Software-in-the-field, aka mobile apps

[Thorin]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fighting-sandy-debris-removal-crook

First, I learned (well, was reminded) that there are lots of people out there who would cheat and steal when given even the slightest opportunity, especially from a government institution.

Second, I learned that software-in-the-field is finally becoming mainstream.  I've programmed apps for PocketPC and Windows CE devices (the latter being ruggedized tablet computers from the early 2000s, ruggedized meaning you could drop them from the top of a powerpole and they'd still work).  But those were always fringe devices and software, that only a few specific users would consider buying.  Nowadays, the idea that you get a tablet and put an app on it and take it out in the field to do your work is pretty mainstream.  Although, don't drop that tablet from the top of a powerpole...

[Mr. Analog]

Or into lava

'cause it's not coming back after that

[Melbosa]

Yeah something like this would be a place to test that theory...

[Melbosa]

Although I don't think these people were worried about their tablets and lappies during a lava slide....

[Mr. Analog]

Well most people...




...the lavaaaaaaaaaaaaa...

[Thorin]

I have that movie at home, Volcano.

But dropping it from a power pole is more likely to happen.  In fact, it did happen with one of the devices I helped program.  We got a very excited call from the customer afterwards telling us just how far it dropped and how there wasn't even a dent, leave be a cracked screen.  Of course as software programmers we had no hand in how the hardware was put together, but we were excited for the customer.  Oh, and this tablet cost just over $12k at the time.

[Mr. Analog]

That's only because there are more power polls than volcanoes... for now