About the Mobile Mann Project

Phase 1: EndNote to JFile on the PDA (2000-2001)

The Mobile Mann Computing Group conducted a study of using the EndNote database on PDA's from 2000 to 2001. This study included five Mann librarians and four graduate students, each of whom were equipped with Handspring Visor PDA's and a licensed copy of JFile 4, a database application for the Palm OS.

At the beginning of the study it was not known if EndNote databases could be imported to a Palm device, and likewise it was unknown how to export citations from a Palm device into a desktop copy of EndNote. It was determined that JFile could handle this task, so the group used the JFile database.

A common concern of all in the study was the need to wirelessly connect to databases for citations, instead of having to hot sync every time. However, two major technological hurdles existed at the time: there was not a wireless Ethernet module yet on the market, and Cornell's Red Rover wireless network did not permit access from mobile devices. The final phase of the project was delayed until these two factors were resolved in late 2002.

An additional concern from the first phase of the study was a need for easier data entry, and several makes and models of PDA keyboards were researched. The Targus Stowaway keyboard was selected as the model of choice for its portability and ease of use.

It was agreed upon that the next phase of the study should focus on achieving wireless connectivity and keyboard input.

Phase 2: Wireless access to library resources on the PDA (2002-2003)

In the summer of 2002, the Mobile Mann Computing Group returned from a hiatus to begin the final phase of the project. Six Xircom Springport wireless Ethernet cards were purchased, as well as six Targus Stowaway portable keyboards. Because the Springports have to be recharged while attached to a Visor, an additional Handspring Visor was purchased for this purpose. To provide access to resources, the MAC ID'S of each SpringPort were registered with the administrator of the wireless network. This was necessary because the Cornell Library wireless networks admit only recognized devices running on the correct IP subnet using the campus authentication program SideCar (of which there is no version for the Palm OS).

The group, along with several student workers, is currenlty evaluating selected Library sites and resources based on a list of common criteria during the Spring 2003 semester. Following are examples of the kinds of questions posed for each resource:

• Accessibility: can the page load? If yes, in a reasonable amount of time? Is there a text-only version of the page available that is easier to access?
• Images: is the content understandable and clear with or without images?
• Navigation: is the page navigable? is the scrolling L-R excessive? Is the scrolling top-bottom excessive?

A checklist is being used by participants to evaluate each resource, of which an evaluation is done in the AvantGo, Blazer and EudoraWeb browsers. Results from these checklists will be collated into a spreadsheet after each monthly meeting of the group. Comments and additional remarks will be posted to the online Forum section.

Conclusion & Report

The final report of the Mobile Mann Computing Group was completed September 30, 2003. Click here for the report (Adobe Acrobat file, 92 kb)

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