| There was a time in history when a map was all | | | | Eventually somebody got the idea to combine the |
| that prevented a driver from getting lost and | | | | tracking power of a global positioning system with |
| going around in circles aimlessly. Even then, your | | | | the scheduling power of a personal digital |
| directions depended upon how up to date your | | | | assistant, and today there are many different |
| map was; an out of date chart could often be | | | | models to choose from. While their power |
| worse than none at all. Thankfully (or unthankfully | | | | compared to a desktop (or even laptop) |
| depending upon how much of a Luddite you are), | | | | computer is significantly diminished, the power |
| technology has provided a boon for the would-be | | | | they do have is good for their task and their |
| lost in the form of a PDA GPS, a hand-held | | | | computing power is increasing almost every year. |
| computer that guides the way for even the most | | | | Choosing a PDA GPS that matches to your needs |
| novice cartographer out there. | | | | requires some research. Prices start at sub-$100, |
| GPS is a positioning system which uses the signals | | | | but go higher for better screens, more memory |
| transmitted from 24 to 32 satellites orbiting the | | | | and storage, and additional features such as |
| earth. The math behind the calculation is complex, | | | | cameras. Most are equipped with a version of the |
| but in essence a PDA GPS triangulates the time | | | | Windows operating system designed for mobile |
| and location of 4 satellites and calculates the | | | | devices and should be compatible with your |
| receiver's position on the earth. In the early days, | | | | personal computer. E-mail and web browsing are |
| most screens were black and white, but today | | | | common features on these devices and virtually a |
| the majority is full color screens that can show | | | | must have for most travelers. Future features will |
| video and pictures. Modern GPS receivers not only | | | | probably include more integration with cell phone |
| show location, but can integrate with other online | | | | and multimedia technology that will let the user |
| services to show the relative locations of points | | | | shoot photos or video and send it back home for |
| of interest. | | | | use. |