Working with a Palm Computer

Generic Palm Computer- This is a REAL COMPUTER, not a toy. Nearly anything you can do on a desktop computer can be done on this system. Check it out here

	Mapping programs such as these may be on your system.
	Mapopolis is an excellent free program with free maps for all US counties. Visit www.mapopolis.com for a free download of the program and maps. Check out the Quick Guide for instructions. Press the START button to begin.
	Here is one screen of the Quick Guide. Click on the numbers for additional pages. You do not need to buy any maps since the demo maps are more than adequate.
	This is the main menu. Click on "Maps" to load a map.
	Choose a map and press the View button.
	This screen shows a map of Jefferson County, KY. The menu at the bottom provides the main functions: Zoom way out from center.... Zoom out one step. Zoom in one step. "Box Zoom" Draw a box on the screen to zoom in to that area. Rotate screen (good if you keep forgetting which way is North). Add more detail (more streets) Decrease detail (remove streets) Go to main menu.
	From the main menu, Maplets can be defined and attached to an existing map. Maplets are used to associate information with a location on the main map.
	After a new maplet is created or an existing one is chosen, you can add a location to the maplet by tapping on the location.

	Information about that location can be entered on a form (here a pond location and some info about the pond).
	When you tap on the location it's information is displayed and associated with that location.
	If a Global Positioning System is connected to the palm computer you can start the GPS from the main menu. "Auto-scroll" and "Display GPS data" should be checked. If a fix is possible, the latitude, longitude, and other data will be displayed.
	Display options can also be set. This screen shows the recommended options.
	HandMap is similar to Mapoplolis, but provides additional features. Solus is used if you need elevation data in additional to street location.
	This is Solus with elevation contours for the Bellarmine University area.

	Additional programs may be available on your palm computer. Crickometer is a silly application that calculates the temperature based on the rate at which crickets chirp. Intervals marks the time between inputs. WethDat and WetR are weather tracking and conversion utilities. Quicksheet is an Excel-compatible spreadsheet for entering data in the field. ThinkDB 2 allows the user to enter databases in the field. These programs can be found at www.palmgear.com if not on your palm computer. The remaining programs were written by me and are available at http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/Resources/palm_stuff.htm.
	Counter allows you to assign "traits" to each hard key, and then keep a running count by pressing the keys. Traits may include bacterial species on a plate, number of times a behavior is seen, etc. Clicking the information button () opens the help menu.
	Here's a portion of the help menu that explains how to use the program. Pressing the back button () takes you to the main screen of the program.
	The hard buttons have been assigned by writing the various species on the lines. As each hard button is pressed the corresponding species count is updated.
	Pressing the view button allows you to later explore your data set.
	EZ Recorder is used to record the sequence of behaviors displayed by an animal under field or laboratory conditions. Begin by pressing the Set/Check Code button. The default data output file name is the date (2002, Sept 23rd) and time (13:56). You can add additional information to this file name or replace it completely.
	If a Key file of assigned behaviors exists, then you can load it (Choose A..F, then press Get Keys). If not, highlight the corresponding line (A:-R:), write in a behavior (Hump Leg at #12) and press the Assign Code button.
	Audible or silent timers can also be set if needed for your data collection.
	You can set a maximum run time, after which the program saves your data, then shuts down (for example, if all data collection is done in 15 minutes). You can also set the program to beep every set number of seconds for timed interval recording. The palm computer normally turns off every three minutes or so. You can disable this function from the timer page. Several default alarms are provided at the bottom, including a silent alarm (a message appears on the screen) and user-defined alarms. Choose an alarm that is unlikely to bother the animal you are recording.
	Press the Begin button when you are ready.
	Press the button that corresponds to the behavior that you observe. If the program is set to run for a predefined number of minutes it will automatically shut down. Otherwise, press the back button (upper right) when you are finished. The program will then save your data and exit.
	Pen Recorder is the "Grown Up" version of EZ recorder. It has all the functions of EZ Recorder, but the input is through the writing area, other than button. If you check the Show Codes option, the mnemonics you define will be shown on the screen as a reminder.
	Assign data as before, this time for all the possible alphanumerics.
	Here the letter "a" has been input and assigned the behavior "eat". When you are finished press the Stop button (if the timers haven't been set).
	Use Pen Review to analyze the data. Choose the data set and then press one of the buttons.
	The View Data button shows lists the behaviors and the times that they occurred in sequence.
	The Graphs button displays the frequency of each behavior.
	The Time Line button shows the duration and sequence of the behaviors in a graphical way.
	The time line is useful for seeing sequences that occur over and over.
	The Matrix button generates a transition matrix for the data set (Rows follow Column behaviors). Thus, Eat is followed by Eat 2 times and Eat is followed by Run 1 time for this data set. It also indicates that the most common behavioral transition bark followed by more barking (16 times).
	Tracker allows you to record the behaviors of an animal in time and space. If you haven't already done so, create a map of the study area (MonkeyIsland) in this example.
	The Drawing screen is displayed. You can outline the island using the Draw On option.
	Tap on the screen from one point to another (don't drag the pen)
	Continue until you've made the outline of the island and then turn draw off.
	Icons can then be added to represent various features on the map. Simply choose the icon, then tap where you want it displayed. If you are going to place a bunch of icons of the same type (a bunch of trees, for example), click the sticky icon option. If you goof up, press CLS and start over.
	You can set timers if you wish. Press Record to begin data collection.
	Tap on the screen to indicate the animal's position. The animal's location (x/y coordinates) and the time are saved. If the animal is performing a behavior you can record that by writing a letter on the silk-screened writing area. In this case, "M" was input to represent a mud bath at the indicated position. More than one behavior can be input for each x/y coordinate. When you are finished, press the back button.
	Press Save and Exit to end the program.
	If you restart the program you can see your results. Just press the Review button.
	Choose a data source, then press the review button.
	After a little while the path is drawn. Little circles on the path indicate where behaviors were performed.
	The summary button displays the x/y coordinate for each data entry, the time, and distance moved. If a behavior was recorded the code is also shown.

	Silk-screened input area Click on the "abcde" area to open the screen keyboard.
	The screen keyboard can be used to tap in a message.
	A numeric keyboard is also available.
	The silk-screened area is also used to write characters. This is the best way of inputting data.
	Writing in the silk-screen area with the letter echoed on the screen.

	Jot makes writing on the palm very easy.
	Main Jot screen. Make sure that it is enabled as shown for best performance.
	Example tutorial sequence (also see the tuner)
	When Jot is used different areas of the screen are used for lowercase, capitals, and numbers or punctuation. Writing is more-or-less natural.
	The preferences program in the system folder.
	Preferences
	Select the digitizer if the computer has trouble following your pen instructions or understanding your writing.
	This is the digitizer screen. You'll tap the target three times.

	Available Folders
	Drop-down menu options