| Analyzing collected data takes the most time of any step in the investigation process. Without the PC, it would take months to analyze all the data that can be collected in a single night. But with the right software, that can be reduced to a few days. Even a low-powered budget-model laptop PC is worth it's weight in gold because you can use the same system to collect and then analyze data. Remember, every time you copy or save digital data, that data is slightly corrupted. This is not as bad with digital as it is with analog records (VHS or audio casettes), but it is still significant. Being able to keep your data intact is a big advantage. And yet, you will want to make backups on CD, DVD, or hardcopy because PC's have a bad habit of crashing and eating everything at the worst possible moment. At the least, send the data to yourself as an e-mail attachment so you will have a copy that you can get to from anywhere with internet access. You will certaily want to download some specific software to make analysis easier and more detailed. Fortunately, much of what you need already comes on you PC. The few things that aren't standard-issue can be downloaded either as freeware or as trial versions for FREE! And much of this software is in widespread use, so there is a wide body of experience and tech support available (both official and user-based). Photo Analysis Almost every researcher swears by Adobe Photoshop. It allows a lot of very nice analysis techniques that let you really dig into a photo's details. However, this is probably because many Windows-equipped PC's have Photoshop already installed. But if you don't have it, you can find it on Adobe's download page [HERE]. Video Analysis Most people do eyes-only video analysis, depending on their naural ability to spot patterns and forms. However, a growing number of people use Windows Movie Maker. It allows them to do high-speed or slow-speed reviews for things the eye can easily miss, and allows you to trim away the hours of "nothing-going-on" and save only the good parts. Recent Windows systems include it as standard-issue, or in the free upgrade patch. You can also download it from the Microsoft website [HERE]. Audio Analysis Most people swear by Adobe Audacity. This is a good full-function program that can let you do everything you need and much more. But there are some compatibilty issues with different operating systems, and it is not exactly user-friendly. WavePad is a far simpler system that is just as capable, is a much smaller file size (important for those on dial-up), and is compatible with all forms of Windows (even Vista), Macs, and Linux systems. Download Audacity on the Adode website [HERE] Download WavePad [HERE] Useful Websites There are many websites that offer services geared toward paranormal research. But there are a few that provide valuable data that are often overlooked. Here are a few that no researcher worth his salt can do without (yet often will). The US Naval Observatory has online services and free software downloads for climatctic and astronomical data. NOAA and the attached National Weather Service have piles of useful environmental data. Keep going! Gimme More! Back to the Equipment page Back to the main Q&A page Back to the Front Page |
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| Why do we use computer analysis? |