OT - Palm Pilots

DirectorTsaarx · #1 November 13th, 2002, 10:59 PM

I know a couple doctors & nurses that use a program called "e-pocrates" that runs on Palm OS-based handhelds. The program is basically a database that provides information on prescription medicines (dosages, interactions, recommended uses, etc.). That's probably the best use I've heard so far for Palm Pilots/Handspring Visors...

dogscoff · #2 November 14th, 2002, 01:30 PM

Yeah, that's the sort of market these tablet books are supposed to be aimed at: medical ppl, stores ppl - anyone who spends mnost of their working day walking around a building.

Anyone heard much about this "Grid computing" that's set to be the next big thing? As I understand it you network a bunch of computers together and pool all their memory & processing power & resources into one distributed uber-computer, so you could have a simple wireless-enabled palmtop with the performance of a giant desktop...

Elowan · #3 November 14th, 2002, 07:22 PM

My wife loves her Clie (Sony) and uses it for all the usual things but also to show friends family photos (she takes zillions of those) and maps. She also steals my C-pen and inputs into the Clie directly. C-pen is a pen-like text scanner.

I bought her a folding keyboard for Xmas - Clie plugs into the top of it.

Trying to play something like SE on a PDA is like trying to fly across the Pacific non-stop in a Ford Trimotor.

dumbluck · #4 November 15th, 2002, 12:16 PM

*sigh* A guy can dream, can't he?

Gandalph · #5 November 17th, 2002, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Anyone heard much about this "Grid computing" that's set to be the next big thing? As I understand it you network a bunch of computers together and pool all their memory & processing power & resources into one distributed uber-computer, so you could have a simple wireless-enabled palmtop with the performance of a giant desktop...

As a Network Admin, I havebeen keeping an eye on this new technology. The concept is great, it is the implementation and the cost that I have been watching. As of now, the cost outways the benefit by a large margin, but if money was no object it could be a good thing. The main problem I see is the increase on network bandwidth by the constant query of available resources. This is basically a program that keeps track of the unused processors/memory and pools it into one available resource. I could only see an advantage on a very large gigabit network.

Kamog · #6 November 17th, 2002, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elowan:

Trying to play something like SE on a PDA is like trying to fly across the Pacific non-stop in a Ford Trimotor.

It'll probably happen in a few years! Computers are getting faster and smaller all the time... think of how far we have come from those days when computers used vacuum tubes and took up a big room...