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One perspective on which digital tools are most effective (and practical) for ethnographic fieldwork.

Pretty convincing post about the potential for using the ubiquitous smartphone and cloud-based tools in ethnographic settings...but there are some assumptions, as well as some breaks with "tradition" (a few obvious, a few not so much...). I've been using my iPhone in a few ways that parallel the systems Horan has developed, and would be happy to explore some of these tools/apps/affordances...

I agree with some of his techniques, although I still find hand written field notes to be useful. You might be more inclined to write certain things down in the field rather than speak them out loud to be recorded in front of the people you are working with. I also was interested in his section on "local currency." ("Local Currency Whether we want to admit it or not, money talks. Obviously, one should adhere to the local customs regarding the proper use of money in every situation, but spending money can gain you access to areas of life that may otherwise be closed off to you. Generosity in time and money goes a long way, so remember to bring cash to gain access to people and places that you may be unfamiliar with.") This section seems to leave out the fact that spending money in a way which is not culturally appropriate can be as detrimental in certain cases, as it is helpful in other situations.

For those who may want to gather some quick demographics about an area in the U.S., BAO a free App from ESRI is very useful. Below are some of the features the App offers. Use on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Get up-to-date facts, using the latest Esri Data, about prospective customers (e.g., age, income, education, home ownership, lifestyle, and spending habits). Compare one address against another or against the county, state or US. Analyze an area within one-mile of your location. Instantly determine if a location fits your needs with Smart Map. Share your facts with others via e-mail.

4-in-1 Magnetic Fisheye, Macro, Wide-Angle, Super Fisheye, Polarizing and Telephoto iPhone Lens ... also compatible with Android lenses and all other mobile phones.

This is just one example of the types of lens adapters that exist for cell and tablet cameras.