|
Collecting Data on the Palm IIIc
1. Taking Images
Using the Palm IIIc Camera
Using the Kodak PalmPix digital camera, you can capture images of the aquatic environment you're observing. To capture imagery, snap the PalmPix camera onto the end of your handheld computer and launch the PalmPix application (do not confuse this application with the camera icon in the Vital Signs application). After launching PalmPix, you're ready to take images! First, make sure that the box with lots of dots is highlighted, indicating that images will be made using the highest resolution. To make an image, press the datebook icon on your handheld. A box will appear that represents the camera's viewfinder. After composing your photograph, press the datebook button on your handheld again to capture the digital image. After the image has been processed, the screen will display a list of images taken (noted numerically).
You may change the image name at this point, but when you launch the Vital Signs application and select a picture to associate with a record, the image will be assigned a unique and not-to-be changed image name. This image name must not be changed. If you change the image name, it will not be recognized by the online database during the upload process.
Once you have taken an image, you may launch the Vital Signs application. Press [Start] on the blue Vital Signs home page to begin. To select an image to associate with your data record, click on the camera icon on the bottom right hand side of the screen and follow the commands. You may scroll through the collected images using [Prev] and [Next]. When you arrive at the image you took of your site, choose [Select]. Vital Signs will rename the image now with a name recognizable by the database.
Tips: Taking Digital Pictures (delay, quality, light, etc.)
What should students take pictures of?
2. Finding Your Location
Using GPS Earthmate
To access the Location screen, tap the Earth icon at the bottom of any screen or the [Start] button from the Vital Signs home page. The screen first prompts you to plug your peripheral GPS Earthmate into the Hotsync port of your Palm IIIc. Plug in the Earthmate adapter to the Palm port. Tap the [Then Tap Here!] button. Vital Signs will then establish communications with the GPS receiver. The receiver performs the necessary triangulation with the satellites and gives you the latitude/longitude coordinates of your location.
It will usually take about 30 to 40 seconds to establish a firm lock with the satellites, or longer if you do not have a clear view of the southern sky. In no case should it take longer than 5 minutes. If it does take longer, one of the following may be true: your receiver is not connected properly, the GPS's batteries are weak or dead, or the GPS unit should be sent back to the manufacturer. If you have changed the batteries and still do not get a position, contact GMRI for assistance.
While receiving signals, you should notice a flashing satellite icon. This icon gives information related to the strength and validity of the signal (this information also appears if you tap the [i] in the upper right corner of your Palm screen):
- Rapid Blinking: No GPS or batteries low
- Slow Blink: GPS is working properly
- Two to Four Bars: Data are being received
- Not enough Satellites: Invalid data
- Locked: Valid position data received
In the upper right-hand corner, there is an option to [Use Last Position]. Tapping this button will enter the position information from your last GPS reading. This is appropriate when collecting data from the same location (e.g. from the end of the same dock as yesterday). You do not need to plug in the GPS receiver. The time stamp will be collected from the PalmOS internal clock and the position data will be that of the last successful lock from the GPS. In other words, it will exist as a new record.
3. Using Probes
Temperature
Calibration Protocol: Palm IIIc temperature probe
Calibrating the installed sensor is a relatively simple matter, providing that you have the accurate temperature of two known samples. Obvious examples for temperature are an ice bath and boiling water. The accuracy of these known samples is left to the user as changes in air pressure, altitude, and other factors will cause these known sample points to vary. It is always best to calibrate to a reference instrument with certified calibration if available.
Supplies (in addition to Vital Signs tools, fresh batteries, and a fully charged Palm)
- 2 beakers or containers
- 2 very accurate Fahrenheit thermometers
- Very hot water (measure temp)
- Cold water (measure temp)
OR
- 2 beakers or containers
- Boiling water (defined as 212 F)
- Ice water (defined as 32 F)
- Container of intermediate water
Procedure
- Prepare beakers: one with hot or boiling water, one with ice water or very cold water. If hot and cold water are used (as opposed to actually boiling and ice water) determine the exact temperatures of the water in each beaker utilizing a thermometer (F).
- Access the Vital Signs start screen (the blue one) either by default (you may arrive at is when you launch the application) or by tapping the store icon within a Vital Signs record.
- Access the dropdown menu by tapping the Palm IIIc dropdown menu in the lower left corner and select "preferences."
- You should arrive at a screen titled "Preferences: Choose Probes" that shows a list of four probes (Temperature, pH, Dissolved O2, Salinty).
- Select the Temperature probe by tapping the box next to temperature.
- Connect the temperature probe to the Datastick unit, and connect the datastick unit to the Palm.
- Tap the "Calibrate" icon.
- Place the temperature probe in the cold water beaker.
- Wait for the Current Raw value to stabilize. When it does, tap "Past Raw as Low" box.
- Enter an Actual Low as determined in Step 1.
- Move the temperature probe to the hot water beaker.
- Wait for the Current Raw to stabilize.
- Tap the "Paste Raw as High" box.
- Enter an Actual High as determined in Step 1.
- Tap done, which takes you back to the chose probe screen. Tap "OK" to go to the Vital Signs start page, and chose "Start." Tap the thermometer icon, chose the thermometer probe from the list, and test the temperature of the test solution.
- Tap OK unless you would like to calibrate additional probes.
Using the Peripheral Temperature Probe; Entering Data Automatically
- Tap the thermometer icon to enter the Measurements screen.
- Connect the temperature probe to the Datastick unit.
- Connect the Datastick unit to the Palm IIIc.
- Tap the box next to Temp to indicate that you are collecting temperature data. A check mark should appear in the box.
- Tap [Then Tap Here!]. Your handheld will look for and recognize the device.
- When the Datastick hardware is found, you will see a roving number appear before the C or F.
NOTE: If no Datastick is found, or the Datastick's batteries are low, the software switches into a demo mode. An error message will appear.
- When the numbers are constant, tap [Freeze It!] to secure your data. This will shut down continuous readings from the Datastick, leaving the last acquired value on the screen to be included into the full data record upon the next [Store].
- To start over, (1) tap [Reject] and (2) tap [Then Tap Here!].
Entering Temperature Data Manually
It is possible to use a temperature probe that does not directly connect to the Palm IIIc. You may collect your temperature reading separately and manually enter your data in the Vital Signs Measurements screen.
- Complete ALL other Vital Signs screens first.
- Enter the Measurements screen.
- Tap once on the line next to Temp (a blinking cursor will appear on the line).
- Enter your reading using Graffiti, the on-screen keyboard, or a peripheral keyboard.
- Collect other probe data (if applicable) to complete the Measurements screen.
- Tap [Store] to complete your data record.
pH
Calibration Protocol: Palm IIIc pH probe
Supplies (in addition to Vital Signs tools, fresh batteries, and a fully charged Palm)
- One beaker or container with a solution of a known low pH (i.e., near pH 4)
- One beaker or container with a solution of a known high pH (i.e., near pH 10)
- One beaker or container with a solution of a known intermediate pH to test
Procedure
- Prepare high and low pH solutions (can use blue and orange capsules from buffer solution pack. Mix each capsule with 100 mL of distilled water in a beaker).
- Access the Vital Signs start screen (the blue one) either by default (you may arrive at is when you launch the application) or by tapping the store icon within a Vital Signs record.
- Access the dropdown menu by tapping the Palm IIIc dropdown menu in the lower left corner and select "preferences."
- You should arrive at a screen titled "Preferences: Choose Probes" that shows a list of four probes (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity).
- Select the pH probe by tapping the box next to pH.
- Remove the protective bottle from the pH probe, being careful not to spill the contents.
- Connect the pH probe to the Datastick unit, and connect the Datastick unit to the Palm.
- Tap the "Calibrate" box.
- Place pH probe in beaker with the known high pH solution.
- Wait for Current Raw value to settle and then tap the "Paste Raw as Low" box.
- Enter in an Actual Low of the known value of the high pH solution using the internal number keyboard.
- Remove the pH probe, rinse with water, shake off droplets, and move the pH probe to the beaker containing the low pH solution.
- Wait for Current Raw value to settle and then tap "Paste Raw as High" box. This value should be considerably higher than the low value.
- Enter in an Actual High of whatever the pH of the known low pH solution was by using the internal number keyboard.
- Tap done, which takes you back to the chose probe screen. Tap "OK" to go to the Vital Signs start page, and chose "Start." Tap the thermometer icon, chose the pH probe from the list, and test the pH of the third, test solution.
- The pH calibration should remain valid for the duration of your data gathering. If you notice the pH readings that seem erroneous, please repeat this exercise to recalibrate the probe.
Using the Peripheral pH Probe; Entering Data Automatically
- Tap the thermometer icon to bring you to the Measurements screen.
- Connect the pH probe to the Datastick unit.
- Connect the Datastick unit to the Palm IIIc.
- Tap the box next to pH to indicate that you are collecting pH data. A check mark should appear in the box.
-
Tap [Then Tap Here!]. Your handheld will look for and recognize the device.
NOTE: If no Datastick is found, or the Datastick's batteries are low, the software switches into a demo mode. An error message will appear.
- When the Datastick hardware is found, you will see a roving pH value appear.
- When the numbers are constant, tap [Freeze It!] to secure your data. This will shut down continuous readings from the Datastick, leaving the last acquired value on the screen to be included into the full data record upon the next [Store].
- To start over, (1) tap [Reject] and (2) tap [Then Tap Here!].
Enter pH Data Manually
It is possible to use a pH probe that does not directly connect to the Palm IIIc. You may collect your pH reading separately and manually enter your data in the Vital Signs Measurements screen.
- Complete ALL other Vital Signs screens first.
- Enter the Measurements screen.
- Tap once on the line next to pH (a blinking cursor will appear on the line).
- Enter your reading using Graffiti, the on-screen keyboard, or a peripheral keyboard.
- Collect other probe data (if applicable) to complete the Measurements screen.
- Tap [Store] to complete your data record.
Dissolved Oxygen
Calibration Protocol: Palm IIIc dissolved oxygen probe
Supplies (in addition to Vital Signs tools, fresh batteries, and a fully charged Palm)
- Sodium sulfite calibration standard (brown bottle that came with the probe)
- Calibration bottle (opaque white bottle with grommet in cap)
- Fully-prepared DO probe (fill the electrode cap with 1mL of electrode filling solution as directed in probe manual)
- DO probe manual
Procedure
- Access the Vital Signs start screen either by default (when you launch the Vital Signs program) or by tapping the Store icon within the Vital Signs record.
- Tap the dropdown preferences icon (this is the icon directly below the house/home icon on the Palm screen).
- Access the dropdown menu by tapping the Palm IIIc dropdown menu in the lower left corner and select "preferences."
- You should arrive at a screen that allows the user to "Choose Probes".
- Select the DO probe by tapping the box next to DO.
- Place the datastick unit with DO probe on the Palm. Place DO probe in a beaker of distilled water, tip submersed then tap the Calibrate icon. This keeps the Palm on and allows the DO probe to warm up. Let it do so for 10 minutes.
-
After the warm up period, remove the probe from the water and place the tip of the probe into the Sodium Sulfite Calibration Solution.
NOTE: No air bubbles can be trapped below the tip of the probe or the probe will sense an inaccurate dissolved oxygen level. If the Current Raw value does not rapidly decrease, tap the side of the bottle with the probe to dislodge the bubble.
- When the Current Raw value stabilizes, tap the "Paste Raw as Low" box.
- Enter an Actual Low of zero.
- Remove the probe from the solution, rinse with distilled water and dry.
- Unscrew the lid of the calibration bottle provided with the probe.
- Slide the lid and the grommet about 1/2 inch onto the probe body.
-
Add water to the bottle to a depth of 1/4 inch and screw the bottle on the cap.
NOTE: Do not submerge the tip or get the tip wet.
- Keep the probe in this position for about a minute.
- When the voltage stabilizes, tap the "Paste Raw as High" box.
- To determine the Actual High you will need to you the Tables in the booklet located on pgs. 8-9.
- Determine your elevation above sea level in Table 2 and note the appropriate Pressure (mm Hg).
- Determine the outside air temperature (in Celcius) using a thermometer (or your Vital Signs temperature probe).
- Use Table 1 to determine the Actual High by aligning the temperature and pressure. The resultant number (e.g. 11.20) is the Actual High you will enter using the internal keyboard.
- Tap Done. The DO calibration will be only be valid for the air temperature you used to determine the Actual High. DO calibration will likely need to happen for each data collection exercise.
- Tap OK.
Using the Peripheral DO Probe; Entering Data Automatically
- Tap the thermometer icon to bring you to the Measurements screen.
- Connect the dissolved oxygen probe to the Datastick unit.
- Connect the Datastick unit to the Palm IIIc.
- Tap the box next to DO to indicate that you are collecting dissolved oxygen data. A check mark should appear in the box.
-
Tap [Then Tap Here!]. Your handheld will look for and recognize the device.
NOTE: If no Datastick is found, or the Datastick's batteries are low, the software switches into a demo mode. An error message will appear.
- When the Datastick hardware is found, you will see a roving dissolved oxygen value appear.
- When the numbers are constant, tap [Freeze It!] to secure your data. This will shut down continuous readings from the Datastick, leaving the last acquired value on the screen to be included into the full data record upon the next [Store].
- To start over, (1) tap [Reject] and (2) tap [Then Tap Here!].
Entering Data Manually
It is possible to use a dissolved oxygen probe that does not directly connect to the Palm IIIc. You may collect your dissolved oxygen reading separately and manually enter your data in the Vital Signs Measurements screen.
- Complete ALL other Vital Signs screens first.
- Enter the Measurements screen.
- Tap once on the line next to DO (a blinking cursor will appear on the line).
- Enter your reading using Graffiti, the on-screen keyboard, or a peripheral keyboard.
- Collect other probe data (if applicable) to complete the Measurements screen.
- Tap [Store] to complete your data record.
4. Taking Notes
You can easily add notes to a particular data record, or create a record consisting of just notes. To take notes, you may use Graffiti, the on-screen keyboard, or a peripheral keyboard.
Graffiti
Enter notes on the Observation screen using Graffiti. Write in the Graffiti writing area (labeled "abc") at the bottom of your Palm IIIc using your stylus. View the Graffiti characters by running your stylus from the bottom of the screen to the top (quick, vertical line). Learn more about Graffiti by tapping the [Graffiti] icon on the Palm IIIc home page.
On-screen keyboard
Enter notes on the Observation screen using the on-screen keyboard.
Palm Portable Keyboard
Unfold your portable keyboard and connect your Palm IIIc to the keyboard docking station. Tap the notebook icon to enter the Observations screen. Begin typing. You can write as many as 1,000 characters on this screen. The screen automatically scrolls as you input text beyond the bottom of the screen. Tap [Store] when you have finished. To modify the text after you successfully stored the record, use the [Edit] function on the Vital Signs start page.
|
