Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 22

Hrmms, nice fluff links. Three things that aren't even shipping yet, and don't use CF devices. I should of pasted the info on the TRGProII that's going to be Color, have a faster processor, and still have all the expanability this model does. I believe you kind of missed the focus of the conversation ranting about USB2.0 and money.com speculations. It was more about current usability than tech market prediction(If anyone follows the market they would see those last three words as an oxymoron). R&D and innovation in Handsprings mind is creation of overpriced modules that only work with their product. Not exactly the best route to take in the tech world. Sorry.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 56

TRGpro-tracted debate continues

quote:

---

Originally posted by luciddreams
Hrmms, nice fluff links. Three things that aren't even shipping yet

---

__________________
<i> If it's worth doing, it's got to be done right now.</i>

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 384

While I agree that one of the main factors in selecting a PDA of medical purposes is memory, I would like to add that the way that memory is use is just as important.

The TRGpro has the ability to incorpoarate huge amounts of memory using CF cards, but it still cannot run applications directly off the the CF cards. The lag time may be small between the AutoCF's method of copying and running application and running applications directly from the SBM, however I would think that the bigger the application, the longer the lag, right? Some of the medical applications are pretty big, like PatientKeeper which is over 300kb. I beleive another consequence to the AutoCF method is that you have to leave free memory room in TRGpro's interal RAM to allow the applications to be copied into, which limits the internal memory. There are medical software that cannot be stored in the external memory, Epocrates and Medscape's ePharmicopia must remain in internal memory. I would rather not have to worry about leaving room in my internal RAM to house the copied apps.

Having memory is great, but do you really NEED 64mb's. I would love to get the 16mb module, I think that would be perfect size, I could finally put the Merck Manual on for background reference. What I'm tryng to say is that, most the the medical data bases are fairly repeative. I think to be efficient, all you need:
1. one or two reference books (Shyscape's 5MCC)
2. a comprehensive drug book (Lexidrugs)
3. a quick reference up-to-date drug reference (Epocrates)
4. a reference book for your speciality (Peds.)
5. a Patient tracker(PatientKeeper)
6. a "when I can't find it anywhere else" last resort before going the textbooks reference (Merck Manual)

One of the main advantages of the PDA is quick, efficient information retrieval. I think if you stuff your PDA with 64mb's of medical references it becomes counter-productive. If I can't find what I'm looking for in the Merck Manual, it's likely not going to be found anywhere else in your PDA. Why waste time poking around all the other database, I think it's just as quick looking in those good-old textbooks or go online.

Speaking of quick, I just got a VPL. Wow, there's a real noticable difference in speed between my old deluxe and the VPL epecially with the large medical databases. I know I have said that before, but you have got to try it to appreciate the 32-bit processor.

As for storing Patient data, I have had close to 50 in-patients stored on my PatientKeeper for a month, and database only required less 500kb's. I don't think that you can stored PatientKeeper data in Flash memory anyway.

Finally, I think Handspring has far outdistant TRGpro in both features and marketbility. By the way, the new TRGpro will not be in color according to what I have read from PalmStation. If the TRGpro cost in the mid-$300's now, how much is the TRGproII going to cost? If it's in the $400's, that Prism-like number without the color.

[Edited by Fat_Man on 01-28-2001 at 01:51 PM]

__________________
Fat's

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: The Matrix
Posts: 718

You've got the right one baby!!

Just to let you guys know, My cousin has had her Platinum for 2 weeks and is loving it.

And for those of you that said she should have gotten a TRGpro, I say why? There are two compact Flash adapters out for the Visor, so whats the advantage?

http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-6-83-1-6.htm

Now the Visor has the upper hand. Oh and by the way, theres a SmartMedia Adaptor coming soon too.

http://www.memplug.com/

Love thy Visor

__________________
-Mikedemo
It's all about how you spend the money.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

They must be doctors...

Adding to DBrown's observations, I must say that the verbosity of the posts in this thread leads me to suspect latent psychiatrists amongst these obviously high-flying surgeon/paed types above. As a psychiatrist myself, if I'm not writing volumes in casenotes, which the "proper" doctors never have time to read, I'm using my Visor to play games!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Posts: 173

Re: They must be doctors...

quote:

---

Originally posted by VM
Adding to DBrown's observations, I must say that the verbosity of the posts in this thread leads me to suspect latent psychiatrists amongst these obviously high-flying surgeon/paed types above. As a psychiatrist myself, if I'm not writing volumes in casenotes, which the "proper" doctors never have time to read, I'm using my Visor to play games!

---