CONFERENCE - Mobile Computing - Sept 20, 2004 - London - ASC

[Randy Banks]

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*** an announcement from The Association for Survey Computing.
*** Apologies for any cross-postings
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                          MOBILE COMPUTING
                    Thursday 30th September 2004
                      Imperial College, London
               FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS
We are inviting contributions from organisations that are either developing or 
exploiting new technology in the field of mobile data collection. The platforms 
being used include PCs, PDAs, tablets, mobile telephones; running a variety of 
operating systems and using both off-the-shelf and bespoke software. Proposals 
for presentations should be sent in as soon as possible, and no later than 30th 
June.

The conference will explore both the opportunities and limitations of the mobile 
mode with particular reference to:

    * Usability for both respondent and data collector
    * Sampling implications
    * Quality control
    * Limitations in the length of questionnaire and
      the size of the dataset
    * Communicating with the host
    * Cost and efficiency benefits
Our audience will be seeking answers to a number of questions:
    * Will PDAs replace mobile telephones, or vice versa?
    * Can Microsoft dent Palm’s current supremacy –
      is there anyone else out there?
    * How well do interviewers and respondents cope with
      these technologies?
    * What’s the lifecycle of the hardware?
    * What are the compatibility issues surrounding the various
      hardware and software platforms?
    * Does the mode have any influence on the answers that respondents give?
Synopses from potential speakers and expressions of interest from delegates and 
exhibitors should be addressed to:

ASC Administrator: Diana Elder, ASC, PO Box 60, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3QH, UK
Phone & Fax: +44 (0) 1494 793033, E-Mail: Admin {a} asc.org.uk
The full programme, with the selected contributions, will be announced in July.
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Please reply to:
        Diana Elder, Administrator ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
        ASC, PO Box 60, Chesham, Bucks, UK  HP5 3QH
        tel/fax: +44 (0)1494 793033
        http://www.asc.org.uk
This message has been sent on behalf the ASC by:
        Randy Banks ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
        Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)
        University of Essex, Colchester, UK CO4 3SQ
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