Global Reproductive Health IT Support list

["Mierzwa, Stan" <smierzwa AT popcouncil.org>]

Dear Ben,

 

Hi and please say hi to Stan!

 

On the hardware side, over the past few years we have used PDA’s for certain project related data collection activities.   We have opted for the HP iPaq units, most recently the iPaq Pocket PC HX2795.  They are rugged, but to further protect them we have paired the units up with a PDair Silver Aluminum Deluxe Cases.

Something to watch out for though is the SD or Compact Flash Memory cards that get  added to the units.  Whatever make or model PDA you select, please be sure to check with the manufacturer for the supported and recommended maximum storage size.   You always want to purchase good quality SD and CF cards, otherwise you may get unexpected issues.  And, even though it may appear that you can read a card larger than recommended, again you may get unexpected results. 

 

On the software side, we have used Perseus Survey Solutions successfully in the past - about 2 years ago.   I recently learned that this product may no longer exist though and it didn’t support graphics.  In addition, we have written a custom application using Visual Studio.NET 2005 for the handhelds, this to support graphics and audio based questionnaires and many of the requirements you listed. 

 

Hope this helps, but if you have any other specific questions, please let me know.

 

Best regards,

 

Stan

 

 

Stanley J. Mierzwa

Director, Information Technology

Population Council

1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

New York, New York 10017

ph: (212)339-0538

skype: smierzwa

http://www.popcouncil.org

 

 

From: grhits-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:grhits-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Ben Nardone
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 11:09 AM
To: 'grhits AT lists.ibiblio.org'
Subject: [grhits] PDAs for data collection?

 

 

Hello GRHITS folks!

 

I just joined this list.  I work for Stan Mullen at Pathfinder.  I searched the list archives and didn’t see anything on this topic, but apologies if I missed something and this is a repeat question.

 

Does anyone have any experiences, positive or negative, that they might share on the topic of using PDAs for data collection?

 

We evaluating using them for several of our projects, and I figured I’d check with folks here about it. 

 

I’m interested in recommendations for models, survey software, data processing and sharing, etc. 

 

We’re looking to find something pretty rugged on the hardware side.  On the software side, we’re looking for a solution that can handle very very simple (i.e. no written text, graphics only) surveys, as well as fairly complex stuff (ability to conditionalize questions/sections based on early responses.

 

Anybody using something they love? Hate?

 

Best,

:)Ben

 

 

Ben Nardone
Business Systems Analyst
Pathfinder International, www.pathfind.org  
617-924-7200 x605