An increasing role in data collection for instance in hospitals, will be played by handheld computers (HPCs) or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). More commonly known as PALMs. Linux offers way to exchange these data to servers, for instance via the IrDA port. See IR-HOWTO for details. A survey of non-Linux applications for the Palm device you may find at PalmPilot Medical - Palmtops PDAs HPCs Palm - Net Links.