Panasonic Computer Solutions Company donated several Toughbook convertible tablet PCs for use in the field by scientists working for the Wildlife Trust, the premier international organization that's striving to understand the links between ecosystems, wildlife and human health.
Wildlife Trust is a pioneer in the field of conservation medicine, an emerging, interdisciplinary field that studies the relationship between human and animal health and environmental conditions. It is currently studying the location where the SARS virus first appeared - demonstrating a connection between bats and the pathogen that will allow the prediction of future outbreaks.
"We've learned in the field that not every computer is up to the task of mobility. We've seen hardware failures, poor screen readability and insufficient battery life," says Dr. Mary C. Pearl, president of Wildlife Trust. "Our scientists need to focus on conducting research - not managing technology. The Toughbook notebooks are the perfect fit for us."
Back to the Humid Bat Cave
Dr. Luis F. Aguirre, with the Centro de Biodiversidad y Genetica in Bolivia, uses his Toughbook notebook to analyze recordings of bats. Working deep within dark, humid caves, Dr. Aguirre appreciates the fact that the notebook is waterproof and allows him to work up to four hours without leaving the caves.
"It's just a great machine. We can plug in to bat detectors (ANABAT system) and work for several hours. and we can carry it to several places, without having to be too careful. Its size helps a lot - easy to put in a backpack. The touchscreen is also very helpful and saves a lot of time."
A Bird in the Hand is Messy
Banding wild birds and recording the data in the field can be a dirty, chaotic environment for a notebook says Dr. Susan Elbin, director of the New York Bioscape Initiative. "I band the birds and often use Excel to record my findings. I love the Toughbook notebook's portability and durability - I just wipe it off when it gets dirty."
When it comes to fieldwork, Dr. Elbin says no other notebook stands up to the Toughbook. "I would never attempt to take a regular laptop in the field to collect data. There is no comparison."
The notebook's wireless capabilities are another important feature for Dr. Elbin. "It's especially helpful in downloading software. Also, while traveling, it's easy to connect in an airport, as I am carrying the computer anyway. I use Google Earth and other mapping programs on the laptop."
Locust Plague? No Problem.
Dr. Damayanti Buchori, with the PEKA Center for Conservation & Insect Studies in Indonesia, uses the Toughbook notebook extensively for her work. "We always use the Toughbook for our fieldwork. One way we use it is conducting land-use mapping with the community in the area of Cipeutuey Village, West Java, Indonesia."
The notebook's touchscreen is a particular favorite of Dr. Buchori's. "The touchscreen has become our favorite feature because, in some way, it serves as a small whiteboard where we can draw sketches for everyone to see."
Even with extensive use in wet, humid environments, Dr. Buchori has encountered no problems with her Toughbook notebook. "So far, we have not experienced any difficulty using the Toughbook. It 's been easy to carry, solid, strong and waterproof."
Helping to Save the Manatees
As a winner of the 2005 Whitley Award - often referred to as the "Green Oscar" - Nicole Auil has gained international recognition for her work to conserve Belize's threatened manatees. Now Ms. Auil has a Toughbook notebook to help her look after these large aquatic mammals.
The notebook comes in extremely handy in the hot, tropical coastal waters and rivers of Belize that the manatees inhabit. Ms. Auil often uses her notebook aboard marine vessels. So far, there have been no problems - even when ocean sprays have landed on it.
We commend the Wildlife Trust and all the scientists for their great work. And we are happy they can use their Toughbook notebooks to perform research that will help gain more recognition and grants to fund the trust's important mission.