The Cyber-Unit

[mpoole]

With the new technology becoming more affordable all the time, especially small units like the iPad and various MS-based similar items, there will be a real revolution in the next five years or so in providing affordable units to field workers. A unit that has GPS, built-in camera and keypad, with the appropriate software is something that should be looked at now for people who are interested in that side of developing things. Surely, an archaeologist or two with a bit of imagination and the ability to create a format that would be simple for the average user to work could capture a reasonable segment of the market, internationally.

Publication of site reports would be speeded up immeasurably if the move to a digital format is taken. There is no reason why hard copies can't be archived but the expense of publication would be on the reader, on an individual basis rather than the report writer. The cost savings of this would be significant and make it easy to keep a document 'in print' and accessible to those with an interest in the information.

I can access more information online now than ever before via such sites as ADS, which are adding more digital information all the time. It's been an absolute boon to be able to download information and use search functions to pinpoint the information I need. So much of what I'd like to read is out of print or impossible to get hold of without a subscription to JSTOR, which is out of my reach as we're independent researchers rather than members of an institution.