PDAs in Health Care   A guide to Personal Digital Assistants for faculty, students and staff of the Medical University of South Carolina

Getting Started

Medical Software and Suppliers

Hardware and Software Sources

Reviews and Comparisons

General Software and Suppliers

Educational Sites

Getting Started

The 1990s saw the birth of the handheld computing device. There are about 20 terms for these devices such as Palms, Palm pilots, Pocket PC, etc. as well as specific device names such as TRGpro. Two distinct operating systems dominate the market: Pocket PC (Windows CE) a Windows like OS and Palm OS. Two other operating systems, Symbian and Linux, are less visible in the market. Palm OS devices are generally faster and cheaper and have more software available. The PocketPC offers high color resolution, multimedia support and compatibility with Windows software. Fewer programs are available for PocketPC operating systems. See the Reviews and Comparisons page for information on selecting hardware and software. Many websites offer overviews of the world of handheld computing and tutorials on getting started with your machine. Several useful ones are listed below. O

Overviews

Ectopic Brain http://pbrain.hypermart.net/basics.html Provides links to many sites giving introductions and basic information. Produced by Kent E. Willyard, M.D. pdaMD.com http://www.pdamd.com/vertical/home.xml In the Learning Center on this site are many tutorials on a variety of tasks associated with selecting, owning and using a handheld computer. Handango--First Timers http://www.handango.com Primarily a commercial site, its First Timers section includes a handheld glossary, first time buyer recommendations, and tutorials. The Guide to Handheld and Palmtop Computing Resources for Health Care Professionals http://www.medicalsoftwareforpdas.com/ Online textbook. Can be downloaded or purchased in hard copy for a fee.