Hah, just went through an episode of this last week. The epiphany was realizing "the difference between actively networking and actively working..." (!) and that us guys "gossip" just as much as the ladies, but from a very different angle.... I like to just get out, turn off my phone, take my pictures, measures and mental notes, and like Joel, think about it during the drive-times and overnight at minimum, until I have the utility bills and know what needs to be done vs. knowing what can be done, etc. Twitter? still not sure what that is, and what comes to mind doesn't seem appropriate...at least not for this forum!
_____ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Wind-sun.com Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 5:44 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Is a Smart Phone a Useful Tool in PV? I have gotten to the point where I turn off or don't have any more a lot of the "future tech" gadgets. You reach a point where you are spending more time fooling with that than with actually DOING stuff. There comes a time when there is too much communication - or actually too much trivial babbling and less real communication. For the most part anymore, if you want to get hold of me use the phone or send an email. I am no longer interested in getting your text messages at 2am. But I am kind of a dinosaur - I am not even a facebook or twitter fan... ............................................................................ ...................... Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979 ............................................................................ ...................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Joel Davidson <mailto:joel.david...@sbcglobal.net> To: RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 6:31 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Is a Smart Phone a Useful Tool in PV? Dan, I used a hackberry from 2003 to 2007 for phone calls, voicemail messages from worldwide time zones, emails w/o attachments and lots of typos, PV system problem alarms, and occasional internet use (like booking a flight on line while standing in line at the airport, finding phone numbers, etc.). We planned to use hackberries for roof-to-office transfer of site photos, short movies, and other info to speed up estimates but that never happened. We went almost everywhere with our hackberries to the point where most of us felt phantom hip vibrations when not packin' the darn thing. Now I am back to using a cell phone, separate camera, and handwritten field notes. When designing and quoting PV systems to last for decades, speed in the field is less important than time to think (like during the drive back to the shop and overnight). I am interested in hearing otherwise from hackberry devotees. Joel Davidson ----- Original Message ----- From: cvsol...@aol.com To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:14 AM Subject: [RE-wrenches] Is a Smart Phone a Useful Tool in PV? Hey Everybody; I'm trying to justify switching to smart phone technology. (BlackBerry Curve.) My Immediate supervisor just gets this "I don't know Dan" look on her face. Others question the need for that level of communication in the field. Good point. But I can kinda rationalize the argument both ways. What can I reasonably expect to get out of this thing for the $$? (that I can't do with a phone). Is there a "killer app"? The GPS stuff looks cool. The calendar -- maybe. A contact manager? I pretty much work out of a Hand book/scheduler now. and doing OK with it. (Whole lot easier to make corrections with an eraser -- shoot, I can hardly even see that little key pad -- Yes, I should get new glasses) I can see where the ability to exchange files could be helpful. I guess I'm just a bit gun shy maybe. I remember "Back in the day," when personal computers were making their grand debut, I was seeing so much "stuff" coming and going (Remember FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC? or the 6502?) So I decided to study Assembly, but looking back, even that degree was pretty much obsolete the day I stepped off the stage. Let's just say I'm a bit apprehensive. Anyway, I thought this might be a good forum to turn to for insight. thanks db Dan Brown President Foxfire Energy Corp. Renewable Energy Systems (802)-483-2564 www.Foxfire-Energy.com NABCEP #092907-44 ************** You're invited to Hollywood's biggest party: Get Oscars updates, red carpet pics and more at Moviefone. (http://movies.aol.com/oscars-academy-awards?ncid=emlcntusmovi00000001) _____ _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _____ _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
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