Appraisal Scoop

a la mode Releases DaVinci for iPad

I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up that DaVinci for iPad is now available in the App Store.  You can download it from this link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/davinci-for-ipad/id372048588?mt=8. 

Like the first iPhone version, this is a Labs release.  There are some areas we know are still a bit rough around the edges, and in particular the photos handling we're going to revamp quite a bit.  But, you'll definitely get a feel for where we're going with this.

First is the sketcher.  Not only do you have more room to work with your sketch, we've been able to implement a toolbar that makes switching between drawing modes, adding symbols and labels, and defining areas more intuitive.  A new keyboard layout simplifies entering dimensions and drawing lines.  We've added directional arrows to the keyboard that can be used instead of swiping if that feels more comfortable.  And we've also introduced the ability to draw 45 degree walls by either swiping in a diagonal direction or using the corresponding arrow keys, which is a huge time-saver.

 

Data gathering also got a huge boost from the extra screen space in that we're able to show the data entry form, navigation between forms, and the active QuickList on the screen at the same time.  Tapping a QuickList item automatically takes you to the next field and loads the next QuickList.  You'll be amazed how fast you can rip though the data gathering phase.  Even the FieldPad benefitted with all the extra screen space for drawing with your finger.

 

One of the key features of the iPad is that there's no correct or incorrect way to hold it.  DaVinci adopts this philosophy by rotating all screens automatically no matter how you hold it.  So whatever orientation feels most comfortable to use is just fine.

 

Also, just like the iPhone version, you can configure DaVinci for iPad to sync reports, form layouts and QuickLists from WinTOTAL, TOTAL 2010 or DaVinci Mobile Pro.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.  We'd love to know.

Thanks,
Adam Calvery
a la mode, inc.

Geek's Corner - 12 Mega-Pixel, 24mm Ultra-Wide Angle Compact Digital Camera

On Feb 23, 2009 Samsung Electronics America unveiled a new 12 mega-pixel compact digital camera boasting a 24mm ultra-wide angle Schneider lense.

Good quality, ultra-wide, compact cameras have been hard to come by recently . . .so this is a welcome announcement for appraisers!

Featuring a brushed stainless steel finish, the TL320 is as stylish as it is advanced. The camera offers a compact form factor highlighted by two analog dials found on top of the TL320’s body. The two dials give the TL320 a retro look and provide users with the ability to quickly glance down at the camera for an approximate readout of remaining battery life and memory capacity. 

 

The TL320 features a Schneider lens, renowned for quality and trusted by professionals worldwide, and offers consumers a more versatile 24mm ultra-wide angle focal length paired with a powerful 5x optical zoom.

Utilizing the same advanced technologies found in its revolutionary AMOLED televisions, Samsung was able to incorporate a three-inch, 460,000-dot HVGA AMOLED screen in the new TL320, the largest AMOLED screen on a digital camera to date.

Samsung’s new TL320 also offers advanced high-definition video recording at a resolution of 720p, as well as HDMI connectivity through the use of a cradle to view one’s video and photos in HD clarity on an HDTV.

For added stability and blur-free images, Samsung has outfitted the TL320 with both Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. The shooter has the option of simply using Optical Image Stabilization or choosing Dual Image Stabilization, combining the strengths of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization.

For the more advanced user who prefers to have more control over camera settings, the TL320 offers aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual shooting, as well as Samsung’s unique Advanced Picture Mode. For users looking for simplicity when it comes to taking digital images, the TL320 offers a comprehensive suite of automatic controls designed to help them capture better images with ease, including the camera’s Smart Auto mode.

In addition to Smart Auto, the TL320 also incorporates Samsung’s proprietary Smart Album program. Smart Album is useful tool which allows users to easily search for a specific image they have saved on their memory card. Users can also take advantage of the TL320’s Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot technologies. Designed to help capture better portraits and group shots of family and friends.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/cll9q3 

 

Geek's Corner: Panasonic DMC-LX3K - Next "Best" Real Estate Photography Camera?

OK . . .It's expensive . . .but WOW! is it packed with features and an ultra-wide 24mm lens!

Designed for easy, creative shooting, and high-performance in low-light conditions, the Panasonic DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens, 10.1 megapixels and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this model.

By combining a high-quality lens and sensor ready for a variety of shooting conditions with a wide-range of accessories and manual controls, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for professional photographers and serious amateurs looking for a compact digital camera that furthers their creative photography.

F2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens. The F2.0 is about twice as bright as a F2.8 lens and can shoot at higher shutter speeds to capture clear, blur-free images in dimly lit environments. In addition, the 24mm lens captures approximately a 213-percent larger viewing angle than a normal 35mm camera and 136% larger compared to a 28mm wide-angle lens.

Technical Details:

10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints

2.5x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens

3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen; HD video capture

Classic SLR-like manual operations include selectable AF spot/multi AF area, customization button, aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes

Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

This item is due to be released in September. 

Price from Amazon.com is $499.95. Click here.

Additional Information:

• Digital Photography Review
• Panasonic Site

Shameless Self-Promotion: Grand Opening! ScoopGear.com!

Some of you have already noticed the ScoopGear.com display ad on this blog and were curious enough to click on it.  For those of you that haven't . . .this post is for YOU!

Over the years, I've noticed that a lot of appraisers come up with some pretty neat ideas but they never seem to gain any traction because there was no place to advertise them economically or they weren't able to demonstrate or explain their value.   That's all about to change!

AppraisalScoop has been phenomenally successful thanks to all of you!  Along with that success comes an opportunity to create a sister-site, that's geared towards marketing a variety of niche-market appraisal tools, that would otherwise not of had exposure to a large targeted market.

ScoopGear.com has been open for a few days now but today is its official GRAND OPENING! 

One of the key features of ScoopGear.com is its blog interface.   This is NOT just another storefront site.  For the first time ever, ScoopGear.com's blog style allows merchants and appraisers to interact real-time on a variety of levels.  Sure, you can buy stuff from the individual merchants, but that's not the great part of this site. 

Each merchant essentially becomes a blog author!  Just like on AppraisalScoop.com, each author can post articles, videos, and photos about their product or service.  In turn, appraisers can comment and interact with the merchant. 

Many will recognize Anthony Young's fantastic Nuts & Bolts of Spreadsheets and Graphs DVD as one of our premier merchant offerings.  "Soup to Nuts" might be a better description for Anthony's DVD.  Beginner or seasoned Excel grapher, there's plenty in this video training DVD for everyone.

Anthony Young is already working on a series of training videos to illustrate some of the things that you'll learn with his product.  Your questions and comments to Anthony will also be featured there.

The LaserReel is also being featured on ScoopGear.com!

LaserReel is a heavy-duty retractable "Quick Draw" reel designed to replace the bulky holster that comes with laser measuring devices.  The LaserReel works with any laser measuring device, camera, or light that has a standard 1/4-20" mounting thread, up to 1 lb.

I had tried another brand and really, really liked the concept but the design was not durable enough for the way appraisers would use it.   I went looking for an alternative.  The LaserReel's superior 0.04" (O.D.) steel wire with a protective vinyl plastic outer layer has a 34" long reach which is ample for when you want to use the telescopic viewer on Disto measuring devices.

In the coming weeks I hope to finalize some talks with additional merchants and see if together we can build a community sharing tips, tricks, gadgets, and software.   I hope you'll visit and support the merchants.  Watch for upcoming videos!!!

Geek's Corner - What is (and isn’t) a Tablet PC?

John Hill, TabletPCBuzz, Owner and Allegiance Technology, CEO has agreed to help guide appraisers through some of their questions with regards to what a Tablet PC is and what it isn't!  I've attended two of John's webinars for appraisers on Tablet PCs and have learned a TON both times.  Welcome John to the Appraisal Scoop blog!

Rather than talk about “feeds and speeds”, advocate or bash certain brands or advise you on what your setup should look like, I’ve decided to help set your expectations about Tablet PCs.

A Tablet PC isn’t a Swiss army knife

It isn’t a computer that weighs 1.2 pounds, has a 17” screen and 16 hours of battery life with a built in 8 megapixel camera and is Mil-spec ruggedized for drops of 30’ and submersible to a depth of 100 meters.

It is a fully capable Windows computer - You can run ALL your Windows compatible software the same as you do on your desktop or laptop computer.  It runs the same version of QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, Apex, WinTOTAL, ClickForms, ACI and any other software without requiring a special “tablet” version.  You can get a very capable tablet PC with a weight under 4 pounds with a high resolution screen and 5+ hours of battery time.  With the right case, you can protect your tablet from rain and mishaps.

A Tablet PC won’t work where I live

I know, you are in Florida where the sun is intense, or Arizona where it is 120F in the shade, or Washington where it rains six days out of five, or Vermont where it is always twenty below.  Tablet PCs, like other mobile computers, are designed to work in a variety of environments.  The outdoor viewable screens aren’t perfect, but they are way better than any standard notebook screen.  All are rated to a wide variety of temperatures. 

Treat it the way you would any expensive device - Feel free to lock it in the trunk of your car when you don’t want it stolen – just don’t leave it there for several days in the baking sun or freezing cold.  Get some rain on the screen and you can just wipe it off – but please don’t use it to complete forms while you are in the tub with your rubber duck.  Drop it off the desk onto the floor when you trip over the cord – our rule is that any fall that would injure you would probably hurt your computer too.

To continue reading, click here . . . .

Leica DISTO™ D3 - Pocketable - Light Sensing - Tilt Measurement - Area Calculation

Matt Johnson of www.lasermeters.com and ww.appraiserdepot.com has announced the introduction of yet another product to the Leica line of laser measuring devices. 

The new DISTO™ D3 is a multi-functional "pocketable" measuring device with an integrated tilt sensor and a lighting detector that automatically switches on the display and keypad illumination.  THAT should help when working in those dark REO properties!

Measuring made easy – your versatile partner with a modern look!

• Tilt measurement The instrument's inbuilt tilt sensor quickly and simply determines tilts up to ± 45°. The tilt sensor can also provide you with true horizontal distances. Reliable measurements are therefore guaranteed.
• Multifunctional end piece Aim the instrument straight at the target point, whether measuring out of corners, slots or from edges: with this end piece you are prepared for all measuring situations. The instrument detects the end piece automatically, which helps you avoid expensive measuring errors.
• Automatic keypad and display illumination A built-in sensor detects if the environment is dark and switches on the illumination of the keypad and display. You can also measure in the dark without any problem.
• Multiple functions The Leica DISTO™ D3 can also calculate areas, volumes, room dimensions and various types of Pythagorean functions. A time delay release and enough memory for up to 20 measurements finish off the instruments wide range of functions – a concept designed to make
  your work easier.

Included items - practical and clever:

• Holster: Stows everything away neatly
• Target plate: Allows accurate measurement on a non-reflective surface.
• Wrist strap: Secures the instrument at all heights

Webinars: Paperless Office / Field Data Collection

a la mode, inc. has turned two of their most popular courses from the 2007 Vegas Convention into webinars that you can attend on-line, right from your home or office. 

They're even waving their typical $29.00 registration fee for non-customers!  What's better than FREE?!

I'll be hosting the first of the two webinars:

Pulp Fiction – Is the “Paperless Office” a myth?* aka - "Papercuts, do they HAVE to hurt?

Appraisal offices may never get rid of paper entirely - but minimizing its use can help appraisers cut costs and increase office efficiency.   

This class will help you:

• Understand the real costs of paper;
• How to create a paperless “mind set”, and
• How to get your paperless office STARTED!   

This 1-hour class is NOT just for WinTOTAL users.  I'll be covering lots of free tools and services, available from the Internet, to assist you in creating a paperless environment.  We'll be working LIVE to demonstrate a paperless workflow from receiving an assignment through creating an electronic workfile.   

DATE	CLASS	COST
August 16	Going Paperless with Brian Davis	FREE!	Click here to sign-up
August 21	Field Data Collection Techniques with Leland Hill	FREE!	Click here to sign-up

Don’t miss these FREE Real World series webinars, hosted by working appraisers.

Author: Brian J. Davis, RAA - Brian Davis & Associates - Brian has over 23 years of appraisal experience in Central, IL and hosts the Appraisal Scoop blog and the WinTOTAL Users Group an email forum for appraisers.

Pocket Laser Targets - Appraiser invents the "Better Mousetrap" for use with laser measuring devices

Leland Hill, of Associated Appraisers of America, spoke at the recent a la mode convention in Las Vegas on a class called Field Data Techniques.  I think that I would have called it "Boys and Their Toys" as Lee, Michael Elliot, and Rober Smoote (Apex) trotted out every manner of technology gadget for appraisers.  ONE of the things that was presented caught my attention because I know the inventor. 

Below are comments by Leland Hill on the Pocket Laser Target:

Many appraisers use Distos for measuring. I’ve been using Distos for several years. And while I can usually find a target and I’ve become very proficient using the Disto, I have found occasions where you just cannot seem to find a target without becoming very creative.

To address that problem, my good friend Paul James came up with some new Disto Targets that are just awesome. Paul took the time to research and test several different materials, finishes, and target sizes. He asked me (along with Michael Barnes) to help test them. Paul came up with a winning design using light weight aluminum that will not crack or break and fits neatly in a back pocket (that’s why non-breakable is important – in case you forget and sit on them).

Many of us also know Matt Johnson of www.LaserMeters.com and www.AppraiserDepot.com . Matt now has Paul’s targets for sale on his site:http://tinyurl.com/yrzpz3

For anybody that uses a Disto, I highly recommend that you get a set of these. I promise you they will come in handy from time to time. 

If this sounds too much like a commercial for some of you, I apologize. Neither Paul nor Matt asked me to do this – I did it on my own. I think the Targets can benefit Disto users with their workflow and just wanted to let folks know how they can get them. 

Click below to get ALL of the details on the Pocket Laser Target straight from the inventor, Paul James . . .

Transforming Your Digital Camera into an Electronic Measuring Tape

iPhotoMEASURE Standard Edition is a revolutionary software tool that enables you to measure anything in a photo taken with your digital camera. This is very useful when physical measurements are difficult or unsafe to perform.

The iPhotoMEASURE program comes with DigiTargets, which are placed in any area you want to photograph/measure. The DigiTarget provides the software with an accurate scale to base its measurements on.

All that's required is to:

1. Take a digital photo.
2. Open the photo in the iPhotoMEASURE program and select the DigiTarget in the picture for reference. The software automatically measures anything in the photo with 95% to 99.5% accuracy (depending on the angle of the photo).
3. Save, print, share and/or archive the photo with the measurements embedded.   

How Precise?  Just how accurate are measurements taken from a photograph? According to their website, from 40 feet away, the program has about 93% accuracy. From 30 feet, that increases to 98%, and only gets better the closer you get to the target. “The software is always 100% accurate — but it's the quality of the camera lens that will determine the true accuracy." 

There is also a quick video you can watch to see how the software works. Website can be found here.

Thanks to Jim Amorin's, MAI, SRA blog Appraisal Podcasts for the tip on this product!

The Perfect Appraisal Camera? - Ricoh Releases New GPS-Ready Digital Camera

Could this be the NEXT Perfect "Appraiser's Camera"?  Ricoh Corporation has joined the high-tech real estate market this month by releasing its 500SE GPS-ready digital camera with integrated Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, and a 28mm wide-angle lens.

Price: $899 + GPS Unit: $130 +Wifi: $50 = Total: $1,079

Developed for outdoor location-based photography, the 500SE boasts extreme ruggedization and high resolution to meet the image quality and all-weather usability demanded by the mobile appraiser, interested in incorporating GPS photography.

The camera's integrated precision GPS module provides for an all-in-one, easy- to-use device for geo-coding images and video at the time of capture. For applications that require even greater precision, the camera is capable of receiving NMEA data streams from external GPS devices via its on-board Bluetooth(R) radio.

Click below for more details . .