Continuing another blog where I announced a more powerful portable computer, Trimble Nomad, I will present you some of the software that can be used on such a PDA (applicable for other PDAs such as Dell Axim or HP Ipaq etc.)

In the process of starting collecting greenmap data, I preferred choosing a new methodology (in my case) other than carrying tens of paper forms with me.
So, having my HP Ipaq hw6900 series already in my office, a search for the proper database software that can help me input the data properly was needed.

Here are some choices:

FAST - The data collection application costs US$49.00 for each PDA and US$200.00 for the software to move the records from PDA to computer. It exports into access, geodatabases,shapefiles and csv files and will also auto associate images. The main cost comes in if you want to design the survey forms in house...the forms designer application is around US$2000.00 http://www.geoage.com/fast.html

Cybertracker - CyberTracker software can be used on smart phones and handheld computers to record observations of any level of complexity. It allows anyone, regardless of their field of interest, to customize a series of screen interfaces specifically adapted to their own data collection needs. http://www.cybertracker.co.za/ OPEN SOURCE

Pendragon Software - is a pretty good program that is focused on PDA forms; it links to a Microsoft Access database on a PC. It's not free, $300 plus $65 for each extra user
license (if you need more), but that's not too bad. http://www.pendragon-software.com/

Any database can be exported in such a way to fit into GIS.

Any thoughts? Experiences?

And what was/is your greenmap database structure like? We all need to learn from your experience.