Appraisal Scoop

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC

They're here! PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released to manufacturing. They'll add fun and functionality to your Tablet PC experience.

Microsoft Says "Note: We've taken great care to ensure that [XP Tablet] PowerToys operate as they should, but they are not part of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and are not supported by Microsoft. For this reason, Microsoft Technical Support is unable to answer questions about PowerToys. PowerToys are for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition only."

Check out a few "select" PowerToy choices below:

UMPC Desktop and Mobile Solutions - You've Got To Accessorize!

If you click on the Tablet PC / UMPC category in the Appraisal Scoop blog you'll find many of my experiences with the  tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110.   They include both software and hardware installation topics as I continue integrating a ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection work flow.

My eo model is the v7110 with a 1.0Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB HDD, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and MS Windows XP Tablet Edition.  GOSH!  Doesn't that sound like it's got everything a "Mobile Appraiser" could ask for?!  No so "UMPC-Breath"!  I quickly discovered that I needed a few more things to get productive.  So I ordered what I considered to be MY . . .

MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES . . .

• USB to Ethernet Adapter (for when you don't have WiFi access)
• WriteShield Screen Protector  (better safe than sorry)
• Automobile Charger (the standard battery runs down quickly)
• Bump case (the eo has a rather slippery finish and no "grip")
• USB / Bluetooth Keyboard
• USB Memory Card w/ Adapter or Thumbdrive
• 6-Battery "extended" battery

My plan was to blog about each of these devices as they arrived but I'm finding that the REAL experts in UMPC technology have the same idea and are doing a much better job of showing. . .

How To Accessorize Your UMPC!  Read on . . .

*Disclaimer* DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE A UMPC WHILE DRIVING. Ever! Do as I say, not as I do!

TabletKiosk eo + StreetDeck = Car UMPC!

That's the way that the UltraMobileGeek blog by ThoughtFix begins this very thought provoking review of StreetDeck, a product which he says . . . " may well be the "be all and end all" of Car PC interfaces."

In his blog post he does a short review of StreetDeck (and video - see link at the bottom of this article) that he's installed on a tabletkiosk eo and mounted in his vehicle.

In his video his demonstrates just a few of the many features that are available in this Car-PC interface . . . . READ ON!

UMPC USB Keyboard For Under $20

My tabletkiosk eo UMPC, like many Ultra Mobile PCs does not come with a keyboard, and the OEM Bluetooth keyboard is device is $99 if you can find one.

Randy Garrett, Apex Software CEO gave me a great tip on an alternative device for +/-$20!  The USB keyboard is by Logitech and is designed for use with the PlayStation®2. Featuring a familiar keyboard layout, 8-foot USB cable, and quiet, full-size keys, it's full-featured enough to use comfortably and compact enough to sit easily on your lap or tabletop. 

I found one on Amazon for $9.99 plus shipping from EB Games.  Total cost should be about $16.00.

According to comments on Amazon, the keyboard does not have a standard numeric keypad, which is a major space saver in the design.  The number and function keys are "half height" which may make them a bit tricky to use for touch-typists.  Overall it looks like its got a 4 out of 5 star rating.

Mobile Appraiser Technology - UMPC Part Four - "Pulling It All Together"

For years appraisers have been searching for the perfect combination of hardware and software to make their "Field Data Collection" more efficient.  You've tried a Windows CE HPC (clamshell) device, moved on to a Pocket PC, a laptop, and may now be considering a Tablet PC or Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC).  You've probably also got a long history of trial-and-error experiences with data collection and sketching software!

As I talk with appraisers that have used data collection devices in the field, I hear the the full spectrum of experiences.    Some have been very successful in incorporating mobile technology into their work flow while others have had false-start after false-start. 

I believe that the reason that we have not seen mobile technology become part of the "Appraiser's DNA" is that we haven't achieved that sweet spot blend of hardware and software.  That point where appraisers adopt mobile data collection devices in large numbers (like we saw with digital photography). 

What I'm discovering is that mobile appraisers that have successfully adopted the Pocket PC technology are somewhat reluctant to switch platforms, and I can understand that.  After all, the PDA's BIG advantage is that it's SMALL!   It also has data collection software designed specifically for it, that integrates back into the desktop appraisal form filling software.  That's a great combination of hardware and software for an appraiser!

On the other hand, newer UMPCs run Windows XP for Tablets, have larger screens (for sketching), and are capable of using full "desktop" style programs that we're used to.

What if I told you that you could have the BEST of BOTH worlds?   Read on . . .

Mobile Appraiser Technology - Ultra Mobile PC Part Three - "Keeping In Synch"

In my earlier posts "UMPC "First Impressions" and "Getting it set up" I discussed my initial impressions about the tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 and some software installation topics as I began integrating a ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection work flow.

Now that I've got my tablet PC connected to the Internet and to my office peer-to-peer network via WiFi, I'm able to start installing appraisal and productivity software.  For me that means applications like MS Office 2003, Apex MSTT v3, and a la mode Aurora.

Since the tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 does not have a CD drive one has to come up with other ways to install software applications.  In the case of Apex MSTT, I was able to download that directly from their web site, but MS Office and WinTOTAL are a bit large for that method.

So how do I load my software CD onto my tablet PC?  The answer is simple. Find a desktop or laptop computer on your network and make it's CD/DVD drive "shareable" across the network.  Then put your CD into the drive, and click on [Add New Software] in the tablet's Windows Control Panel, browsing to the shared drive.  Once you find the set-up file on the CD, the software will install just like the drive was in your tablet.

How do I keep my tablet and office computer files in sync? The eo™ UMPC v7110 "Looks" like a big PDA but it's not.  It's a for-real computer running the Tablet version of Windows XP.  That means that it's not going to be able to use ActiveSync to keep your file folders in sync.

So NOW WHAT?   Read on . . .

Mobile Appraiser Technology - Ultra Mobile PC Part Two - "Getting It Set Up"

In my last post "Mobile Appraiser Technology - UMPC "First Impressions" I discussed some initial impressions about my new tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 and Learning Curve issues as I began integrating a ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection work flow.

Today I begin some of the normal software installations that I typically make to any new computer and some that will be specific to the tablet PC.

Internet Security: Because a UMPC is primarily a "collaboration" device that links me with with the world I definitely need to install anti-virus and anti-spyware applications.  I've been real happy with the free version of Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus software so that was the first site that I went to.  What I didn't know was that earlier this Summer they also launched a free ewido Anti-Spyware application!

Read on . .

Mobile Appraiser Technology - Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) First Impressions

The Ultra-Mobile PC is a new kind of computer. It combines the power of Windows XP with mobile-ready technologies that make it easy to access and use your software on the go.  Here's an excerpt from my earlier post "Ultra Mobile PC and Apex Sketching - Next Major Technology Leap for Appraisers?"

Real Estate Appraisers, as a group, have been very quick to adopt new technology. Online appraisal ordering, Internet delivery of reports (EDI), digital imaging, laser measurement of properties, and electronic data collection using hand-held Pocket PCs are but a few of the "commonplace" technologies that appraisers pioneered long before their clients were up to speed.

One of the problems with emerging technologies is achieving that blend of the right hardware and the right software at the same time. For example, both appraisers and their clients can remember how digital imaging was held back because of the poor quality printers available back in the "early adopter" stage. For years, appraisers have had mobile and desktop sketching programs but the "mobile" hardware and software have never hit that "sweet-spot" where it could really take-off and be universally adopted by appraisers in the field

That's all about to change . . .

My new tabletkiosk eo UMPC v 7110 finally arrived last week!

Click below to read about for my First Impressions of the tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 and some of my Learning Curve issues as I try to integrate this new ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection workflow.

READ ON . . .