PDAs as Extension Delivery Tools
25 June 2007
The Virginia Fruit AdVisor Project:
The Fruit AdVisor project endeavors to use PDAs
as extension delivery tools, specifically for the dissemination of
fruit
IPM information and other fruit related issues. Users will have
installed
in their PDAs information on pest biology, monitoring methods, current
population activity, pest control recommendations, and updated
regulatory
issues. Pest trapping data collected in individual orchards may be
uploaded
to an IPM specialist's computer, facilitating evaluation of data, and
creating
of a trapping data network.
Although the current proposal is for a pilot
program
for Virginia fruit producers, the final product will lend itself easily
to growers in other states in the Southeast, and can be adapted to
other
commodities as well, largely by substituting files contained in the PDA.
Specific applications that work towards the goals
of the project are discussed below:
Personal Digital Assistants:
Personal digital assistants (aka PDAs, organizers,
handhelds) are small (pocket-sized) computers that have become popular
as personal organizers. Many popular models have 8-16 MB of
memory;
some models possess quite a bit more, but at a higher cost.
Basic
functions may be adapted for the individual user (address book,
date
book, expenses, to-do-list etc.).
Data files are backed up and updated when PDA is
synchronized with desktop computer. The user may also use memory
cards, depending on the PDA model, available at an exta cost.
This not only can back up data, but expands the memory of the
device. This extra safeguard may
easily
pay for itself with added security. Several operating systems are
available. The Palm OS is used by Palm devices. Palm OS
devices were selected for this project because of cost, and ease of use.
Virginia Fruit Web Site (Web-clipping via
AvantGo
(free). Using this free software, when the PDA is synchronized
with
the desktop computer, the current version of selected web pages are
installed
on the device. Pages may also be updated using wireless
connection.
The existing Virginia Fruit Web Site has been modified and streamlined
to fit the small PDA, and the crop pages (apple, grape, stone fruit,
pear,
and small fruit) are available as AvantGo channels. Examples of
the
information included are:
- Population biology and pest
identification and monitoring
- Updates on pest development and regulatory
issues (Bayer
FQPA
notice and Confirm
emergency registration notification for GBM). Regulatory changes
can
be announced as soon as they are known to the extension specialists,
updated
in the web page, and installed automatically into the grower's PDA upon
the next synchronization.
- Notice of grower
meetings. This feature has been used to announce planned
meeting
at the beginning of the season, as well as changes in meeting site or
date.
- Current fruit pest control recommendations
(pest
recommendations
and pesticide information). Changes in registration status (either new
or cancelled uses) can be reflected much more rapidly here than in hard
copy publications or the Virginia Cooperative Extension's posted pdf
version.
- The following web pages should
be
installed as AvantGo
channels for the project (a grower may select crop pages of interest):
- Virginia Apple
AdVisor - (http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/VisorApple.html)
(channel size 425k)
- Virginia Grape
AdVisor - (http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/VisorGrape.html)
(channel size 250k)
- Virginia Peach
AdVisor - (http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/VisorPeach.html)
(channel size 350k)
- Virginia Pear
AdVisor - (http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/VisorPear.html)
(channel size 350k)
- Virginia Small
Fruit
AdVisor
- (http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/VisorSmallFruit.html) (channel
size 250k)
- For
Virginia
fruit pages,
select channel size indicated, link depth=2, no images
- AccuWeather -
package channel
at AvantGo
- Fruit Growers
News -
(http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com)
100k, link depth=1
- Through wireless connectivity, there is also
the
potential
for active
web
browsing (see Bookmarks).
Wireless
model
are often combined with mobile phones.
Record-keeping and data collection
- Enter scouting data and instantly generate
graphs of
population activity while in field. Quicksheet
(also available as a part of QuickOffice)
may be used to generate spread
sheets that are compatible with Excel. This may be used to
generate
graphs (see examples directly below). Pendragon
Forms may also be used as a stand-alone software to collect
trapping
data. Growers participating in the Virginia Fruit AdVisor program
may enter trapping data into PDA and upload to a central data file
using
Pendragon Forms/SynchServer (see under Networking below).
- Keep mandated spray records while in spray
shed,
automatically
backup on synchronization (either through Quicksheet
or Pendragon forms)
- Some newer
PDAs contain internal cameras that may e-mail images to
extension agents or specialists for aid in evaluation; image quality may
not be equivalent to a stand-alone digital camera. Another limitation has been the lack of ability to
focus for close-up objects. Digital images may be created on some
older models using the
eyemodule2 Digital
camera for Visor (images - pheromone
dispenser, fruitworm injury).
When images are transferred to the desktop, they are in color, even
with
monochrome PDA models. These images may then be sent by e-mail.
Networking
- Networking
scouting
data with Pendragon SyncServer - A participating
grower,
agent, or scout may collect
field data into the PDA, and upon synchronization, automatically
upload
trap data, etc., to IPM specialist. This will facilitate evaluation of
population trends, as well as allowing creation of a trap data network.
- E-mail capability, uploading and downloading
upon synchronization
- Sprint Treo 600, 650
- telephone and wireless modem (coverage)
- Power-Point Extension presentations may
using Presenter-to-Go,
for
presentations
stored in a PDA and digital projectors
GIS, GPS
- Several GPS receivers on available for PDAs.
Garmin
GPS incorporated into PDA (Garmin
iQue 3600).
- Currently can mark locations of individual
farms.
Potential for farm-level mapping?
- Track movement of new pest distribution
though
state?
Weather
Douglas G.
Pfeiffer
