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Palm-Tech Inspector User`s Guide

1. Palm Tech Ins ar f 12 22 ok i Palm Tech Ins ar 421224 X Line Color _ Fil Color _ Line Wt i o O SE e E To see the diagram again or make changes to it click the Diagram button If you want to delete the diagram click and hold the Tool button and choose Delete Diagram from the dropdown menu Default Descriptions Default descriptions can be entered for a variety of items that are encountered frequently in an inspection such as doors windows etc Often these items are of a consistent type or construction throughout a structure Default descriptions allow you to select frequently used descriptions quickly and easily For example when you choose Doors and enter a rating to indicate that a door is present the description field will be filled in automatically Palm Tech Inspector provides several resident default descriptions for these items When you start a new inspection you are given the opportunity to set your own default descriptions as discussed previously After the inspection has been started you can select Edit Default Descriptions to set defaults or change the descriptions 125 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Spell Check Spell checking works differently on the desktop and handheld computers SPELL CHECK DESKTOP If you misspell a word or enter an unfamiliar word as you type notes and disclaimers in the desktop version you will notice a wavy red underline below the word in
2. 11 35 ok Repair Materials C Replace Labor Cost Classifications Classification Classification Cost Types Range _ Categories Low Note Color Change Font p E Note that you can also add text to the cost estimate add the information to a common list and change the color and font of the cost estimate information Def Picture Sze H 1 00 wis Default Picture Size The Default dauie Picture Size option sets the default i _ picture size for your printed pictures Prompt k nawe e i You can set these proportions so that jjj a your pictures print at a consistent throughout your report Remember Fonts and Fies Options however that you can also change the File Edit Review Tools j amp sizes of individual pictures when you add them to lines Show More The Show More slide bar lets you control how much of the prompts and answers to display on your screen Move the slider by tapping either left or right The default display places the slider in the middle of the range However you can slide it left to show more of the prompt as shown in the screen on the left 147 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions or to the right to show more of the answer as shown on the screen on the right j Palm Tech Inspec r 11 55 X j Palm Tech Inspec r 11 54 X L Not Paes Disclaimer Tech Note File Edit Review Tools J amp This featu
3. 19 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Select Inspector Select an Inspector Cancel John Wilson Bill Johnson Fred Hanley Jim Fields Scott Usborne Select the inspector you want to use and click OK If there are no current orders for this inspector you will be asked if you want to choose another Palm Tech Inspector V5 LY There are no current orders For this inspector Do you wank to choose another If you choose Yes you will be given the opportunity to choose another inspector After you have chosen the inspector the Choose a Template window will appear Choose a Template Templates Mw Show Licensed By Systenn tri Commercial tmn5 Show Unlicensed Templates Cancel Consolidated tenor tid Duples tm5 Electrical tri Name Farm tmb Font Testing trio Description Gnd Export Test tria Everything you need to do 4 basic home Grid Template tm5 inspection Version 5 Master land T est trn5 HVAC tm5 IDDemoa tm5 Large House tm Masher Comp tm5 Masher Grid T est tmB Mobile H nF Last Modified obile Home tm Mold trad 15 08 December 18 2006 Multi Family tm5 20 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions This window shows a list of the templates available A template is a framework for a particular type of inspection For example a farm inspection requires very different information from a condo inspection When you purchase Palm Tech Inspector you
4. Peg ae Magee Attic Basement Crawl Space Air Conditioning Fireplacew ood Stove Heating System Flumbing Bathroom kitchen Bedroom Living Space Laundry Room Area Detailed Operating Instructions 2 x Edit cr gt eee E it y Fit Structure 2 Not Applicable structure Type Foundation Differential Movement a ej Y Beams Bearing Walls Joists Trusses Piers Posts FloorSlab otalrs Handralls subfloor ooo 6 6 8 Add Category Pocket PC To add another category click Tools Add Category You will first be asked if you want to copy an existing category To delete a category click Tools Delete Component If you choose Yes the window on the left will let you choose which category you want to copy Choose a category and click OK You will then be asked for the new category s name This window will also appear if you choose not to copy an existing category Palm Tech Insp ag Palm Tech Inspect 4r 1 13 ok si 1 06 ok Choose the category you want to ox Enter the new Category Name OK copy E cancel Structure Copy Use Line Numbers in printed report Aireplace Wood Stove Heating System Pl bi Enter a name and click OK You will then be asked where you want the new category to go Indicate the category you want the new category to follow You will also be asked if you want to keep the information in the cat
5. Give the deck made of treated wood an acceptable rating This property does not include a balcony You could rate it Not Present which would print on the report or Not Applicable and the line will not print on the report Because you rarely see a balcony you decide to delete the line entirely Right click click and hold on the Tool button to the left of the balcony line then click Delete Line from the resulting menu oteps Stoops Forch Fatio of F vegetation of U F Window wels D w Retaining Valls You will be asked if you are sure you want to delete this line Click Yes Recall however that once a line is deleted it is totally gone from that inspection You will have to re enter the line and all its information if you decide later that you want to include it 41 Complete the remaining lines down to Vegetation 42 Show a picture of some vegetation Assign a Marginal rating and description for the Vegetation line right click the Tool button to the left of the line then select Add Picture from the dropdown menu Select the image you want from the Select Image window and click OK Add decorations and change the sizes if you wish on the Edit Image window Click OK and the picture will appear to the right of the line You can delete this picture by right clicking it 201 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection EEE EE ee OOOO OOOO a m Forch i Patio i ified contrac Deck Grading S
6. List terms ltem Add Hew ltem While entering a list tem press CONTROL 5 to add that item to the list List Type Disclaimer wr List Category Lots and Grounds i Let program sort list List Prompt Category Disclaimer List Close Pocket PC f d Palm Tech insp 4 1 53 Bk This Edit List window also appears for other entries that contain lists If the lists already contain information that text appears in the top part of the screen Choose the item you want to edit and it will appear in the bottom screen Make your changes click CONTROL S desktop and the edited item will then appear in the list in the top Program sorts list fad New item beets item screen and be available for selection If you press a the Enter key while typing your note the screen may show vertical bars in the text in that location This occurs because the actions represented by pressing the Enter key cannot be expressed in a dropdown display If you want to add a new item to the list you can enter the new text in the bottom screen then click the Add New Item button or just add the new item then click Close ok The new item will then become part of the list 32 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions In Front Office disclaimers can be locked globally so that only individuals with access to Inspection Designer can change them If that 1s the case the Disclaimer button will not appear and the pre de
7. appear in the list click once in the description box and type in your entry When you have finished typing and moved to the next item on the screen the program will check to see 1f your typed entry exists in the list of common descriptions If the typed entry does not exist the program will stop and ask you if you want to add the item to the list If you answer Y es the typed entry will be added to the list for future use You can prevent this prompt from appearing in the program settings See page 141 for information on how to do this Each description list can contain an unlimited number of items Palm Tech Inspector keeps track of which descriptions you use most frequently To speed the inspection Palm Tech Inspector displays the three most frequently used items at the top of the list as stated previously All other items in the list are in alphabetical order In order for an item to be ranked in the top three it must have been picked at least twice Recall that you can change the listing order by un checking the Let program sort list checkbox in the Edit List window Some line items share lists For example the description for windows is shared in several different categories kitchen bathrooms bedrooms living spaces etc This is done so that when you enter a description for an item once you do not have to make the same entry in every list in which the same item occurs The program comes with some pre assigned default de
8. 129 Pocket PC 30 Edit Image window Desktop 35 Pocket PC 36 Edit List button Desktop 22 Pocket PC 25 Edit List window 22 181 Edit Rating Sets window 170 Edit ratings 170 Editing data 29 Entering data 29 Export to ASCII 36 Export to HTML 68 File management SO File synchronization Desktop 82 Pocket PC 83 Files manually transfer 88 Files opening Desktop 69 233 Index Pocket PC 70 Final comments Desktop 60 Pocket PC 6 Final Comments window Desktop 60 Pocket PC 6 Fonts 163 Company name 63 Data text 139 163 pdf options 65 Template 1 39 163 True Type 58 165 Front Office 9 Getting started HTML exporting to 768 Import Inspection window Desktop 134 Pocket PC 35 Import data from another file Desktop 33 Pocket PC 35 Import Inspections Desktop 33 Pocket PC 35 Include Photos in Summary 58 Input screen image size Desktop 143 Pocket PC 748 Inspection data 77 Entering 29 Inspection Designer 0 Inspection makeup of 71 Inspection files location 40 Inspection files Opening desktop 69 Opening Pocket PC 70 Saving desktop 70 Saving Pocket PC 72 Inspections copying 86 Inspections deleting old Desktop 87 Pocket PC 87 Palm Tech Inspector Installation 3 ActiveSync 3 Palm Tech Inspector 3 Let program sort dropdown lists 48 Desktop 42 Pocket PC 146 Letter recognizer 28 Library file 56 Copy manual
9. 3 Use Palm Tech synchronization to synchronize your handheld computer regularly so that files are copied to your desktop computer Your desktop computer is a much safer environment for long term storage 4 Back up your desktop computer s Archive Area regularly For permanent storage you should move your files from the desktop computer s archive location to removable media such as a tape writeable CD floppy disk or Zip disk A storage card such as a Compact Flash memory card is not a safe place for long term storage of inspections Storage cards require periodic weekly use to maintain data 5 Delete old files from the work area folder regularly This will speed synchronization and keep your work area less cluttered 6 We strongly recommend that the archive location on the Pocket PC be set to a storage card such as a Compact Flash memory card Packages purchased from PDmB that included a Pocket PC also included storage cards If you try to close the program or take any other action that will remove the currently open file from the program s memory the program will check to see if you have made any changes to the currently open file If you have modified the currently open file the program will prompt you asking if you want to save the changes that you have made This is a safety precaution to make sure that you do not lose work File Synchronization Many of the details of file management are taken care of for you resulting i
10. 3 qq amp w Foundation amp pe Differential Movernent ES o Fes d ron Ti aa Bearing Walls ES amp ooo Joists Trusses E E Oooo F Piers Posts o F Fleersie 5 ka wi Stairs Handrails Draw Diagram i x Line Color Black Fill Color Line Weight mm Clear Crop ul 122 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions This window gives you several options for producing your diagram You can draw a line rectangle ellipse or arrow or choose to draw freehand Freehand is much more practical on a handheld with a stylus You can also choose a line color and a fill color for non linear diagrams You can also determine the thickness of your lines with the arrows in the Line Weight box The Undo button erases the last figure you drew the Clear button deletes all drawing from the screen and the Crop button expands the diagram to fill the screen The Crop button will also make the printed image larger The following screen shows a simple diagram with ellipses and arrows Draw Diagram 4 Arrow 1 ee Line Color Green Fill Color Line Weight Clear Crop dle After your diagram is complete click OK You screen will indicate that the diagram has been drawn It will then appear in this location in the printout Foundation E of F Diterentiat Movement ef Beatingwatss OCS of eistsrtussess OCS Ww Plers Posts Diagram Di
11. Abbreviation A Not Present Explanations Not Inspected Marginal Functional with no obvious signs of defect Defective Not Applicable Indicates item is not present prints on report Indicates item is not applicable and should not print Indicates item was not inspected prints on report Use value for scoring fg Include as being inspected for Required edits Requires Mote Create Summary of itema marked with this rating Summar Disclaimer This window displays the ratings included in the rating set you chose as shown in the Name box You can edit this rating set or create a new one by clicking Add New in the Edit Rating Sets window Note that you can name your new rating set in the Name box and add or change the rating set disclaimer in the Disclaimer box You can also delete a rating by highlighting it in the list and clicking Delete Rating A new edited rating set called Custom Rating Set was constructed for this illustration The ratings for this example range from A F each rating includes an explanation and the disclaimer indicates that it is for illustration only This new rating set is illustrated in the next screen 41 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Name Custom Rating Set Disclaimer This rating set iz for illustration purposes only Rating Set ID 1 Add Rating Delete Rating Hame Rating 4 Abbreviations a Rating Color Blue Rating B Explanation Rating C
12. File Hame Top Right Line l Font Custom Fields Text Placement Dont Show Font Dont Show Font Don t Show Font Company Logo Image File es ce Image Placement Height Width Custom zf Custom foo o oo Additional header height to reserve o oo use with custom placements Restore Default Print Settings F Palm Tech Inspec d a 11 55 ok Page Layout Conny Nane Svar Above gt Date and Time Font Menane Fonts and Logo Other 4 gt File Edit Review Tools RF 4 Cancel The Page Layout box lets you click the dropdowns to choose where to place your company name as well as the date and time page number and file name The Font buttons to the right of these boxes allow you to choose font style and sizes for these entries The Custom Fields box contains three dropdown boxes You can click the down arrow to choose a merge field such as Property Address Client Name etc and customize the font and color and where it will appear This will set this important information apart from other text and allow you to set up a unique look for your report Merge fields are discussed in detail on page 172 You can also include your company logo in your report with the Company Logo Image File option in the bottom half of the Fonts and Logo window on the Pocket PC 162 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions De SE Tf y
13. GLOSSARY OF TERMS ActiveSyne ActiveSync is the communications program written by Microsoft that allows desktop and handheld computers to talk to each other If you own an older handheld PC you may know this program as Windows CE Services If you are using a Windows CE 2 1 or higher handheld you can download the latest version of ActiveSync at no charge from http www microsoft com windowsmobile downloads activesync42 mspx Version 5 0 of Palm Tech Inspector will work with the older version of either ActiveSync or Windows CE Services ActiveSync offers more reliable and faster communications with your handheld computer If you are using Windows Vista however ActiveSync should not be used Category A category is a part of the template that groups similar lines of information together For example Lots and Grounds is a category that contains lines such as Walks Patio Deck etc Component A component can be a room mechanical system or any group of lines that work together to form a single unit Computer Desktop The main screen on either the desktop or handheld computer The desktop is shown on screen when no other programs are running Desktop Computer Any computer fixed or portable for example a laptop that uses any of the following operating systems Windows 98 Windows ME Windows 2000 Windows XP or Windows Vista In Focus The area of the computer screen available to accept keyboard input is said to be in focus Fo
14. LJ L Ly Ly LI OOOO OOOOD Floorlslab OOOoOoOd OOOoOoOd St Pa m Tech Date 01 18 07 The first five line types and the signature line allow you to enter both a screen prompt shows on the input screen and a print prompt shows on the printed report If no print prompt is entered the screen prompt will appear in both places Due to the limited screen space on the handheld PC long prompts sometimes do not fit This feature allows you to abbreviate long screen prompts and still use the complete prompt on the printed report There are a few rules that apply to adding lines 1 There are no limits to the number of lines a category can support 2 A line added in the middle of a component becomes part of that component This means that if the line appears in a summary the line will be indicated as being part of the component 3 Remember that by right clicking the tool buttons to the left of the lines you can add pictures and diagrams and cut copy and delete lines If you would like to add lines permanently in order to create your own unique inspection formats you can save the inspection containing your new lines as a template Do this by clicking Tools Save As Template You will be asked about deleting current data then asked for a file name and template name Click OK and your new template will be saved 107 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Save Template ES You can also add lines or change or add to
15. Palm Tech Inspect 7 1 09 ok Select Font NOTE Not all font properties are supported in all circumstances Sve cobr v Bold Bold Underline g Underline Color Black NOTE Not all font properties are supported in all circumstances Click the dropdown arrow and the window will show you the available fonts Many more fonts are available on the Desktop program than the Pocket PC 56 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop Pocket PC Select Font j Palm Tech Inspect g 1 10 ok MOTE Not all font properties are NOTE Not all font properties are supported in all circumstances supported in all circumstances T Arial Baltic F Arial Black J _ Bold T Arial CE i _ Italic T Arial CYR _ Underline T Arial Greek Tr Arial Narra This font window allows you to choose a font style size color and attribute such as bold italic or underline The colors you may select from are black blue green red brown magenta gray and white Choose the font you want that particular item to appear in For greater distinction choose a size a color and an attribute This provides many options for how your text can appear When you have made your choices click Close or OK The font choices you make in these windows will determine how that item appears in the printed report The following desktop Disclaimer window shows the text in 10 pt blue Tahoma bold Mote Lots and
16. Patio A qualified contractor is recommended to evaluate and estimate repairs Click OK and the note will appear in the work area of your screen Lots and Grounds Not Applicable fccepabie F Walks icceptabie F Steps Stoops Detective Poured stepping stone T of onvenay ola 7 wake Gla Steps Stoopsiconcz Note af gt Porch p Patio A quali Deck m Balcony 7 Grading 7 _ v Swale _ Note Vegetation B Window Welly Note File Edit Review Tools o 4t t 199 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 38 Add a cost to cure estimate to the Patio line Click the Cost Estimate button on the far right of the line The Cost Estimate window will appear Make sure that this item is checked in Program Settings It is not checked by default on the Pocket PC to save room on the screen so you will have to check Allow entry of cost estimates on the Program Settings Options window for the button to appear Cost Estimate C Replace fae kooo Cancel High 0 Mote Color Black Change Font Common Motes oe Edit List Palm Tech Inspect 7 1 26 ok 200 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 39 40 Click the Replace circle and add low and high estimates in the boxes Change the font if you wish but leave the color black Note that you can also add any comments you make here to your library list
17. Version 5 Palm Tech Inspector from the Start menu or double clicking the Palm Tech Inspector shortcut directly on your computer s desktop 2 Either click the opening copyright screen to make it disappear or wait a few seconds 3 The opening screen will allow you to either start a new inspection or open an existing inspection Because you are starting a new inspection click the New button You can also click the New icon on the toolbar Edit Edit Fit ANTM oad oga F Palm Tech Inspect g 1 37 X Palm Tech Inspector lt New gt 177 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection If you are using Front Office on your desktop the Select Inspector window will appear Select Inspector Select an Inspector John Wilson Bill Johnson Fred Hanley Jim Fields Scott Usborne Cancel If you are not using Front Office the Choose a Template window will appear It will also appear on the Pocket PC Choose a Template Templates i Show Licensed By Systenn tr Cornmercial trnS Show Unlicensed Templates Cancel Consolidated nteror tmi Duplex tm5 Electrical tra Farm tro Font Testing tmn6 Description Grid Export Test trib Grid Template tm5 GridT estz tr HVAC tmB IDO emo tr Large House tm5 Master Comp tmi Master Grid T est tm5 Mame Version 5 Master Everything you need to do 4 basic home Inspection Last Modified Mobile Horne tmh kold tm5 15 08 Decemb
18. order the file name will be automatically assigned based on the choices made in FO Clicking Save will automatically save the file under this name and you will not see a File Save window Otherwise you will see the Save As window when you start an inspection Palm Tech Inspector requires you to assign a file name and save an inspection as you begin After this point clicking Save will automatically save the file under this name Save As If this window appears provide aie a file name and tell the program where you want to save the file On the desktop computer the file will be saved to the working directory and to the Archive location The Archive and the Inspection Files Save as type Palm Tech V5 Inspection Files pt5 cancel locations can be changed in Program Settings You can make a copy of the currently open file under a new file name by selecting File Save As from the menu This will close the currently open file and save the data in the program in a new file under the name you specify This can be useful if you need to modify an inspection You can open the previous file make the needed modifications and save the modified file under a new name while noting that the file has been modified in the name For example assume that you inspected George Williams home on 3 29 07 and saved the file as Williams George 032907pt 5 After returning the completed inspection you find that a modification is req
19. printed reports You can change the dimensions of the printed images then click the Restore Defaults button to return to the defaults provided The last button on the Program Settings window allows you to display cost estimate for repairing or replacing selected items Cost Estimate Setting button As explained previously you can provide cost estimates for your inspection The Cost Estimate Setting button allows you to assign classifications such as Repair and Replace and cost types such as Range Low High and Categories Labor Materials When you click this button the Cost Estimate Settings window appears Cost Estimate Settings Cost Classifications Cost Types Classification 1 f Range Categories eae epair aus Classification 2 Replace High ren If you choose Categories Materials and Labor display as the default entries However you can enter whatever categories you want to fit with your template and your new entries will appear in the Cost Estimate window that appears when you click the Cost Estimate button on the screen 144 Palm Tech Inspector structure Not Applicable A NF NI hd D WA eeoeeoee Ol C1 6101O e BOOUCOOO BOOUCGOOO ee 0 0 8 ee e0 0 8 BOUCOOO ee 0 0 8 structure Type Foundation Differential Wloverent Beams Bearing Walls Joists Trusses Piers Posts FloorSslab Detailed Operating Instructions Cost Estimate C Replace Materials o C
20. Door Bell back door 212 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection i Palm Tech Inspec 7 11 17 ok Select an item to see the summary Lots and Grounds Patio Exterior Surface and Components Door Bell ba Click on one of the items and the bottom window will display what you entered about that item View Summary Items R ating Defechye Select an item from the list below and you will see what you entered about that item Lots and Grounds Patio Exterior Surface and Components Door Bell back door Lots and Grounds Patio Poured stepping stone A qualified contractor ts recommended to evaluate and estimate repairs 213 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection i Palm Tech Inspec 7 11 18 ok Rating Defecive 7 Select an item to see the summary Lots and Grounds Patio Exterior Surface and Components Door Bell be Lots and Grounds Patio Poured stepping stone A qualified contractor is recommended to evaluate and estimate repairs Click on any item and the program will take you back to that input entry so you can make any necessary changes or corrections 57 Use the Spell Check feature to review your report for spelling errors Click Review Spell Check Click Start on the Spell Check window to begin The Pocket PC will display a message indicating that the process may take some time and asking if you want to continue Click Yes Spell ch
21. Files Cancel Copy Inspections from Handheld to Desktop i Copy Inspections from Desktop to Handheld Copy Picture Album Files from Handheld to Desktop Copy Orders to Handheld Send Orders for z days ahead Retain Orders for e daps after the scheduled date Delete Old Inspections Delete Inspections from Work Area more than 5 days old This allows you to synchronize your library files copy inspections from the handheld to the desktop and vice versa copy Picture Album files from the handheld to the desktop copy any orders from your desktop to the handheld and determine how many days you want to hold inspections in the work area For more information on Picture Album call 888 736 2462 Make sure you have your devices connected correctly before you click Continue to proceed Select the items that you wish to synchronize by checking the appropriate boxes When copying orders to the handheld from Front Office you can adjust the number of days ahead and after the current date that orders will be copied to the handheld Old inspections should be deleted from the Work Area periodically to save space on the handheld to minimize the time required for synchronization and to make it easier to work with current files After making the appropriate selections click the Continue button Palm Tech Inspector must be closed on the handheld in order for synchronization to be conducted safely If you have Palm Tech open running on your h
22. Palm Tech Inspector does a great deal of work to make day to day file synchronization and management easier In addition the optional Palm Tech Front Office program provides even more file management and synchronization features There are however a few things that you can or need to do to ensure continued ease of use and to protect yourself in case of a catastrophic event involving your computer 80 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions 1 Save your work often This provides insurance in case of operator or program error 2 Use the same naming convention for all files For example you could use a combination of the customer s name and date for the file 1 e 032307 Johnson W pt5 or include the inspector s initials if you have more than one inspector The important thing to remember is to always follow the same convention so that you don t have to guess which files are which If you are using Palm Tech Front Office it will assign file names automatically in a systematic manner based on one of several file naming schemes Using Front Office minimizes the possibility of duplicate file names and makes it easier to locate inspections for a previously inspected property You should avoid some characters in naming your files These include the asterisk brackets lt gt equal sign plus sign quotes and slashes These characters have other functions and can confuse computer programs
23. Service 120 VAC Branch Circuits 240 VAC Branch Circuits Aluminum Wiring Conductor Type Ground Smoke Detectors Manutacturer Main Breaker Size Breakers Fuses AFI SFC Add Another Electric Panel e Let program sort dropdown lists As you have seen dropdown lists are sorted by item used most frequently This option is checked by default However you can un check this option if you wish to sort the lists using different criteria e Allow entry of cost estimates This option is also checked by default This displays the Cost Estimate button on the screen and allows you to enter a cost amount to repair or replace a defective item If you un check this option the Cost Estimate button will not appear on the screen and you will not be able to enter any cost amounts e Auto complete text entries When this option is checked the program will complete an item in your description box with an entry from your library after you have entered the initial letter This allows you to enter terms that you use often very quickly The disadvantage is that the program may not enter the term you want if two or more terms in your list begin with the same letters Also Auto complete is case sensitive which means that if the items in your lists begin with capital letters you must your entered item with a capital letter as well for Auto complete to complete the item The next options deal with the screen image size 142 Palm
24. Software and Documentation and supersedes any and all prior oral or written agreements negotiations or other dealings between us concerning the Software This license agreement may be modified only by a writing signed by you and us In the event of litigation between you and us concerning the Software or Documentation the prevailing party in the litigation will be entitled to recover attorney fees and expenses from the other party This license agreement is governed by the laws of the state of Ohio You agree that the Software will not be shipped transferred or exported into any country or used in any manner prohibited by the United States Export Administration Act or any other export laws restrictions or regulations TECHNICAL SUPPORT We will provide e mail telephone technical support at no additional cost for all registered users using the current version of the software Technical support does not include any on site training or installation On site assistance is available for an additional fee For rates and information or if you have a question relating to the use of this software contact us at PDmB Inc 9600 Colerain Avenue Suite 110 Cincinnati OH 45251 513 522 7362 Voice 888 PDmB Inc Toll Free 736 2462 513 729 4683 Fax e mail support palm tech com http www palm tech com yi TABLE OF CONTENTS Getting Started Requirements Installation What s New in Version 5 0 The Makeup of an Insp
25. Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions o Input Screen Image Size This option allows you to control both the appearance of your input screen and the processing time It 1s applicable only if you have included pictures in your report The default size is small 30 of the printed size This means that the picture will appear in the line as shown in the following screen structure Not Applicable ef Feunastion 5 amp o Y Differential Movement o FY Bers 5 o F Bearing wals 5 B wi Joists Trusses wYijeNote gt Setting this size to Full Size slowest screen response time produces the following appearance Because the image is larger the program requires more time for processing functions Structure Not Applicable amp w Foundation rt Differential Movement 2 9 Beams B o Bearing Walls AT w Ineta Trescas WF hlatamnil You can also choose to indicate the picture with an icon This will allow for the fastest processing time but does not show the image on the screen The chosen image will however appear on the printout with whatever attributes and changes you have made to it 143 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions structure Not Applicable rr 4 Foundation o Differential Movernent 9 Bra i F Bearing Walls w Joists Trusses oo amp amp amp Default Image Size The features in this box allow you to set the size of your pictures in your
26. a a items that should be reviewed Edit checks are discussed in detail on page 128 Whether or not a line is required to be completed is information a property that is assigned in the template You can change the settings of these properties using Inspection Designer One of the options for printing is to print only those lines that contain an entry See page 155 for more information about this If you choose this option it is very important to ensure that all applicable items have been completed as blank lines will simply not show up in the report An example of lines that are to print only if information is entered would be lines for Model Number and Serial Number If you do not wish to enter these numbers you can designate that these lines not print This designation will override any global setting For example in the home inspection templates shipped with Palm Tech Inspector some of the lines in the General Information section are set to work this way Following are some of these lines Contact e mail Client e mail File Number Amount Received Start amp End Time Electric On Gas On Water On Temperature Weather Additions Modifications Permits Obtained 68 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions WORKING WITH INSPECTION FILES Palm Tech Inspector stores all data for each inspection in a unique file You must have Palm Tech Inspector to open and edit inspection files If you want to be
27. better Your Name Phone Humber Ext Description of the problem Support files and information sent Application Picture Album Desktop Frogram Information Print Settings Program Settings Custom Dictionary License Info Files to be sent CAM Inepections sS mith OF01 07 4 lbum 6 154 1 6 alb5 CANPROGRAWTPALM TOTSPT Custom cud ea This window lets you describe the problem and lists the information that will be sent to tech support After you have entered your name phone number and description of the problem click the Send button A new prompt will appear telling you that you can add more information to the e mail message Click OK 226 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix E PTErrorReporting Thank you For sending the information You may add any additional comments to the email message before sending it You will be contacted by our support team soon Depending on which e mail program you are using the program will either open up the program and attach the file or create an attachment in your e mail program for you to attach manually 22 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix E 228 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix F APPENDIX F CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM The Company Name and Address are pre set when you receive your software Palm Tech Inspector is licensed to an inspector working for a single company at a single location If you need to change this information complete the form below and either fax it t
28. can add a component anywhere If you want the new component added at the top of the category click the Insert at Top checkbox When you are satisfied with your choices click OK a ET Surface a oof Surface The window on the left shows the default screen 7 for the Roof category The component Roof Surface was selected and added at the placeholder location The window on the right shows the same screen with the new component Roof Surface added following the steps listed previously 93 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions i Palm Tech Inspec gr fe 12 57 X Palm Tech Inspec g 12 58 X _ Not Ere Not rare ae Le File Edit Review Tools WSs Note also the Component button with the same name as the current component in this case Add Another Roof Surface appears after the original component You can click this button to immediately add another component identical to the original one without having to choose from the menu ADD CATEGORY You can add additional categories to your report Add Category Desktop To add another category click Tools Add Category You will first be asked if you want to copy an existing category If you choose Yes the next window will let you choose which category you want to copy To delete a category right click the category name in the category list left window of the main screen You will be asked if you are sure you want to delete it You can a
29. casement Vinyl casement Vinyl double hung Vinyl slider Steel casement T kamm l Fr m M P k lem Add Nem ltem While entering a list tem press CONTROL 5 to add that item to the list List Type Question amp ANSEL List Category lInterion Rooms ani W Let program sort list List Prompt Windows Close 22 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The default list appears in the top window Select the description you want to change and make your changes when it appears in the bottom window You can also add any new item by entering it in the bottom screen and clicking Add New Item or pressing CONTROL S or delete an item by selecting it and clicking the Delete Selected Item button Click Close when you are finished The new or edited item will appear in the description dropdown list the next time you click the down arrow for that item You can set default descriptions for all the items displayed in the top dropdown list STARTING A NEW INSPECTION POCKET PC When you start Palm Tech Inspector the first window you will see is the Copyright Information window Tap that window to make it disappear or wait a few seconds and you will see the Palm Tech Inspector initial window shown on the left You can click the New button to start a new inspection or the Open button to open an inspection you previously saved When you click the New button the template list window shown on the right will appear P
30. change the height and width of the picture and make the new size the default size with the Make Sizes Defaults button You can also check to lock the aspect ratio If you do this the proportion of the picture will always remain the same that is 1f you change the height of the picture the width will change proportionately You can change the image resolution The default resolution is medium If you use a lower resolution the picture won t be as crisp but the program functions such as saving will work faster You can flip the image with the arrow buttons or choose another image with the Choose Image button As discussed previously you can also add decorations such as arrows ellipses and zooms You can delete all of the decorations you added with the Undo All button or delete just the last on with the Undo Last button The following window shows the selected picture with decorations added 117 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Edit Image triage Attributes Height 0 75 width i oo Make Sizes Defaults iW Lock aspect ratio De b F Ta i a oa ly ot ta C TEEF al h vy Tt Fy al ua j a k i ie pl at Ye E i 2 ao oa at s ae Image Resolution Medium Undo All Undo Last Cancel c Choose Image After you have made your changes click OK and the picture will appear on the line The following screens show a line in both the input and print views with a
31. changing the company name and information printed on the report e Template Data comes from the template file based on your template selection The Template contains the structure and order of categories lines and components as well as the questions that prompt you for input e Component Data is contained in your library file Components organize individual lines into structured sections such as Roof Chimney or Bathroom You can add or delete components at any time When you add a component to an inspection the program adds lines to the category based on the design of the selected component e Inspection Data is the data that you enter as you are inspecting It is worth noting that you can now have default answers as part of your template 11 Palm Tech Inspector Makeup of an Inspection This methodology is designed to ensure that as you change templates ratings systems or disclaimers once an inspection is created these items will forever be a part of that particular inspection Settings in the program may affect the presentation of a report but none of the main ingredients will change despite the fact that you may be doing things very differently now from the way you were doing them when the inspection was created For example assume you have to reprint an inspection you did six months ago In the last six months you have changed the ratings and modified the templates as well as reworded the disclaimers Because all of these are ingr
32. e mailed to the remote inspector This option in Palm Tech Inspector is designed to handle these update files When you run this option the program will update your remote desktop installation with order information and any published template and component updates as well as update the remote list file with changes to rating system s and disclaimers The extension of an update file is update If you have received an update file via e mail execute this option by selecting Setup gt Update from Remote File from the menu A window like the following one will appear prompting you to locate the remote file You cannot use the Update from Remote File on a computer that has Front Office installed Files of type Update Files update Cancel Open as read only Locate the update file and click the Open button and the program will update Palm Tech Inspector Palm Tech Inspector Ed After the update has completed you will need to synchronize your handheld to update it with the changes A Update is complete made by the update If new templates were sent in the update you will need to copy these files manually to your handheld See page 88 for more details on manually copying files to your handheld NOTE You cannot execute this option on a computer that has Front Office installed If you attempt to do so you will be warned with the following screen 137 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Palm Te
33. enter a prompt and your new line will look similar to the one below i Palm Tech Ins a 421059 X To e iNew Construction Yes No Nee a 110 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Standalone Note This line type can be used with or without a prompt If you select this line type and enter a prompt your screen will look similar to the following one on the left To add the standalone note click the button displaying the prompt you entered When you click this button the Note window appears right allowing you to enter the text you want the Standalone Note line to include A number may appear in the title area in an unprompted standalone note This is the line ID number To keep this from happening enter a prompt for the line Palm Tech In ae f 11 02 X j Palm Tech In ao f 11 04 Note Lots and Grounds Standalone Note 3 lt Standalone Note gt g G New Construction O Yes O No Note Note 5 Permits i eri e Note m v Driveway 7 D v Walks 7 af steps stool 7 af Porch gt Nore Patio Note m File Edit Review Tools J amp Enter the text or choose it from a list of common notes choose whether or not you want it added to the summary and which summary set it in your choice of font and color Click the Add selection to list button 1f you want to save this note in the list of common notes Click OK When th
34. highlighting a section name then clicking the Move Up or Move Down buttons Print Order Print Order Report Body _Move Up CTC Summary TEF Down Rating Summary Move Down love D The Ratings box has two dropdown options View ratings and Ratings keys The first View ratings option As boxes is the default and shows boxes for the ratings If you choose As text the ratings will be printed out after the line numbers The third option Don t print prevents the ratings from appearing on the printed report This option is applicable for a narrative report Ratings Ratings view Ratings View ratings As Boxes oe Rating Keys Abbreviations Only Ratings keys Abbreviations Only Following are examples of the same ratings shown first as boxes then as text A AIP AD M ain Attic ethod of Ins D ee In the attic Unable to Inspect o L Roof Framing 2x12 Rafter O Sheathing Dimensional wood O Ventilation Gable and soffit vents O Insulation Batts k Insulation Depth 5 L Vapor Barrier Plastic O Attic Fan Belt drive CL House Fan Direct drive with manual controls O vWiring Lighting a Moisture Penetration fl 1 Zz 3 4 ap G T a z ly z zA Bathroom Fan Wenting OBOOR BORER O O O O O L O O O O O O O O O O O L O O L O O L OO fl ed O L O O L EO L l k l k 159 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Main Attic 1 Method of Inspec
35. lists anymore You can add common components now with just a single click For example if you re inspecting bedrooms and want to add another all you have to do is click the Add Another Bedroom button If you use a desktop laptop you can now select multiple descriptions just by pressing Ctrl while you select them Do you use a tablet You can now synchronize with your desktop just like you can with a Pocket PC No more manually dragging your files around and keeping track of what is where Switching to Landscape mode for easier viewing on the Pocket PC is now even more convenient An AutoSave option now that automatically saves the inspection each time you change categories is now available Palm Tech Inspector What s New Now you can choose to sort your own dropdowns or let the program do that for you You can now resize the notes window to fit your screen better and make entries faster Have an ampersand in your company name You can use that just as easily as any other common character Palm Tech Inspector now supports added graphics image formats You can now add your pictures in jpg tif bmp wmf emf or bmp formats Separate the text sections such as descriptions and notes on your reports with custom text separators You can now make the text longer to help explain or define areas of text and make them easier to differentiate The Pocket PC now presents the option to print a cover page as a separate option and
36. picture added Structure Not Applicable D e w a of F Foundation OOo OH of F omenimo OOOO of F Beans Ooo of Beating Wale D o sutiststusses O of F PiersPosts Oooo of F Foose TC Staertandratss e _____ Swor 118 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Po Structure O Typical cracks in concrete masonry are considered normal due to some shifting or shrinkage LO OUOO Structure pe Foundation Differential Movement Beams Bearing Walls Joists Trusses Piers Posts Floor Slab Stairs Handraibs Subfloor dt pain an Ro ete ee Rb OOOUOUOOO OOOOOOUOOU OOOO Hood OOOOUOUOOO ol Note that the printed form places the picture to the right margin and moves the following lines down to make room for the picture You can click on the picture to resize it if you like You can also adjust the appearance of the image in your work area This is discussed on page 143 Add Pictures Pocket PC NOTE There are some stipulations to adding pictures with the Pocket PC First most Pocket PCs cannot handle pictures of five mega pixels or more Your pictures should be four mega pixels or less Also adding pictures takes a great deal of memory If you do not plan to use pictures in your inspection 8 MB of free memory will be sufficient However if you are going to add pictures you need at least 16 MB of memory on your mobile computer If you have at least 16 MB of me
37. picture to your report Add Component Add a room or mechanical system to the inspection Add Category Add a category to your inspection Add Line Add a new line to the currently selected category Rename Category Rename a currently existing category Delete Category Delete a currently existing category Delete Line Delete a line from a category Save as Template Save the open report as a template Import Inspection Merge information from another inspection into the current inspection 176 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection YOUR FIRST INSPECTION USING PALM TECH INSPECTOR We recommend that you use the package to complete several inspections in your office before taking the program in the field This will give you time to get used to the program and allow you to have both the handheld and desktop versions of the program available as well as the user s guide If you would like an extra copy of the user s guide to take with you in the field call our technical support line to receive a second copy at no extra charge After you have installed the program on both your desktop and handheld computers take a few minutes to review the user s guide and the resources it offers By default the program uses a five point rating system with a sixth option title N A If you want to change the ratings system you should do this first See the previous discussion on editing ratings 1 Open the program by selecting Programs Palm Tech
38. set default picture sizes Want to show large grids Now they can wrap to multiple pages You can now import inspections to your Pocket PC from a storage card When you create a pdf of your report Palm Tech Inspector now automatically places it in the same folder that the inspection is in The Note Disclaimer Final Comments and Private Notes windows display on the desktop with the same fonts they will print with Decorations will rotate with pictures Improved Library Management Library management is now completely automatic You can now create categories lines disclaimers and tech notes and the program will automatically manage them all Libraries contain the components lists disclaimers tech notes and rating sets for each individual template Palm Tech Inspector What s New Improved User Interface Cost estimate capabilities now include dropdowns that are specific to the cost estimate entry You can include common notes for cost estimate capabilities and save descriptions specific to the entries Dropdown windows are bigger allowing you to add or enter more descriptive information These windows are also easier to see on the screen which reduces the possibility of choosing an item in error List lengths are now UNLIMITED providing for a greater range of entries and more descriptive text Now your lists can include all of the descriptions and information you want and need When you create a pdf of your report it w
39. summary for a rating the program will print a summary of all items marked with that rating at the end of your report If you want to change the disclaimer that prints at the beginning of a rating summary you can add to or edit the text that appears in the Disclaimer box 171 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Whenever you synchronize the rating set from the desktop computer replaces the ratings on the handheld To make changes to the handheld you should make the changes on your desktop computer and synchronize with the handheld computer If you would like to create your own unique rating set Inspection Designer will allow you to do this Inspection Designer is sold separately from Palm Tech Inspector and will allow you to create an almost unlimited variety of inspection formats Your can even distribute your creations royalty free to other inspectors using Palm Tech Inspector For more information on Inspection Designer see page 10 or call toll free at 888 736 2462 Merge Fields Merge fields are features set up in Inspection Designer that allow you to enter text that the program will replace with data from the Front Office order or General Information category of the inspection For example if you wanted the property address to appear in a disclaimer you could add the merge field Property Address and Set it as a default The program will replace the merge field text with the property address entered in the Genera
40. the font in the printout Change the Summary disclaimer Copy Cut or Paste Create a narrative style report Create a pdf of my report Create my own template Create my own rating set Delete a category Delete a component Delete a line Delete one of the standard ratings Delete old inspections Determine if my hardware will run the programs e mail my report e mail PDmB Inc Edit the default ratings Edit a Tech Note 217 See Page 90 97 108 23 78 79 51 60 116 119 34 35 41 154 171 151 21 24 77 178 44 131 133 84 86 84 86 ion 64 65 229 19 40 163 31 56 41 154 171 55 154 165 166 107 40 170 94 96 90 93 97 108 4 8 2 166 li V1 170 34 Palm Tech Inspector Enter a note for an item Enter cost estimates Enter inspection data Enter or edit a disclaimer Enter personal notes to myself in the inspection Export my inspection to HTML Find a file I recently used Get online help in the program Get technical support Install the program Load the program on my handheld computer Look at inconsistencies and reminders Make a copy of a file Make a category show as complete Make my handheld screen easier to read Merge two inspection files into a single inspection Open a file Preview my report before it 1s printed Print the summary first Print my report Run Edit Checks Save a file Select a different rating set Send my inspection to a third party
41. work by duplicating existing features with simple commands and then modifying or reusing them This also adds to the consistency of your reports You can add shortcuts abbreviations to your notes making it easier to distinguish between different notes when they start with the same wording You can now add and draw instructive diagrams in a variety of colors within your reports Palm Tech Inspector What s New Control fonts and colors for individual notes to make problem areas stand out more clearly Palm Tech Inspector gives you a greater degree of control over your ratings systems You can even create your own completely different rating system Importing inspections is now much easier You can now merge different types of forms together allowing you to add a pest or radon report to your home inspection NOTE In order to import a different type of template such as well septic pest or radon report you must be licensed for that template New Ways to Make Your Life Easier and Job Time Faster You can install Palm Tech Inspector directly to your Pocket PC from your desktop program Dropdowns are larger so it easier to see and select multiple items There are no more limitations as to the number of items you can include in lists or dropdowns Managing the library is easier If you add a line to your report the program will automatically create a library list for the dropdown so you don t have to think or worry about managing
42. Conditioning Fireplace ood Stove Deck Heating System Balcony Plumbing Ge Bathroom Grading Kitchen yale Bedroom ee Living Space Vegetation Laundry Room 4rea window Wells Retaining Valls ee co rp im D co e im Ww FE mm im Ww AJA D o m 0 wO ow co r m uf D F mm p E WE Basement Stairs co p 1m Wf Fences lawn Serinklers 187 Palm Tech Inspector PAA Palm Tech Inspec g7 10 57 X General Information _ WK General Information Lots and Grounds Exterior Surface and Compo Outbuilding Roof Garage Carport Electrical Structure Attic Basement Crawl Space Air Conditioning Fireplace Wood Stove Heating System Plumbing Bathroom File Edit Review Tools J amp Lots and Grounds Not Applicable Your First Inspection Note that the General Information category shows an X to the left indicating that this category is complete In the templates shipped with Palm Tech Inspector you will see the option Not Applicable at the top of all categories except General Information If you do not want this category to appear on the printed report click the box to the left of Not Applicable and that category will not print in the report Enter a disclaimer for this category Click the Disclaimer button at the top of the work area j Palm Tech Inspec af 11 02 X ats and Grounds _ Not App
43. Font Size This is the font size used to present information on the computer screen In the desktop program you can set the font size anywhere from 8 to 24 points on the 139 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Program Settings screen or 8 to 72 points if you click the Select button to choose font style and size The default is 10 points On the Pocket PC the range is from 8 to 10 points with the default at 9 points e Inspection Files Location Desktop Only This entry is used to determine which folder your inspections are stored in on your computer This can be any folder that exists on your desktop computer By default the location is C My Inspections You can override this setting for individual inspections whenever you select File Save As from the menu If you save a file in a different location you will need to make note of the change to facilitate finding the file in the future The program automatically makes several copies of a file whenever it is saved For more details on file management and synchronization see pages 81 and following e Archive Location This entry is used to determine where the Archive copies of your inspection files are stored Every time a file is saved a copy is always saved to the archive location On the Pocket PC the default Archive location 1s CF Card Inspections or SD Card Inspections depending on your machine s storage Files that are saved to the storage card will be a
44. Grounds Driveway Mote Color Blue Common Hotes Edit List Concrete pitted and chipped 57 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The selection of fonts available on the handheld is very limited You o can add any True Type font compatible with almost all systems from your desktop computer to the handheld including non standard fonts However adding fonts will increase the file size To add a font T to your handheld computer from your desktop copy the font file from E the fonts folder on your desktop computer to the Windows Fonts folder on your handheld computer You can locate the fonts on your desktop computer by selecting Settings Control Panel from the Start menu and double clicking the Fonts folder You can identify true type fonts by the icons shown above that the file displays true type fonts will carry either the TT or O icon NOTE Fonts are copyrighted files You should not copy font files to your handheld computer that you do not have the right to use in this manner NAVIGATING THE DESKTOP WITH THE KEYBOARD While the idea of clicking your way through an inspection works wonderfully on a handheld computer with a touch screen it is not so convenient using a mouse on your desktop computer To make data entry easier using the desktop version Palm Tech Inspector includes the ability to navigate and enter inspection data using the keyboard only You can use the right and left arrow key
45. IBRARY FILES synchronize Select the items to synchronize wt Li les Library Files Cancel Copy Inspections from Handheld to Desktop i Copy Inspections fram Desktop to Handheld Copy Picture Album Files from Handheld to Desktop Copy Orders to Handheld send Orders for in days ahead Retain Orders for 2 days alter the scheduled date This option means that the program will copy the library file from the handheld PC to the desktop PC It will then compare the individual items in each library to determine which items have changed since the last synchronization After the files have been merged the updated file will be copied back to the handheld PC COPY INSPECTIONS FROM HANDHELD TO DESKTOP With this option the program will look at all of the inspections on the handheld connected and copy them to the desktop computer s work area provided the file in the desktop computer is not newer This means that after the process is complete any new or updated inspection files from your handheld computer will be available on your desktop computer when you select File Open from the menu The program will also create a copy of any inspections copied to the desktop in the desktop computer s Archive Area provided that the file in the desktop Archive Area is not newer COPY INSPECTIONS FROM DESKTOP TO HANDHELD This option means that the program will look at all of the files in the desktop computer and copy them to the handheld PC provided t
46. Ls Stairs Handrails of FF Sutton If you decide not to use a rating and note enter a prompt and your new line will look similar to the following one 99 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions structure Not Applicable No Rating Mo Note CY ee of gt Foundation amp o Differential Movement lt Note ae e 2 Questions Answers This line type has Show Rating checked by default Check the Show Note box enter two prompts and your new line will look similar to the one below structure 2 Not Applicable a Permits obtained How verified O T Ete Line without rating E w New screen prompt W lote If you choose not to show a rating or a note for this line the first dropdown box and Note button will not appear 3 Questions Answers This line type does not offer the Rating Note options Enter three prompts and your new line will look similar to the one below structure 2 Not Applicable o ciy A E C A e A A Line without rating Newscraen prom e _____9 Structure Type Yes No If you select this line type enter a prompt and your new line will look similar to the following one This example has the Note box checked by default 100 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions structure Not Applicable Mew Construction Yes No ron OO w Structure Type amp rr Foundation E Do Differential Move
47. N Print settings for this inspection are preset by the template and cannot be altered On the desktop click the Print Settings icon on the toolbar or click Setup Print Settings Edit Edit Fit ong Toh SAE The Print Options window will appear 149 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Print Options Margins Page Options Page Layout Fonts Margins Top AME Bottom 0 34 a Lett 0 25 Right 0 25 Category Headers Style Standard Double Box Color Black Size Medium Restore Default Print Settings PRINT OPTIONS This window allows you to change many aspects of what your printed report will look like On the Pocket PC click Edit Print Settings The tabs shown in the desktop program are represented by different menu choices as shown in the windows with the appropriate explanations Note also that the windows have arrow keys for moving from window to window 150 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions TG ee The Print Options window offers several options Margins that will affect how your printed inspection will Top E soto _ ii Right e Margins The first option is Margins This setting will determine how much white Space exists around the four sides of the paper You can customize how much space to allow on each side This is helpful if you want to print your reports on company letterhead or allow extra room
48. NO EVENT WILL WE BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE EVEN IF WE OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THESE DAMAGES OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU TERM AND TERMINATION This license agreement takes effect upon your use of the software and remains effective until terminated You may terminate it at any time by destroying all copies of the Software and Documentation in your possession It will also automatically terminate if you fail to comply with any term or condition of this license agreement You agree on termination of this license to either return to us or destroy all copies of the Software and Documentation in your possession CONFIDENTIALITY The Software contains trade secrets and proprietary know how that belong to us and it is being made available to you in strict confidence ANY USE OR DISCLOSURE OF THE SOFTWARE OR OF ITS ALGORITHMS PROTOCALS OR INTERFACES OTHER THAN IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT MAY BE ACTIONABLE AS A VIOLATION OF OUR TRADE SECRET RIGHTS GENERAL PROVISIONS l This written license agreement is the exclusive agreement between you and us concerning the
49. OO 7 OOOOOOOOOO o QOOOOOooo00 gt 00000000007 cl D If you do not enter a prompt for a standalone note the line will appear without a prompt Adding a standalone note provides you an opportunity to add information to a summary without the need to assign a rating Checkboxes This line type changes the default dropdown ratings to checkboxes The number of checkboxes is determined by the number of ratings you have Add Line Type e attr W Insert at Top Insert after Print Prompt forly if screen Prompt different from screen Structure Type Cancel PG Foundation Differential Movement Beams Checkbox It Soren Bearing Walls T Joists russes l Fiers Posta 4 Floor Slab Stairs Handrails a 4 elo Show Rating Page Break W Show Mote 102 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The following screen shows what the input screen with a checkbox line looks look like The Show Note box is checked by default amp Ooo w indow Wells E Co Bsmt Stairwell Drain amp ooo O MI Exterior Surface Drain o F omeny amp Driveway shows Pitting Cracking Stains _ Hales _ Grass B Fences fa Lawn Sprinklers The printout of this line with one item checked will look like the following You can check more than one item in a checkbox list 9300000 Easerent tairwal w 0000 Grading WoooOoOO frale 7OOOOD window y
50. Paim Tech Inspector Portable Inspection Software User s Guide Version 5 0 March 2007 Version 1 05 INSPECTION SOFTWARE Copyrights and Trademarks Palm Tech Inspector Software is a trademark of PDmB Inc Palm Tech Inspector software is the property of PDmB Inc and is Copyright 1998 2007 All rights reserved Palm Tech Picture Album software is the property of PDmB Inc and is Copyright 1999 2007 All rights reserved Palm Tech Inspection Designer software is the property of PDmB Inc and is Copyright 2002 2007 All rights reserved Palm Tech Front Office software is the property of PDmB Inc and is Copyright 2002 2007 All rights reserved Manual Copyright 1998 2007 by PDmB Inc Palm Tech Inspector software manual or portions thereof may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever except as allowed for archive purposes without the written permission of PDmB Inc Palm Tech Palm Tech Inspector Palm Tech Inspection Designer Palm Tech Picture Album and Palm Tech Front Office are trademarks of PDmB Inc Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation Correspondence concerning Palm Tech Inspector should be directed to PDmB Inc 9600 Colerain Ave Suite 110 Cincinnati OH 45251 513 522 7362 e mail info palm tech com support inquiries go to support palm tech com Palm Tech Inspector software and manual are licensed property of PDmB Inc Use of the software indicates yo
51. Pocket PC 146 Block recognizer 28 Category add Desktop 94 Pocket PC 96 Check template during spell check Desktop 4 Pocket PC 146 Index INDEX 232 Checkboxes Desktop 702 Pocket PC 712 Choose a Template window Desktop 20 Pocket PC 23 Choose Category window Desktop 95 Pocket PC 96 Choose Order window Desktop 74 Pocket PC 76 Combine rating summaries 54 Company information 71 Completeness Desktop 67 Pocket PC 67 Completeness Check window 67 68 Component data 71 Component add 90 Desktop 90 Pocket PC 93 Copy 55 Copy inspection 84 56 Copy orders 54 Copy Picture Album 56 Cost estimate 53 142 144 Cost Estimate Setting button Desktop 144 Pocket PC 146 Cost Estimate Settings window 47 Cost to Cure disclaimer 79 Cover page printing 55 Create summaries 54 Creating a pdf 165 166 Custom fields box 162 Customize a template 76 Cut 55 Data entering and editing 29 Default descriptions 2 Default descriptions setting Desktop 2 Palm Tech Inspector Pocket PC 24 Default image size 144 Delete old inspections Desktop 87 From archive 88 From work area SS Pocket PC 87 Desktop window 3 5 Menu bar 6 Status bar 7 Title bar 75 Toolbar 6 Work area 6 Diagram adding Desktop 2 Pocket PC 24 Disclaimer button 30 Disclaimer data Disclaimer window 3 Disclaimers 30 Edit checks 728 Edit Checks window Desktop
52. Rating D This is the best rating Rating F Indicates tem i not present prints on report Indicates tem i not applicable and should not print Indicates tem was not inspected prints on report Use value for scoring Include as being inspected for Required edits a O a a Requires Note Create Summary of itema marked with this rating Summar Disclaimer The checkboxes on the right of the Edit Rating Set screen become active when you add a rating These boxes let you clarify and add to your ratings use your ratings as scoring factors or indicate 1f a rating requires a note or summary Mame Rating 4 Abbreviations a Rating Color Blue Explanation This is the best rating Indicates item i not present prints on report Indicates item i not applicable and should not print Indicates tem was not inspected prints on report Use value for scoring Include as being inspected for Required edits a n a a G Requires Mote Create Summary of items marked with this rating Summary Disclaimer 42 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The first box can be checked for an item that is part of your template but was not part of this inspection Items marked with this rating will print as being not present Only one rating in a set should have this option marked The rating key illustrated does not include a rating for these situations but you can easily add such a rating and add
53. S Disclaimer Disclaimer Lots and Grounds Cancel Mote Color Red Change Font Common Notes Edit List This is a new disclaimer Make default disclainer 190 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection i Palm Tech Inspec gf 11 58 ok Disclaimer Lots and Grounds When you print your report the disclaimer will appear at the top of the category in the font you chose however it may appear on the screen in black depending on the type of printer you are using 26 Add a tech note to this category Recall that tech notes are for your information only and will not print in the report Click the Tech Note button below the category name i y Palm Tech Inspec 4r 12 00 X Lots and Grounds Not Applicable of omewarf ft Walks 191 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection J Palm Tech Inspec 12 01 ok Tech Note 27 Add the text This is a new tech note to this screen then click the Add Image button 28 When the Select Image window appears choose the picture you want then click OK Select Image HSS Trad_vol on PdmbS M l Image Fiter ie Voll on PdrnbS Ml fel Archive fey Palm Tech 5 Sy PDB E 11 Leakingw aterHtr jpg d i Temp cal 121 main_root jpg EA BridgeREG bldg JPG He CD Image Prospection 2 Ej C_leak1 jpg aS changed DB Connect sti call dbltaps jpg FH Demo Photos cal door jpg FH Framing Template E zj Durmpster rea
54. Set up the program to run on a network Spell Check my inspection Start the program Store inspection files Test my report for completeness 218 50 142 144 146 29 31 60 61 62 168 69 vi vi 3 4 128 71 72 127 128 18 27 133 14 17 63 156 215 159 63 64 128 26 40 166 168 5 126 127 13 17 140 66 Appendix A Palm Tech Inspector Appendix B APPENDIX B TROUBLESHOOTING I am getting edit checks for items that are correct Just because an item is listed in an edit check does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem but rather that the item may require review I started to create a pdf file to e mail but nothing happened When the pdf Security window appears be sure to click OK to continue after you indicate whether or not you want a secure pdf I have default descriptions for only one item When the Set Default Descriptions window appears choose all the entries you need from the Type dropdown box then enter or choose the default descriptions for each item I added an item to a list on my handheld computer but when I look at my desktop computer the added item is not on the list All of the common descriptions and notes used in Palm Tech Inspector are contained in a single file called ptlib In order for this data to be available in both the desktop and handheld computers you will need to synchronize the handheld using Palm Tech synchronization See page 81 for more details on synchronizat
55. Settling away from foundation Patio Deck Balcony Grading Minor slope Owala Aderenieata olana and daenth far drsinana JHOOOONEH JOBBBOOOOs qoOoOooooooz JOOoOoOnoOoOoO qoOoOoooooo qoOoo000000 160 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Abbreviated Lots and Grounds This ts a new dis aimer A Acceptable MF Not Fresent Ml Not Inspected M Marginal D Defective Not Applicable O Driveway Asphalt O Walks Brick O StepsfStoops Concrete L Porch Concrete Settling away from foundation LI Patio LI Deck L Balcony O Grading Minor slope O Swale Adequate slope and depth for drainage ee ee E ee ma Mma ae Abbreviations Only Lots and Grounds Thiz AE ODO0HHA000O05 Driveway Asphalt L Walks Brick O Steps Stoops Concrete O Porch Concrete Settling away from foundation CL Patio O Deck E E L Es Balcony Grading Minor slope Swale ddecuate slope and denth for drainage RRIOOOOR oooooooq0z OOoOoowoOqo PAGE LAYOUT The Page Layout window provides several options for determining what your pages will look like Choose this tab and the following window will appear 161 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Print Options Margins Page Options Page Layout Forts Fage Layout Company Name EEE E Aa Ea E Font Date and Time Top Left Line Font Page Number Top Right Line 1 Font
56. Systems Ap1300 Axiohm A361 Brother MW 100 120 140B Canon BJ 300 DPI Canon BJ 360 dpi Canon BJ 600 dpi Citizen 203 dpi Citizen 203dpi Citizen CMP 10 Citizen PD 22 Citizen PD 24 PD 04 Citizen PN601 CUSTOM s print Dymo LW 300 Series Eltrade Mobilife Epson ESC P 2 Epson STYLUS Epson TM P60 ExTech amp ExPL compat 2 inch ExTech amp ExPL compat 3 inch ExTech amp ExPL compat 4 inch Fujitsu FTP 628WSL1 10 GeBE Flash Generic 24pin 180dpi Generic 24pin 203dpi Generic 24pin 360dpi HP PCL includes HP 450cbi HP 460wf Intermec PB PW 68 78 Thermal IPC PP 50 IPC PP 55 OMNIPrint 6240 6400 O Neil MicroFlash Panasonic JT H200PR Pocket Spectrum PocketJet 3 Plus PocketJett II PocketJet 3 PocketJet200 SATO MB200i Seiko DPU 3445 Seiko LabelWriter Seiko MPU L465 SiP1x Pocket Printer A6 TallyGenicom MTP4 TallyGenicomMIP360 Zebra RW QL Cameo Encore Palm Tech Inspector ActiveSync 2 3 Add category Desktop 94 Pocket PC 96 Add component Desktop 90 Pocket PC 93 Add Component window Desktop 9 Pocket PC 93 Add Line window Desktop 98 Pocket PC 708 Add lines Desktop 97 Pocket PC 708 Add picture Desktop 716 Pocket PC 719 Allow entry of cost estimates Desktop 42 Pocket PC 146 Archive location S 140 ASCII exporting to 136 Auto complete text entries 42 Auto save file Desktop 4 Pocket PC 45 Block Add to List question Desktop 4
57. able to send files to a third party who does not own Palm Tech Inspector you can export the inspection to HTML format You can also send the file in pdf format This will be discussed on page 166 Files are managed on the Pocket PC differently from the Desktop program Inspections OPENING FILES DESKTOP To open a file you have previously saved select File Open from the menu or click the Open button on the toolbar Ns ete aH 2 OFF f atatan ogg A window will appear allowing you to select which file you want to open Highlight the file that you want to open and click the Open button Look ir gt My Inspections Sr 2006_1 1_22 Mies Thomas pt5 2007 _2_12 Lincoln Abraham pts gt Files of type V5 Inspection Files pt5 Cancel Open as read only NOTE When you select Open or Save from the File menu the program will always start in the same location By default this is C My Inspections on the desktop 69 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions computer Save As starts wherever the last file was saved If you cannot find a file check to see what folder you are working in and verify that you are looking in the folder in which you saved the file You can change the starting location for the desktop version of the program by changing the inspection files location in Program Settings See page 138 for more details on changing program settings The File menu in the deskt
58. agram drawer SSE 123 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Add Diagram Pocket PC To add a diagram to the Pocket PC program click and hold the Tool button to the left of the line you want to add the diagram to and click Add Diagram The window on the left will appear Enter the prompt name you want the Diagram button to have and click OK If you do not change the prompt the button will display Diagram The Diagram button will appear on the line i Palm Tech Ins qe 421212 ok r Palm Tech In Aled q 1 12 13 x Screen Prompt Diagra Eg Height 2 00 Faa Eg wan Eo E Click the Diagram button and the Diagram window will appear left Note the various buttons that allow you to choose the type such as line rectangle ellipse arrow or freehand and the line color fill color and line weight Choose the attributes you want and draw your diagram The window on the right shows a simple diagram with ellipses and arrows j Palm TechIm gf f 12 14 ok i y Palm Tech Ins Fei PES F Fa ene Fill Color Line Wt 124 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Use the Undo button to erase the last item drawn and the Clear button to remove the diagram completely and start again The Crop button will expand the diagram as shown in the window on the left When you are satisfied with your diagram click OK The screen will indicate in red that the diagram has been drawn
59. alm TechIns gi 11 42 X i Palm Tech Ins dr 2 11 51 ok Palm Tech Inspector OK Show Licensed na lt Open gt Show Unlicensed Templates lt News Master tms Name Description Version 5 Master Everything you need to do a basic home Last Modified inspection 12 18 2006 15 08 Fe i vw Foe This window shows a list of the templates available It also provides the name of the selected template a description of the template and the date it was last modified 23 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Note that you can indicate whether to show licensed or unlicensed templates A licensed template is one that you purchase for your company s use An unlicensed template is included with the program for demonstration purposes If you choose an unlicensed template you will be able to try it and see how it works but any report you produce will bear the legend Demonstration version If you would like to purchase a template s that is not currently licensed call 888 736 2462 for more information on licensing templates You can also purchase custom templates and template families Choose the template you want and click OK The following prompt will appear Click Yes to set default descriptions SETTING DEFAULT DESCRIPTIONS POCKET PC Palm Tech Inspector 5 You can set default descriptions for items that Do you want to set appear frequently or are common throughout an defaults now i i a
60. already in the lower box preceded by a comma and a space When adding your own notes if you end the note with a punctuation mark no additional punctuation will be added 51 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Otherwise a comma and a space will be added to the text before the next note 1s added Some items will have an extensive list of notes and in many cases the notes begin with the same wording To differentiate between the notes and save time in entering them you can give the notes abbreviations in the Edit List window and use the abbreviation to select the note When you enter a note in the Edit List window place the abbreviation in brackets just before the note itself Then when you need to choose one of these notes you can look at the abbreviation and know quickly which note you need For example the following window shows the Note window for the category Retaining Walls In this list are notes concerning problems with the retaining wall Because these notes begin with identical wording for several words the note about instability has the abbreviation nstability added before it and the note about movement has the abbreviation Movement added If you wish to add the Instability note to an inspection you can see immediately with the abbreviation that this is the note you need without having to read all of the notes beginning with The retaining wall Choose this note and the program will enter th
61. an confuse computer programs If you are using Palm Tech Front Office file names will be assigned automatically by Front Office in a systematic manner based on one of several file naming schemes Using Front Office minimizes the possibility of duplicate file names and makes it easier to locate inspections for a previously inspected property The Save As window for the desktop program appears as shown next Save ir 4 My Inspections rd 2006_1 1_22 Mies Thomas pt5 gt Filename 021 207Lincoln pts save as lype WE Inspection Files pt5 Cancel The Pocket PC window appears with a keyboard to allow easy text entry Do this by clicking the appropriate keys The keyboard function includes a variety of other features that will be discussed later 26 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Palm TechInsp 7 You can make the keyboard keys larger by clicking Start Settings Input Make sure that Keyboard is shown as the Input method then click the Large keys option When you choose this some keys will be removed from the keyboard You will also have the option to replace some keys with gestures left The keyboard that appears on the screen will be larger and the letters will be more visible Enter the new file name below 123 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Note that the Pocket PC includes a predictive text Tabjajwjejr tjyjujijoje E 1 feature that is when i you enter the f
62. ancel Labor 0 Hote Color Black Change Font Common Motes Edit List PROGRAM SETTINGS POCKET PC The next few options are indicated with checkboxes on the Options tab window of the Pocket PC Auto save file between categories This option allows the program to use the AutoSave function to save your work between categories 145 Palm Tech Inspector Palm Tech Inspec 7 11 29 ok i Auto save file between categories _ Block Add to List question _ Check Template During Spell Check Let program sort dropdown lists Allow entry of cost estimates Cost Estimate Settings Def Picture Sie H 1 00 e w 1 33 Show More Prompt Answer Input Screen Image Ste Use Icon Fastest Screen Response Fonts and Files Options File Edit Review Tools J amp Let program sort dropdown lists Detailed Operating Instructions Block Add to List question Choosing this option will prevent the Add to List prompt from appearing when you enter a description different from what appears in the list This is most useful when you encounter a unique situation and the materials and items are not likely to be used again or you usually conduct the same type of inspections and rarely add new descriptions Check Template During Spell Check This option checks the spelling in the template text in addition to checking that of the input text This is useful if you are using non s
63. and any notes you entered will appear in the lower section of the window as shown next 131 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions View Summary Items A ating Marginal Select an item from the list below and you will see what you entered about that item Outbuilding Root Outbuilding Floor Garage Carport Roof Structure Attic House Farr E arage Carport F oof Structure Rafter Damaged by water penetration To go to the category containing the line that is affected double click on the item in the list that you want to go to and the program will open that category Click the Close button to close the window REVIEW SUMMARIES POCKET PC Select Review Summary Items from the menu The window on the left will appear j Palm Tech Insp qe 42 1 28 ok F Palm Tech Insp qe 2 1 29 ok Rating WEle i Select an item to see the summary Select an item to see the summary Lots and Grounds Vegetation Lots and Grounds Retaining Walls Garage Carport Floor Foundation Electrical Manufacturer Attic Mosture Penetration Crawl Space Moisture Penetration nT TaT 132 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Select the rating for which you want to see a summary from the Rating dropdown box and the top window right will list all items with that rating Click the item you wish to investigate and the bottom window will sho
64. andheld you will see the following message 84 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Palm Tech Inspector V5 A You must close Palm Tech Inspector on your handheld before you can synchronize To close the program on the Pocket PC select File Exit from the menu NOTE Clicking the X in the upper right corner on the Pocket PC does not close the program j Palm Tech Ins qo 21142 X Lots and Grounds _ Not Applicable Close Palm Tech on the handheld and click OK A progress indicator will appear in the bottom half of the synchronization window as shown next Do NOT disconnect the handheld from the desktop PC while synchronization is in progress If you get the warning to close Palm Tech on the handheld even though it is not running start Palm Tech on the handheld and then immediately shut it down If the warning still occurs make sure you save all open files and do a soft reset on your handheld Please Standby Synchronization in Progress Current File EEREN elie Program Files Palnm Tech Default ptlib All Files J When synchronization is complete a window informing you that synchronization is complete will appear It is now safe to disconnect the handheld from the desktop PC During synchronization the program will look at each of the checked options and perform the actions indicated in the following paragraphs 85 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions L
65. any explanatory note you like You can check that an item is not applicable and information related to that item should not print This option tells Palm Tech Inspector that when an item is marked with this rating the line and any lines linked to it should not print Only one rating in a set should have this option The next checkbox allows you to show on your report that an item was not inspected This rating implies that the item was present but for some reason you could not or did not inspect it When this occurs you will usually need to include an explanatory note If you check the Requires Note box at the bottom of the list you will be prompted to add a note if this rating is chosen and you have not entered a note when you run Edit Checks You may want to use a value in scoring a particular item For example you may wish to set up a scoring scheme for a particular category or inspection You can assign values to the ratings then calculate an overall score When you check the Use value for scoring box the small entry box to the right becomes active and you can assign a value to that rating When the inspection is complete Inspector calculates the scores for that category or inspection The prompt Include as being inspected for Required edits means that when Edit Checks are performed any requirements for the inspection of a certain item have been considered Edit Checks are discussed on page 128 For example assume that you indi
66. ar Desktop Edit Image Undo All Undo Last H Cancel x 3 Choose Image 35 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions On the desktop you can rotate the picture with the arrow buttons choose another image or cancel the picture You can also add highlighting symbols such as arrows ellipses and zooms in a variety of colors These tools help you point out or illustrate items of interest Adding highlighting symbols to pictures is discussed on pages 117 and 120 The Undo All and Undo Last buttons allow you to delete all of the decorations you added or just the last one Pocket PC Palm Tech Insp eo 42 2 58 ok On the Pocket PC you can choose another image or rotate the image with the Rotate Image button When you have selected the picture you want and added the highlighting symbols click OK and the image will be added to your tech note NOTE When you are using a Pocket PC for your inspections you should use the lowest resolution and smallest image size practical to conserve the available memory on the Pocket PC 36 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Tech Note Palm Tech Insp ee 42 3 03 ok Edit Image Remove Image Change Orientation This tech note has a red arrow a green ellipse and a white zoom You can then click the Edit Image button to bring back the Edit Image window and make further changes or the Remove Image button which will remove the picture On the deskt
67. are and Documentation ARCHIVAL OR BACKUP COPIES You may either e make one copy of the Software solely for backup or archival purposes or e transfer the Software to a single hard disk provided you keep the original solely for backup or archival purposes 111 THINGS YOU MAY NOT DO The Software and Documentation are protected by United States copyright laws and international treaties You must treat the Software and Documentation like any other copyrighted material for example a book You may not e copy the Documentation e copy the Software except to make archival or backup copies as provided above e modify or adapt the Software or merge it into another program e reverse engineer disassemble decompile or make any attempt to discover the source code of the Software e place the Software onto a server so that it is accessible via a public network such as the Internet or e sublicense rent lease or lend any portion of the Software or Documentation TRANSFERS You may transfer all your rights to use the Software and Documentation to another person or legal entity provided you transfer this Agreement the Software and Documentation including all copies update and prior versions to such person or entity and that you retain no copies including copies stored on computer LIMITED WARRANTY We warrant that for a period of 90 days after delivery of this copy of the Software to you e the physical media on which this copy of
68. are licensed to use the templates included in the package your purchased You can purchase additional templates for different types of inspections such as New Construction or Radon When you purchase these templates you are licensed to use them and they will appear in the template list Note that you can indicate whether to show licensed or unlicensed templates As stated a licensed template is one that you purchase for your company s use An unlicensed template is included with the program for demonstration purposes If you choose an unlicensed template you will be able to try it and see how it works but any report you produce will bear the legend Demonstration version If you would like to purchase a template s that is not currently licensed call 888 736 2462 for more information on licensing templates You can also request custom templates This window also provides the name of the selected template a description of the template and the date it was last modified Choose the template you want and click OK The following prompt will appear Palm Tech Inspector V5 I Click Yes to set default descriptions A SETTING DEFAULT DESCRIPTIONS DESKTOP Do you want to set defaults now You can set default descriptions for items that appear frequently or are common throughout an inspection Default descriptions are the most commonly used brand names or descriptions for the item being inspected Palm Tech Inspector comes with lists of su
69. aries Powe Down _ Show Cost Estimates in Body of Report _ Print Entered Lines Only Print Line Numbers Ratings I Prntacoverpage EEEE patna Keys Vew Photos Image Quality aa otte ear File Edit Review Tools J amp File Edit Review Tools J 5 This window offers several options for setting up your report Create Summaries This option is checked by default This will cause a summary report to print for each rating summary you selected for this function in the Edit Rating Set window desktop Number Summary Items This option is also checked by default This numbers the summary items instead of having them appear as text only If you prefer a more narrative style un check this option Combine Rating Summaries If you have specified ratings you want summaries for this option will combine the summaries rather than having them appear separately Use Standard Fonts in Summaries If you have chosen alternative fonts or colors for your ratings you can choose here to have the summaries themselves appear in a standard font This will prevent full pages of text appearing in fonts and colors designed to attract attention in the body of the report Show Cost Estimates in Body of Report This option is checked by default on the desktop It is not checked by default on the Pocket PC to save screen space This means that the cost estimates you have entered will appear in the body of the report If you un
70. ate button to the right of the Path to other computer installation box A Browse for Folder window will appear so that you can choose which location to synchronize to 1 ee Do the same thing to choose the Inspections folder After you have completed these steps check the boxes to select whether or not to synchronize the library and whether you want to copy the E 5 My Documents inspections to or from the remote Sa g Computer eee computer You can also delete older E DVD Drive D inspections from either computer by la 3 Trad_vol on Pdmbs M checking the Delete Old Inspections SS Voll on PdmbsS i i i a Public on Pdmb5 5ys 23 boxes and indicating the number of days E Documents beyond which you want the inspections Caralyn s Documents 6 TTAdmin s Documents 3 deleted Be sure that your computers are connected properly then click Continue A progress indicator like the one shown on page 85 will appear indicating the status of the synchronization SYNCHRONIZE HANDHELD To execute Palm Tech Synchronization for the handheld select Setup Synchronize Handheld from the menu on your desktop computer If you are using Front Office the Select Inspector window discussed previously will appear Choose the inspector whose Pocket PC is connected and click OK The Synchronize window will appear 83 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Synchronize Select the items to synchronize Library
71. ategories discussed on page 94 The inspection is broken into categories components and lines For example Lots and Grounds is a category while Walks is a line in the Lots and Grounds category Components are groups of lines that form a unit e g roof chimney water heater Components can be identified in the input screens by a vertical line on the left edge of the right Work Space window See the previous explanation of the program screens In the templates shipped with Palm Tech Inspector with the exception of General Information each category starts with a question asking if the category is applicable or not 29 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop File Edit Review Tools Setup wiew Help ol Move Up p ser Outbuilding Not Applicable General Information Lots and Grounds Exterior Surface and Compc Ah 0000 oc Move Down Roof Garage Carport Electrical Structure Attic Basement Crawl Space Air Canditinnina of F Exterior Surace o Foor ef F Roof Structure o 7 ceing Pocket PC If you click Not Applicable an X will appear beside the category in the list and the category will be omitted from the final printed report allowing you to eliminate parts of the report that are not relevant ae to your inspection j Palm Tech Inst qe 2 1 44 X utbuildine _ Not Applicable A Disclaimer button and a Tech Note button also app
72. ation only templates even if they are part one of the standard templates in Palm Tech Inspector If you want to try out the demonstration copy of Inspection Designer save any altered templates under a new file name Occasionally the desktop computer reads the license file incorrectly and does not recognize it In this case you should reboot the computer and it should then read the license correctly When I e mail inspection files my clients can t open them Palm Tech Inspector report files files with the extension pt5 can be read only with Palm Tech Inspector software To create a file that your client can open and read select File Export to HTML E mail your client the htm HTML file This file can be found in the C Program Files Palm TechS5 HTML folder with the same name as the inspection file and an htm extension You can also send the file as a pdf When you do this the pdf is attached to e mail and the client will be able to open it from the e mail attachment When I export a file to HTML in Windows Vista I cannot open it and look at it Windows Vista does not allow you to open an HTML file and look at it at this time 224 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix B Another user and I cannot see each other s library and template changes when we are logged on to one machine Windows Vista does not allow two users logged on on one machine to see the changes the other one has made 222 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix C APPENDIX C
73. below the screen You can use this button to navigate the main data entry screen and complete many of the actions Most multidirectional buttons allow five actions move left right up down and Enter If you are ae Re using a Dell Pocket PC you may need to activate the Enter oot PE feature DCL 7 Palm Tech To move from item to item on the screen use the left and right directions right to advance left to move back As an item is selected it will be highlighted Click the multidirectional button in the center equivalent to Enter on a keyboard to activate the Disclaimer and Tech Note buttons When an entry that contains a dropdown is highlighted use the down arrow to drop the list down and the up and down directions to move from item to item in the list Walks Steps St Patio Deck Balcony Porch AF Wegetati lt Edit List Asphalt E Brick Concrete a Gravel To choose an item from the dropdown list highlight the item using the up and down directions and click the multidirectional button in the center 59 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Final Comments and Private Notes Not shown in the category list are two sections that allow you to enter text not associated with any item in the inspection Final Comments is a part of the final printed inspection report This is used for any information that you want to add that the customer will see such as fina
74. cated that the electric service to a property was turned off but the item to be inspected such as an electric range requires electricity If you give this item a rating indicating that you had inspected it the program would create an edit noting the discrepancy and you could recheck your ratings The item Requires Note tells Palm Tech Inspector that a note should be included with any item marked with this rating If an item is marked with this rating and no note is entered the program creates an edit citing this lack This is typically used for defective or safety items to make sure that the explanation of a problem is not overlooked 43 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions When you add a note you can set a default color for the note by clicking Edit Default Note Colors This option will allow you to assign a default color to notes entered for items rated with a specified rating Select a default color for a rating by clicking on the down arrow and selecting from the list of available colors as shown in the next window If you choose a new rating set to appear in the next inspection this window will reflect the new rating set Desktop Rating Color Selection Default Ca at OF Acceptable Black Not Present Black Cancel NotInspested eek O oDe Marginal Black for Rating Set Defective Black Pocket PC mpe Select a rating and then choose the default Loo 7 color in the dropdown Click th
75. categories on the left side Palm Tech Inspector V5 testinsp1 pt5 Seles File Edit Review Tools Setup View Help my Mo Edt ECN Edit 7Fedit General Information Lots and Grounds Exterior Surface and Compor Outbuilding Roof Garage Carport Electrical Structure Attic Basement Crawl Space Air Conditioning Fireplace Wood Stove Heating System Plumbing Bathroom Kitchen Bedroom Living Space Laundry Roo area 183 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection The Pocket PC window will ask you to choose a category from the dropdown at the top j Palm Tech Inspect g 2 10 X Choose a Cateqory gt File Edit Review Tools J amp 11 You are now ready to begin entering inspection data Choose the General Information category The work area of your desktop screen will look like the following 184 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection General Information amp Property Address City amp Contact Name Phone amp Client Mame amp Client Address City amp Phone S E Mail Inspector Name Inspection Company Pho Inspection Company E amp File Mumber amp Amount Recewed Others Present Estimated Age Inspection Date Star Time E amp Electric On 3 Yes gt No Not Applicable Gas OilQn Yes gt No Not Applicable amp WaterOn gt Yes gt No Not Applicable amp Temperature The Pocket PC screen will l
76. ch Inspector Program Settings You can make changes to the way the program behaves by making changes to the program setup To access the program setup on the desktop select Setup Program Settings from the menu or click the Program Options button on the toolbar al ET Final Edit 5 nmr Cingl e Je ose it me QEBEE 2 The Program Settings window will appear Program Settings Screen Prompt Font Jarial Select Screen Data Font Courier New Select Cancel Screen Font Size ma Inspection Files Location EA My Inspections Locate Archive Location C Program Files Falm T echo archive Locate i Auto save file W Let program sort dropdown lists Block Add to List question i Allow ent of cost estimates Check Template During Spell Check i Auto complete text entries desktop only Show ratings individually not an option on Pocket PC Screen l Small 30 of orinted a Default Image Size b Input Screen Image Size Small of printed size Height idih Las 1 00 Restore Defaults Cost Estimate Settings 138 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions To access the program settings on the Pocket PC click Edit Program Settings Because Program Settings contains a great deal of information this function uses two windows The Fonts and Files tab window left lets you work with the display and archive location and the Options tab window right provides a variety of othe
77. ch Inspector Your First Inspection Edit Checks Lots and Grounds Patio Has a cost estimate enetered with no explanation Exterior Surface and Components Door Bell back door l marked with a rating that typically requires a note i Palm Tech Inspec 4 11 14 ok GoTo Exterior Surface and Components Door Bell Click on any item listed in this window and the program will take you back to that category so you can check the item and make any necessary changes and corrections 210 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 56 Use the Review Summary Data feature to review all items in the inspection that have been marked with a specific rating Click Review Summary Items from the menu or click the Review Summary Data button on the toolbar Edt Edit Fit AM tatata oga The View Summary Items window will appear View Summary Items R ating r Select an item from the list below and you will see what you entered about that item 211 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection i Palm Tech Inspec 7 11 16 ok Rating Go To Select an item to see the summary Click on the dropdown to choose a rating such as Marginal or Defective and the top window will list the items with that rating View Summary Items Select an item from the list below and you will see what you entered about that item Lots and Grounds Patio Exterior Surface and Components
78. ch descriptions for many items One example of an item with default descriptions is windows Because windows are usually of the same type throughout a structure you can enter default descriptions here and they will be consistent throughout the inspection whether the windows are in the bathroom kitchen or bedroom Inspection Designer discussed earlier also allows you to set up additional default items If you want to set defaults now click Yes and the Set Default Descriptions window will appear Click the dropdown for Type and select Window Click the dropdown arrow for Default Description and a list of common window types appears 21 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Set Default Descriptions Awindow EE Default Description Edit List Aluminum casement Aluminum double hung Aluminum slider Non opening Steel casement Note that the descriptions are listed in alphabetical order You can choose to let the program sort the list so that after you have used the template a few times the list will display the three most frequently used at the top and the remainder in alphabetical order You can choose not to let the program sort the list so that it displays in no particular order If you want to change this list in any way click the Edit List button and the Edit List window will appear Edit List List terns Aluminum sider Aluminum double hung Non opening Wood double hung Aluminum
79. check this option these estimates will not appear there 154 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Print Entered Lines Only This line is not checked by default on either the desktop or the Pocket PC This means that all lines will print on the final report regardless of whether or not you have entered information in them If you check this box only those lines for which inspection information has been entered will print If you do check this box it is very important to run a completeness check before finalizing the report A line left blank by mistake will not print if the box is checked so it will not be possible for you to determine if you have missed something by simply looking at the report The rules for this function are as follows gt Ifa line has no input elements i e only decorative pieces it will automatically print assuming the category prints gt If the line has any input element the program will evaluate it If none of the elements contain answer data the line will not print Print Line Numbers This option is also checked by default so that the line numbers will print on the report If you un check it the line numbers will not print Print a Cover Page Click this option to produce a cover page for your report When you check this option the Cover Page Settings button becomes active Click this button and the Cover Page Setup window appears 155 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating In
80. click the Infrared Receive icon The infrared ports on both machines must be lined up so that they can communicate Export to ASCII This option is provided to allow data from Palm Tech Inspector inspections to be made compatible with and imported into other data systems Click Tools Export to ASCII The Choose Export Type window will appear This window allows you to choose whether to export the whole inspection or designated data only only those fields that include an element ID in the template Choose Export Type Full z This option exports all responses from the e Inspector including all lines and categories Designated data only This option exports only those fields designated with an element ID in the template By default property and chent information are included Choose the option you want then click OK The exported file will then have the inspection name and include the extension CSV for Comma Separated Values Update from Remote File Among other things Palm Tech Front Office provides a variety of tools to coordinate the efforts of multiple inspectors One of these tools provides the ability to keep inspectors in the field who do not connect to a computer in the main office for synchronization up to date with order information as well as templates and components Front Office accomplishes this by creating an update file that 1s small 136 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions enough to be
81. components or lines to your report or set the default descriptions You can also check your inspection for incomplete items spelling errors and inconsistencies and review items that will be included in summary pages at the end of your report ADD COMPONENT A component can be a room mechanical system or any group of lines that work together as a single unit Some components e g water heaters are contained within categories and some categories are components Add Component Desktop To add a component to an inspection select a category then click Tools Add Component from the menu or click the Add Component button on the toolbar To delete a component right click on the Tool button to the left of the line You will be asked if you are sure you want to delete the component You can also cut and copy a component in this way 90 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions l Toh 42a eg The Add Component window will appear Add Component Insert at Top Insert after Rating Key Component Location Unable to Inspec Ceiling DocksSeawalls Walls Electric Panel 7 Floor Elevator Floor Drain Employee Lounge Doors Explorative Testrig lore Cuts windows Exterior Surface Electrical Fireplace Smoke Detector Kitchen HVAC Source Garage Vapor Barrier Half Bathroom lnsulatiors Heating System Ventilation Invasive Testing Moisture Probe Sump Pump Janitor s Room Moisture Locat
82. ctions are explained on pages 30 and 33 5 Status Bar Contains information pertaining to actions as well as the status of the Caps Lock Num Lock and Scroll Lock keys If you highlight a menu item the status bar will display a brief explanation of the action that the highlighted menu item will perform The Pocket PC Window To start the program select Palm Tech Inspector from your Start button A Wait icon will appear while the program prepares itself then the program will start To open a new inspection file select File gt New from the menu To open a file you have previously saved select File Open from the menu The program screen 1s divided into several sections as detailed in the following screen j Palm Tech Insp _ Not Applicable a orena gt ree of waks Note o stepss of Porch Note o Pato gt of a Bakony 7 o Grading 7 of Swale Note o Vevetatd oj window fiotd File Edit Review Tools j 6 3 4 ef ia12 lt x 1 LOtS and Grounds 4 Title Bar Contains the Start menu and name of the open program Work Space Where the bulk of the program s activity will occur At the top of the Work Area is a dropdown with a list of all of the inspection s categories As you access the different categories in an inspection the lower section will display the information for the category you select The Disclaimer a
83. cus is generally signified by a highlight text and background colors reversed a blinking cursor or a focus block input area surrounded by a dotted gray line The following examples illustrate two ways of indicating focus OOOO Library The library file contains all of the data from all of the lists in the program as well as ratings definitions disclaimers and tech notes For more information on how all of the pieces of information fit together to form an inspection see page 11 Line The line is the building block of template data Lines are used to build components or categories For example Lots and Grounds is a category that contains a line for Walks and a line for Patio 223 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix C Non volatile In this user s guide non volatile refers to a form of computer memory that does not require power in order for information to be maintained for example a compact flash card a disk tape drive CD hard drive etc The memory in your handheld computer is volatile and therefore requires that power be supplied in order for it to maintain its information When you save a file using Palm Tech Inspector by default the program will attempt to save the file to the handheld computer s main memory volatile as well a compact flash card non volatile Palm Tech Synchronization This is a process in Palm Tech Inspector that accommodates moving the files and data between the Palm Tech Inspector programs
84. down menu will appear allowing you to add a picture or a diagram to the line cut the line and paste it somewhere else copy the line to another location so 1t appears in both places or delete the line from the inspection It is important to remember that once a line or component is deleted it cannot be restored On the Pocket PC this button serves both as a line marker and an option menu button Because some long lines break into two or more lines on the screen this button shows where an actual new line starts If you click and hold this button a dropdown menu appears providing options to add pictures or diagrams to the line cut or copy the line or delete the line Adding pictures 1s discussed on pages 116 and 119 A solid black line to the left of this button indicates that the line is part of a component Right clicking the button at the top of the solid black line will allow you to cut copy or delete the component See further discussion of components on pages 16 and 90 2 Rating By default the program uses a five point rating system with a sixth option titled NA Palm Tech Inspector allows an unlimited number of ratings categories Clicking the dropdown arrow in the ratings box will display these ratings The default ratings are as described below Acceptable Item is functional with no obvious signs of defect Not Present lItem is part of the template but was not part of this inspection 39 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed O
85. dropdown Note on Pocket PC and a Change Font button You can display your notes in a variety of colors and fonts By default notes appear in black To select a different color for a note click on the down arrow on the right side of the Note Color box and select one of the colors listed Changing the default note color is discussed on page 44 By default notes that appear in color in the body of the report also appear in color on the summary page if the rating category is one that is summarized If you do not want the summary report to be in color a whole page of red in this example you can have the summary print in black by checking the Use Standard Fonts in Summaries box under Setup Print Settings Page Options See the discussion on print settings for more information 6 Cost Estimate Palm Tech Inspector allows you to include a cost estimate to repair or replace an item You can choose whether or not to include a cost estimate in Program Settings The Cost Estimate feature is on by default in the desktop program but not the Pocket PC E Structure Type B Foundation E Diferential Movement 53 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions i Structu v Founda B _ Differe a o __ Beams Bearng Note Josts T Note Piers Pc D Aoor Sk Note _ Stairs H Subfloc Note File Edit Review Tools fF When you click the Cost Estimate butto
86. e Driveway Walks steps Stoops Porch Patio Balcony 196 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection y Palm Tech Inspect 4 ae 1 1 13 x _ Not Applicable ernan Cv JONCrETe Poured ate Because you have used a Defective rating you will have to include a note explaining your decision 37 Click the Note button to the right of the description box The Note window will appear Mote Lots and Grounds Patio Note Color Black Change Font Common Notes Edit List Add selected text to library list 197 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection j Palm Tech Inspect 1 15 ok Note Lots and Grounds Patio Click the dropdown arrow in the Common Notes box Because this box 1s specifically for the patio the list of common notes will pertain to patio issues Choose an appropriate note or type in your own note in the bottom window When you type in your own note the Add selected text to library list Add selection to list button becomes active and you can add this note to your library for future use Make this note Comic Sans MS green desktop Mote Lots and Grounds Patio OK Cancel Mote Color Green Common Hotes Edit List A qualified contractor is recommended to evaluate and estimate repairs 198 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Palm Tech Inspect 1 19 ok Note Lots and Grounds
87. e Make on Default for Rating Set button to set the fault scree default a Here is a brief example of how this works Not Inspected Black You have assigned the color red to the Marginal Black Defective rating During your inspection you Defective rate an item as Defective and then click the Note button for that item When this note is printed out the note color will automatically be red the note will not appear in color on print preview if the printer selected prints only black and white This color assignment can still be changed for any note by selecting a different color 44 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions iM Create Summary of items marked with this rating Summary Disclaimer Disclaimer for a specified rating You can create a summary of items marked with a specified rating When you do this the Summary Disclaimer box becomes active and you can enter the disclaimer you want to appear with a summary of the items marked with this rating Structure Not Applicable d 2 aaa F Structure Type amp oo Foundation amp Ls Differential Movement o YF Beans ro po Bearing Walls E Ss Joists Trusses amp Ls Piers Posts 3 and 4 Question Answer The question is the specific object or entity being inspected and the answer is the dropdown with the type or description of that item The dropdowns in the lines allow you to select a commonly used description or enter a brief d
88. e Palm Tech Inspector shortcut directly on the computer s desktop Be aware that you may have more than one Palm Tech icon on your desktop so be sure to click the one for Palm Tech Inspector Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The first window you will see is the copyright information window Click this screen to make it disappear or wait a few seconds and it will go away You will then see the opening window Click Open to open a file you have previously saved or New to start a new inspection Palm Tech Inspector gt Palm Tech INSPECTION SOFTWARE Palm T ech Inspector Version 5 15a Welcome to Palm Tech Copyright C 1998 2006 nepechor YOu can either POG Inc open an existing file or shart a new file Press the button to the right that FD mMm B corresponds with the Bit Aer es action you want to take Palm Tech Inspector The Software is designed as a tool to assist in the process of Inspecting The software is intended for use by professional inspectors It is not designed nor intended to be a substitute for professional judgement andor expenence To open a new inspection file select File gt New from the menu or click the New button on the toolbar To open a file you have previously saved select File Open from the menu or click the Open button on the toolbar When you click Open the Open window will appear Choose the inspection you wish to open 14 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed O
89. e Pocket PC click Edit Private Notes from the menu and the Private Notes window will appear Po ees es Ss Ess I Enter the note you want to include in your private a E notes and click OK To see your private notes click Edit Private Notes again The Private Notes window does not include any resident private notes because of their very individualized nature You can create your own list of commonly used private notes by clicking the Edit List button in the Private Notes window and adding them to your Common Notes list 62 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Printing You can print inspection files from your Pocket PC or your desktop computer Since print operations are different on each they will be covered individually You can modify many attributes of the printed report by selecting Setup Print Settings from the menu See page 149 for more information on changing print settings and printing the completed report PRINTING FROM YOUR DESKTOP COMPUTER To print an inspection from your desktop computer select File Print from the menu or click the Print button on the toolbar Edit G a we t tee OE di You can preview what the printed report will look like by selecting File Print Preview When you select Print Preview the Cover Sheet Data window will appear as discussed on page 157 Add or change any information you want then click Continue AT D00 oga Cover Sheet Data Propert
90. e correct note for the item The abbreviation in the brackets will not print Note Lots and Grounds Retaining walla Cancel Hote Color Black Change Font Common Motes Edit List Wallis unsound due to poor drainage Wallis unstable A qualitied contractor is recommended to evaluate and estimate repairs D eternorated The retaining wall is deteriorated and should be rebuilt Instability The retaining wall shows evidence of instability Rebuilding may be needed Movement The retaining wall shows evidence of movement This condition should be Repair Recommend an estimate by a qualified contractor to evaluate estimate and red Replace Recommend an estimate by a qualified contractor to evaluate estimate and Rot The retaining wall shows evidence of rot This condition should be monitored Significant movement The retaining wall shows evidence of significant movement Itis Substantial rot The retaining wall shows evidence of substantial rot Itis difficult to tell 52 Palm Tech Inspector Palm Tech Inspec g7 12 03 ok Note Lots and Grounds Retaining Walls Wallis unsound due to poor drainage Wall is unstable A qualified contractor is recommended to evalu The retaining wall shows evidence of substanti Deteriorated The retaining wall is deteriorate Instability The retaining wall shows evidence Detailed Operating Instructions The Note window also includes a Note Color
91. e desktop computer Save As starts wherever the last file was saved If you cannot find a file check to see what folder you are working in and verify that you are looking in the folder in which you saved the file In order for inspections to copy to your desktop you need to 1 Connect your handheld computer to the desktop computer 2 Check to make sure that ActiveSync has recognized the handheld 3 Run Palm Tech Synchronize For more information on how synchronization works see page 81 I do not have ActiveSync on my desktop computer If you are using a Windows CE 2 1 or higher handheld computer you can download the latest version of ActiveSync from http www microsoft com windowsmobile downloads activesync42 mspx Search for ActiveSync Version 5 0 of Palm Tech Inspector will work with older versions of ActiveSync A computer running Windows XP requires ActiveSync 3 5 or higher I am running out of memory on my handheld Memory problem on the mobile computer usually occur only when pictures are involved as adding pictures takes a great deal of memory If you do not plan to use pictures in your inspection 8 MB of free memory will be sufficient However if you are going to add pictures you need at least 16 MB of memory on your mobile computer If you have at least 16 MB of memory available you should be able to add pictures If you have 8 MB available you will see a warning about the limited memory available If you have only 4 MB availab
92. e inspection has been started select Edit Default Descriptions from the menu and this window will appear allowing you to set or change the current defaults If you would like to create your own unique inspection formats or change or add to the defaults Palm Tech Inspection Designer will allow you to do this Inspection Designer is discussed on page 10 Cost to Cure Disclaimer The Cost to Cure disclaimer prints at the top of each page of the Cost to Cure summary You can edit the disclaimer by selecting Edit Cost Estimate Disclaimer from the menu The Disclaimer window will appear 79 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop MS Disclaimer Disclaimer New Disclaimer 1001 Cancel Note Color Black Change Font Common Notes Edit List Make default CTC disclaimer Pocket PC Palm Tech Ins Change the text in the entry area to what you want to print on the report To change the font size and face used for the disclaimer click on the Change Font button To change the disclaimer color click on the down arrow in the Note Color box Click the OK button to close the window when you are finished If you want to make the entered disclaimer and font settings the default for all future inspections click the Make default CTC disclaimer button and the entered disclaimer will be saved in your list file a qf 11 34 ok Disclaimer New Disclaimer 1001 File Management
93. e report prints the line will include a line number followed by the prompt text in the prompt font The text you entered will then appear in the printout in the font you chose ra Palm Tech In Ald ac 1 11 08 x a Not aana MThis is standalone note text New Construction Yes No Pasa 111 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions If you do not enter a prompt for a standalone note the line will appear with just a Note prompt Adding a standalone note provides you an opportunity to add information to a summary without the need to assign a rating Checkboxes This line type changes the default dropdown ratings to checkboxes The number of checkboxes is determined by the number of ratings or items you have The next screen on the right shows what the input screen with a checkbox line looks like You can check more than one item in a checkbox list Palm Tech Ins ao f 11 09 ok Palm Tech Ins qe f 11 12 X Next Lots and Grounds L Not Applicable Print Prompt only i Screen different from screen Driveway shows Pitting REZ M Stains C Holes i ven Toae TE 5 Option List An option list line provides a list of options that you can check for various circumstances You can check only one option in an option list An Option List window with information entered is shown on the left The screen appearance is shown on the right 112 Palm Tech Inspecto
94. e the POF If a file with the same name exists you will be prompted to Append Overwrite or Cancel the pdf 166 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions PDF File Exists The file File 1 3 pdf already exists Do you want to append to the existing file on overwrite the file cues If you choose Append the program will add the contents of the open report to the existing pdf report with the same name If you choose Overwrite the contents of the open pdf will replace the contents of the existing pdf If you choose Cancel the process will stop entirely NOTE The program cannot append to a secured file If you try to append to a secured file the program will not be able to read it and will leave blank pages at the beginning of the new pdf where the secured material would have been placed If you have previously elected to print a cover sheet with your album the Cover Sheet Data window will appear If you do not complete this information now you will have the opportunity to do so the next time you create a pdf or print your report The Skip Cover option will also be available when you print the report Cover Sheet Data Property Address Picture File Locate 167 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions If you want a cover page complete the information boxes and click the Locate button if you want a picture of the property to appear on the cover sheet Then click Continue If yo
95. ear at the top of every category scar Teck Not Disclaimers The Disclaimer button allows you to enter a disclaimer that will appear at the top of the selected category on the printed report When you click the Disclaimer button the Disclaimer window will appear 30 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop ES Disclaimer Disclaimer Lots and Grounds Cancel Note Color Black Change Font Common Motes oe Edit List Make default disclaimer Pocket PC i Palm Tech inei Enter any information that you want to appear at i the top of this category in the printed report If you want to make the entered disclaimer the default for this category for all future inspections click the Make default disclaimer button and the entered disclaimer will be saved in your library file If you want to change the font size click the Change Font button and a window will appear allowing you to change the font size and face Font changes are discussed further on page 163 Click the dropdown in the Note Color box and you can change the color used for the disclaimer ef 1550 ok Note that you can click the dropdown arrow in the Common Notes box to access disclaimers previously saved You can also click the Edit List button to change your disclaimer list When you click this button the Edit List window will appear 31 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop Edit List
96. ech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Transcriber Intro This feature allows you to tailor the handwriting Transcriber reliably recognizes handwriting recognition functions even more finely to suit your oe wena Danian ee style as well as perform some activities found in Write anywhere on the screen the Edit menu of a standard desktop laptop Si window These functions let the program adapt to Quick Gestures such style issues as orientation the slant of your ace Aa ae ae writing and letter shapes Transcriber also allows you to perform such actions as selecting and _ moving items and text Transcriber lets you change case select alternate words undo and perform other functions found in an Edit menu Transcriber also contains a simple calculator feature When Transcriber is active a hand with a pen icon appears in the menu bar Transcriber Intro This window also includes a Help button at the Transcriber reliably recognizes handwriting bottom of the screen that you can click if you IN tibteLdiod print and mixed styles as well as numbers and symbols 32 6 74 need more information Write anywhere on the screen een You can work with all of these options to Quick Gestures discover the most convenient and effective ee Bice T way to write information in your report Backspace Quick Correct ENTERING AND EDITING DATA To begin entering data select a category from the category list You can also create your own c
97. eck Click Start to Begin When a window appears indicating a questionable word click the button that indicates how you want that word to be handled 214 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Spelling Error Agsscated lint ADprox HATES IS 58 Once you are satisfied that your inspection is complete you can produce a printed report or a pdf desktop only Before you do either of these however see what your report looks like with the Print Preview feature desktop only To preview your report click File Print Preview from the menu When you preview your report you can see two pages at once or one page at a time You can also zoom in on specific areas of a page When you are finished reviewing your report you click the Close button to return to the program or the Print button to print it directly from Print Preview To create a pdf of your report click the pdf button on the toolbar 215 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection k i Edit 5 All ooo oga ME eB w oe Se 59 k Ba ET gt W Se 60 6l Edit Edi The pdf Security window will appear This window allows you to add extra security by encrypting the data within the file If you do this you will not be able to append the file in any way or print it out PDF Security You can add additional security to your electronic file by encrypting the data contained within it While no form of elect
98. ection Detailed Operating Instructions The Desktop Window The Pocket PC Window Starting a New Inspection Lines Data Entry Hints Final Comments and Private Notes Printing Completeness Working with Inspection Files Inspections Starting a New Inspection Customizing the Template Cost to Cure Disclaimer File Management File Synchronization Palm Tech Tools Default Descriptions Spell Check Completeness Check Edit Checks Review Summaries Import Data from Another Inspection File Transfer Files Between Pocket PCs Export to ASCII Update from Remote File Program Settings Print Settings Creating and E Mailing a PDF File Export to HTML Edit Ratings Merge Fields Toolbar Reference Menu Reference Vil 172 173 174 Your First Inspection Using Palm Tech Inspector 177 Appendix A How Do I 217 Appendix B Troubleshooting 219 Appendix C Glossary of Terms 225 Appendix D Predefined Merge Fields 225 Appendix E Sending an Issue to Palm Tech 226 Appendix F Change of Address Form 229 Appendix G Supported Printers for Pocket PC 231 Index 252 ae Palm Tech Inspector is designed as a tool to provide time saving and other efficiencies for the home inspection industry In cooperation with industry experts PDmB has designed a home inspection program that will run on a standard Windows desktop computer or a Pocket PC computer The software is solely intended for use by professional home inspectors It is not designed nor
99. ectric On line Note that you can scroll down to view all the entries in the category Save your work now by selecting File Save or clicking the Save icon on the toolbar To answer the Yes No utility questions included in this category click the circle to the left of the word or on the word itself to indicate the status of the utilities Choose Yes No or Not Applicable for the utility questions NOTE Many of the edit checks in the program depend on the utility questions being answered correctly 186 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection ENC ance West Inspection Date 01 24 2007 S Start Time 9 00 a m Electric On lt Yes gt No Not Applicable O Not Applicable S GasfOilOn 3 Yes gt Mo Not Aap carle Gas Ol On Yes No Water On Yes gt No Not Applicable Not Applicable amp Temperature Water On Yes No S Weather vi O Nat Annlirahle 20 Enter information in the remaining boxes to complete the General Information category Save your inspection 21 Select the Lots and Grounds category The next window will look like the following one Palm Tech Inspector V5 testinsp1 pt5 File Edit Review Tools Setup View Help Mavelp MoveDown Lots and Grounds C Not Applicable 5 General Information Lots and Grounds Disclaimer Tech Note Exterior Surface and Compor Outbuilding Foot Garage Carport Electrical Structure steps Stoops ss Porch asement Crawl Space Patio Air
100. ed click the Install Now button and follow the instructions on screen NOTE Palm Tech Front Office is installed via a separate installation If you purchased Front Office see the User s Guide for Front Office installation instructions If you choose to install the handheld version of the software at a later date you will be able to manually begin the handheld installation To start the handheld installation of the software connect your handheld computer On the desktop PC select Programs Palm Tech Version 5 Utilities Handheld Install from the Start menu Follow the instructions on screen to continue Pocket PC Notes The Pocket PC version of Palm Tech Inspector includes everything that you need to print to a wide variety of portable printers If after installing to your Pocket PC Palm Tech Inspector does not appear on your Start Menu click Start Settings on your Pocket PC On the Personal tab click the Menus icon On the Start Menu tab check Palm Tech Inspector 5 You may need to uncheck another item to make room Software updates are available on our website If you are unsure whether you are running the most current version of the software visit us at www palm tech com Palm Tech Inspector Installation Network Considerations If you are planning to install Palm Tech Front Office to a network drive make sure the location is accessible to all users and is named using a mapping that is standard throughout your ne
101. ed select Edit Default Descriptions from the menu and the Set Default Descriptions window will appear allowing you to set or change the current defaults Palm Tech Inspection Designer allows you to create your own unique inspection formats change or add to the resident defaults SETTING DEFAULT DESCRIPTIONS POCKET PC After you have selected a template the program will ask you if you want to set defaults If you answer Yes indicating that you want to set defaults a window like the following one on the left will appear 78 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions F Palm Tech In dr f 11 20 ok j Palm Tech In ao 2 11 24 ok 123 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Tabjajwje r t y ujijojeji i cAPjajsja fjajh ijkjiji shift z x c v bjnjim Ctl ati Click the down arrow in the Type box to choose the category for which you want to set defaults For each type listed select the description from the Default list or type a description and click the OK button The window on the right will appear prompting you to choose a name for this inspection Enter the name you want and click OK to begin the new inspection If you encounter an item that does not fit the default such as a unique window you can change the description for the individual occurrence Once a description has been entered for an item the default description will not override or change it If you want to set defaults or change the defaults after th
102. ed again or cancel amaa spell check Add to dictionary Cancel 126 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions SPELL CHECK POCKET PC To spell check the Pocket PC click Review Spell Check The screen will inform you that the process may take as long as 60 seconds during which the screen will not respond and ask if you want to continue Click Yes and the spell check will proceed When the program encounters an unfamiliar word a window like the following will appear You then have the option to replace the word with the suggested words add it to your custom dictionary ignore the spelling or cancel spell check altogether When you add a word to your dictionary the spell check function will not flag that word again i Palm Tech Insp dr f 1 00 ok ne eee ee eee Completeness Check COMPLETENESS CHECK DESKTOP To check your report for incomplete items select Review Completeness Check from the menu or click the Completeness Check button on the toolbar alll ooo oga Edit G E wt t Fur z Eat m The program will review the entire report and list any items that have not been completed in the Completeness Check window Toh SAE 127 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Completeness Check Lots and Grounds Patio P Foof Gutters To go to the part of the inspection that is affected click on the item that you want to go to and the progra
103. edients of the inspection itself none of the changes you have made will affect the reprint when you open the inspection This guarantees that the information being presented will be the same as the original report Assume you also have changed the fonts margins and page setup since the inspection was created Because these are program settings they will affect the printed report This means that you are not guaranteed that the same font will be used or the page setup will remain the same However if you have changed the way that you are presenting your report you do not need to be concerned with backward compatibility The report may look different but the information will remain the same 12 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions DETAILED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS The Palm Tech Inspector inspection package is two different sets of programs The first 1s written to work on a Pocket PC handheld and the second is written to work on a desktop laptop or tablet computer The Pocket PC program is designed for use on site for fast and efficient gathering of inspection data After you gather the data you can print on site e mail your report or transfer the file to your desktop computer for further modification The desktop program is a complete inspection program that will allow you to review or edit inspections completed with a Pocket PC or complete entire inspections without the use of a Pocket PC Both programs are designed
104. egory that you are 96 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions copying The new category will then be placed where you indicated If you choose to create a new category that does not copy an existing category you will have to add any lines and components you want the new category to contain The following screen shows a new category called Structure 2 that is a copy of the original Structure category Palm Tech Inspect 1 10 X Structure Lots and Grounds Exterior Surface and Compo Outbuilding Root Garage Carport Electrical Structure structure 2 Attic Basement Crawl Space Air Conditioning Fireplace Wood Stove Heating System Plumbing File Edit Review Tools Hot ADD LINE You can add a line to any category or component in the inspection by selecting Tools Add Line from the menu or clicking the Add Line button on the toolbar To delete a line choose Tools Delete Line Add Lines Desktop Toh SAE The Add Line window will appear 97 Palm Tech Inspector Add Line Detailed Operating Instructions Insert at Top Insert after Doss Rating Key Lancel Structure Type Foundation Differential Movement Beams Bearing Walls Joists Trusses Fiers Fosta FloorSlab Stars Handrail With this window you can choose to place your line at the top of the category or choose a line that the new line should follow The Type box includes a dropd
105. ells 4 00000 Gert Stairwell Oran WOOOOO Exterior Sufsce Oran WOOOOO Driveway 16 Oivewasy shows O Pitting O Cracking fed Stairs LI Holes O Grass 7 OOOoo Fences WOOOOU0 Lawn Sprinbers Option List An option list line provides a list of options that you can check for various circumstances An option list line is shown below Show Note is again checked by default Basement Windows Exterior Lighting Exterior Electric Outlets Number of Exterior Outlets O 123045 Hose Bibs Gas Meter Main Gas Valve oo 0 8 6 amp A printout of the option list line with one item checked is shown below You can check only one item in an option list 12 U LILILI Exterior Lighting 143 J00J0U Exterior Electric Outh ts 14 Number of Exterior Outlets 21 O07 3 04 05 15 L LJLJLJ LJ Hose Bibs 16 L JLJLI CL Gas Meter 7 CJ 0 CICJ CI Main Gas Valve 103 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Text The text line type allows you to add straight text to a line You can add additional explanatory information and decide whether or not you want it to appear on the screen and in the printed report When you choose this option a window appears allowing you to enter your text The following screen shows a text line added to expand on the Refrigerator line Kitchen Not Applicable Location of F Cooking Aparances gt Yentiator of F Bisposat o F Dishwasher Air Gap Present Yes gt M
106. ep your handheld computer s memory free and keep your work area from becoming too cluttered DELETE INSPECTIONS FROM THE HANDHELD To delete files from your handheld computer after they have been copied to your desktop computer select Edit Delete Old Inspections from the handheld computer menu and a window like the following one will appear 87 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Woo a ees Delete from Work Areas If you select this option the program will delete files from My Device based on the date the file was last saved For example 1f you have set the program to delete all files more than five days old the program will delete any inspection files from My Device that were saved five or more days ago Work Areas More than 5 days old Delete from Main folder Archive More than i0 days old Delete from Archive If you select this option the program will delete files from the archive location on your Pocket PC based on the date the file was last saved For example if you have set the program to delete all files more than 10 days old the program will delete any inspection files from the Archive area that were saved 10 or more days ago This has no effect on the Archive area on the desktop computer Delete from Archive Manually Transfer Files If you want to manually transfer files to or from your desktop computer you can easily move the files in just a couple of
107. eport 154 Show ratings individually 4 Signature line 704 114 Spell check Desktop 126 Pocket PC 1 27 Standalone note 701 L11 Summaries create 7154 Synchronize amp Synchronize window 54 Tech Note button 30 Tech Note window 34 Tech notes 33 Adding pictures to 34 Tech support sending issues to 226 Template data Template Customizing 76 Saving 107 Text Desktop 104 Pocket PC 3 Text separator 58 Three Questions Three Answers Desktop 00 Pocket PC 0 Tool button 39 Toolbar reference 173 Transfer file manual SS Transfer files between Pocket PCs 36 True Type fonts 58 165 Two Questions Two Answers Palm Tech Inspector Desktop 00 Pocket PC 710 Yes No Desktop 00 Update from a remote file 736 Pocket PC 710 Use standard fonts in summaries 154 View photos 58 View Summary Items window 3 236 Index
108. er 18 2006 Multi Family trio 178 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection i Palm Tech Inspect g7 1 41 ok Show Licensed Show Unlicensed Templates Version 5 Master Everything you need o do a basic home Last Modified inspection 12 18 2006 15 08 4 Select the Master tm5 template then click OK 5 You will be asked if you want to set defaults Click Yes and the Set Default Descriptions window will appear Set Default Descriptions Type Cancel Default Description Edit List 179 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection j Palm Tech Inspect a 1 47 ok 6 Click the dropdown arrow in the Type box and choose Wall Click the dropdown arrow in the Default Description box and view the descriptions The descriptions for Wall are standard for most of the properties you will be inspecting 7 View the other default item types in the Type box and look at their default descriptions 8 Make a change in the default description for Closet Choose Closet in the Type box then click the Edit List button The Edit List window will appear 180 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Edit List List Items Small amp Walk in Large Single Small Walk In and Large lem Add New Itern While entering a list item press CONTROL 5 to add that item to the list List Type Question amp ANSWET List Category Interior Rooms Se i Let program s
109. ere In the bottom window type a comment about the back doorbell The next time you choose to edit private notes for this inspection that note will appear in the window Complete the remaining items in the Exterior Surface and Components category Save your work Work through all of the categories in the inspection After you have completed the inspection use Palm Tech s tools to evaluate it Use the Completeness Check tool to check for missing entries Click Review Completeness Checks from the menu or the Completeness Check button on the toolbar ry Lar e Edit 5 Edit A The Completeness Check window will appear listing any items you did not complete Click on any item and the program will take you to that entry so that you can add any necessary information Palm Tech Inspect 7 2 28 ok Kitchen Air Gap Present 208 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Completeness Check Kitchen Air Gap Present 55 Use the Edit Checks tool to examine your inspection for items that should be reviewed and to point out any inconsistencies in your inspection Remember that just because an item is listed here does not necessarily indicate that there 1s a problem but rather that the item may require review Click Review Edit Checks from the menu or the Edit Checks button on the toolbar ar mail lt nmnams un The Edit Checks window will appear 209 Palm Te
110. escription of the item In the following example the questions are Structure Type Foundation Differential Movement etc The Question Answer function works in much the same way for both the desktop program and the Pocket PC i Structure Type Foundation o 0 Differential Movement 45 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Baseme Bsmt S Exterior fi ea Fences Lawn S File Edit Review Tools J amp The answers are the types or descriptions from the library list To select a description from the list click the down arrow button in the right of the box A list will appear as seen in the following screen structure Not Applicable of Stucture Type nd oe ee eee i Boe Masonry De ee Ct CY a o F Pies Posts Floor Slab l 7 amp o Stairs Handrails o F Swor Note that the first item on the list for both desktop and Pocket PC is lt Edit List gt You can choose this entry to correct a previously made entry When you choose this option the Edit List window appears 46 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop Edit List List temz Wood frame Masonry Metal frame Brick lem Add New Itern While entering a list item press CONTROL 5 to add that item to the list List Type Question amp ANSIVEr s l List Category Stucture g e W Let program sort list List Prompt T ppe of Structure Cl
111. ew Start a new home inspection report Open Open a previously saved home inspection report Save Save the currently open report using the current name and location 175 Palm Tech Inspector Menu Reference Save As Save the data in the open report with a new name or location Export to HTML Create an HTML file of the inspection for distribution Print Print the currently open report About PPT1I5 Display program information version and copyright information Exit Close the open inspection and end the program Edit Final Comments Enter or edit final comments Private Notes Enter or edit private notes Default Note Colors Set default font color for notes Default Descriptions aAdd default descriptions for common items Custom Dictionary Add new words to you dictionary Cost Estimate Disclaimer Enter or edit the Cost Estimate disclaimer Rearrange Categories Change the order of the categories or delete a category Delete Old Inspections Delete inspections a specified number of days old Print Settings Adjust settings that affect the printed report Program Settings Adjust settings that affect program operation Review Completeness Check Check that all necessary fields contain data Edit Checks Check that there are no discrepancies requiring attention in the report Spell Check Check the spelling of entered text Summary Iltems Check all items indicated as requiring summaries Tools Add Picture Add a
112. from the desktop program by double clicking the file directly in Windows Explorer or by selecting File Open and choosing the file from the location that you copied it to Manually Copy the Library File If you want to manually copy the library file from your desktop computer to your handheld computer you can use the Library Management function To do this click Setup Library Management and the Library Management window will appear Library Management NOTE This is not the same as synchronizing your library To shnichronize Inepections and your library select Setup then Synchronize trom the menu Copy Library to External Copy Library to Handheld Copy Library from External Copy Library from Handheld 89 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions This window lets you copy your library to and from external drives as well as to and from your desktop and mobile computers When you choose one of these options you will see a warning about the current library being replaced like the one shown in the following window Palm Tech Inspector V5 2 WARNING This will replace the libraryisi on your handheld with the libraryts From your desktop computer Are wou sure you want fo continue Choose whether or not you want to continue and your chosen action will be completed Palm Tech Inspector V5 Palm Tech Tools At any point in the inspection you can use Palm Tech s tools to add pictures
113. generally contain more information than can be displayed in one screen Use the scroll bar located on the right edge of the screen to scroll down and display the rest of the category When a category is completed all items filled in an X will 18 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions appear to the left of the category name in the category list when you move to another category Palm Tech Insp er noms 3 21 X f Lots and Grounds X Exterior Surface and Compo Outbuilding Roof Garage Carport WX Electrical JA Structure Attic L_ Not Applicable X Basement Ny Crawl Space Disclaimer Tech Note Wx Air Conditioning Wx Fireplace Wood Stove K Heating System X Plumbing HX Bathroom JuSt E a In many cases the full prompt of a question cannot be seen in the limited space available on a Pocket PC If you click on a prompt the full prompt will be displayed for a brief time as seen in the screen on the right Starting a New Inspection STARTING A NEW INSPECTION DESKTOP PROGRAM After the initial Palm Tech window appears you can choose the template you want to work with Click File New or the New button on the toolbar Edit EF aor EEA i Edit Irul P SFr If you are using Palm Tech Front Office the next window you will see is the Select Inspector window If you are not using Front Office the first window you will see is the Choose a Template window shown on page 75 PPDP
114. gory is automatically considered to be complete Some items require a Yes No or Not Applicable answer For the item to be considered complete you may be required to click either Yes No or Not Applicable Checklist items do not require any entry to be considered complete 66 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions COMPLETENESS DESKTOP If you have a question as to whether or not your inspection is complete select Review Completeness Check from the menu on the Desktop program or click the Completeness Check icon on the toolbar ATI oad oga eel S a we t tee Edit The Completeness Check window will appear listing any items that do not appear to be complete D gt u gE H Completeness Check Lots and Grounds Patio P Plumbing Drain Pipes F Click on the item in question for example Plumbing Drain Pipes and the program will take you to that category Click Close and you can then enter any necessary information COMPLETENESS POCKET PC If you have a question as to whether or not your inspection is complete on the Pocket PC program select Review Completeness Check from the menu The window shown next will appear 67 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Pe ee ee EET In addition to the completeness check Palm Tech Inspector has an edit check function that will Heating System Suspected Asbestos review your inspection for inconsistencies and
115. hat the file on the handheld PC is not newer This means that files created or updated on the desktop will be available the next time you open the program on the handheld computer Copy PICTURE ALBUM FILES FROM HANDHELD TO DESKTOP If you have Palm Tech Picture Album installed on your handheld computer the synchronization process will copy picture albums from there onto your desktop 86 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Copy ORDERS TO HANDHELD This means that the program will look at all of the pending inspection orders in Front Office and transfer the appropriate orders to the handheld These orders will then be available for use on your handheld computer When you copy these orders you can choose a time frame for sending and retaining orders In the example shown orders for as far as seven days ahead can be sent and orders will be retained for two days after the scheduled date DELETE OLD INSPECTIONS FROM WORK AREA Delete Old Inspections Delete Inspections trom Work Area more than 5 days old With this option the program will delete files from the Work Area based on the date the file was last saved For example if you have set the program to delete all files more than five days old the program will delete any inspection files from the work area that were saved five or more days ago NOTE Deleting files on the handheld computer is a distinct process Deleting files from your handheld regularly will ke
116. he dropdown box lists the ratings Recall that in the Program Settings window you can set the ratings to appear individually as circles if you wish Click the dropdown arrow in the ratings box and choose Acceptable as the rating for this item The next dropdown box contains the description for the item Driveway Click the dropdown arrow and note that several descriptions are listed for driveway with the three most commonly used listed first This property has two types of drive asphalt and concrete Click on Asphalt then click the dropdown arrow again When the list reappears click the plus sign preceding Concrete and both types will be added to the report Lots and Grounds Not Applicable 195 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection j l Palm Tech Inspect g 1 06 X ots and Grounds _ Not Applicable GA DiV Asphalt Concr ig Note O v Walk Note O iStery Note j Porch 7 v Pato 7 0j 7 Deck Note j 7 Balco Note G Gradi 7 Note al sat gt Note a Vecq Note a Wind Nottely File Edit Review Tools Rj 4 35 Move to the next three items Walks Steps Stoops and Porch These three items are also made of concrete Give them Acceptable ratings also 36 The next item Patio is made of poured stepping stone This material 1s deteriorating and presents a significant trip hazard Give it a Defective rating Lots and Grounds Not Applicabl
117. hotos that can be processed on a Pocket PC Adding too many high resolution photos to a report on the Pocket PC can cause the system to run out of memory and you may not be able to complete the report Use Text Separator Use a text separator to help distinguish between answer text and note text If the font is the same for both it can sometimes be difficult to tell the items apart Following are two example of the same text The first does not include a text separator and the second one does If you would prefer not to use a text separator you can always change the font size or color of one of the pieces of text _ Structure Type Wood frame Evaluation of the structure by an architect 13 recommended Foundation Poured Differential Movement No movement or displacement noted Beams Bonded wood Bearing Valls Block HHHH E gt D000 OF lnnoo0 oz D000 oF D000 oF A MPRA M O 1HOOOO0 Structure Type Wood ccaGfin as a pert separatobybvatuation o the structure by an archite 13 recommended HOOOO Foundation Poured 3 200 OU Differential Movernert No movement or displacement noted 4 AOOO Beams Bonded wood 5 L L L L Bearing Walls Block The next part of the Page Options window is the Print Order box As you can see the sections of the report print in the following order by default Report Body Cost 158 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions to Cure Summary and Rating Summary You can change this order by
118. icon depending on the option you chose in Program Settings will appear on that line showing you where the picture is Following is a picture with the decorations added and the Palm Tech window showing the line with 120 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions i Palm Tech Ins dr 2 11 52 ok Palm Tech Ins dr 421153 X Decorations Properties Tyr oon Ea aoe mage Ey File Edit Review Tools J amp Click the icon on the line and the Edit Image screen will appear allowing you to make further changes to the picture ADD DIAGRAM You can add a diagram to any line in your report This is especially helpful in pointing out the location of problem areas Add Diagram Desktop To add a diagram in the Palm Tech Inspector Desktop program right click the Tool button to the left of the line and choose Add Diagram Inspection Designer allows you to create diagrams and import them into your reports The Diagram Properties window will appear 121 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions This window allows you to change the prompt text which appears only on the button on the screen You can Cancel also change the height and width of the diagram Click OK and a Diagram button with whatever Diagram Properties Screen Prompt Text Diagem NOTE Diagram prompts prompt text you assigned will appear only appear on screen to the right of the line Height 2 00 Width
119. ill be stored in the same folder as your report for efficient organization and retrieval If you have a great deal of information to add to a grid you can print the large grid over multiple pages in your report Additional Changes Under the Hood Palm Tech Inspector version 5 includes many other changes and improvements in response to YOUR feedback and requests Version 5 has added numerous features and capabilities suggested by inspectors for inspectors The result Report creation that is convenient and efficient for you informative and instructive for your client or company Palm Tech Inspector version 5 has what you need NO LIMITS Palm Tech Front Office Palm Tech Front Office is a separate program designed to provide tools and information to help you manage your inspection company Front Office allows you to schedule inspections assign inspectors track payments and manage libraries and templates for multiple inspectors It also manages contact referrer client and realtor information You can even print mailing labels and numerous management reports Front Office is sold separately If you would like more information on this product please contact us at 888 736 2462 Palm Tech Inspector What s New Improved Inspection Designer Capabilities While the templates and formatting capabilities included in Palm Tech Inspector are sufficient for almost all types of inspections users requiring uniquely detailed in depth custo
120. imported library allowing you to continue working as you did previously with the new program features The version 5 templates will have some new features as well but will not connect with your version 4 library You can choose to import invoices receipts and agreements into your converted version 4 library If you do this be sure to use the version 4 templates The previous version will remain unchanged You will want to leave the previous version installed to access old inspection files Version 5 0 will not open previous version files Palm Tech Inspector Installation If it is not already present the installation program will create a folder named Palm Tech5 in the Program Files directory of your computer The program and all associated files will be copied to your hard drive in this folder NOTE If you purchased your Pocket PC and Palm Tech Inspector from us the software will be preinstalled on the portable PC and you can skip to the section titled Network Considerations After the desktop program is installed the installation program will stop to ask what portions of the program you wish to install to the handheld computer Before installing software to the handheld PC it is a good idea to back up its contents To install the software on your handheld computer connect your handheld computer to your desktop PC If you need help doing this see the user s guide that came with your handheld computer After the handheld is connect
121. inate inspections the inspector must choose an inspection from the list in order to begin a new inspection If this restriction has not been set in FO the inspector can choose an inspection from the list or click Cancel to start a different inspection If you are using Front Office to create orders the Select Inspector window will appear Select the appropriate inspector and click OK NOTE On the Pocket PC this window will not appear as each Pocket PC contains orders for one inspector only Select Inspector Select an Inspector Scott Osborne If this inspector has no new inspections the following window will appear Palm Tech Inspector V5 e There are no current orders For this inspector Do you wank to choose another 73 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions If this inspector has no new inspections and FO 1s set to restrict the creation of new inspections that inspector will not be able to start a new inspection here If new inspection orders do exist for this inspector the Choose Order window will appear Choose Order 0118 2007 08 00 AM Date 01718 2007 Time 08 00 AM Duration 180 minutes Client Address 123 Any Street Cincinnai OH 45251 Services Med Home 1200 2400 sq ft Notes Directions By default inspection orders are shown for two days prior to the current date through seven days forward from the current date To change these parameters see the synchronization set
122. ine at the bottom of the page the line and pictures may move to the first line of the next page or some of the pictures may move to the top of the next page Add Pictures Desktop Everything you need to do a basic home To add pictures choose the line you want to add the picture to Click Tools Add Picture in the i menu click the Add Picture icon on the toolbar or right click the Tool button to the left of the line and choose Add Picture Toh sA eg The Select Image window will appear Select Image ktop My Documents My Computer JB 3 Floppy fA a Local Disk C DELL 49 Documents and Settings E WV C 330F JPG fia PU ers E MYC 331F2 JPG Carol ar ET E MVC 331F JPG Deskt E MVC 332F JPG Demo Fhoto E MVC 333F JPG Er oF hoo Old InspDes Versions E MVIC 334F IPG Work Area E MVC 335F JPG H Work Area_old Gl MVC 336F JPG Work Area_old2 i MVC 337F JPG i Favorites E MVC 338F JPG TT Se ha Peer enkn meal bee aA ar jiii Choose the picture you want click OK and the Edit Image window will appear 116 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Edit Image m Image Attributes Height 0 75 width i oo Make Sizes Defaults iW Lock aspect ratio Image Resolution r Decorations Type Arrow 3 Undo All Undo Last i Cancel l Choose Image In the Image Attributes box you can
123. ing ActiveSync see the user s guide that came with your handheld computer If during the installation of Palm Tech Inspector to the Pocket PC you receive the error message PPCLoad dll not found this generally means that ActiveSync has not been properly installed If you want to use Outlook Scheduling and Contact program and it is not currently installed on your desktop PC you should do so before installing ActiveSync You must also set it up and run it at least once Palm Tech Inspector Installation To install Palm Tech Inspector insert the enclosed CD labeled Palm Tech Inspector If your computer does not display the installation screen after reading the CD select Run and type d AutoRun from the Start menu where d is the drive letter for your CD drive You should install the desktop version of the software first Click the Install Version 5 button on the right side of the window and follow the directions on screen NOTE If you install an option that you did not purchase 1 e Expansion Pack or Inspection Designer the installation will install the demonstration version in place of the licensed version Feel free to try these options and contact us 1f you wish to purchase them If you own a previous version of Palm Tech Inspector the installation will install a completely new version However the installation will import your version 4 library and templates into the new program Your imported templates will link to your
124. inspection Default descriptions are the most commonly used brand names or descriptions for the item being inspected Palm Tech Inspector comes with lists of such descriptions for many items One example of an item with default descriptions is windows Because windows are usually of the same type throughout a structure you can enter default descriptions here and they will be consistent throughout the inspection whether the windows are in the bathroom kitchen or bedroom Inspection Designer discussed earlier also allows you to set up additional default items If you want to set defaults now click Yes and the Set Default Descriptions window left appears Click the dropdown for Type and select Window Click the dropdown arrow for Default Description and a list of common window types right appears 24 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions i Palm Tech Ins dr 2 11 54 ok j Palm Tech In dr f 11 55 ok Note that the descriptions are listed in alphabetical order You can choose to let the program sort the list so that after you have used the template a few times the list will display with the three most frequently used at the top and the remainder in alphabetical order You can choose not to let the program sort the list so that they will display in no particular order If you want to change this list in any way click the Edit List button and the Edit List window will appear PO ee ee ees The default l
125. inspection report Open Open a previously saved home inspection report Save Save the currently open report using the current name and location Save As Save the data in the open report with a new name or location Print Print the currently open report Print Preview See what the printed report will look like Print Setup Adjust the settings of your printer Export to HTML Create an HTML file of the inspection for distribution Create pdf File to E mail cCreate a pdf of your report Import Library Update Copy changes in lists from another computer 1 2 3 4 Open one of the last four files you used Exit Close the open inspection and end the program Edit Final Comments Enter or edit final comments Private Notes Enter or edit private notes Cost Estimate Disclaimer Enter or edit the Cost Estimate disclaimer Default Descriptions Add default descriptions for common items Ratings Edit rating sets Default Note Colors Set the default font color for notes Review Completeness Check Check that all necessary fields contain data Edit Checks Check that there are no discrepancies requiring attention in the report Spell Check Check the spelling of entered text Summary Items Check all items indicated as requiring summaries Tools Add Picture Add a picture to your report Add Component Add a room or mechanical system to the inspection Add Category Add a category to your inspection Add Line Add a new line to the currently
126. int and your response to the component location question precedes the component name everywhere it appears In the following example the first Living Space component is indicated as the Family Room while the second is indicated as the Living Room Living Space A WPA M D Family Room Living Space 1O0OU000 Closet 200000 Ceiling 300000 wals 400000 Floor LILILICIL Doors 6 OOUOUOD Windows FOUOUOU Electrical sUJIOUOL H AC Source SC Room Living Space GUOUOL Closet WOUOOL Ceiling WOOOOUOD Wales 120H0UOU Floor 1300000 Doors id OOU OL Windows WOOOUOD Electrical 1OOUOL W AC Source Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions If you would like to add components permanently to create your own unique inspection formats or change or add to the defaults Palm Tech Inspection Designer will allow you to do this Add Component Pocket PC To add a component to a category select Tools Add Component from the menu The following window will appear To delete a component click the Tool button to the left of the component line and choose Delete Component Palm TechIns gt 12 58 lok Select the type of component that you want to add E from the list on the left then in the right window select where in the current category the new aia et component should go Note that when you indicate to place a component inside a component the program places a default placeholder where the new component would appear However you
127. intended to be a substitute for professional judgment and or experience Vill Palm Tech Inspector Getting Started GETTING STARTED Throughout this manual commands that are to be typed into the computer will be printed in the following text style a command The User s Guide will refer to desktop and handheld computers For purposes of the User s Guide a desktop computer is defined as any computer fixed or portable for example a laptop or tablet that uses any of the following operating systems Windows 98 Windows ME Windows Vista Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pocket PC refers to field computers running the Pocket PC and Windows Mobile operating systems Where instructions are significantly different for the Pocket PC Pocket PC is designated specifically The Palm Tech Inspection software package is two different sets of programs The first is written to work on a touch screen based Windows Pocket PC computer and the second is written to work on a desktop laptop tablet computer Desktop laptop tablet instructions will be called desktop instructions throughout this user s guide Where procedural descriptions apply to both the desktop and handheld programs both mouse actions and stylus touch screen actions will be referred to as clicks Also in this manual the menu labels will be printed in this text style File Where multiple menu commands are required you will see an arrow joining menu commands toge
128. ion I received an error message stating that the program was unable to locate PPCLoad DLL PPCLoad is a part of ActiveSync and is used when installing to your handheld computer Before you can install Palm Tech Inspector to your handheld computer you will need to install ActiveSync to your desktop computer See page 3 for more information on installing ActiveSync If you are installing the desktop computer version only of Palm Tech and receive this error quit the installation and restart being sure to deselect handheld components in the component selection window I am getting a message that says no file converter is available No file converter is needed for Palm Tech files Both the desktop and handheld versions of the program use the same files You can prevent this message from appearing by checking the Do not display this message in the future box in the warning window If you do this you will not be warned about the lack of file converters for other file types 219 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix B I changed the rating system to use but it did not change in the program Changes to the rating system are applied ONLY to new inspections started after the change was made Try starting a new inspection See page 170 for more details on how this works I can t find inspections on my desktop computer When you select Save from the File menu the program will always start in the same location By default this is C My Inspections on th
129. ion Laundry ARoom 4rea Basement Stars A ailing Living Space Basement Placeholder Nor lrivasive Teshng Surace Scar Page Break Office Space we Select the type of component that you want to add from the list on the left then in the right window select where in the current category the new component should go A component can be added anywhere in the category even in the middle of another component Note that if you indicate to add a component within another component a placeholder appears where the new component would appear If you want the new component added at the top of the category click the Insert at Top checkbox When you are satisfied with your choices click OK Another set of lines for the component will be added to the input window containing the components as shown on the next screen On both the desktop and handheld computers a solid black line is shown to the left of the Tools button to indicate the lines that are a part of a component 91 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Living Space Not Applicable Location EZ o Foa of Cains o Fwa o ro o Fo oF Winds amp LL a Electrical amp LC Y HVAC Source cat Coo HAC Source Add Another Living Space The first line in any component is always Location This allows you to uniquely identify each component by either location or any other method you choose When a component prints on the report the location line does not pr
130. irst few letters CAP f sy ae Sirti eae cow tea ATERA of a word the program will display a commonly 7 1 Ctl aii used word beginning with those letters right If that word is the one you want click the displayed word and the program will complete it for you You can set predictive text to display up to four word choices by clicking Settings Input Word Completion qo f 1 24 ok i Palm Tech Insp Input method Keyboard Large keys Small keys Enter the new file name below Use gestures for the following keys New Tem L fe Space 6 Shift key ee Backspace r Enter Input Method Word Completion Options When you have entered your new file name click OK Pocket Keyboard Features The Pocket PC program keyboard features a wide variety of features and functions First you can access a variety of letter styles and symbols by clicking some of the 27 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions keys Clicking the CAP key displays all capital letters and the typical Shift key symbols Clicking the key highlighted in black on the right keyboard below shows English and non English symbols The CAP key with the Symbol key provides capitalized versions of these symbols 123 oo Jel abla iwie Rit Tyulr ole rely eet ele eis Te j j smtt 2 xe e NM lt gt js I tel File Edit Review Tools fe amp EN ric cat neview Too
131. is set up If you are not using Front Office the Choose Template window on the left will appear If you are using Front Office the Choose Order window will appear 75 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions j Palm Tech Inspect 3 03 ok Show Licensed Show Unlicensed Templates Se 007 11 00 AM Ralph Botney Name Description lors Everything you need i Version 5 Master Date Si24r2007 Notes amp Last Modified Time 11 00 4 M Directions 12 18 2006 15 08 j 2 18 Duration 480 minutes Client Ralph Botney Adrress 1746 Honeysuckle Court If Front Office has been set up so that only it can originate inspections an inspector must choose an inspection from the list in order to begin a new inspection If this restriction has not been set in Front Office the inspector can pick an inspection from the list or click Cancel to start a different inspection If this inspector has no new inspections and Front Office is set to restrict the creation of new inspections the inspector will not be able to start a new inspection here By default inspection orders are shown for two days prior to the current date through seven days forward from the current date To change these parameters see page 83 discussing synchronization settings After you select an inspection or if Front Office is not in use you will be asked what inspection format template you want to start the new file You will notice that as y
132. ist appears in the top window Select TET l the description you want to change and make your Aluminum sider used s0umes o changes when it appears in the bottom window sell oe You can also add any new item by entering it in the bottom screen and clicking Add New Item or delete an item by highlighting it and clicking the add New Tem Dekte Tem cia button Click OK when you are inished The new or edited item will appear in the description dropdown list the next time you click the down arrow for that line 25 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions SAVING YOUR FILE You will now be given an opportunity to save your new inspection The extension for Palm Tech Inspector version 5 inspections is pt5 It is very important to save your inspection with a descriptive name so that you will be able to retrieve it for later use You should use the same naming convention for all files For example you could use a combination of the customer s name and date for the file 1 e 032307 Johnson W pt5 or include the inspector s initials if you have more than one inspector The important thing to remember is to always follow the same convention so that you don t have to guess which files are which You should avoid some characters in naming your files These include the asterisk brackets lt gt equal sign plus sign quotes and slashes These characters have other functions and c
133. jpg A Going to be deleted Ej latch_2003 jpg H E Latest vo exe cal Leaking basin drain jpg HQ PDDB cal mve Oe St jpg FH POF Show Sample Repr T suid ae H sample pics rl out05 jpa o E vo Am aes pk A tl panel2 ipg 4 tii x UI 192 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Palm Tech Inspec gi 12 13 ok PICTO143 jpg 29 When the Edit Image window appears add decorations to highlight areas of interest Click OK Edit Image Undo All Undo Last 193 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Palm Tech Inspec gi 12 14 ok 30 Click OK and the Tech Note window will appear with the image Tech Note Palm Tech Inspec gi 12 15 ok This iz a new tech note 194 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 31 SZ 33 34 oo 8 amp amp Click OK again and this tech note will be available whenever you click the Tech Note button You can edit remove or change the orientation of the image at any time desktop only Changing the orientation makes the picture and note text appear side by side instead of top and bottom as shown Proceed with the inspection by adding information for the first line Driveway Lots and Grounds Not Applicable Disclaimer Fira as Ls Steps Stoops 9 Pore 4 Pat Fo The first element in the line the Tool button allows you to add a picture or a diagram or cut copy or delete a line The next element t
134. k ELS OS You can make the keyboard appear and hide it by clicking the Keyboard icon at the bottom right of the screen If you click the Up arrow to the right of the Keyboard icon three other features become available These options are Block Recognizer Letter Recognizer and Transcriber Block Recognizer and Letter Recognizer allow you to customize your Pocket PC to recognize your handwriting or custom letter strokes Doors fol we yindai 123 1 2 3 4 5 Tab a w e e cAPja sjajt poe Shift z s c Letter Recognizer ctj j A Transcriber File Edit Review Tools fe amp Options Block Recognizer lets you input character strokes using Graffiti from Palm Inc These stylized versions of letters are quick to enter to save input time Block Recognizer Keyboard Letter Recognizer allows you to write letters with a stylus just as you would with a pen on paper You can use Letter Recognizer when filling out notes or in a dialog box Both of these functions include demo programs and information to help you learn how to use them Access the demo programs and information by clicking on the Help question mark icon that appears just above the Keyboard or Stylus icon which shows when Block Recognizer and Letter Recognizer are active File Edit Review Tools fF amp When you click on Transcriber the Transcriber Intro window appears on the screen 28 Palm T
135. king 1f you want to add this to the list Your screen will look like this 205 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Trim Fascia Soffits Door Bell Door Bell back door Entry Doors Fatio Door Add Another Exterior Surface Gi Trim 50 Add a note explaining why the back doorbell is defective 51 Add a final comment about the back doorbell Click the Final Comments button on the toolbar or Edit Final Comments on the Pocket PC J Jel SR et The Final Comments window will appear Edit 5 Edit Edi AM oon oga 206 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection W Final Comments Final Comments Cancel Note Color Black Change Font Common Motes Edit List j Palm Tech Inspect g 2 18 ok Item Common Motes In the entry window type any information you feel would be helpful to the client and or will summarize your findings Click OK This entry will be included in the final comments and be available for viewing by the client 52 Add a private note to document conversation or any other fact that you want to save with the inspection but do not want to print on the inspection itself 207 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 53 54 k Click Edit Private Notes and the Private Notes window will appear Because the Private Notes windows operate like the Final Comments windows they are not displayed h
136. l Information section of the report before a report with this disclaimer is printed You can place merge fields in prompts answers disclaimers or final comments or put them into lists for easy selection Recall from the Print Options Page Layout discussion that you can customize these fields in various ways NOTE Some of the merge fields contain data that will be available only if the inspection was created based on a Front Office order 172 Palm Tech Inspector Toolbar Reference 1 Toe sae oa a a a 1 TOOLBAR REFERENCE 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1112 131415 16 U Start a new home inspection report Open a previously saved home inspection report Save the currently open report using the same name and location Print the report Create a pdf of your report Add or edit final comments Add a component to your report Add a line to your report Add a picture to your report Run a completeness check Run edit checks Review the summary data Run Palm Tech synchronization Adjust Program Settings Adjust Print Settings Display program information version and copyright POCKET PC TOOLBAR REFERENCE 2345 es ae St O AOUN Save the currently open report using the same name and location Change the width of the prompts descriptions Add a line Show hide the keyboard Choose input options 173 Palm Tech Inspector Menu Reference MENU REFERENCE DESKTOP File New Start a new home
137. l summary comments Private Notes is used for your own personal information Information entered in Private Notes will not be printed on the home inspection report but will be retained for later reference by you only Use this section to document a conversation or any other fact that is either irrelevant to the actual inspection or that you prefer the client not see FINAL COMMENTS DESKTOP To add final comments in the Desktop program select Edit gt Final Comments from the menu or click the Final Comments button on the toolbar OS WS re ee Edit Edit Feit ANTI ood oga The Final Comments window will appear E Final Comments Final Comments Cancel Mote Color Black Change Font Common Hotes Edit List As in other parts of the inspection this window contains a list of commonly used notes You can add an unlimited number of your own comments To use an existing note click the dropdown arrow in the Common Notes box and choose the note you want To use a different note enter the note in the bottom window and click OK 60 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Again you can click the Edit List button to add to or edit the comments in this list Remember final comments are for the customer s information and will appear in the printout FINAL COMMENTS POCKET PC To add final comments on a Pocket PC click Edit Final Comments from the menu The Final Comments wind
138. le you will not be able to add pictures You may be able to delete some files to free up some memory To check the available memory on your handheld computer click Settings then System then Memory 220 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix B My printer will not print from the handheld computer The most common reason for this is improper setup for the program or the printer Check the Palm Tech web site Support section and Forums or the user s manual for your printer My screen is not tapping correctly Try recalibrating the screen 1 Select Settings Control Panel from the Start menu 2 Double click the Stylus icon 3 Press the Recalibrate button and follow the steps on screen I can t see my old templates in the new version Make sure you loaded your old version 4 templates correctly See page 3 for instructions on how to load your old templates into your version 5 program My reports say Demonstration Version There are generally three possible causes for this Sometimes a demonstration copy of Palm Tech Inspector was installed over a licensed copy In this case simply reinstall the correct licensed version of Palm Tech Inspector The second possibility is that a template was altered with a demonstration copy of Inspection Designer A demonstration version of Inspection Designer is included with any Palm Tech Inspector CD Inspection templates opened and then saved with this copy of Inspection Designer will become demonstr
139. lectronic Signatures Diagrams Srids i The generated HTML document is For informational purposes 168 Palm Tech Inspector Palm Tech Inspect g 1 03 Palm Tech Inspector 5 The generated HTML document is for informational purposes The following aspects of an inspection are not represented in the generated HTML Picture decorations Electronic Signatures Detailed Operating Instructions Click OK and you will be asked if you want to e mail the HTML file Click Yes and the desktop program will open your e mail program and depending on the email program you have will automatically attach the file With some programs and on the Pocket PC you will have to attach the file to the email program yourself The data contained in your report will be reproduced exactly as you entered it Ken Grids Some formatting changes made in print setup will not be applied A standard page layout is used and some graphic elements will be different from the report printed directly from the software Also some elements such as decorations signatures diagrams and grids will not be apparent in the generated HTML Use Windows Explorer Internet Explorer or My Computer to see the file on the desktop If you are using Window Vista you cannot open the file and look at it at this time File Edit Review Tools J amp C Program Files Palm TechS HTML New Complete Template File Edit wiew Favorites Tools Help ae Pi F Sea
140. licable The Disclaimer window will appear 188 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection MS Disclaimer Disclaimer Lots and Grounds Cancel Note Color Black Change Font Common Motes Edit List Make default disclaimer i Palm Tech Inspec 11 51 ok Disclaimer Lots and Grounds This window will allow you to enter or edit the disclaimer that will print at the top of the selected category By default the category disclaimers are empty which means that no disclaimer will print unless you add one to this box If you want the entered disclaimer to be the default for all future inspections click the Make a default disclaimer button and the entered disclaimer will be saved in your list for future use 189 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 2 24 Enter the text This is a new disclaimer in the bottom window desktop or large window Pocket PC Click the dropdown arrow in the Note Color box and choose Red for the disclaimer color Click the Change Font button for the Select Fonts window Select Font NOTE Not all font properties are supported in all circumstances j Palm Tech Inspec 11 57 ok NOTE Not all font properties are Arial hi supported in all circumstances Italic Underline Color Red 25 Choose a new font and make the font bold Click Close OK The Disclaimer window desktop will show the modified disclaimer M
141. lso cut and copy a category in this way 94 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Choose Catepory Choose the category you want to copy General Information Cancel Lots and Grounds Exterior Surface and Components Outbuilding Roof GarageLarport Electrical Structure Attic Crawl Space Ar Conditioning Fireplace ood Stove Heating System Plumbing A athranm Choose a category and click OK You will then be asked for the new category s name This window will also appear if you choose not to copy an existing category Enter a name and click OK You will then be asked where you want the new category to Enter the new Category Name go Indicate the category you want the new category to follow You will also be asked if you want to keep the information in the i Use Line Numbers and Ratings in printed report category that you are copying The new category will then be placed where you indicated If you choose to create a new category that does not copy an existing category you will have to add any lines and components you want the new category to contain The following screen shows a new category called Structure 2 that is a copy of the original Structure category Enter Category Name tructure Copy Cancel 95 Palm Tech Inspector 0 ao W Move Up Move Down General Information Lots and Grounds Exterior Surkace and Compe Outbuilding Foot Garage Carpart Electrical
142. ly 5 amp Line add 97 108 Checkboxes 702 111 One Question Answer 98 109 Option list 703 112 Page break 7104 113 Signature line 104 114 Standalone Note 701 ILI Text 104 113 Three Questions Answers 700 110 Two Questions Answers 700 110 Yes No 00 110 Lines 38 Cost estimate 53 Question answer 45 Rating 39 Tool button 39 Margins 5 Menu reference Desktop 174 Pocket PC 175 Merge fields 772 Multidirectional button Pocket PC 59 Network Considerations 5 New inspection starting Desktop 19 73 Pocket PC 23 75 Note window 5 Notes 50 Number summary items 54 One Question One Answer Desktop 98 Pocket PC 1 09 Opening files 234 Index Desktop 69 Pocket PC 70 Option list Desktop 103 Pocket PC 2 Orders copying 84 Page break Desktop 104 Pocket PC 3 Page layout Custom fields box 162 Page options Combine rating summaries 54 Create summaries 54 Number summary items 54 Print a cover page 55 Print entered lines only 55 Print line numbers 55 Show cost estimates in body of report 154 Text separator 58 Use standard fonts in summaries 7154 View photos 58 Palm Tech Inspector tools Add category 94 96 Add component 90 93 Add lines 97 108 Paste 55 pdf creating 1 65 Picture Album copying 86 Pictures adding Desktop 716 Pocket PC 719 Pictures in a tech note 34 Pocket keyboard Block recognizer 28 Letter recognizer 28 Pocke
143. m will open the relevant category of the inspection Click on the Go To button or the Close button and you can then enter the necessary information COMPLETENESS CHECK POCKET PC To check your report for incomplete items select Review Completeness Check from the menu A window indicating incomplete items will appear If you have left some items incomplete select one of the items click Go To and the program will Kitchen Electrical take you to that item You can then make any Laundry RoomArea Walls changes you need F Palm Tech Ins ee f 1 10 ok Edit Checks Edit checks are designed to point out inconsistencies and provide reminders to assist you in the inspection process To run the edit check tool on your report select Review Edit Checks from the menu or click the Edit Check button on the desktop toolbar 128 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Coe Se iret IIG AT a on8 The program will review the entire report and compile a list of items that should be reviewed Just because an item is listed does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem but rather that the item contains an anomaly After the list has been compiled the Edit Checks window will appear Desktop Edit Checks Lots and Grounds Retaining Walls Contains an unentered rating and has other data entered on the line Exterior Surface and Components Exterior Lighting ls marked with a rating that
144. make them accessible in your lists with just a click Set Default Descriptions Type r El Cancel Default Descriptions Estis Click the down arrow in the Type box to see the available categories Choose a type then click the dropdown in the Default Description box For each type listed choose the description from the common descriptions list or type in a description and click the OK button Look at all of the types and choose the ones you need to be sure you have the defaults you need for your specific inspection The Save As window will appear prompting you to enter a name for this inspection T1 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Smith Ovoio a Comp Props cS Sid2006_11_22 Mies Thomas pts Bh Cost Estimate pt5 Sal Font Prd 2007_1_18 Unknown pts h December File pt5 a Pa Default pS hs Sy Example pts al First Inspection pth ms save ag type V5 Inspection Files pt5 Cancel Enter the name you want for this inspection and it will be saved by default to the My Inspections folder Click Save to begin the new inspection If you encounter an item that does not fit the default such as one unique window in a house you can change the description for the individual occurrence Once a description has been entered for an item the default description will not override or change it If you want to set defaults or change the defaults after the inspection has been start
145. ment 2 gt Beams ron Eo w Bearing Walls E w Joists Trusses Standalone Note This line type can be used with or without a prompt If you select this line type and enter a prompt your new line will display a button with the prompt you entered similar to the line shown below o gt Feorsies E o Stairs Handrails Subfloor lt Standalone Mote gt To add the standalone note click the button When you click this button the Note window appears allowing you to enter the text you want the Standalone Note line to include A number may appear in the title area in an unprompted standalone note This is the line ID number To keep this from happening enter a prompt for the line Note Structure Standalone Note Cancel Add to Summary Note Color Black Change Font Common Hotes Edit List 101 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Enter the text choose whether or not you want it added to the summary set it in your choice of font and color and click OK When the report prints the line will include a line number followed by the prompt text in the prompt font The text you entered will then appear in the printout in the font you chose Structure O O Structure Type Foundation Differential Movement Beams Bearing Walls Joists Trusses Piers Posts FlooriSlab Stairs Handrails subfloor ote This is a standalone note z OOOUOUOOOOOO OOOOOOOO
146. mization can purchase Inspection Designer TS i oo a ae ae ee aes ee eee a eee aes Sea i See ee as Se a a as ee Se a INSPECTION H i DESIGNER Inspection Designer is a separate program you can use to create distinctively crafted inspection reports and further customize them to your unique and specific needs Inspection Designer is now much easter to use than ever before With Inspection Designer there are NO LIMITS on the variety of inspection formats you can create Inspection Designer s new piece level architecture lets you create any kind of line you want rating and note only ratings with checkboxes and notes or basically any kind of combination you can imagine You can even preview your changes as you re making them Inspection Designer lets you see what the input screen and the printed report will look like as you are making your changes Inspection Designer also makes recreating existing forms much easier With the program s capabilities in manipulating fonts and placement of images and text you can recreate what a specific form looks like quickly and easily You can now edit component location lines in Inspection Designer so that you can decide whether to print assign a different list change the font or assign a piece ID You can create a new library name with as few as two or as many as 35 characters long Name your library so that it s easy for you to tell exactly what it is You can also create y
147. mory available you should be able to add pictures If you have 8 MB available you will see a warning about the memory limitations If you have only 4 MB available you will not be able to add pictures To add pictures click Tools Add Picture in the menu or click and hold the Tool button to the left of the line and click Add Picture The Edit Image window left will appear Choose the picture you want and it will appear at the bottom of the window Click OK and the Edit Image window right will display the image editing features available 119 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Palm Tech Ins dr f 11 48 ok i Palm Tech In dr f 11 49 ok The functions for all of the buttons except for the Properties button were discussed previously The Properties button lets you assign a height and width to the picture lock the ratio in the report and assign a resolution When you click this button the Properties box will appear If you check the Lock Aspect Ratio checkbox the proportions of the picture will stay the same 1f you make a change to the width or height that is the width will change in the same proportion as the height You can also set the resolution of your picture to low 150 dots per inch medium 300 dpi or high 600 dpi The default is medium Palm Tech Ins dr f 11 50 ok Properties hosH ow 1 337F pesun After you have added decorations and made any Lock Aspect Ratio changes click OK An
148. n a minimum of extra steps on your part Most day to day activities are covered with 81 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Palm Tech Synchronization Running Palm Tech synchronization will accomplish the following tasks for you Merge changes in lists from both the desktop and handheld computers Update the handheld with any changes to the rating set s that have been made on the desktop computer Copy inspections from the desktop to the handheld Copy inspections from the handheld to the desktop Copy Front Office orders to the handheld SYNCHRONIZE DESKTOP You can synchronize between two desktops Click Setup Synchronize with Desktop and the Synchronize with Another Desktop Computer window will appear Synchronize with Another Desktop Computer Ed Path to other computer installation Locate Ca Path to other computer Inspections Folder Locate Select the items to synchronize Copy inspections from this computer bo the remote computer W Copy inspections from the remote computer to this computer Copy Orders to Handheld send Orders for E days ahead Retain Orders for z days after the scheduled date Delete Old Inspections Delete Inspections from this computer s Work Area more than 21 days old Delete Inspections from remote computer s Work Area more thar days old 82 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions To synchronize with another desktop click the Loc
149. n on the screen the Cost Estimate window will appear Desktop Cost Estimate f Repair C Replace ia so Cancel High U Mote Color Black Change Font Common Notes Edit List 54 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Pocket PC Palm Tech Inspec e 12 08 bk This window allows you to provide an estimate for the cost to repair or replace any Repair ae item in need of repair or replacement Enter C Replace numbers representing the low and high dollar estimates in the Low and High boxes Enter whole dollar amounts only The amounts entered will be totaled in the Cost to Cure Summary You can add notes to the cost estimate You can also change the Cost Estimate classifications from Repair and Replace to others of your choosing and you can also break out the costs by Materials and ARE CUNE Labor as discussed on the Program Settings section on page 138 E E Cost estimate items with dollar amounts will automatically print in the Cost to Cure Summary By changing the print settings you can also choose to print estimates in the body of the report See page 149 for more details about changing Print Settings Data Entry Hints CuT COPY AND PASTE On the Desktop program you can use standard Windows cut copy and paste tools for entry boxes by using the right mouse button On the Pocket PC you can cut copy and paste by highlighting the line If you want to copy text to the cli
150. n space on the handheld PC long prompts sometimes do not fit This feature allows you to abbreviate long screen prompts and still use the complete prompt on the printed report There are a few rules that apply to adding lines 1 There are no limits to the number of lines a category can support 2 A line added in the middle of a component becomes part of that component This means that if the line appears in a summary the line will be indicated as being part of the component 3 Remember that by clicking and holding the tool buttons to the left of the lines you can add pictures and diagrams and cut copy and delete lines If you would like to add lines permanently in order to create your own unique inspection formats you can save the inspection containing your new lines as a template Do this by clicking Tools Save As Template You will be asked about deleting current data then asked for a file name and template name Enter this information click OK and your new template will be saved 115 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions ADD PICTURES i Palm Tech In Hg a 11 28 ok You can add a picture or multiple pictures to any Name j line in your report When you add one picture to a Sd line the picture will appear aligned on the right inal margin of the line When you add multiple pictures the pictures will align on the next line If you add Template Description several pictures to a l
151. nd Tech Note buttons also appear in this area These buttons and their functions are explained on pages 30 and 33 Menu Bar Contains the menus that you will use to perform various actions in the program Tool Bar Contains icons you can click on to perform various actions in the program The first icon in the toolbar is the Save icon This performs the same function as it does on the desktop The Arrows icon allows you to change the width of the line parts in a category for 17 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions File a aa us Mesace H s L easier viewing The following two pictures show the same screen with a width change j Palm Tech Insi An ac 3 19 F Palm Tech Insi ir fe 3 19 x a Not p i Not Ul a Madar File Edit Review Tools gst The third icon is the Add a Line icon Click this icon when you want to add a line and the Add a Line window will appear Follow the steps listed on pages 97 and 108 for adding new lines to your report The last icon is the Keyboard icon Use of the keyboard is discussed on page 27 On newer Pocket PCs you can display the Pocket PC window in the default portrait mode or in landscape mode for easier viewing To change the display to landscape mode follow the steps listed below Se aE Click Start Go to Settings Click the System Tab Scroll down and click the Screen control Set to Landscape left or right your preference Categories
152. ng then click the OK button to begin printing a Page Range to You can also choose to print the pages in reverse Print Cover order so that when the report stacks up in front of the printer the pages are correctly sorted copies L_ Print Pages in Reverse Order Completeness Each category of the inspection has an indicator to show if the category has been completed An X appearing to the left of the category name indicates that all required entries in the category have been completed It is not necessary that all items in the category be filled in for a category to be considered complete For example in the General Information category the program expects you to enter the customer s name and address to be considered complete However you are not required to enter the customer s fax number For typical data entry items consisting of a rating a description and a note a rating and description are required for the item to be considered complete If an item is not present you are required to mark it as not present or not applicable for the section to be considered complete For example if a bathroom has a shower but not a tub you will need to mark the tub as either Not Applicable will not print on report or Not Present will print on report for the category to be considered complete If you mark a category as not applicable 1 e there is no crawl space with the Not Applicable choice at the top of the page the entire cate
153. ngs the way you want them click the OK or Start Printing button The program will begin to prepare your report and a window similar to the one on the right will appear This will continue until the program has finished preparing the report to print This may take as long as 60 seconds on older Pocket PCs 64 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Palm Tech Inspect 7 1 33 ok j Palm Tech Inspect g 1 44 pots nrar clone paper wet BS wee Orientation Portrait _ Landscape Printing in progress The next window to appear will depend on whether or not you chose to print a cover page discussed on page 155 If you did the following window will appear Add or change any information then click Continue Palm Tech Inspect 7 1 46 ok Cover Page Data Prepared for Cd Property Address Picture File PO rat When the program has finished preparing the report the following window will appear 65 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Choose whether you want to print the summary only an individual page or a range of pages Also choose the number or copies you want to print If you are using an OG see ee Ee infrared equipped printer make sure to line up the E z infrared ports on the Pocket PC and printer If you C Summary Only are using a WiFi or Bluetooth printer make sure C Individual Page FP E that the Pocket PC and printer are communicati
154. nspection Tech Notes do not print in the report Enter anything you like and it can be recalled Enter anything you like and it can be recalled with just a touch of the Tech oe with just a touch of the Tech Note button Hote button Add Image cok Enter the information you want in the tech note To change information already contained in a tech note place the cursor in the note where you want the change to appear and enter the new text When you have finished making changes click the OK button and the entered information will be saved for future reference The Add Image button allows you to include a picture or diagram with your tech note Click this button and the Select Image windows will appear Desktop Select Image DWD Drive D gt l mage Filter Trad_vol on Pdmb5 M peie l aay Voll on Pdmb5 M Kiekis CQ Archive _ bad eggs Palm Tech 5 Demo Photos HHE BridgeREG H E changed DB Connect stuff E MVC 328F jpg ae E MVC 329F jpg H bad egg E M C 330F jpg Demo Photos i MYC 331F2 ipg fp Thermal EE Framing Template H E Going to be deleted H E HowT oE nD ecmptString_Cpp_san E Latest v5 exe a a E S El MVC 339F ipa lt il 4 iiil ii 34 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Pocket PC You can choose from available photos to display with your tech note Select the picture you want then click OK The Edit Image window will appe
155. nt to return them to the way they originally appeared you can click this button and the settings will return to their default values The Pocket PC has a Defaults tab that allows you to do this also j Palm Tech Inspect g 1 08 ok Fonts and Logo Defaults no File Edit Review Tools Re 4 t PAGE OPTIONS Another way you can change the appearance of your printed inspection is with the page options Click the Page Options tab and the Page Options window appears 152 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop Print Options Margins Page Uptians Page Layout Forts Options RaR T aE Print Entered Lines Only Number Summary Items W Print Line Numbers Combine A ating Summaries Use Standard Fonts in Summaries Show Cost Estimates in Body of Report Print a cover page at the beginning of each Cover Page report Settings Use text separator Desc gt Note gt View photos lin Summary and Body Print Order Report Body rovs p CTC Summary Rating Summary Move Down Ratings View ratings As Boxes Ratings keys Abbreviations Orly Restore Default Print Settings Cancel 153 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Pocket PC Palm Tech Inspect g 1 19 ok F Palm Tech Inspect 1 19 ok _ Use Text Separator Number Summary Items lt Desc gt lt Note gt _ Combine Rating Summaries Print Order _ Use Standard Fonts in Summ
156. ntact Name Contact Phone Client Name Client Address Client CSZ Client Company Name Client Home Phone Client Mobile Number Client Fax Number Client e mail Client Notes Client Custom 1 Client Custom 2 Client Custom 3 Referrer Name Referrer Address Referrer CSZ Referrer Company Name Referrer Home Phone Referrer Mobile Number Referrer Fax Number Referrer e mail Referrer Notes Referrer Custom 1 Referrer Custom 2 Referrer Custom 3 Order Notes Order Custom 1 Order Custom 2 Order Custom 3 Order Custom 4 Order Custom 5 Order Custom 6 Order Custom 7 Order Custom 8 Order Custom 9 Order Custom 10 Order Custom 11 Order Custom 12 Order Custom 13 Order Custom 14 Order Custom 15 Order Custom 16 Order Custom 17 225 Order Custom 18 Order Custom 19 Order Custom 20 Order Custom 21 Order Custom 22 Order Custom 23 Order Custom 24 NOTE Version 5 also supports the version 4 Front Office merge field conventions i e FOOrd1 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix E APPENDIX E SENDING AN ISSUE TO TECH SUPPORT If you re having a problem you can t resolve and would like to have tech Support review it click Help Report Problem to Tech Support on the menu bar The PDmB Error Reporting window will appear M PDmB Error Reporting We re soy that expenencing difficulty with the program Please fill out the following information and it will be sent along with the necessary files to Customer Support so that we can assist you
157. o E Trash Compactor ra Refrigerator S Kitchen includes walk in refrigerator as wall as standard side by side refriqeratonfreezer Page Break If you select this line type a page break will be inserted at the location selected You will not see this on the input screen The page break will occur in the printout and the category name and the word Continued will appear at the top of the next page Because a page break does not appear on the input screen you will need to select Tools Delete Line from the menu to delete a page break When you choose this the program will ask you which line you want to delete then verify that you are sure that you want to delete that line This function works the same way for the other lines as well Signature Line This selection allows you to add a signature to your report at the location selected When you choose this line type the Add Line window will prompt you to enter a screen prompt and a line prompt if you want a different one on the printed report This window also includes a box to allow you to add the date to the signature This will always be the current date 104 Palm Tech Inspector Add Line Signature Line Print Frompt only if different trom screen Screen Prompt a Add Date Detailed Operating Instructions Insert at Top Insert after Rating Key Lancel Structure Type Foundation Differential Movement Beams Bearing Walls Joist
158. o us at 513 729 4683 or call us at 888 736 2462 We will provide one address change at no charge Additional address changes will be charged a fee of 25 00 to cover the costs of creating the new license for you Complete the following information as you want it to appear on the report Company Name Phone Number Fax Number Previous Company Name af different from above Please indicate if you wish to receive your updated license by e mail CD or both e mail my license to this address send me a CD 229 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix F APPENDIX F CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM The Company Name and Address are pre set when you receive your software Palm Tech Inspector is licensed to an inspector working for a single company at a single location If you need to change this information complete the form below and either fax it to us at 513 729 4683 or call us at 888 736 2462 We will provide one address change at no charge Additional address changes will be charged a fee of 25 00 to cover the costs of creating the new license for you Complete the following information as you want it to appear on the report Company Name Phone Number Fax Number Previous Company Name af different from above Please indicate if you wish to receive your updated license by e mail CD or both e mail my license to this address send me a CD 230 Palm Tech Inspector Appendix G APPENDIX G SUPPORTED PRINTERS FOR POCKET PCS Able
159. ompt will also appear on the printout unless you enter a different one Click Next You can also cancel this step or click Back to go back and change the line options The next window allows you to indicate where you want the new line to appear i Palm TechIm 7 10 53 ok Finish Insert at Top Insert After lt Back The following screen shows a new line with the screen prompt New screen prompt added at the top of the Lots and Grounds category Note that with any of these lines you will have to enter information and or edit the dropdown lists You can edit these lines in the same manner as other editing functions discussed previously The Cost Estimate button appears in each of these examples You can choose not to show this button in Program Settings as explained on pages 142 and 146 109 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions i Palm Tech Ins ae 421054 X in New Screen Pr i Driveway i Walks 2 Questions Answers lIf you select this line type enter two prompts and your new line will look similar to the one below i Palm Tech Ins ae 421056 X This line was too long to fit across the screen so it was broken into two lines You can tell that both items are part of one line because the Tool button appears at the beginning of the first line The same type of appearance and break appears for the 3 Questions Answers line option Yes No If you select this line type
160. on one side of the page for binding Category Headers ste Margins Options Layout Fonts and Lod lt gt This window also allows you to change the 3 ek File Edit Review Tools id appearance of the category headers You can set the headers to appear centered or justified to one side or to reverse out of a block You can also place lines around the headers and choose different colors for the boxes and blocks The program also allows you to adjust the size of the header Following are two examples of the same header with different attributes assigned in Print Settings PDmB Inc 13 00 January 23 2007 Page 2 of 12 Mew Complete Termplate pts Lots and Grounds A APA M Do HOOOHOO Walks prick EOIOIUCO StepsiStoops Concrete 300000 Patio 4HOOOUU Deck Treated wood E PIPFAPICIP oeatearnu PDmB Inc 13 03 January 23 2007 Page 2 of 12 Mew Complete Terniplate pt Lots and Grounds A AMPA MoD 1EOOOO0 Walks Brick E OOOO StepsStoops Concrete 30 JOU Patio H OOHO Deck Treated wood 5 1A PIP Gasltearnye 151 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Click the dropdowns in the Category Headers block to see what types of changes you can make in their appearance You can also set up inspection report appearances in Inspection Designer discussed previously Note that the desktop window includes a Restore Default Print Settings button If you change any of your settings then decide you wa
161. on the handheld computer and desktop computer For more information on how synchronization works see page 81 Radio Button An input area in Windows shaped like a small circle Generally seen in groups a radio button is selected by clicking inside the circle If a radio button contains a black circle it has been selected or turned on This is a row of radio buttons VOUS Tech Note Tech notes contain information relevant to a category that will not be shown on the printed report For example if you want to remember to follow a specific procedure for a category on every inspection you can enter the procedure as well as relevant images as a tech note Template A template is a file used by Palm Tech Inspector The template contains the structure and order of categories lines and components as well as the questions that prompt you for input Volatile In this user s guide volatile refers to a form of computer memory that requires power in order for information to be maintained for example your handheld computer s main memory Web Browser A program used to surf the Internet Anyone who visits pages on the World Wide Web is using a web browser to view those pages Internet Explorer and Firefox are the two most popular web browsers although there are a variety of others available 224 Palm Tech Inspector APPENDIX D PREDEFINED MERGE FIELDS Property Address Property CSZ Property Directions Amount Due Co
162. ook like this i Palm Tech Inspect 2 12 X File Edit Review Tools J amp 185 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Enter 1234 Any Street in the Property Address entry box If you have an address longer than will fit in the entry box keep typing and the entry box will scroll as you type Enter Cincinnati in the City entry box Note that this box includes a dropdown arrow Because your inspections likely take place in one major city or a few local communities you can add their names to the list here then just click them for future inspections Click Yes when you are asked if you want to add the city name to your list after you enter it If an entry for this box is longer than will fit in the box an ellipsis will appear on the screen indicating that additional text follows Enter Ohio in the State entry box This box works just like the City entry box in that you can add a state to the list to click later You can change your list at any time by clicking Edit List on the dropdown Enter the zip code 45251 in the Zip entry box Again you can create a list of frequently used zip codes Note that in this box as in the previous entry boxes you can add multiple entries by clicking the plus signs Enter My Contact in the Contact Name entry box This box works just like the previous boxes Add information to all the entry boxes down to the El
163. op program will list the last four inspections that you worked in at the bottom To open one of these inspections select File 1 2 3 or 4 You can also open files by double clicking on them in Windows Explorer OPENING FILES POCKET PC To open a file you have previously saved click the Open button in the initial screen The window on the right will appear The Pocket PC always saves inspection files in My Device F i Palm Tech Inspect g Wi 2 34 X j Palm Tech Inspect 2 36 ok Palm Tech Inspector Select an inspection to open 4 Cancel 2007_2_12 Lincoln Abraha lt News gt _ Show files in the Archive File Edit Review Tools H amp SS ia ae q Select the file you want and click OK SAVING FILES DESKTOP Save your files often As you work between different sections of the home inspection the changes that you make are saved in the open program only and are not saved to the file The program offers two ways to save files To save the currently open file select File Save from the menu or click the Save button in the toolbar Palm Tech Inspector also has an AutoSave function that saves your work 70 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions whenever you change categories You can turn the AutoSave function off in Program Settings 0D e Wl soe AT D00 oga Edi G E we t far OE di If the inspection you are working in was started from a Front Office FO
164. op program you can also change the orientation of the image with the Change Orientation button The Change Orientation button sets the picture beside the tech note The next window shows the same desktop tech note with the orientation changed Images with illustrations such as these included in a tech note are helpful in pointing out pertinent details you feel are important to remember and are also useful for training purposes 37 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Tech Note Lines An inspection is made up of categories components and lines The lines are where the bulk of the inspection work appears Lines are made up of individual elements The function and treatment of the individual elements are described in the following paragraphs The typical line in a category or component is comprised of six elements the tool button rating question and answer note and cost estimate Desktop structure Not Applicable 12 4 3 8 Coo Suero Vape P s E SO s RRA Sethe ee 7 _ s ef A E E E T d E E To O Eaa T s a A at E d o O YEG A 38 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Pocket PC Palm Tech Inspect 2 45 X Structure _ Not Applicable 12 3 4 File Edit Review Tools Ej 5 1 Tool Button Right clicking on this button on the desktop will allow you to perform several functions on this line When you right click a drop
165. ort list List Prompt Closet Palm Tech Inspect 7 1 49 ok Program sorts list single small add New item pete item 9 Enter Cedar lined in the bottom window and click Add New Item That description will appear in the top window Click Close desktop then click OK 181 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection in the Set Default Descriptions window The description Cedar lined will now be included in the descriptions for Closet Living Space Not Applicable Living Space Location closet CL lt Edit List gt Single small small small amp Walk in Walk In Walk In and Large Add Another Living space 10 The next window will ask for the name to save the inspection under Save your inspection as testinsp1 pt5 Save in O My Inspections smith 070107 h Comp Props pt5 Pal Font h 2006_11_22 Mies Thomas ptS Bh Cost Estimate pt5 Sal Font nd 2007_1_18 Unknown pts h December file pt5 Shel Grid E Pxdchecking 2 pts Pa Default pS Pad Grid T Prdchecking 3 pits Si Example pts xd crid T xd checking pts nl First Inspection ptS Pre GridT 4 Save as type Palm Tech W5 Inspection Files pt5 Cancel File name 182 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Palm Tech Inspect 2 06 ok Enter the new file name below testinsp1 pts The desktop screen will now look like the following one with a listing of the different
166. ose Pocket PC Choose the item you want to edit and it will appear in the bottom screen Make your changes press CONTROL S desktop only or click Close OK and the edited item will appear in the list in the top screen and be available for selection You can also enter new text in the bottom screen click Add New AEREN Item and the new description will be added to the list If you press the Enter key while typing your note the screen may show vertical bars in the text in that location This occurs because the actions represented by pressing the Enter key cannot be expressed in a dropdown display i Palm Tech Inspec 12 42 ok Frogram sorts list 47 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Note the Let program sort list checkbox Program sorts list which is checked by default This allows the program to sort lists first by the three most frequently used items then alphabetically If you un check this box you can sort the lists in any manner you choose It is possible for users of Inspection Designer or Front Office to lock lists globally to prevent editing If a list is locked the Edit List item will not appear on the dropdown list Lists can be locked individually or globally For more information on locking lists see the user s guides for Inspection Designer to lock individual lists or Front Office to lock lists globally If the type or description you need appears in the answer list when y
167. ou click the dropdown select the item and the text will appear in the Answer box If the program is sorting it displays the most commonly used descriptions first You can add to or modify text entered by selecting a description then adding the new information As you move on if the description entered does not exist in the list the program will ask if you want to add this new entry to the list Palm Tech Inspector allows you to type more text than will fit in the box However if you want to type an extremely long description or describe a defect it may be easier to use the Note button to enter more detailed information Because some items may require more than one description Palm Tech Inspector allows you to choose more than one description After you have entered one description click on the dropdown arrow again and you will see the list with plus signs in front of each unused item Click on the plus sign preceding the new description and that description will be added as shown in the following screen Desktop structure Not Applicable 5 o Structure Type Ooo A Foundation Oooo F Differential Movement 9 Bas Ss Bearing Walls w Josts Trusses SSE 200g 48 Palm Tech Inspector Pocket PC Structure _ Not Applicable Disclaimer Tech Note File Edit Review Tools j 4 Detailed Operating Instructions He Palm Tech Inspec 12 49 X If you want to enter an item that does not
168. ou select from the template list the name description and date last modified will change describing the contents of each template You can choose to show only licensed and or unlicensed templates by checking or un checking the appropriate box Licensed templates were discussed previously on page ZA Customizing the Template You should pick a template that is close to what you need leaning toward lower component counts where you are not sure Unless you have the need to cover condo or duplex for multi family units the Master template will contain all of the rooms 76 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions and mechanical systems that the other templates offer and will give you more flexibility In order to speed the process of data entry the program will allow you to set default descriptions for items that typically occur in a consistent manner For example a home often has the same kind of windows throughout You can set a default for a window type when starting the inspection and whenever you select a rating that indicates that the item is present the description will automatically be entered for you SETTING DEFAULT DESCRIPTIONS DESKTOP After you have selected a template the program will ask you if you want to set defaults If you answer Yes indicating that you want to set defaults the Set Default Descriptions window will appear Default descriptions allow you to include your most commonly used descriptions and
169. ou want to show your logo click the small button to the right of the Image File box The Select Image window shown previously will appear allowing you to choose the logo file Select the logo you want to appear on your report click OK and the Edit Image window will appear allowing you to make modifications to the image When you choose this option the Image Placement box becomes active You can then choose one of the resident locations to place your logo or choose Custom to place the logo in a different location When you choose a custom location the program allows you to specify a height and width for the logo or reserve specified header heights to accommodate the logo Options Fonts and Logo Other 4 File Edit Review Tools fe 5 FONTS You can display the various text pieces in your report in a variety of fonts In many cases a Font button is included near or in the box for any kind of text that you input You can also change the fonts for text that exists as part of your inspection The sections that can use different fonts are as follows Template Text This refers to any text that exists as part of the template as opposed to the data that you enter in the inspection For example the description Walks on the first line in the Lots and Grounds Category 1s template text Change the template font by clicking the button next to the Template Text prompt This button displays the default font Data Text This refers
170. our handheld PC to a storage card such as a Secure Digital SD memory card File Edit Review Tools EF amp A storage card is also included in packages purchased from PDmB that include a Pocket PC If you receive a message that says the file was saved but not archived this means that the program was unable to reach the archive location You should make certain that the archive location set in Program Settings points to a valid archive location 1 e SD card or CF card If the inspection you are working in was started from a Front Office FO order the file name will be assigned based on the choices made in FO Clicking Save will automatically save the file under this name and you will not see a File Save window You can make a copy of the currently open file under a new file name by selecting File Save As from the menu By default all home inspection files end with the extension pt5 If you change the extension on a home inspection file it will not automatically appear when you select File Open 72 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Starting a New Inspection STARTING A NEW INSPECTION DESKTOP To create a new empty home inspection file select File New from the menu or click the New File button in the toolbar Toh 42a eg Edi Edit AT oad oga What happens next depends on whether you are using Front Office FO and how FO is set up If FO has been set up so that only it can orig
171. our own inspection forms and re sell them royalty free Any inspector with the Palm Tech inspector program can use your creations If you would like more information on this product please contact us at 1 888 736 2462 10 Palm Tech Inspector Makeup of an Inspection THE MAKEUP OF AN INSPECTION To understand the behavior of certain aspects of Palm Tech Inspector it is helpful to review how information 1s stored An inspection is made up from different pieces of information from different places When you begin a new inspection data from various places combines to create a unique inspection file The main ingredients are as follows e Disclaimer Data is contained in your library When you start a new inspection the program copies all default disclaimer information into the new inspection file You can modify it as you want based on the individual inspection e Ratings Data is contained in a library file When you start a new inspection the program copies the rating information into the new file based on the rating set currently selected It is worth noting that you cannot change the rating set for an inspection after the file has been created e Company Information is contained in your Palm Tech Inspector license When you start a new inspection or save an inspection a digital signature unique to the license used to create or save the file is placed in the file This guarantees that no one will be able to modify your inspections without
172. ow will appear A list of common notes 1s available as in other windows as well as the option to change the color and the font You can add an unlimited number of your own comments To use an existing note click the dropdown arrow in the Common Notes box and choose the note you want To use a different note enter the note in the bottom window and click OK Poe ee es ee ei Again you can click the Edit List button to add to E or edit the comments in this list Remember final Item notes are for the customer s information and will appear in the printout Common Notes Edit List Note PRIVATE NOTES DESKTOP Private notes are for your own use and will not appear in the printout To add private notes on the Desktop program click Edit Private Notes from the menu and the Private Notes window will appear 61 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions ES Private Notes Private Motes Cancel Note Color Black Change Font Common Motes Edit List Enter the note you want to include in your private notes and click OK To see your private notes click Edit Private Notes again The Private Notes window does not include any resident private notes because of their very individualized nature You can create your own list of commonly used private notes by clicking the Edit List button in the Private Notes window and adding them to your list PRIVATE NOTES POCKET PC To add private notes on th
173. own list that you click to choose the type of line you want Type 1 Question Answer 2 QWuestons4nswers 3 Questions Answers Yes No Standalone Note Signature Line You can choose from ten different line types 1 Question Answer lIf you select this line type you will be asked for the screen prompt that will appear and the print prompt if it will be different from the screen prompt You will also be given the choice to show a rating and a note 98 Palm Tech Inspector Add Line 1 Question Answer Screen Prompt Print Frompt only if different trom screen Insert at Top Insert after Rating Key Detailed Operating Instructions Cancel Structure Type Foundation Differential Movement Beams Bearing Walls Joists T russes Fiers Posts Floor S lab StairsH andrails i Show Rating W Show Mote The following screen shows a new line with the screen prompt New screen prompt added at the top of the Structure category Note that with any of these lines you will have to enter information and or edit the dropdown lists You can edit these lines in the same manner as other editing functions discussed previously structure Not Applicable 5 OoOo F Mew Screen Prompt ron i Structure Type E F Foundation amp fri F Differential Movernent o Beams ra Ls Bearing Walls E Oooo Joists Trusses amp LS Piers Posts amp ooo ai FloorfSlab amp
174. p program by dragging the x mmm comers to the size you want The program will Porch o Paio gt remember the last size you used and set the Note l Deck Note alls window at that size the next time you open it Balcony Note v Grading a _ Swale __ INotel s Vegeta o indow Note 4t fe File Edit Review Tools a 50 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Desktop Note Structure Structure Type Cancel Note Color Black Change Font Common Notes Edit List Pocket PC This screen allows you to enter note text or choose from note lists previously entered Do ee ee this by clicking the dropdown arrow on the Common Notes box and a list of all previously entered and saved notes for this item will appear You can select from this list or edit the list by clicking the Edit List button When you click the Edit List button the Edit List window will appear Palm Tech Inspec 2 12 58 ok iie It is possible for lists to be locked to prevent Blak gt lenn editing If a list is locked the Edit List button will not appear on the Note window Lists can be locked individually or globally For more information on locking lists see the User s Guides for Front Office and Inspection Designer You can use more than one common note in the same note If you select a second common note it will be added to whatever text is
175. p this from happening Turning off AutoSave will speed up category changes when the inspection includes a large number of pictures However you risk losing a great deal of work if your computer becomes damaged or inoperable and you have not saved the work at regular intervals e Block Add to List question Choosing this option will prevent the Add to List prompt from appearing when you enter a description different from what appears in the list This is most useful when you encounter a unique situation and the materials and items are not likely to be used again or you usually conduct the same type of inspections and rarely add new descriptions e Check Template During Spell Check This option checks the spelling in the template text in addition to checking that of the input text This is useful if you are using non standard templates e Show ratings individually not an option on Pocket PC screen The default rating presentation is a dropdown list However you may wish to show the ratings differently This option allows you to present the ratings as circles as shown on the following screen 141 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Electrical Not Applicable sevice Amps A NP NI Mo oD NA eeececeo BOOOOO0O OOOGO0 e e000 B OQOQOO00 e eee OOOVCO0 Electric Panel Location ANP NI M D NA eee eo Max Capacity 8B OOOOOO OOOOO0 6 OOOOO00 OOOO00 a OOOO ls the panel bonded gt Yes No
176. pboard on the desktop the clipboard is where Windows temporarily stores the item copied highlight the text and right click anywhere in the highlight Choose Copy or Cut from the resulting menu Copy adds text to the clipboard without removing it from the highlighted area Cut adds text to the clipboard and removes the text from the highlighted area To paste text from the clipboard select the target entry box and right click Select Paste from the resulting menu and the text from the clipboard will be pasted into the target entry box On the Pocket PC highlight the line by clicking and holding it then clicking the option you want from the dropdown menu You can move a copy to a new location by holding the stylus there and choosing Paste from the dropdown For more 55 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions information on the Windows clipboard and cut copy or paste operations see your Windows documentation Following are the keyboard commands to cut copy and paste Highlight the text you want to copy and press Crtl C to copy Press the Control key and the C key at the same time Ctrl V to paste Ctrl X to cut FONTS Palm Tech Inspector lets you choose font color and special attributes such as bold and italic for most text entries When you open a window that allows you to change a font you will see a Change Font button When you click that button you will see the following window Desktop Pocket PC j
177. perating Instructions Look ir My Inspections R 2006 1_22 Mies Thomas pt5 Pad checking 2 pt ed checking 3 pt5 File name Files of type Files pt5 Cancel Open as read only If you click New and you are using Front Office you will be asked to choose an inspector as explained on pages 19 20 The program screen is divided into several sections as detailed below Palm Tech Inspector V5 Untitled File Edit Review Tools Setup wiew Help 3 MoveUp MoveDown Lots and Grounds C Not Applicable General Information Lots and Ground Disclaimer Tech Mote Extenor Surface and Compe Outbuilding Foot Garage Carport Electrical Structure Attic Basement Crawl Space Air Conditioning Fireplace ood Stove Heating System Plumbing Bathroom Kitchen Bedroom Living Space Laundry Room rea w Lawn Sprinklers 1 Title Bar Displays the program name followed by the currently open file name 15 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions 2 Menu Bar Contains the menus that you will use to perform various actions in the program 3 Toolbar Contains icons you can click on to perform various actions in the program The actions are the same actions performed by some of the menu choices but the toolbar is a more convenient way of performing them 4 Work Area This is where the bulk of the program s activity will occur The work area is divided into two section
178. perating Instructions Not Inspected lItem was unable to be inspected for safety reasons or due to lack of power or it was inaccessible or disconnected at time of inspection Marginal lItem is not fully functional and shows signs of aging and wear and tear It may require repair service or early updating or replacement Defective Item needs immediate repair or replacement It is unable to perform its intended function Not Applicable If this option is selected the line is ignored and will not appear in the printed report The desktop version of Palm Tech Inspector will allow you to change your rating sets as well as the ratings disclaimer It is important to note that if you change the rating set for the open inspection the new ratings will not be available until you start a new inspection To edit a rating set select Edit Ratings from the menu The Edit Rating Sets window appears Edit Rating Sets Add New Edit Delete The rating sets displayed will depend on the rating sets included in the template you are using Choose the rating set you wish to edit then click the Edit button The Edit Rating Set window will appear 40 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Edit Rating Set Name Default Disclaimer MOTE All definitions listed below refer to the property or item listed as inspected on this Rating Set ID 1 report at the time of inspection Add Rating Delete Rating Mame Acceptable
179. question When this happens you can get a list of suggestions by right clicking on the word A menu will appear showing suggested words asking if you want to add the word to your custom dictionary or asking if you want to ignore this spelling To accept a suggested spelling click on the suggestion in the list If the word being indicated is not misspelled you can add it to your custom dictionary by clicking the Add to dictionary button When you do this the word will not be flagged again You can spell check the entire inspection by selecting Review Spell Check from the menu When you choose this a window will appear asking if you want start the spell check Click the Start button and the spell check process will begin Spell check When the program encounters an unfamiliar word a window displaying the text surrounding the word in question will appear You cannot click in this window or address it to make changes It is for informational purposes only Any changes or actions will be accomplished in the second window which will appear to the left of the context window This second window is shown below This window again allows you several options Spelling Error j r for dealing with the unfamiliar word You can P E DEE enter a new word and change this one change Approx Change All all occurrences of the word ignore it ignore Swogestons pee all occurrences of the word add it to your dictionary so it is not flagg
180. r features F Palm Tech Inspect 7 2 33 ok i Palm Tech Inspect 235 ok Auto save file between categories Screen Prompt Font Tahoma O Block Add to List question Screen Data Font Courier New _ Check Template During Spell Check Screen Font Sime 3 Let program sort dropdown lists _ Allow entry of cost estimates Cost Estimate Settings Def Picture Size H w 1 33 Show More Prompt k An wWet Input Screen Image Sire Fonts and Files Options Fonts and Files Options File Edit Review Tools fy amp File Edit Review Tools J amp t In both the Pocket PC and desktop programs Program Settings includes the following items e Screen Prompt Font Template Text This is the font type for any text that exists as part of the template as opposed to the data that you enter in the inspection For example the description Walks on the first line in the Lots and Grounds category is in a screen prompt font With both of the font options you can click the Select button to choose new fonts for that particular template in the desktop program The Pocket PC has fewer fonts and you can select them from the dropdown list e Screen Data Font AKA Data Text This is the font type for any information that you enter into an inspection either from the keyboard or by selecting from a list For example the selection Concrete as the description for Walks is a screen data font item e Screen
181. r Detailed Operating Instructions ra Palm Tech Inspec gr aie 12 07 ok Type eee Next gt Print Prompt anty if i Palm Tech Ins qr qf 11 14 X Screen different from screen Tech Note a Exterior outlets 10 2800 4 E wn ofS M Eoo Loo Ld L___d Lo _ Show Rating Show Note i Driveway shows AB Mi cracking W Stains _ Holes Note ven BE Text The text line type allows you to add straight text to a line You can add additional explanatory information and decide whether or not you want it to appear on the screen and in the printed report When you choose this option the window on the left appears allowing you to enter your text The screen on the right shows a text line added to an inspection looks like Palm Tech In dr f 11 17 ok This is what a Text line will look like Exterior outets CO 10B 304 Show On Screen Show in Print Palm Tech In dr f 11 19 X Page Break If you select this line type a page break will be inserted at the location selected You will not see this on the input screen The page break l p lt 3 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions will occur in the printout and the category name and the word Continued will appear at the top of the next page Because a page break does not appear on the input screen you will need to select Tools Delete Line from the menu to delete a page break When
182. rch ee Folders 25 Address io C Program Files Palm TechS HTML New Complete Template Ej G New Complete Template html HTML Document 95 KE T gt File and Folder Tasks Make a new Folder ee Publish this Folder to the Web E3 Share this Folder To see the file on the Pocket PC click My Device Program Files Palm Tech5 HTML and click the file with the same name as your inspection 169 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions j File Explorer Er f 1 06 X 5 New Complet 1 24 07 94 3K Edit Ratings Desktop Only Ratings information is stored as rating sets in libraries If you want to change the ratings that will be used for a new inspection you must first change the rating set You can change the default rating set by selecting Edit Ratings from the menu NOTE This option is not available on the Pocket PC The Edit Rating Sets window will appear The rating sets listed will depend on the type of inspection and template open Edit Rating Sets Add Hew Edit Delete Click the rating set and click the Edit button The Edit Rating Set window will appear You can find a detailed discussion of the Edit Rating Set window and its options on pages 41 and following 170 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Edit Rating Set Name Default Disclaimer NOTE All definitions listed below refer to the Close property or item listed as inspec
183. re serves the same function as the arrows in the toolbar Input Screen Image Size This option allows you to control both the appearance of your input screen and the processing time It 1s applicable only if you have included pictures in your report You can show the image on the screen as an icon which allows for the fastest processing time You can also choose small which displays at 30 of the printed size This means that the picture will appear in the line as shown below on the left inaa Nobel 148 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions You can also show the pictures at 60 of their printed size or at full size as shown in the screen on the right This makes the pictures easier to view but slows the processing time None of these size changes has any effect on the size of the printed picture Print Settings You can modify many attributes of the printed report On the desktop do this by selecting Setup Print Settings or clicking the Print Settings button in the toolbar While the windows that appear in the desktop and handheld versions of the program will look different all of the same options are supported NOTE If an inspection had print settings embedded in Template Properties when the template was created and a user tries to edit them in Palm Tech Inspector desktop or handheld the following warning will appear and the user will not be able to change them Palm Tech Inspector V5 i l x A
184. rior Surface oe Trin n _ Farnia L Not Applicable l Tim Motel l 47 Give this surface a location and a rating and check that it is also brick veneer 48 Complete this category down to Door Bell 49 This property has doorbells on both the front and back doors The front doorbell is operable but the one on the back door is defective Add a line to the inspection to accommodate this issue Click the Add Line button on the toolbar or Tools Add Line on the Pocket PC AM 000 oga Toh Gage The Add Line window will appear 204 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Add Line Insert at Top x Insert after Cancel Trim Fascia Soffits Door Bell Door Bell back door Enty Doors Fatio Door windows Storm Windows Window Screens Basement Windows Exterior Lighting Exterior Electric Outlets Hose Bibs Gas Meter Main Gas Valve D an Dra i Palm Tech Inspect 4 Type 2 Question Ans Print Prompt onty T Screen different from screen aZ 2 10 lok Show Rating Show Note Choose 1Question Answer from the Type dropdown box Enter Door Bell back door in the Screen Prompt entry box Choose Door Bell in the Insert after window Click the Acceptable rating for the front doorbell and show that it is hard wired Give a Defective rating for the back doorbell and enter that it is battery operated Click Yes for the prompt as
185. ronic security poe has proven to be 100 secure this will make it more difficult to alter your file MOTE IF pou secure your file you will not be able to append it 4 secure POF can be read on screen but not printed Secure the POF Click OK A window will appear showing you that the file is being created in pdf format Print your report Click File Print from the menu or click the Print button on the toolbar Edit 5 Edit pa Gn a kale Gis z ATI aaa oga Once your inspection is completed to your satisfaction save it on your desktop It is also a good idea to store your completed inspections on separate secure storage devices such as CDs Congratulations You have completed your first inspection 216 Palm Tech Inspector APPENDIX A How DOL Add a component Add a line to a category Add an item to a list of default descriptions Add a note to a list of common notes Add a picture to my report Add a picture to a tech note Add modify a disclaimer for a rating summary Adjust the margins on the printout Assign default descriptions Assign default note colors Check items marked defective Copy inspections from my desktop computer Copy inspections from my handheld computer Create a new file Change printer settings Change the address in my license Change the Cost to Cure Disclaimer Change the default ratings Change the font on my screen Change the font in a disclaimer Change
186. s T russes Fiers Posts Floor S lab StairsH andrails The prompt that you enter will appear as a button on the screen ron eel Structure Type amp LF Foundation amp Ps Differential Movement oY Beams ron Ls Bearing Valls amp Ce Joists Trusses amp Li PiersPaosts amp rt Floor Slab amp pT Stairs Handrails o Stor z 153 183 a standalone note amp Signature Date 01 18 07 D oO 1a uf D Oo 1 uf D Oo 1 uf D Oo 1 uf D oO 1 uf AJA E DO co m woop we A JA e Bo S Oo mm to nl Click the Signature button and the Electronic Signature window will appear 105 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Electronic Signature Clear Color Black Line Width 1 pt You can set the color for your signature and the line width The Undo button lets you delete the last character you drew and the Clear button erases the whole signature after a prompt Electronic Signature Palm Tech Color Black Line y idth E pts UE Cancel The screen will indicate that the signature was received and the signature will appear on the printed report as shown next 106 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Stairs Handrails Ubfloor JUISLs POSS Piers Posts Stairs Handrails Subtloor andalone Note This is a standalone note
187. s The left side of the work area lists the different categories of the home inspection As you access the different categories in a home inspection the right side will display the information for the category you select If a category contains more information than can be displayed on your screen use the scroll bar located on the right edge of the screen to scroll down and display the rest of the category You can change the width of either section by clicking the center bar and dragging it left or right When a category is completed all required items filled in an X will appear to the left of the category name in the left window when you move to another category Categories often contain components which are groups of lines that form one system such as Roof chimney plumbing vents etc In many cases the category is a component such as Garage or Outbuilding The work area will display a component with a black vertical line to the left of the lines as shown in the following screen for the category component Attic Components always begin with a line identifying the location of that component Attic Not Applicable Location amp Method of Inspection o F wimotorns amp o Y Moisture Penetration B O o o F Bathroom Fan Venting Add Another Attic 16 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The Disclaimer and Tech Note buttons are displayed in the work area as well These buttons and their fun
188. s to navigate to the different items in the input window of the work area As you use the arrow keys to move between entries you will notice that the item currently in focus for input will be highlighted as shown below structure Not Applicable E structure Type E Foundation s E Differential Movement To change the Not Applicable status click in the box to the left of the Not Applicable prompt or press Enter while focus is on the Not Applicable text To select a rating click the rating you want and it will be entered in the box Remember that you can choose more than one rating You can also select a single 58 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions rating by pressing the number key associated with the ratings position in the rating set For example press for Acceptable and 4 for Marginal To clear a selected rating press 0 zero In a checkbox entry line see example below you can add or remove entries by pressing the Enter key while a box is highlighted Walks Asphalt Brick L Concrete _ Paver Kj Pebble top L Stone Wood L Other To enter a description press the Enter key when focus is on the description box When a dropdown list is displayed use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the item that you want to select and press the Enter key to select the description NAVIGATING THE POCKET PC WITH THE MULTIDIRECTIONAL BUTTON i Most Pocket PCs come with a multidirectional button located
189. scriptions and you can assign others In the templates shipped with Palm Tech Inspector the following line types can be assigned a default description Closets Windows Doors Walls Floors Ceilings Electric HVAC Source and Smoke Detectors If a default description has been entered the default description will be filled in automatically when you select a rating that indicates the item is present For more information on setting default descriptions see pages 21 and 24 You can create your own default line types using Inspection Designer as noted previously 49 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions structure Not Applicable 1 2 9 Stucture Type E Oooo O Y Foundation E Differential Movement of Beams B O Bearing Walls amp LS O Joists Trusses E ooo Y Piers Posts 5 Note Use notes to enter detailed information about an item If you mark a line item defective the program expects you to enter a note describing the defect Feel free to enter as much detail as is necessary to properly address the issue If you enter more text than you can see at one time the program will allow you to scroll up and down as needed The Note feature works similarly for both the Pocket PC and the desktop To enter a note click the Note button structure Type Foundation Differential Movement afl Divewd a The Note window will appear You can resize this v Walks iiio as window in the deskto
190. selected category Rename Category Rename a currently existing category 174 Palm Tech Inspector Menu Reference Delete Category Delete a currently existing category Delete Line Delete a line from a category Import Inspection Merge information from another inspection into the current inspection Save as Template Save the open report as a template Export to ASCII Export report data in machine readable form for use in software programs Setup Program Settings Adjust settings that affect program operation Print Settings Adjust settings that affect the printed report Library Management Transfer libraries to other computers or storage devices Backup Program Data Back up template data Synchronize Handheld Run Palm Tech synchronization with a handheld computer Synchronize with Desktop Run Palm Tech synchronization with another desktop computer Update from Remote File desktop only Update remote inspectors with order information updated templates etc Install Handheld Software lInstall Palm Tech Inspector to your handheld computer View Toolbar Make toolbar visible or hidden Status bar Make status bar visible or hidden Help About Palm Tech Inspector Display program information version and copyright information Tutorials Run tutorials illustrating Palm Tech Inspector procedures Report Issue to Tech Support Send a file with a question or problem to Palm Tech tech support POCKET PC File N
191. steps To manually copy a file from your handheld computer to your desktop computer 1 Connect your handheld computer Open ActiveSync and click Explore Locate the file that you want to copy and select it by clicking on it Select Edit Copy from the menu Open Windows Explorer for the desktop computer and navigate to the location that you want to copy the file to Click in the right window of Windows Explorer select Edit Paste from the menu and the file will be copied Mm BW WN ON To copy a file from the desktop computer to the handheld computer follow the steps listed above reversing the locations Inspection files do not require any conversion If you receive a message saying that there is no converter selected and asking you if you want to continue click the OK button and the file will be copied 88 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Ho Converter Selected Jackson Jery 123098 y s Am Ho converter has been selected for this fle type The file will be transfered without conversion To view available file converters select File Conversion trom the Tools menu Help Do not display this message in the future You can prevent this message from appearing by checking the Do not display this message in the future box If you do this you will not be warned about the lack of file converters for other file types Once an inspection file has been copied you can access it
192. structions Desktop Cover Page Setup Logo File EMEIS Locate Cancel Main Text PO Font Additional Text Font f Option 1 Tour company name and logo in the upper lett followed Company by additional test Main test in the center followed by a Name amp Add picture and the address Option 2 This is the Main text centered near the top followed by a picture Main Text and the address At the bottom Prepared for and optional chent name followed by your compari Information and additional text picture of Option 3 home Use with your letterhead or other prepared sheet Picture and address only C Option 4 Same az option 2 without the picture Pocket PC z This window allows you to choose one of F Palm Tech Inspect 4 four options for your cover page When you f 1 31 ok ega your info choose an option that style is displayed on Option 1 Main T a nE a a the right side of the window You can D nee F pre choose to add your company logo a picture ni e a F of the property a title and explanatory text Option 4 Main Text __ Option 1 is checked in the window shown jra This option allows you to add your logo To do this click the Locate button next to the ones dee Logo Fie lt none gt entry boxes to choose the logo file you want then click OK You can also choose the fonts you want the information to appear in by clicking the Font buttons next to the text After you ha
193. t PC Notes 4 Pocket PC window Menu bar 7 Title bar 17 Tool bar 17 Work space 17 Print a cover page 55 Print entered lines only 55 Palm Tech Inspector Print line numbers 55 Print options 50 Print Options window 50 Print settings 7149 Page options 52 Print options 50 Printing Desktop 63 Pocket PC 64 Private notes Desktop 63 Pocket PC 64 Private Notes window 62 63 Program Settings Allow entry of cost estimates 42 146 Auto complete text entries 42 Auto save file 741 145 Block Add to List question 4 146 Check template during spell check 141 146 Cost Estimate Setting button 44 146 Default image size 144 Input screen image size 143 148 Inspection files location 40 Let program sort dropdown lists 48 142 146 Screen data font 39 Screen font size 139 Screen prompt font 39 Show ratings individually 4 Program Settings window 1 38 Program Setup 38 Question answer 45 98 109 Ratings 39 Ratings data 77 Requirements 2 Restore Default Print Settings button 52 Review summaries Desktop 30 Pocket PC 32 235 Index Save As Template 07 Save As window 26 Save a template 07 Save files Desktop 70 Pocket PC 72 Screen data font 39 Screen font size 139 Screen prompt font 38 Select Font window 65 Select Image window 34 35 116 120 Select Inspector window 20 Set Default Descriptions window 2 25 77 Show cost estimates in body of r
194. t the different surfaces separately When you choose Exterior Surface and Components your screen will look like this Because the Pocket PC screens operate similarly to the desktop they are not displayed for all steps 202 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Exterior Surface and Components Not Applicable ae el Type Pf Note S Add Another Exterior Surface Trim Fascia sofits wi Door Bell YileMnte ii oo 0 amp The first line indicates the location you are currently inspecting Note that as with other dropdown description lists you can choose multiple descriptions For this inspection choose North then choose 1st floor by clicking on the plus sign Your screen will look like this Exterior Surface and Components Not Applicable Exterior Surface Location North ist Floor E Trim amp Fascia E Soffits E wi Door Bell Fle Note gt If this is a structure with uniform surfaces on all sides you can enter that information here or indicate that the description includes all faces 45 For the type choose Brick veneer and give it a rating 46 Click the Add Another Exterior Surface button Your screen will look like this 203 Palm Tech Inspector Your First Inspection Exterior Surface and Components Not Applicable Exterior Surface Location Horth ist Floor Y ficceptabie F Type prick veneer E Exterior Surface Location eee J Type Add Another Exte
195. tandard templates As you have seen dropdown lists are sorted by item used most frequently This option is not checked by default on the Pocket PC Allow entry of cost estimates This option is not checked on the Pocket PC because it displays the Cost Estimate button which takes up space on the smaller screen This button allows you to enter a cost amount to repair or replace a defective item If you check this option the Cost Estimate button will appear on the screen and you will be able to enter cost amounts Allow entry of cost estimates Cost Estimate Settings Def Picture Sze H w 1 33 Cost Estimate Setting Button As explained previously you can provide cost estimates for your inspection The Cost Estimate Settings button allows you to assign classifications such as Repair and Replace and cost types such as Range low high and Categories labor materials When you click this button the Cost Classifications window left appears You can enter new Cost Classifications in this window If you change the Cost Types to Categories Materials and Labor display as the default entries However you can enter whatever categories you want to fit with your template Your new 146 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions entries will appear in the Cost Estimate window that appears when you click the Cost Estimate button in a line as shown on the right Palm Tech Inspec 11 34 ok F Palm Tech Inspec
196. ted on this Rating Set ID 1 report at the time of inspection Add Fating Delete A ating Mot Present Not Inspected Marginal Defective Not Applicable Mame Acceptable Abbreviation A Rating Calor Black E splanatior Functional with no obvious signs of detect Indicates item i not present prints on report Indicates item i not applicable and should not print Indicates tem was not inspected prints on report Use value for coring Include as being inspected for Required edits lt E E a 5 Requires Mote Create Summary of items marked with this rating Summary Disclaimer Using the default settings in Palm Tech Inspector the ratings definitions appear at the top of the first page of the report The Disclaimer will appear at the top of the ratings definitions section The Rating Abbreviation Abb will appear in the definitions section The rating name will appear in the definitions section and at the top of summary pages The Explanation will appear in the definitions section only You can change the amount of rating definition detail printed in the body of the report in the Page Options tab of the Print Options window If you want to eliminate a rating from your report you must delete it in the Edit Rating Set window If you do this however the rating is permanently eliminated To restore the rating you will have add it and all of its information in that screen If you check the box to create a
197. termined disclaimer will print if applicable In Inspection Designer disclaimers can also be locked individually If an individual disclaimer is locked anyone attempting to edit it will see a message indicating that it cannot be edited in Palm Tech Inspector Tech Notes Tech notes contain information relevant to the category that will not appear on the printed report For example if you want to remember to follow a specific procedure for a category on every inspection you can enter the procedure as a tech note Another good use for tech notes is to enter manufacturer recall information for specific mechanical items e g water heaters Following is an example of a tech note showing a hot water piping system Tech Mote Change Orientation Water boilers Convect heat through heating radiators from water which runs through heat exchanger that is positioned within the hot gases and flames produced from the burners The diagram shows you a typical layout for a water boiler along with the required components 33 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions When you want to create a tech note click the Tech Note button and the Tech Note window will appear i Palm Tech Inspec 11 25 ok Tech Note ech Notes allow you to enter informational reminders that you can reference when doing an inspection Tech Notes do not Tech Notes allow vou to enter informational reminders that you car reference When doing an i
198. that category Click the Close button to close this window NOTE The Pocket PC screen is not wide enough to display the entire length of most edit messages To see the full text of a message select the message in the upper list and the full text of the message will be displayed in the lower box as seen in the preceding screen on the right Review Summaries The Review Summaries tool is designed to quickly summarize a particular rating category This tool is helpful to review all defective items for example REVIEW SUMMARIES DESKTOP Select Review Summary Items from the menu or click the Review Summary Data button on the toolbar f atatan ogay Jol 46 eB ure 130 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions The View Summary Items window will appear You can select any rating category for which a summary will be printed View Summary Items R ating Select an tem from the list below and you will see what you entered about that tem To have the program include a summary of a rating category on your final report see Edit Ratings on page 170 Select a rating category by clicking on it from the Rating dropdown box The program will review the report and compile a list of all items with the selected rating and all associated descriptions and notes The window will list all summarized items in the upper half of the window When you select an item in the upper window the item s description
199. the Software is distributed will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and e the Software will perform in substantial accordance with the Documentation To the extent permitted by applicable law THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AND WE DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF TITLE NONINFRINGEMENT MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE regardless of whether we know or had reason to know of your particular needs No employee agent dealer or distributor of ours is authorized to modify this limited warranty nor to make any additional warranties SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE TO STATE LIMITED REMEDY Our entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be e the replacement of any diskette s or other media not meeting our Limited Warranty which is returned to us or to an authorized Dealer or Distributor with a copy of your receipt or e If we or an authorized Dealer or Distributor are unable to deliver a replacement diskette s or other media that is free of defects in materials or workmanship you may terminate this Agreement by returning the Software and Documentation and your money will be refunded IN
200. the defaults with Palm File Name Tech Inspection Designer Cancel Template Name Version F Master Template Description Everything you need to do a basic home inspection Add Lines Pocket PC You can add a line to any category or component in the inspection by selecting Tools lt Add Line from the menu or clicking the Add Line button on the toolbar To delete a line choose Tools Delete Line l File Edit Review Tools J amp The Add Line window will appear Po eee ee es You can choose from ten different line types This Type 1 Question ans iets window shows the entries for the One Question One Answer type the types will be E da yp yp roa aad explained in the following paragraphs Choose the od ee i question type you want then enter the prompts for the screen and printout in the correct boxes The One Question One Answer type also gives you the option to show ratings and notes These options are checked by default If you do not wish to show a rating or note for this question un check these options Show Rating Show Note 108 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions 1 Question Answer lIf you select this line type you will be asked for the screen prompt that will appear and the print prompt if it will be different from the screen prompt Click the Keyboard icon at the bottom of the window and add the prompt that you want to appear on the screen This pr
201. ther as in File Print In the preceding example you would be expected to select first the File menu then from that menu select the Print menu Option Palm Tech Inspector Installation REQUIREMENTS To use the Palm Tech Inspector Software package you must have a PC running Windows 98 Windows ME Windows 2000 Windows XP including tablet edition or Windows Vista Version 4 1 of ActiveSync requires Windows 2000 or higher Depending on the version of ActiveSync you are using Windows 98 may not work ActiveSync should not be used with Windows Vista Minimum Recommended Desktop Processor Pentium GHz 1 4 or higher RAM 256 Megabytes 512 Megabytes Free drive space 200 Megabytes A CD DVD drive A Windows compatible printer Pocket PC Processor MIPS SH3 ARM including Intel XScale RAM 64 Megabytes Screen 240 x 320 Free space 11 Megabytes Operating System Pocket PC or Pocket PC 2002 or any variant of Pocket PC including Windows Mobile Printer HP 460wf or any other supported printer See Appendix F for a list of supported printers A Compact Flash CF or Secure Digital SD storage card 1s required Palm Tech Inspector Installation INSTALLATION ActiveSync Before installing Palm Tech Inspector you should be sure that ActiveSync is installed Do not install ActiveSync if you are using Windows Vista ActiveSync allows your desktop computer to talk with your handheld computer For instructions on install
202. ther locations as pdf files The program allows you to create pdf files then store them e mail them or open them in Adobe Reader for review You can create your pdf files as secure or non secure files If your file is non secure you will also be able to print append or modify it If you choose to make a file secure you will no longer be able to modify or append it This will ensure that the file will remain as you created it but you will not be able to change the created pdf once it is saved You will also not be able to print it To create a copy of your report in pdf format select File Create PDF File to E mail or click the pdf icon in the toolbar i Joell 4 Bure vEdt S ai cat te oni A message will appear asking if you want to make your file secure Click to check the Secure the PDF box if you want to make the file secure or click OK to continue Remember that if you check the Secure the PDF box your file will be more secure but you will no longer be able to print it or change it in any way I Onl SE 9 apl n Si Dapil a PDF Security fou can add additional security to pour electronic file by encrypting the data contained within it While no form of electronic security toes has proven to be 100 secure this will make it more difficult to alter your file NOTE If pou secure your file you will not be able to append it A secure POF can be read on screen but not printed Secur
203. tings discussion on page 81 After you have selected an inspection or if Front Office is not in use the Choose a Template window will appear asking you what inspection format template to use to start the new file You will notice that as you select from the list on the left the name description and date last modified will change describing the contents of each template You can choose to show only licensed and or unlicensed templates by checking or un checking the appropriate box Licensed templates were discussed previously on page 21 74 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Choose a Template Templates W Show Licensed _ BySyetern tmi Commercial tri5 Show Unlicensed Templates Cancel Consolidated nteror trinS Duplex tmB l Electrical tm Bou Farm trad Font Testing trv Descriptions Grid Export Test tm5 Everything you need ta do a basic home Grid Template traS inspection GridT est tr HVAC tmi OD Derna trnS Large House tm Master Comp tm5 Master Grid Test tm5 Version 5 Master Mobile H nF Last Modified obile Homme tr kold trad 15 08 December 18 2006 Multi Family tra Choose the template you want to use and it will be copied into the empty inspection STARTING A NEW INSPECTION POCKET PC To create a new empty home inspection file click New on the initial window or click File New from the menu What happens next depends on whether you are using Front Office FO and how FO
204. tion In the attic 2 Acceptable Unable to Inspect os J Acceptable Root F raming 2x12 Rafter 4 Acceptable sheathing Dimensional wood 5 Acceptable ventilation Gable and soffit vents G Acceptable Insulation Batts T Defective Insulation Depth g 0 Acceptable Vapor Barrier Plastic 4 Acceptable Attic Fan Belt drive 10 Marginal House Fan Direct drive with manual controls 11 Wot Present o vViring Lighting 12 Acceptable Moisture Penetration 13 Wot Present Bathroom Fan Wenting The next dropdown lets you choose to display the ratings in the rating keys as full with abbreviations and explanations abbreviated with abbreviations and names only or as abbreviations only Following are examples of the same ratings key presented each way Full Lots and Grounds This is a retin OTE All definitions listed below refer to the property or tem listed as inspected on this report atthe time of ins pe cton Acceptable Functional with no obvious signs of defect HF Mot Present tem not present or not tound HI Notinspected em was unable to be inspected tor safety reasons or due to lack of power inaccessible or dizconne ded at time of inspection hl hla rginal tem is not fully functonal and requires repair or semicing Defective tem needs immediate repair or replacement Itis unable to perform its intended fun cton dot Applicable Driveway Asphalt Walks Brick StepslStoops Concrete Porch Concrete
205. to any information that you enter into an inspection either from the keyboard or by selecting from a list For example the selection Concrete as the description for Walks is data text Click the button next to the Data Text prompt to change this font Company Name Company name refers to the name of your inspection company The company name is unique to your software and cannot be changed However the font used to display it in the header of the report can be changed Change this font by clicking the button next to the Company Name prompt As discussed previously you can also change the location of the company name in the Print Settings layout window 163 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Print Options Margins Page Options Page Layout Fonts Font Settings Template Test Template Font Data Tert Counter New 11 pt Black Data Font l Times New Roman 18 pt Company Name Black Bold Company Name Restore Default Fonts POF Options Embed true type fonts Image Quality Medium Restore Default Print Settings The template text data text and company name text can be any size from 8 to 64 points Fewer fonts are available on the handheld and you must take care to make sure the font is readable and not a symbol font Press the dropdown button to the right of the font name to browse the list of available fonts NOTE Most fonts can be made bold or italic When you click the appropriate but
206. to operate similarly Once you are familiar with how the software operates you will easily be able to use either program The major differences stem from the fact that the handheld program was designed for optimum use using the touch screen and pen stylus while the desktop offers the ability to easily navigate using the keyboard and or mouse To start the desktop version of the program select Programs Palm Tech Version 5 Palm Tech Inspector from the Start menu or double click the Palm Tech Inspector V5 shortcut directly on the computer s desktop main screen To start the Pocket PC version of the program select Start Palm Tech Inspector 5 See page 4 if Palm Tech is not on the Start menu of your Pocket PC If you are upgrading from Version 4 you will have icons for both on your desktop You can tell them apart by the number in the picture Also the description for version 4 programs will end with V4 NOTE In order to speed up interaction as you are working the Pocket PC program will load a lot of information and do a great deal of work when it first starts Within a few seconds an hourglass will appear showing that the program has started to open It may take as long as 20 seconds for the program to complete loading The Desktop Window To start the program select Programs Palm Tech Version 5 Palm Tech Inspector from your Start button and the program will start You can also start the program by double clicking th
207. to use Several new features have also been added New Capabilities and Ways to Customize Your Report You can now integrate photos including markups throughout the software That means you can include photos with Palm Tech s exclusive EZMark highlighting tools in both the body of the report and the summaries all within Palm Tech Inspector Adding your logo is fast and easy When you set up your print settings you can choose how to set up the header of your report with much more flexibility You can also add your company logo on either side of the report header with just a few clicks You can change the forms within Palm Tech Inspector to better fit your process e You can rearrange and rename categories and lines to fit YOUR needs e You add and delete lines and categories in your reports to fit YOUR market e You can save your changes permanently into a new template You can now select multiple ratings for any item Find a handrail that is both defective and unsafe Give it both ratings Both descriptions will appear for the handrail in the report and the defective handrail will appear in summaries for both defective and unsafe items Version 5 also gives you much more control over fonts and colors throughout the inspection You can set ratings disclaimers and other text elements apart with varying colors and fonts Copy and paste specialized or frequently used categories lines and components Save yourself tedious repetitive
208. ton for the type of font you want to change the Select Font window shown following will appear Some fonts do not support bold or italic If you choose a combination that is not available the software will adjust automatically 164 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions j Palm Tech Inspec gr 12 58 ok NOTE Not all font properties are supported in all circumstances ost Fon x a Re Sze Color Black _ Bold _ Italic Size i _ Underline Bold italic Underline Color Black E pdf Options Desktop only Palm Tech Inspector allows you to create a pdf of your report see the next section for more information on creating a pdf You can make the resolution of the pdf file low medium or high with this dropdown Higher resolutions will look better in print but low resolution speeds up processing time and the time it will take to send the e mail POF Options Embed true type fonts Image Quality Medium Restore Default Print Settings OF Cancel Embed True Type Fonts Desktop only Only true type fonts can be embedded in a pdf For more information on fonts see page 163 If you experiment with different fonts then decide you would like to go back to the original out of the box settings click the Restore Default Fonts button 165 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Creating and E Mailing a PDF File You can create and send your files to o
209. twork OR using a UNC Universal Naming Convention name For example COMPUTER _NAME SHARE NAME subfolder If you are installing on a peer to peer network you should use the UNC path even when installing to the host computer There are two kinds of installations for Palm Tech Inspector with Front Office managed and remote By default any installation of Palm Tech Inspector that is NOT located in the same folder as Front Office is considered a remote installation A managed Palm Tech Inspector installation is one that is located in the same folder that Front Office is installed in Managed installations do not require any special steps to keep order information up to date between Palm Tech Inspector and Front Office and can support multiple inspectors running the program simultaneously A remote installation can support only a single inspector and requires that information be updated via the Update Remote Inspector method In managed installations library data can flow to and from Palm Tech Inspector In remote installations data from the main installation can flow to the remote client Changes made from a remote client DO NOT flow back to the main installation What this means is that inspectors in the field can e mail their inspections BACK TO the office and receive updates and new orders FROM the office Palm Tech Inspector What s New WHAT S NEW IN VERSION 5 Palm Tech Inspector has been completely revamped making it much easier
210. typically requires a note Garage Carport Celling Has a cost estimate enetered with no explanation GarageCarport Celling ls marked with a rating that typically requires a note Attic Insulation Depth l marked with a rating that typically requires a note Fireplace ood Stove Smoke Chamber ls marked Not Present and has data entered in the line Plumbing Service Line Contains an unentered rating and has other data entered on the line Plumbing Main Water Shutoth Contains an unentered rating and has other data entered on the line Plumbing Water Lines ls marked Not Present and has data entered in the line Plumbing Service Caps Contains an unentered rating and has other data entered on the line Kitchen PlumbingsFistures le marked Not Present and has data entered in the line 129 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Pocket PC j Palm Tech Insp eo 2 1 21 ok i Palm Tech Insp qo f 1 21 ok GoTo Exterior Surface and Outbuilding Leader Extension Roof Electrical Mast Exterior Surface and Components Window Scr Electrical Fuses Z5 Electrical Fuses Laundry Room Area Washer Drain Laundry Room Area Washer Drain Exterior Surface and Components Window a Screens Is marked with a rating that typically requires a note To go to the category containing the line that is affected click on the item in the list that you want to go to and the program will open
211. u do not wish to include a cover page click Skip Cover Depending on the speed of your computer it may take several seconds to process the pdf after which a message will appear asking what you want to do with your pdf file You can choose to open the file e mail it or do nothing with it PDF Options What would you like ta do with pour created POF E mall Nothing Click Open to view your report in Adobe Reader If you do not have a program installed that will read a pdf file you can download a free version from www adobe com If you click the Email button you can open your e mail program and attach the file to an e mail message Palm Tech Inspector can open some e mail programs and attach the file itself If you choose to do nothing the pdf file will be available for later use in the same folder the photo report is in Export to HTML This option allows you to create a copy of your Palm Tech inspection in HTML format and transmit it electronically to someone who does not have the software HTML Hyper Text Markup Language is the language used to create pages on an Internet web site Anyone with a web browser installed on his or her computer will be able to view this file without needing to install another program To do this click File Export to HTML and the following window will appear Palm Tech Inspector V5 The Following aspects of an inspection are not represented in the generated HTML Picture decorations E
212. uired You would open the file you previously saved make the needed modifications and then save the modified file as Williams George 032907 v2 pt 5 71 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions You must remember that Front Office FO maintains inspection names based on the originally assigned name If you use File Save As to change the file name the information in FO is not changed and will no longer be correct In this situation the file name s provided by FO for previous inspections of a property will not match the actual file name s This also creates the possibility for more than one file to have the same name By default all home inspection files end with the extension pt5 If you change the extension on a home inspection file it will not automatically appear when you select File Open SAVING FILES POCKET PC Save your files often As you work between different sections of the home inspection the changes that you make are saved in the open program only and are not saved to the file The program offers two ways to save files To save the currently open file select File Save from the menu or click the Save button in the toolbar Saving a file causes the file to be saved in two different locations On the handheld computer the file will be saved in the working directory and the Archive location The Archive location can be changed in Program Settings It would be wise to set the archive location on y
213. ur acceptance of the following END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING LICENSE AGREEMENT BY OPENING THE PACKAGE YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY AND ARE BECOMING A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT RETURN THE ENVELOPE UNOPENED ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE PACKAGE TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND LICENSE GRANT The package contains software Software and related explanatory written materials Documentation Software includes any upgrades modified versions updates additions and copies of the Software You means the person or company who is being licensed to use the Software or Documentation We and us means PDmB Inc We hereby grant you a nonexclusive license to use one copy of the Software on any single computer provided the Software is in use on only one computer at any time The Software is in use on a computer when it is loaded into temporary memory RAM or installed into the permanent memory of a computer for example a hard disk CD ROM or other storage device If the Software is permanently installed on the hard disk or other storage device of a computer other than a network server and one person uses that computer more than 80 of the time then that person may also use the Software on a portable or home computer TITLE We remain the owner of all right title and interest in the Softw
214. vailable even if your handheld computer were to lose all files in memory If you do not have a storage card you should purchase one as soon as possible In the meantime the Archive File Location can be changed to a folder on your handheld PC This is less secure than a storage card as your handheld computer s memory is volatile and subject to battery conditions On the Desktop PC the default Archive File location is C Program Files Palm Tech5 Archive To protect your inspection files for the long term you should move files from the Archive folder on your desktop computer to removable media such as a writeable CD zip disk or floppy disk for permanent storage PROGRAM SETTINGS DESKTOP The next few options on the desktop program are indicated with checkboxes 140 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions i Auto save file W Let program sort dropdown lists Block Add to List question i Allow entry of cost estimates Check Template During Spell Check i Auto complete text entries desktop only Show ratings individually not an option on Pocket PC Screen l amal 0E of orinted si Default Image Size Input Screen Image Size Small 504 of printed size Height Width 1 33 1 00 Restore Defaults Cost Estimate Settings e Auto save file This option is checked by default It allows the program to use the AutoSave function to save your work when you change categories You can un check this option to kee
215. ve added the information you want and set up the page click OK Then when you choose File Print Preview or File Print the Cover Sheet Data window will appear Add the property address If you chose to add a 156 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions picture of the property you will be able to locate it in this window You will also have the option to click the Skip Cover button if you decide not to include a cover page When you have this page set up the way you want click Continue Cover Sheet Data Property Address Picture File Locate Following is a cover page with a logo a picture of the property and additional explanatory text 1234 Any Street Anywhere USA 12345 157 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions View Photos Image Quality Pocket PC only You can check this option to include the photos to print in the summary only in the body of the report only and in the summary and body On both the desktop and Pocket PC this line is checked by default to include the photos in both the summary and body The Pocket PC includes an Image Quality option Click the dropdown in the option to set the pictures at low 150 dots per inch medium 300 dpi or high 600 dpi The higher the resolution the crisper the images will be but higher resolutions will also slow down processing time for functions such as loading and saving Using higher resolutions will also limit the number of p
216. w the item with the description i Palm Tech Insp ee f 1 30 ok sing foal Select an item to see the summary Attic Motsture Penetration Crawl Space Moisture Penetration Electrical Manufacturer General Double taps noted in panel at several breakers Recommend corrections Click the Go To button and the program will take you to that item Import Data from Another Inspection File To combine the work of multiple inspectors into one inspection you can import an inspection file from the other inspector into your inspection file Both files must be on the same computer or network To move an inspection file between Pocket PCs you can use the infrared transfer feature built in Inspection files are the same format on all platforms desktop or Pocket PC and can be transferred between without issue See the following section for a description of how to transfer files between Pocket PCs IMPORT DATA DESKTOP To import data from another inspection file into an open inspection select Tools Import Inspection from the menu A window will appear prompting you to select the file to import 133 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Look in My Inspections smith 070107 h Comp Props pt5 h Font h 2006_11_22 Mies Thomas pts h Cost Estimate pt5 Sal Font nd 2007_1_18 Unknown pts h December file pt5 Phil Grid E Pad checking 2 pts Pal Default pS Pad Grid T nel checking 3 pk5 Sn lE
217. wale Vegetation Window Wells 3 Retaining Walls 7 ii lt Note The picture s appearance on screen is determined by the attributes you give it on the Edit Image window and the Input Screen Image Size setting assigned in the Program Settings window The picture in the desktop example 1s displayed at the 30 of printed size setting The Pocket PC example is shown as an icon Recall that you can show the image larger or smaller or display it as an icon to speed up processing time This setting is for the screen input size only and has no bearing on the printed picture size 43 44 Add an explanatory note to the Vegetation line explaining the Marginal rating Complete the remaining items for Lots and Grounds then save your work When you move to the next category an X will appear in the category list before Lots and Grounds indicating that this category is complete This X will not appear if you gave a rating to an item then left the description blank If you marked an item as not present or not applicable the description will of course be blank The next category is Exterior Surface and Components This category is also a component This is indicated on your input screen with the vertical black line to the left of the lines This is set up this way to allow you to address different surfaces separately For example if the garage is detached or a room addition has a different type of exterior surface you may decide to trea
218. window left will appear prompting you to select the file to import If they are not compatible you will see a warning about the incompatibility Select the file that you want and click OK The Import Categories window right will appear F Palm Tech Insp From the list below select the categories that you want to import _ Final Comments _ Private Notes j Palm Tech Insp dr f 1 38 ok ee 42 1 40 ok Categories that Categories to have data entered Import TestPDspect ptS Untitled pt5 SD Card Inspections Highlight the categories that you would like to move from the imported inspection into your current inspection and click the right arrow When all of the correct categories are in the right window click OK The information from the imported inspection will overwrite all information for the same categories in the current inspection Therefore you should coordinate the completion of the inspection so that individual inspectors are responsible for unique categories 135 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions You can also import the private notes and final comments that were included with the inspection being transferred Transfer Files Between Pocket PCs Select Programs from the Start button and open File Explorer On the sending Pocket PC locate the appropriate file then click and hold Select Beam File from the resulting menu On the receiving unit select Programs from the Start button and
219. xample pt5 Pad Grid T nd checking pts al First Inspection ptS Pre GridT 2 File name PO Files of type W5 Inspection Files pt5 ats Cancel Open as read only Select the file that you want If the libraries and ratings are compatible the Import Inspection window will appear If they are not compatible you will see a warning concerning the incompatibility Import Inspection From the list below select the categornes that pou want to import Final Comments Private Notes Cancel Categories that have data entered Categories to Import Definitians General Information 134 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions Highlight the categories that you would like to move from the imported inspection into your current inspection and click the right arrow When all of the correct categories are in the right window click OK The information from the imported inspection will overwrite all information for the same categories in the current inspection Therefore you should coordinate the completion of the inspection so that individual inspectors are responsible for unique categories You can also import the private notes and final comments that were included with the inspection being transferred IMPORT DATA POCKET PC To import data from another inspection file into an open inspection select Tools Import Inspection from the menu If the libraries and ratings are compatible the Select an Inspection
220. y Address Picture File Locate 63 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions After you select File Print the Cover Sheet Data window will again appear allowing you to make any final changes you want Click Continue and a window will appear that will allow you to change printers set printer properties the same as selecting File Print Setup or enter the page numbers that you want to print After you click the OK button the report will print Printer Name Status Type Brother HL 5140 series Where USBOO1 Comment Print to file Print range Copies Al Number of copies 1 Fages from 1 to CHEEEE Lancel The printed report is broken into three sections The first pages are the standard forms report body The second section will list any summarized rating items in the inspection as well as the corresponding descriptions and notes for each The third section is the Cost to Cure Summary if applicable These three sections can be printed in any order See pages 158 159 for more information on modifying print order The desktop version of the program can print to any Windows compatible printer installed on your desktop computer PRINTING FROM YOUR POCKET PC To print an inspection from your Pocket PC select File Print from the menu and a window like the following one on the left will appear Select a printer from the list of printers available When you have your setti
221. you choose this the program will ask you which line you want to delete then verify that you are sure that you want to delete that line This function works the same way for the other lines as well Signature Line Y ou can add a signature to your report with the Signature Line options The checkbox also allows you to add the date When you choose the Signature Line option you will be asked for a screen and a print prompt if the print prompt is different Enter the prompt you want and indicate where you want it to appear Click Finish The prompt will appear as a button on the window i Palm Tech Ins dr f 11 20 ok i Palm Tech Ins qr qf 11 21 X J Add Date i en BE Click the Signature button and the Signature window will appear Choose the color and line weight that you want then add your signature Click OK when the signature is complete 114 Palm Tech Inspector Detailed Operating Instructions j Palm Tech In dr 2 11 24 ok F Palm Tech In dr f 11 24 X Pety Joch Line Color Line Wt ie at Revew Tow SE The screen will indicate that the signature was received above right The signature will also appear on the printed report The first five line types and the signature line allow you to enter both a screen prompt shows on the input screen and a print prompt shows on the printed report If no print prompt is entered the screen prompt will appear in both places Due to the limited scree

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