Scott Ray wrote:

> The GIS unit then automatically stamps each siting with the
> exact lat/long and altitude within 50 feet.
>

The Global Positioning System GPS, uses a network of satellites to suppy the
positioning systems. The accuracy of the position reported is variable
depending on how many satellites are being used to as a reference to calculate
your position. This is dependent on lattitude, time of day and the aount of
time you are willing to wait to get an accurate fix.

I'm not sure how rugged notebook computers are. Most designs can cope with
being dropped on the floor at least once - though I wouldn't like to try it.
I think moisture/dust and general wear and tear would reduce a computer to
scrap metal pretty quickly.


Pencil and paper have an excellent user interface, they're rugged, high
resolution, color, low maintenance, don't need batteries, can cope with rain,
light, portable, cheap, displosable (when there's no data written on it), etc,
etc

When computers are as good as a small notebook then I think I'll get one, not
before :-)) If it's is running Windows For Birders forget it :-P


Stuart MacKay