Back in the day, I remember when Windows was the undisputed king of OS, Apple was nearly bankrupt, and alternatives like Linux were seen a OSs for crackpots. I remember several years ago, Google made a comment that they would make microsoft irrelevant as an OS, and everyone laughed.
Now, it seems like in the world of handheld devices, Microsoft has fallen hopelessly behind Android and Apple. I'm amazed at what my Android phone can do, and my wife's Iphone. Then I pick up my $5000 Ranger with Windows and it feels like I'm holding a brick from last century. I can't get the WiFi in my own house to connect reliably. There's no integrated "App Store" where I can seamlessly buy Apps and/or media content. My wife is moving all our digital backups to the cloud through dropbox ... We can get that for our computers, our phones, our tablets, but NOT the Ranger/Windows .... Virtually no one appears to be making "apps" for windows mobile, and the ones I can get are needlessly difficult to install. Windows Mobile is going the way of the blackberry.
I'll be so flipping happy when the DC software (TDS & Carlson) dump Windows Mobile. It is a technological ball and chain.
It's amazing how fast the mighty have fallen.
/Rant
Great point. My Ranger bluetooth works fine but I have to use a USB jump drive to upload/download. Seems like it ought to be "on the cloud" with a click of the button for file transfers by now.
I agree - Windows mobile is a dead platform. I want a Windows platform that will run all code developed by their (or other) compiler on a phone, pad, handheld, laptop - it should not matter which one. Don't count Microsoft out just yet. I believe they will finally re-invent themselves with Windows 10 and have a unified OS and development platform that has been woefully lacking - and you will have your app store for most if not all of it. The Android platform is starting to get real penetration in many data collection environments more so than iOS. Any more missteps by Microsoft and they will become completely overrun by the Android platform that is certain. Its is that way with smartphones now but as I said I believe Microsoft can still be relevant. I guess we're going to see how it all plays.
Just my 2c,
Terry
I agree Windows CE and Mobile are just not adequate for use with todays survey applications which are now more CAD based, collecting more data, and in need of faster more reliable connections.
A few months ago I purchased a ToughPad with Intel i5 processor, 8Gb RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB3.0 and 128Gb SSD, running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 OS.
Last week I dropped it, and broke the screen. Sent it in for repair. Just got it back today.
In the mean time I was forced to use my Tesla Windows mobile device for a data controller, and it was painfully slow compared to the Toughpad. Each use the same version of Magnet. But the ToughPad is easily 20x faster, and more reliable.
Lee Green
Linux crackpot here...
I feel your pain.
I do still keep Windows 7 installed on my multi boot machines, but I only use it for the rare occasions that I need to use Auto Cad.
I refuse to use Windows for any internet connection for security concerns ... "because I am paranoid dos not mean they are Not out to get me" 😉
I do use Android telephone (Samsung) and Android tablets. They are Not what I like, but they are handy. Google is invasive and I find Samsung is even worse. So many built in data collection apps... I suspect NSA is behind both companies.
> Linux crackpot here...
Windows Mobile CE API platform is a completely different beast compared to other platforms. For instance, the binary data streaming from an R8 cannot be read by apple or android or the Windows 8 phone. The WE8H (Windows Embedded 8 Handheld) devices are different then the W8 phone. The WE8H devices will process the more complicated binary data, BUT, the software developers will have to restructure the mobile software to run on the new platform. So, if you went out and bought a new Bluebird bm180 or a Panasonic FZ-E1, the software you have on your Win6.5 device wont run on it. So the big rip-off is that none of the hardware manufactures are willing to put a 1.0ghz or a 1.5ghz processor with a beefed up RAM in a Windows Mobile 6.5 device with a decent display. :pissed: THIS REALLY BURNS ME UP!!!!!!:pissed:
Question for (Peter) a Linux Crackpot ...
Peter,
A few years ago I ran into a fella that was trying to get AutoCAD to run in Linux. He was not a crackpot...and if anybody could be successful, I believe he could. The last time I talked to him he had limited (unsuccessful) results. Have you heard of anybody that has had any success?
Question for (Peter) a Linux Crackpot ...
> Peter,
>
> A few years ago I ran into a fella that was trying to get AutoCAD to run in Linux. He was not a crackpot...and if anybody could be successful, I believe he could. The last time I talked to him he had limited (unsuccessful) results. Have you heard of anybody that has had any success?
I have had very good luck running Acad14 under wine (the windows emulator), but nothing newer. I never had a DCA install disk to try it on top, but I am pretty sure it would be easy too. Both were designed for DOS.
I do use land desktop 2004 (or maybe it is 2007) in Windows 7.
There should be no issue setting up a virtual machine in Linux and installing windows in it, then AutoCad... But windows and acad are such memory hogs that method would make for poor response. Considering how much I use cad rebooting to windows is my preference over messing things up in Linux with a morphed windows...
Even a 1.0ghz is dead tech these days. I use a HTC HD2 with 1.0ghz and 512 RAM for data collection, 5 year old technology.
Juniper Systems is coming out with the Allegro 2 with 1.0ghz CPU and 512 RAM, 5 year old technology, and this thing is supposed to be the latest and greatest? I'm like - REALLY? GOOD GRIEF!?!?!? It really makes me mad that Juniper Systems refuses to produce a device that is in line with current technology. For that I spite the hardware manufactures and refuse to buy any of there products if I can get away with it. They holdout and holdback, really annoying. I've been using the HD2 for five years, it whizzes past the TSC3 and the Allegro and has never locked up or crashed.
Now I'm looking to China hardware companies that have come up with some interesting stuff.
The hardware is definitely the limiting factor.
It would seem feasible (especially on newer GPS units and robotic total stations) to use a tablet or smart phone for data collection.
I would be happy to pay a reasonable fee for that convenience.
For me, an application would have to support GPS and total station work. I can't believe that somebody hasn't developed/marketed this yet!?
> It would seem feasible (especially on newer GPS units and robotic total stations) to use a tablet or smart phone for data collection.
>
> I would be happy to pay a reasonable fee for that convenience.
>
> For me, an application would have to support GPS and total station work. I can't believe that somebody hasn't developed/marketed this yet!?
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