedy, but the battery lasts all day long. Actually, the other day I started off at 15% power and after using the docking station a few times was UP to 95% power by the end of the day!

Barbara:

Note the above- the AirPanel is a much better buy than any Tablet PC out there... no moving parts (s.a. hard drive) means a longer battery life; no processing (all processing is done on the "host" PC) means faster wireless connections since you don't bring up 6000 records every time your EMR form comes up on- you only see the video portion of the host PC. BTW- what's your Access-based EMR called? Can you tell us about it?

Regards,
Al

[alborg]

>>> Don't hold your breath on the air panels as Microsoft announced they will no longer be offering the windows ce support for the product and I'm sure it will affect the overall continued production of the product.

Heck, there is no continued production of the product- which is why they are selling dirt cheap! That's the beauty of purchasing the last few that are on sale now! It's a wonderful niche product for physicians, but for Microsoft, they couldn't sell enough of them for $1450 each to make a profit. Microsoft's loss is our gain...

Regards,
Al

[Scroggie]

I am starting today with the tablet (new job, new system). I wish I had gotten an airpanel, probably will soon. For now I'm gonna work the kinks out on the tablet.

Al, how do you do it? I barely move after jolts of Diet mountain dew.

[alborg]

Scroggie-

I ***love*** the quietness of the night! All my children are asleep and I'm all alone for just a few hours.

AL

[Scroggie]

I'm the same way, except thats when I sleep :)