As far as I can tell the MapInfo PDA (read PalmOS) offering is in support of Oracle's WANization via the internet. Oracle has a very strong Java offering in PDA related technologies known as 8i Lite (9iLite is about to be released) that allows the Oracle PDA developer to distribute its Enterprise server data to PDAs. http://www.oracle.com/oramag/oracle/00-Jan/10mob.html Oracle8i Lite includes three main components: 1) Oracle Lite DBMS A small-footprint Java-enabled database-management system built specifically for laptops, hand-held computers, PDAs, and information appliances (neat!); 2) iConnect Integrated components that allow for the synchronization of application data and the creation of store-and-forward messaging applications with advanced-queuing functionality (how big of a back-end does this really mean - 8i Enterprise? - sounds scary); 3) Web-to-go A collection of components and services that facilitates development, deployment, and management of mobile Web applications (thanks for the pointers how much does the support phone cost!). What is not provided in the Oracle 8iLite solution is the geographical stuff we are so hungry for. MapInfo may again be Oracle's player in this regard. Importantly MapInfo's PDA interest is in the wireless revolution that seems to be taking off.... (Didn't they buy into some Swedish WAN outfit a year or so ago? And Nokia is about to go public with a "next generation cell phone)...... "Convergence of Internet and wireless communication technologies is creating huge demand for access to Internet services from wireless handheld devices. This convergence creates a significant opportunity for telecommunications and Web portal providers to offer new and enhanced services for their customers who use handheld devices. It also gives telecommunications providers the opportunity to build a competitive advantage by deploying their own enterprise applications via handheld devices to mobile field workers. In both cases, the net result can be a more satisfied, loyal customer base." As far as I can tell at this moment, MapInfo has only one product that extends spatial data to the PDA (read PalmOS). They do it via Java and geo-Java extensions known as MapXtend. It looks to me to be an "enterprise" scaled offering (so I guess we little-guys can forget it?). Given the MapInfo PDA solution is wireless and implies 3G technologies, I don't think the MapBasic developer will be able to overcome the need for a 1) Oracle Enterprise Server, 2) an internet portal, 3) connection to the local-national-world wide wireless net, and 4) the thousands of users paying just pennies a minute to "rent" the solution. There is hope! MapInfo is about to offer a complete "service and consultation" for MapXtend to the its larger or enterprise clients with a service name of "MapinHand". MapinHand buyers will receive installation, testing, customer support and product maintenance. A Certified MapInfo Developer will arrive at your site to help quickly implement MapinHand (bummer - who are these certified developers?) What is MapXtend? http://www.mapinfo.com/software/mapxtend/index.html MapInfoŽ MapXtend(tm), Java(tm) Technology Edition is a developer tool for creating location-based applications running on wireless Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The MapXtend API offers rapid development, scalability, and flexibility to build and deploy wireless PDA applications quickly, efficiently, and securely. Its architecture follows a 3-tier model, with specific MapXtend packages designed for each tier (there may be hope?). Mapxtend will not stand alone as far as I can tell in that it requires on the PDA: 1) Palm Computing 3.1 (or higher) operating system (Super!!!!) and a 2) TCP/IP connection (double bummer!) 3) and a server - Oracle or SQLServer. ESRI's AkePAD costs over $500 per PDA but it can stand alone, has good KISS syconization features, and has built-in integration to GPS receivers. MapXtend seems to be in the domain of MapInfo's "Server Based Deployment" which means that the licensing will likely not be real affordable for small shop developers. This may not be absolute but as of this posting there are no pricing schedule(s) for MapXtend. Lastly there is also another rather good CE based PadGIS named as StarPal (Http://www.starpal.com). It can read MapInfo MIF as well as SHP. I believe it uses SHP as its native format. It has good "heads-up and feet-down" digitization features. It does tend to run slowly if the files are very big. It also needs plenty of memory on the PDA but will also run in a WIN98 environment as well. This midnight mapper is still very interested in a MapInfo PDA but I don't think I can carry the Oracle Enterprise Server in my pocket - I don't think it will fit in with my wallet! FWIW, MidNight Mapper aka Neil 9/15/00 -----Original Message----- From: Stuart Bell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, September 15, 2000 11:53 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Handheld MI Gidday All, I'm late to this thread so someone might have already said it, but as well as ArcPad there area bunch of little Windows CE specific mapping programs hanging around that are quite useful. Itils MapInPocket is really cool and HandMap pro isn't too bad either. Both take GPS as a plugin thru the old RS232 and are good in the field. They really only use ESRI shape files and .gif images, and the layering can be a hassle until you fiddle around a bit, but they are a useful tool in the field. Both are free to download for trial, and cheap shareware to buy - way better than 5 hundy for ArcPad. Isn't MapInfo bringing out a program similar program to ArcPad though? Also, I use a Sharp PV-5000 H/PC which comes with 32MB as standard and a decent colour screen. This machine kicks arse for running the handheld mapping programs, but costs about $1700 Australian. Cheers, Stu Bell ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe MAPINFO-L" in the message body, or contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe MAPINFO-L" in the message body, or contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
