What keeps a list of your appointments, stores phone numbers and documents, recognizes your handwriting, serves as a wireless connection to the Internet, exchanges data with a personal computer, allows you to watch videos or play games on it, and is smaller than a breadbox - so small, in fact, that it can fit in your pocket?
Of course, the answer is a personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a handheld computer.
Professionals in the health and human services environments are well aware of the importance of being organized and informed. A PDA might be the right tool to help keep up with the demands of the job. Whether you're an experienced or novice user, looking for an all-around organizer or a computer stand-in, the range of choices can be daunting. We've put together this selected list of web resources to assist you in finding out about handheld technology.
The list is organized by devices - links to most of the manufacturers of PDAs - evaluative sites, where you can see reviews of the technology and keep up with the latest software and hardware applications and user resources, where you will find a variety of additional uses for your handheld computer. Many of the evaluation and user resources include tutorials on downloading software, setting up channels, customizing PDAs and more.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are handheld or pocket computers capable of a wide range of functions. At their most basic level, they serve as electronic address books and to-do lists. However, the capabilities of PDAs have evolved considerably since their introduction in the late 1980s to include wireless access to phone, fax, e-mail, the Internet and other subscription-based data services. Users are able to download information (including books, games, spreadsheets, and word processing documents) from desktop computers or the Internet to their PDAs and beam text messages or business information to other PDA users. Information can also be entered directly into PDAs by using a pen-like stylus—most PDAs are able to convert handwritten characters into type—or via small, portable keyboards. |
