Hand.db

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does my data get entered and how do I know it's error-free?

   You enter your own data on a Windows Mobile-based device, typically a cell phone. You then send the data over the web or a USB connection to Land. EC, Hand.db’s companion program. Land.EC lets you double-check the data before you import it into Land.db databases. The names of farms and fields are just like you need them, because you pick from a list of names previously exported from your Land.db databases. You also pick product names from your own Land.db lists—no misspellings are possible. The units in which you enter your rates and totals are also matched to the way each product is sold and used, just like in Land.db.

2. What’s the difference between Hand.db and Land.EC?

   Both are software programs; however, Hand.db runs on a mobile device, and Land.EC runs on your desktop or notebook PC. However, Hand.db is a very specialized program, used primarily for data entry and visualization, whereas Land.EC, the Land.db System’s Data Exchange Center (that’s where the “EC” comes from) has many functions, and talking to Hand.db is only one of them. The Hand.db System needs both of these programs to functions.

3. What operating systems does Land.EC support?

   Land.EC runs on Windows XP and Windows Vista, both in its 32 and 64-bit versions. It’s important to note that our Vista support is real. Unlike some of our competitors’ software, our Land.db and Hand.db Systems work fine with Vista in its native mode; we won’t force you to disable Vista’s security functions (such as the UAC, User Account Control) in order to work with our software.

4. What operating systems does Hand.db support?

   We support Windows Mobile 5, 6, and 6.1. We do not currently support the iPhone, Symbian, or Android operating systems.

5. What is a dataset?

   Land.db stores data in databases. Each Land.db database can contain data for multiple growers, and for multiple timeframes (crop years) for each grower. Hand.db runs on a smaller platform (e.g., your phone), with less resources. For that reason, we store data on the handheld in datasets, which are unique combinations of Database, Timeframe, and Grower (for example, a specific grower’s 2009 crop data). This allows for maximum performance on the handheld.

6. How do I get my farms, fields, and products onto the handheld?

   Land.EC has an Export function that allows you to select the datasets (see above for explanation) you wish to export to Hand.db, and to export them to a specific device using a USB connection, or to a specific user by means of the web.

   The information that describes your farms, fields, and products, as well as the name of your applicator personnel and some list items needed to enter data, is called base data. You need to export base data to a handheld before you can use it for data entry.

7. How do I send my data from the handheld back to the office?

   Hand.db can export data using the web (called a “web export”), or a USB connection (called a “local export”). The Hand.db Task Manager screen allows you to select tasks (applications or work orders), and send them back to the office either via web or local exports.

8. What hardware do I need?

   If your PC can run Land.db, it will have no problem with Land.EC. As for the handheld, use these specs:

   • Windows Mobile device with at least 96 MB of storage memory (64 MB might do if you’re very careful with your storage, but we don’t advise it.)
   • Processor speed of 512 MHz or greater.
   • Screen resolution of 240x320 or 640x480 pixels. (We’re working on compatibility with 320x320 systems.) Hand.db will NOT run properly on 240x240 pixel screens!

9. What can I do with Hand.db and Land.EC?

   As of version 8.10, Hand.db lets you:

   • Enter applications and work orders,
   • Send and receive applications and work orders over the web or a USB connection.
   • Look at your history of applications by date or by field.

   Land.EC lets you:

   • Send and receive data to/from Hand.db or other Land.EC programs.
   • Import incoming tasks (applications and work orders) into Land.db.
   • Check incoming tasks before importing them into Land.db databases.
   • Reject incoming tasks, and send them back to the Hand.db they came from for revision.
   • Send / receive data to/from John Deere GreenStar 2 controllers.
   • Receive recommendations exported by Agrian Advisor.

10. How do I get my farms, fields, and products onto the handheld?

    Land.EC has an Export function that allows you to select the datasets (see above for explanation) you wish to export to Hand.db, and to export them to a specific device using a USB connection, or to a specific user by means of the web.

    The information that describes your farms, fields, and products, as well as the name of your applicator personnel and some list items needed to enter data, is called base data. You need to export base data to a handheld before you can use it for data entry.