Will the computer ever replace the field notebook?

David Morse, Jason Pascoe and Nick Ryan

D.R.Morse@ukc.ac.uk JasonPascoe@acm.org N.S.Ryan@ukc.ac.uk,

Computing Laboratory, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF, UK

Alan Birkett and Kathy Pinkney

Department of Biological Sciences, John Dalton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD


We have used inexpensive hand-held computers connected to GPS receivers in ecological fieldwork. The system can be used for data collection, and the authoring and delivery of field exercises. Very successful field trials have shown that it is possible to collect more data more quickly using hand-held computers than traditional field notebooks.