TTGetting your Hand dirty: In the field with the Handspring PDA and thinkDB. Anthony Beck early draft Introduction The use of handheld and other computerised recording in the field has occurred for the last two decades. Powlesland (1984?), working at West Heslerton, was possibly the first person in the UK to successfully apply handheld devices for context recording. Subsequently these devices have increased in power and sophistication and can be integrated with a variety of other hardware systems i.e. total stations, GPS and digital cameras. Recently, the ‘seamless’ integration of different hardware devices using sophisticated communication techniques and non-proprietary recording formats has become known as convergent technology. However, the uptake of any of these devices within field archaeology has, to say the least, been appallingly slow. Even Perry Oaks, (Beck, 2000) one of the largest contractor funded excavations of recent years, employing an in-situ GIS and digital analysis system, still used paper context sheets. Understandably, many project and unit managers are still bewildered by the changing pace of technological applications and have been reticent to invest in new technology and oust the tried and tested traditional approaches. This reliance on the traditional is a reflection of the lack of innovation within the discipline both contractually and academically. Purchasing the equipment is normally the cheapest component. The costs of imperfect implementation, re-organising the recording infrastructure to be fully computerised (most units still rarely produce a full ‘database’ of all the information recorded on paper) and training and support are normally the major frictions to adoption. The author believes that many hand-held devices have not been used for the following reasons: 1. Lack of seamless integration to other hardware devices. 2. Lack of integration with essential software systems, particularly databases. 3. The need to write bespoke software. 4. Cost 5. Robustness This has resulted in a lack of confidence in the hardware platform, at least for field based recording. If other mobile systems, such as laptop computers, were this inflexible, and particularly if databases stored on them were unable to ‘replicate’ with a central server then their uptake would be reduced. The Hardware The Handspring Personal Data Assistant (PDA) is a recent addition to the expanding range of handheld devices. It runs, and was developed by the writers of the successful Palm Operating System (OS). Available in a variety of models, ( list specs etc.). Unit costs start from £100(?), dependent upon model, and represents a nominal outlay in comparison to current fieldworker charge rates of between £70-£100 per day. However, the component that distinguishes this device from its rivals is the Springboard module. This is an expansion port fitted to the back of the PDA which can accommodate a variety of other ‘hotwired’ hardware devices. Springboard modules currently available include, digital cameras, GPS, MP3 recorders and players and mobile telephones. Each unit comes with a USB or serial cradle and can be synchronised (down and up loaded) either through this device, a network or phone connection. The Software The unit comes pre-bundle with a variety of useful applications. Many of these are focused at the ‘manager on the move’ and include an address book, calendar and e-mail viewer (which can all be synchronised directly with Microsoft® Outlook), expense calculation and memo pad. If necessary these can easily be applied to project management tasks in the field. Other applications can be