Since I am currently conducting a short research project about how geologists deals with spatial issue, I am pleased Mauro sent me this reference. They created a nice software for mobile devices (FIeldnote) that could be used in field work. They report on their experiences in various context.

The emphasis of this research is on the development and application of data collection and fieldwork management tools. In this, we are following two complementary lines of development on two different platforms.

- The first is based directly on Stick-e notes, a kind of context-aware electronic tag. Here we concentrate on user interface issues and the development of applications for animal behaviour studies. - The second introduces the MCFE FieldNote and builds on users' familiarity with the World Wide Web and the increasing availability of web browsers for hand-held computers. Here we exploit HTML forms for data recording and HTTP as a means of exchanging data with desktop computers.

I would like to find this paper: Developing Personal Technology for the Field (Jason Pascoe, David Morse and Nick Ryan) - Personal Technologies vol 2, pp. 28-36, 1998.

This paper is concerned with developing personal computing aids for the mobile fieldworker. A description of mobile computing and context-aware technology is given suggesting how handheld computing devices that are aware of various factors of their user's environment (such as location) could be helpful. In particular, the concept of a stick-e note is introduced as a general-purpose context-aware technology that we have developed.

The needs of fieldworkers and the suitability of stick-e note technology to their tasks is addressed, and a number of areas where stick-e note technology could help are identified. The design of a prototypical sticke-e note system that attempts to meet these needs is introduced and an account given of an extensive trial of this prototype in assisting in a behavioural study of giraffe in Kenya.