Appraisal Scoop

DaVinci, a Revolutionary Field Data Gathering and Sketching Application For Appraisers Debuts At a la mode Convention

I just got back from Las Vegas last night, where a la mode labs introduced its first prototype - field inspection management software application this week.  Convention attendees saw DaVinci in action for the first time at the a la mode labs booth in the event's exhibit hall at a la mode annual convention.

ALL of the attendees were given a CD with the new prototype application to take home and try.  For those that could not attend, you can download and try DaVinci out for free at http://www.alamode.com/labs.

I'll post the official news release below, but it's important to note a few things!

This is prototype software!  There's no tech support for this!  If you get errors or something doesn't appear to work correctly, or if you just have some feedback and suggestions, please send an email directly to labs@alamode.com.  Their labs team can then read and respond to the message.

The build that's available for download at www.alamode.com/labs is just a prototype and is not final software. It hasn't been through a QA (Quality Assurance) cycle nor has a beta test cycle been completed on it. They hope you'll install it, try it out and send them your feedback. A la mode will then use that feedback as they continue to fix, refine and improve the product.

This is the FIRST TIME, that I've ever seen an appraisal software company let appraisers in on the development process this early on!

According to Chris Low, Product Management, a la mode, inc.

"They haven't set pricing for this product yet, since we're still in the development phases. But we plan to offer it for download at no charge for limited time. So go get it, install it, and have fun with it. In the near future (as soon as we get home from the convention), I'll have more information on documentation, online classes about DaVinci, and tips and tricks. Please stay tuned."

Click below for the complete news release from a la mode:

Apex Software Releases Mobility Software for Tablet PCs

NEWS RELEASE: Today, Apex Software, the standard in sketching in the real estate valuation market, announced at the Northern Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers (NCAREA) conference the immediate availability of Apex Nexus™, the company’s revolutionary new mobile sketching and data collection tool.

Nexus takes field sketching and data collection to an entirely new level by fully embracing Tablet PC technology, providing a natural approach to drawing floor plans, taking notes, and gathering data during field inspections.

“Our goal was to develop a solution that is superior to pencil and paper in every way,” said Robert Smoote, Apex Software’s Vice President of Product Development. “Nexus accomplishes this feat by truly revolutionizing the inspection process.”

Traditionally, fee appraisers use pencil, paper, tape measure and clipboard to measure a home, sketch its floor plan and annotate property details. The resulting paper documents are then redundantly transcribed back at the office into desktop software and the paper work files kept in physical file folders for a period of at least five years.

Using Nexus on Tablet PCs, appraisers simply draw on screen with a pen or stylus. Nexus takes the etch-a-sketch-like information and automatically transforms it to data. Jagged lines become straight, scrawled angles and curves convert to measurement, scribbled dimensions auto convert to exact lengths or angles and detailed room-by-room INK notes are digitized.

Click below to read on . . .

Geek's Corner: Gates Previews Server for Home Users

Dan Costa (PC Magazine's senior editor, consumer electronics) reports that Bill Gates demoed a new server designed specifically for home users at his keynote address on Sunday.

Dubbed Windows Home Server, the software is designed to make it easy for consumers with no technical expertise to set up a home server and use it for file sharing, for backup, and as an always-on library of media—and I say hallelujah, if it really is easy!

Microsoft will be partnering with a variety of hardware vendors to offer the server appliance through retail channels. Devices should be available by mid-2007.  Read Dan’s report.

2007 - Will It Be The Year of the Ultra Mobile PC for Appraisers?

Patrick Santry of Santry Technology Solutions, and owner of the popular gadget site: Redmond Gadgets.com says:  "The year 2006 brought the computer world a new form factor, this was the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). The idea behind this venture backed by Microsoft was to create a computing experience that anyone could carry around with them and access at any time. Weighing in at just around 2 lbs. and with a seven inch screen it was going to make life a bit more portable."

Could 2007 be the year that appraisers have been waiting for?  Could there finally be a convergence of hardware, software, value and utility next year?  Could the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) be the key to that goal?. 

Click below to read on:

Geeks' Corner: 'Twas the night before CES - a UMPC Verse

‘Twas the night before CES and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring, well, I was using the mouse.
The plasma was hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that videocasts would be part of the fare.

The kids checked their blackberry and headed to bed,
with visions of ultra mobiles dancing in their heads.
Dear mama with her EO and I with 1Q,
were visiting websites by an LCD hew.

When out on the web, there arose such a clatter,
I opened up Ultranauts to see what was the matter.
Out came the pen feverishly inking with TIP,
What was happening out on the Las Vegas strip?

In the glow of the screen, slowly ounce by ounce,
I soon realized, it was a preannounce!
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
A Dell Ultra Mobile PC and lots of gear!

With a Pentium processor, oh it’s so quick,
Surely this must be some kind of trick!
We thought it was Apple who might join the team,
But a Dell Ultra Mobile, it was only a dream!

I whistled and shouted and called them by name;
Now Samsung, Fujitsu, now Asus and EO,
on Flybook, on Sony, on Vega, to me Oh!

From inside the enterprise and out in the mall,
Now dash away, dash away, spread mobile to all!

Thanks to Ultranauts for this GREAT Holiday Gift!

eo Tablet Bump Case Reviewed

The long awaited tabletkiosk eo bump case finally arrived yesterday!  I was anxiously anticipating its arrival because I felt this was the missing piece in being able to safely take the eo v7110 into the field for home inspections.

I was very pleased with the look and feel of the case.  It's a 'leather look" type material and has a very good gripability factor.  My eo slipped snuggly into the case that is basically two customize panels connected together by elastic material to form an "eo sandwich".  This open design provides for good access to all of the ports and controls.

I really like the fact that the top enclosure (two Velcro straps) easily accommodated the larger extended battery.  The standard battery would be fine if one were just going to do one or two inspections, but anything longer than that will require connection to a car charger or switching to the larger battery.

Flipping it over one finds large elastic straps that allow the user to slip their hand through.  I tried putting my hand through the straps from the side and from the bottom.  Ergonomics would suggest that coming in from the side would be best.  When I tried it from the bottom, I found I had to hold my wrist in a rather uncomfortable angle.

The tabletkiosk bump case for the v7110 comes with a nylon strap with plastic snap-on connectors that swivel.  Here's where things start to break down.  The strap is about the quality one would expect to come with a cheap give-a-way tote bag.

As you can see from the photo above, the extended battery in combination with the location of the connecting hooks, makes the eo top-heavy and hang at an angle.  But that's not the worse design flaw!  The hooks are at the top of the unit.

I handed the unit (with strap) to several appraisers and they all quickly made the same comment: "It's upside down when I try to use it?!"   Why?  The UMPC is hanging from the top and when we pick it up, it's not oriented correctly.   The bump cases that come with Motion tablets have hooks on both the top and bottom, allowing users a wide variety of configurations.

My solution was to run the shoulder straps under the elastic bands on the back and connect the hooks from the bottom.  This is a bit awkward looking but the unit will hang better, is properly oriented, and still sits on the stock easel for desktop use.

Overall I'd give the bump case a B - .  It's got a good look and feel.  It accommodates the extended battery.  All the controls are accessible.  The case actually provides a bit of insulation from the heat of the UMPC.   If they had given more attention to the quality and location of the strap and maybe some sort of display cover I could probably have given it an A!

Microsoft® Streets & Trips 2007 with GPS Locator Released Today

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 11, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Microsoft^® Streets & Trips 2007 with GPS Locator, which includes the latest version of the best-selling¹ travel and mapping software for the U.S. and Canada. Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 with GPS Locator delivers the helpful tools that consumers have come to expect, along with several new and enhanced features. The updated version of the product includes a sleek new and compact cordless Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver manufactured by Pharos, and a new full-screen navigation mode, making it easier than ever to plan personalized road trips and travel with complete confidence.

For appraisers that are interested in installing this product on a Tablet PC or UMPC, that does not have a CD drive, I've provided some instructions (click here) on my experiences with installing the 2006 version on a tablekiosk eo just this week.

READ ON . . . .

Tips for Installing GPS On An Ultra Mobile PC - Microsoft Streets & Trips with GPS Locator

In preparation for my trip north to Milwaukee, WI for the IAAO convention, I wanted to install and test Microsoft Streets and Trips with GPS locator.  I selected MS Streets and Trips because it was an inexpensive GPS "Kit" that I was confident would run on my tabletkiosk eo.

Because I waited until the last minute to make the purchase, I could only find the 2006 edition, even though the 2007 version has been released.  The 2006 version was on sale at Office Max for $99 which I thought was pretty good for a package that included both the mapping software and the GPS receiver.

Right out the box the software LOOKED easy to install. Just pop in the CD, click setup, and then plug in the gps. The problem is that the software would not install to my eo across the network (like all of my other software installs) without doing an "Administrative" installation.  I've got step-by-step instructions on that below.

I was taking the MINI on this trip and I wanted to place the gps receiver some place where it wouldn't be obstructed.  What I ended up doing was just placing the eo UMPC on the passenger seat and the receiver (usb cabled) between the sunroof's shade and the sunroof. Perfect!  There is an optional Bluetooth adapter by Pharos (who I believe is the manufacturer of the receiver).

The software is relatively easy to use. Driving directions are returned very fast after inputting the address.  I did lose the gps signal when I went through a tunnel in Milwaukee, but it quickly picked it right back up again within a few seconds after exiting.  Construction information is provided and can be updated periodically from the Internet.

If you happen to get off route, the program doesn't have a feature to reroute itself so you'll have to stop the car or get a passenger to fix it. Also the software doesn't have a function that lets you start from the location of the gps indicator. You'd have to click somewhere ahead of the gps locator to add a start point. It's more of an inconvenience than problem though.

READ ON FOR INSTALLATION TIPS . . . .

Tabletkiosk eo UMPC - Things That Go Bump In The Night!

From the title of this post, I bet you thought this post would be some sort of Halloween tale about ghosts and goblins appearing on my eo's display. . . right?  Not exactly!!

Actually, I'm up in Milwaukee, WI attending the 72nd IAAO annual convention and had a chance to have breakfast this morning with Robert Smoote and Mike Unser, both of Apex.

After breakfast, I took the opportunity to walk over to the Exhibit Hall with them to get a demonstration of the new Nexus sketching product being unveiled to the Assessors.

While Robert Smoote was unpacking his Motion Tablet PC he happened to refer to the case that it was in as his "Batman" case because the exterior was molded and shaped in a similar fashion as Batman's costume.  Seeing that, I mentioned that I has found a similar case for my eo UMPC at Best Buy.  That got me to thinking that I should probably share this case with others.

The case I bought is by Case Logic and is designed as a CD/DVD case.  I bought mine from Best Buy for around $13.00.   Like Robert's case, the exterior is firm and molded for good protection and grip-ability.  The case measures 11"H x 6-3/4"W x 1-5/8' and has a rigid, molded, black EVA foam exterior with zippered enclosure.

It's pretty slick because it holds the eo firmly inside, even with the extended battery.  I haven't cut out the vinyl CD holders yet and in fact have stuck some business cards and sticky pads in there.

So if you're looking for an inexpensive case to make sure that your UMPC does not go "Bump" in the night, take a peek at the Case Logic cases at your local office supply store.

What Would MacGyver Do? - eo UMPC Upgrades For Appraisers

I'm sure that eveyone remembers MacGyver as being famous for knowing how to make useful  things from practically nothing!  I wonder if MacGyver was given a tabletkiosk eo UMPC, and the task of taking it into the field on a typical residential appraisal assignment, just "What Would MacGyver Do?" to get the job done?!

Let's face it . . .the tabletkiosk eo UMPC is a great little device but it doesn't take long to see that it is does have its shortcomings in terms of being a "Full Featured" data collection device for appraisers.

What Are Its Shortcomings?

• No Ethernet Port (10/100 RJ-45)
• No Flash Card / SD Memory Card Reader
• No PMCIA slot ( for EVDO - HSDPA )
• No VGA port (full monitor)
• No Port Replicator (currently available)
• Short Battery Life (1.5 - 2 hours standard)
• No Built-In MIC (microphone)
• No Built-in Camera
• No Built-in GPS

The good news?  There's a great selection of add-on hardware and software solutions to overcome many of the eo's deficiencies.     MacGyver HELP!!!! . . . read on: