Registered: Mar 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 17

Paperless Handheld 2010 Census

I caught this in the March 18th ComputerWorld:

http://www.computerworld.com/storyb...TO69188,00.html

"Ideally, the Census Bureau would deploy mobile computers equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, telecommunications capabilities, and map and e-mail software, said Pike, who added that wireless devices are being strongly considered. However, the bureau has a tough price target�about $100 per device..."

Sounds like the kind of handheld computer that I'd like to have... Hey wait a minute. I already have one of those.

The price is going to be difficult to meet, but the Visor can do all of this.

Registered: Apr 2002
Location:
Posts: 74

economies of scale?

Well, Consider this:

The US Census bureau hires several tens of thousands of people to collect the data they need for their census. I'm sure they can achieve significant economies of scale by getting a cheap-o visor and GPS unit along with the necessary program and then allow their takers to sync the visor with the office's servers.

They probably would need to give up the e-mail and wireless telecommunications aspect for the time being.