S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lore - Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

PDAs are essential to survival in the Zone. But why? Let us find out.
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Background
03:30 Maps & Data
06:09 Diaries
09:16 Communication
13:33 Detection
18:00 Contacts & Rankings
20:18 Banking
22:29 Conclusion

[@MarphitimusBlackimus]

High resolution display, long battery life, crystal clear audio recording and playback, seemingly limitless storage, precise GPS, instant electronic payment transactions, rugged durability, automatic chore tracking, and so much more. Man, my lame ole smartphone's got nothing on this. I need to get me a PDA!

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Absolutely!

[@Mac-ih1zf]

Holy moly the legend himself!

[@MarkLoganFIB]

PDAs were replaced by laptops and smartphones. Your smartphone is a PDA. Your phone can do literally everything you just mentioned, except automatic chore tracking.

[@zsideswapper6718]

​@@MarkLoganFIBWhich you could find an app for it anyways.

[@AlkoPRO11]

Рад видеть тут❤

[@nerfspartanEBF25]

I actually have the PDA that the game's 3D model was based on, the HP iPaq H1910. It's good for taking notes, making voice recordings, and basic stuff like that. It has an SD card slot for permanent storage, and it can last a week without charging it if you don't use it much, and it will turn itself off when not in use to save battery. Its main storage without the SD card, however, is a battery backed RAM disk, which is shared with system memory, so if you primarily set your device to have more storage without an SD card, it'll have less actual RAM to work with. It lacks SDIO support, so you can't use it for taking pictures, it has a low-resolution 320*200 screen, it has no networking, and can only send or receive anything (emails) by hooking it up with a Windows XP computer with a special dock (or a virtual machine and a USB cable designed for the proprietary port on the device, in my case), and it syncs on the PC with Microsoft Outlook over a protocol called ActiveSync. The PDA in STALKER is way more capable than the real thing, it's more of a text editor, email sender and dictation machine in real life, and just opening a photo is rather slow. Trying to watch video on this thing is pretty much a futile effort.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@southernbrain691]

PDAs are likely modified (i mean,even sidorovich mentions modifying marked ones PDA) for better functions while still retaining reliability

[@robcampbell2164]

Sidorovich's transceiver is a R107. Russian made. Up to 50-mile range with elevation. The mission to disable the jammer takes on a different experience now. The developers actually depicted real life components as assets for the time period and the capability!

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice to know, thanks for sharing!

[@PolishPsycho2704]

about money in stalker games, in one of the stalker books it is explained that stalkers found a huge cache of soviet bills, which then spread across the zone. if all faction leaders agree, additional money can be printed

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Interesting.

[@NANA-pq6pt]

To be fair, I’m pretty sure that those books are non canon.

[@PolishPsycho2704]

@@NANA-pq6pt they aren't, but just a fun fact

[@zoltanz288]

how are they gonna print more money?

[@PolishPsycho2704]

@@zoltanz288 printers?

[@PeacekeeperKuna]

Having a PDA in the zone feels like having a futuristic-gadget with features most people don't even realise they needed/wanted. Very nicely made video! We all love your content :D

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes, thanks!

[@Cultist_Mono]

It's always a treat when there's a new Anomalous dugout video, one of the highest qaulity channels for S.T.A.L.K.E.R content with the best explainations for the lore.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thanks :)

[@milentanev7340]

One feature I really like is the PDA keeping track of everything the stalkers do. This could help certain factions always find the right person for the right job. Duty needs someone to help them clear out a mutant lair? They search for the stalkers with high mutant kills. The mercs need someone silenced? They look for someone with high confirmed kills count. That could be a reason why you are given more serious side tasks as the games progress. The factions and stalkers simply know you can handle the work. A nice idea, if you want a bit more immersion.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

That's an interesting idea for sure.

[@removo1048]

Best lore videos about stalker on KZbin fr

[@artyom352]

you are right

[@olandewgamers9573]

Oh is he French? 😮

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Goal achieved I guess.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

@@olandewgamers9573 Yes.

[@olandewgamers9573]

@@anomalousdugout9557 Oh nice! Learning French right now and hoping I run into a French Merc in the Zone 😉

[@prophetthelast7849]

Can't wait to see PDA 2.0 in Stalker 2 and what new functions it will have.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes, I hope they bring back the rankings and encyclopedia.

[@GaryIKILLYOU]

Watch it be an iPad lmao

[@jamesabernethy7896]

So, Marked One... this is your Nokia 3210. You can play snake on it. Don't worry about the signal. You could be standing in reactor 4 during an emission and still call me. If you need directions, here's a map. If you can't remember your objectives, here's a notepad and pen. Good hunting STALKER.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Budget Sidorovich tutorial.

[@FinUgShiet]

It seems the PDAs are built with the same robust techology that early 2000's old Nokias were built :D

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Indeed!

[@Archer63270]

Thanks I’ve been hoping for a video on the PDAs in stalker. Great work.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Glad you found it.

[@KhalMika]

Man I love your videos! I watch at least one every day. I love how you tell the lore, your narrations, your theories and conclusions

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice to know :)

[@latewizard301]

The PDA is so iconic to the series, I don't think they could ever get rid if it. Makes so much sense for it to be issued to all stalkers as it's universal and so robust it can withstand (apparently) anything the zone can throw at it. It's really charming in my opinion that a tech like that is used in The Zone.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Absolutely!

[@XanderNiles]

The only inconsistency here is that dead bodies not always have PDA but they do have some coordinates for stashes. Aside from that, you made a really good analysis of the usage of that device. Keep it up. 👍

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thank you.

[@SashaTheNun]

Or maybe some PDAs not have useful information

[@Chaydex]

As a long time Stalker fan and viewer of your channel gotta say, keep up the good work. I honestly use your videos to help to fall asleep since your voice is so calming and easy to listen to

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice!

[@XYZ-eo8um]

I think that 'Raking' section in SoC was added, because long before its premiere, the developers promised that other stalkers in the game's world would also be able to discover Zone's mystery, even before the player themselves. So I guess this was supposed to be tool to track global progress of the other stalkers, to be able to compare with your own. I remember I've read such promise from the developers in some gaming magazine, long before game's premiere.

[@blzr7589]

Love ur videos bro, everytime its something beatiful

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice!

[@Broman-es4sx]

7:58 That was freaking hilarious! The crazy old stalker in the cabin LMAO! Great edit 😁

[@raymondmanchester0624]

Man now i want my own PDA! Great vid btw one of best explanation lore

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice!

[@HonestObserver]

Very fun video about a basic part of the games that’s interesting to think about. And I like how it’s retro because we think of smartphones these days and not PDAs.

[@NomadShadow1]

The real magic is that everyone in the zone has pdas and usb sticks that all seamlessly work with each other. I think it would be funny if the monolith pdas for example used a different OS and couldn’t talk to the rest of the stalker community or something silly like that.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yeah, that's right.

[@user-wp1jv5nq7gTankM]

Me when new Anomalous dugout video: :))))))))))))))))) . Keep the good work up Anomalous dugout you always make my day when i see another lore packed vide for me to feast my eyes on.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thanks a lot!

[@--shaman--]

Interesting topic and a great summary. I personally would differentiate some of the gameplay-related functions from the actual lore, like the mutant tracking from Clear Sky, but who knows, your theories might be possible as well. The fact that PDAs are used to carry money is also confirmed during one of the tasks for Wild Napr - he asks Scar to bring him the PDA of Freshy, and mentions that they used it to pass money to each other.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yeah, who actually knows. Thanks for reminding me about Freshy's PDA!

[@thatoneguy-nf7su]

The first ten seconds were just the best stalker intro i have ever seen. Also great PDA add.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice to know!

[@GeoffSayre]

Excellent deep dive into the valuable PDA. Really enjoyed your explanations and theories on this wonderful device. I always felt SoC had the best PDA, I missed many of its features in CS and CoP. I recently aquired a broken PDA made in the early 2010's. I'm going to modify it for Stalker cosplay purposes. Probably replace the screen with a map of Cordon or Pripyat.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Very nice!

[@whatonearthamidoingwhitmyl9265]

amazing video as always

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thank you.

[@HondoDogman]

i did not expect a video like this, i recenetly bought an HP IPAQ specifically to have a stalker PDA in real life, it really is just a cool concept, and device.

[@Matt-md5yt]

glad you covered this mighty tool of the Stalkers

[@anomalousdugout9557]

I'm glad as well.

[@Thesoulcarrier]

Finally! a good video to watch.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes :)

[@WroobelChannel]

Well made video, full of cool details. As always, keep it up brosin!

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thank you.

[@lakynder8506]

Man i hope there will be arsenal series for suits love those videos

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Maybe there will be.

[@capitanduka2674]

Great video man, keep up the good work!

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thanks!

[@Beencheeling]

We all need a PDA. Fuck phones they can't do anything but keep us hooked with "Anomalous Dugout"!1!1!1!11!!!!

[@scarecrow2097]

Interestingly, the Stalker series uses 3 versions for the pda. The world model is the hp ipaq 1910/40. Which is more of a classic pda. The hud version in the English version is the samsung sgh-i700 which is an advanced pda with some capabilities similar to smartphones, like a camera. And in the Russian version of shadow of chernobyl, the pda hud was based on the samsung F700 which is actually not a pda but an early smartphone.

[@kenterbee3191]

I always found the lore behind why pdas were used instead of phones to be super interesting! Just the thing for my early morning insomnia session.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice.

[@Calzilla-yd8qg]

One big thing that PDAs have over smartphones is buttons, which, unlike touch screens, can be used with gloves

[@huseynhasanov8162]

Before this video I though no idea left to make a new video for stalker. I didn't know that I needed a video about PDAs and as always I'm impressed by your narrating skills again.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Nice, I still have some ideas up my sleeve :)

[@xcc2a874]

finding an old PDA with a diary or an old stash is always a nice, also I've always thought the PDA'S were a no brainer with all the benefits over a smart phone and they just look cool. Keep up the great work man you make the best stalker content.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Indeed!

[@wafflebunny123]

PDA looks like those military style gps garmin makes but if they were bigger ,I wonder if anyone made one out of a raspberry pi or with a phone parts

[@fredschmitt456]

Oh well. In the book they found an energy-emitting artifact called "drop" that would even be enough to power a car indefinitely. And it could be grown and halved and grown again. Sounds like a viable concept to power a PDA.

[@davidponder1654]

Using a cell phone would be stupid. Most smart phones couldn’t withstand the zone, not to mention a sim card would be easily traced by the military

[@duplicarus]

I'm bouta go home and download CoP and anomaly again because of this video

[@Boredomort]

The fact that you can make a 23 minutes video about PDA in stalker definitely make you the GOAT :) great job

[@anomalousdugout9557]

I'm actually thinking of making a part 2...

[@kuki4604]

Good one 💪🏼

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@ryszakowy]

first and foremost smartphones can be tracked from city blocks away PDA seems fitting for the zone

[@kegmonkey5648]

Oh the youth. I hope people realize that PDA's are a real technology that existed since the early 2000's. Back before cellphones had a bunch of extra features and were just phones, you'd get a PDA to cover most of the things phones can do now. (Remember phone numbers, write notes, voice recording, etc) They were a slightly expensive novelty at first, then were quickly replaced by the features on phones. Some people still use them too.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@codycarabotta5621]

Im not gonna lie, up until now I always had the impression that all the PDA entries you unlock as you play are entries already recorded in a sort of database, which you unlock as you come across the scenario. With little to no feedback to the fact it is the player character themself adding in personal, on the spot, custom entries flew over my head. It all just seemed so streamlined and not-personal, as if you were reading a wiki document rather than an individuals personal accounting of something. But now that I realize how the PDA entries actually work, that really really makes me wish for a better implementation, or some kind of feedback, that the entries are done by an individual, rather than information compiled by a computer. Even if it was a simple DLTX adjusting all the PDA entries to have a more personal vibe to them, to give you the sense that your character is actively updating their PDA with things they discover, instead of simply "unlocking" entries, which also helped give me the impression these are already discovered entries you simply "unlock" as you go. Again, more of an actual journal kept by a person rather than a database ocassionally accessed to get some already-known information to your PDA. I hope they address that in the upcoming game. Its a small detail of course but it would help a long way with really putting you in the Stalker's footsteps. Awesome video though dude, there is always something to learn. Old video post I know, but I usually get around to them all eventually. This one never even popped up on my feed until now.

[@Joeded]

I wonder if STALKER 2 will use PDAs or take a more modern approach, like a smartphone. However Stalker 2 will probably not release for a long time, if at all.

[@Iron_Soil]

I hope they use pda Peapole still use them in dangerous or risky jobs like millitary They are more durable and can have usefull features smartphones cant have. I mean they can have them but pda's work better for them Yeah you can have a geiger counter or radio transmiter on a phone But pda will have better radiation detection with higher limit before it stops working. And the radio will have better range

[@anomalousdugout9557]

In the Skif teaser we see the "PDA 2.0".

[@MordredSimp]

When youre a kid you want a pip-boy. But when youre an adult you want a PDA

[@user-wp1jv5nq7gTankM]

I believe i have an answer to how stalkers recharge their PDAs they most likely use batteries from traders that are sold to them by people who come across batteries and i believe you would find batteries near old power stations, shops and military vehicles like T64 tanks and btr70 apcs because those vehicles require batteries so stalkers probably strip it off the vehicles to use for their pdas.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes, that could be the case.

[@friedyzostas9998]

Babe, wake up! Anomalous Dugout made another video!

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@DIGITAL_DECAY.EXE_]

A smartphone without a constant server connection is a PDA. Lol. I still use my Dell Axim that I got in 2007 (2014-2021 I gave into smart phone only). My PDA was always a tool to make my life easier while my smartphone hijacked useless amounts of time

[@alyctro8158]

A PDA, in theory. Can be coded to do almost anything with java and html.

[@DillyDally69]

"Wake up honey, another Stalker lore video just dropped"

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@pavolp.6527]

PDAs are sentient, confirmed cannon.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

That would explain some things.

[@adventurer7579]

Missed your voice ❤

[@anomalousdugout9557]

:)

[@skyyy7544]

This video makes me wonder about zone wide Anomalies Are they any anomalous phenomena that are active in every part of the zone?

[@jazzypenguin4401]

The life in the zone is not for everyone. Good hunting STALKER.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Very true.

[@mewo7515]

the saveitforparts youtube channel uploaded a video using a walkietalkie hocked up to a PDA to transmit text and other files from one to the other

[@mdolfjitler9833]

“Hey babe wake up, the new anomalous dugout just dropped”

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@zoltanz288]

would a touch screen device even work with some of the armored/insulted gloves stalkers wear?

[@shaiii-chan]

Would appreciate it if you'd show us how to get the Grenade Launcher.

[@ASlickNamedPimpback]

22:20 It could be that they just used his PDA to transfer the money in Scar's account to their own

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes, could be.

[@emanuelarriaza3710]

Oo boy hell yea

[@pjele5248]

The deepest lore

[@anomalousdugout9557]

I can dig deeper :)

[@TheWolvesCurse]

i wonder wether some reputable indie programmer has attempted to write an OS akin to the stalker pda for mobile devices. would be cool, an i'd be willing to pay for such a product.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

That would be cool indeed.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Guns are obviously. interesting. Somehow you have managed to make a video on PDA's interesting enough to watch.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Glad it worked!

[@MovedBoxMan]

Some stalkers eat Russian glow caps to recharge their batteries

[@spontanapa]

Stalker is the reason I buy CAT phones

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Understandable.

[@cheekiblin690]

I'm sorry out robbed by bandits, but that poor pipe didn't deserve those buckshot rounds :(

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Poor pipe.

[@hassansong7630]

*Smartphones: I just fall on the floor from 8 cm, I don't think I will survive 😭* *PDAS: I just fall into an Anomaly when a grenade just blow up right next to me and I make it without any scratch 🗿*

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Indeed.

[@judsongaiden9878]

But can it run Doom? (Of course!) But can it run the mobile version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.? (Probably.)

[@anomalousdugout9557]

I'm sure technicians like Nitro can make modify it for such purpose!

[@Iron_Soil]

I wanted to buy a pda for cosplay but all models where witchout battery

[@anomalousdugout9557]

That's sad.

[@rivermintofficial]

Good work brosin

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thanks.

[@neuzdost1939]

2:43 Its worth to mention that stalker series started comming out in 2007, So it's pretty safe to say they were no "smartphones" that would be at least as capable as PDA. While PDA was basically a computer with GPS you could've stuff in your pocket and usually was enormously expensive, Mobile phones back then on the other hand were getting smaller and smaller focusing on the ease of use and convince aspects as well as a accessibility having only limited features that couldn't be put against even cheaper PDAs. Ofcourse, PDAs are now kinda dead but back in those days it made a perfect sense to choose PDA as a realistic way for stalker game to use digital information while walking through wastelands of Chernobyl surroundings

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@uncledanny4549]

Was any mod used for Shadow of Chernobyl, while recording the material for this video? The PDA looks slightly different and the lighting seems a bit nicer.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

I did not use any mods. Perhaps I have different settings.

[@racerwilson152]

Probably max settings

[@NIL0S]

Nokia 3310: *exists*

[@Cavemanner]

Is it confirmed that the roubles in use in the Zone are specifically Soviet era? It's not like Russia adopted a whole new currency.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

The visual design of the money during transactions makes it obvious.

[@Cavemanner]

@@anomalousdugout9557 Ah, of course! I just showed both how little attention I paid to the details and how long it's been since I last played. Much appreciated, love the videos!

[@obie1984]

when will you make a discord

[@anomalousdugout9557]

There is one already.

[@Iron_Soil]

Another theory i have how was scar robbed but others not Pda has vital sensor that detects if owner is dead and if he is it loses acces to most features logging off bank account erasing data and so on leaving last notes and stash info there becuse its not something they have to worry about loosing after well. They die

[@Iron_Soil]

That's why scar got robbed, he was alive

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Interesting, maybe that's why.

[@superjukka]

You make good videos

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thanks, I do what I can.

[@CabalCorporation]

I don't remember where I got this from, and I may mix up few things, but I do remember reading that if something is too advanced, it will be less reliable in the Zone, breaking more easily and requiring more maintenance. Advancements created in the Zone may be exempt from this rule. Getting back on track - the PDA is a simple, yet versatile device. It can be enhanced with custom software and thus modular, but it's main function is data management - be it storing, sending or receiving. There is little to none computing power in the device itself, making it safe in the Zone. Or maybe because it serves as a diary, something very personal and thus being extension of its user's psyche, it is protected by the noosphere.

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yes.

[@Iron_Soil]

I hope they use pda in stalker 2 Peapole still use them in dangerous or risky jobs like millitary They are more durable and can have usefull features smartphones cant have. I mean they can have them but pda's work better for them Yeah you can have a geiger counter or radio transmiter on a phone But pda will have better radiation detection with higher limit before it stops working. And the radio will have better range

[@anomalousdugout9557]

In the Skif teaser we see the "PDA 2.0".

[@alyctro8158]

In the game it's more generalized for the gameplay, but if it were to function as a normal pda. Then yes, it would be prefered in the harsh zone for batery life and durability. But, a pda is essentialy like a phone as you mentioned. It's used for navigations, contacts, taking notes, encrypting info and many more multimedia utilities.

[@Rongaming3065]

1st brother how you doing

[@anomalousdugout9557]

I'm doing good, how about you?

[@JohnPeacekeeper]

Remember, kids, when playing STALKER Anomaly, make sure you're in the all-clear before whipping this thing out. You don't wanna get sniped or pounced or mauled while you're going over text messages

[@racerwilson152]

Is anomaly's pda based on an irl one?

[@nugrahaanimation748]

Smartphone doesn't even exist yet at that time.

[@zoltanz288]

in 2011?

[@blonde-eyed-blueondie]

Always wondered why people who know they have bounty on their head not just dump their PDA or get new one so hunters cant track them down

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yeah who knows...

[@B.L.I.N.O.V.]

I heard that in S2 they changed PDA to tablet 😢

[@anomalousdugout9557]

In the Skif teaser we see the "PDA 2.0".

[@thomasfalkenberg8549]

"Military noises"

[@anomalousdugout9557]

:)

[@Iron_Soil]

Well i suppose stalkers have modded pda that give them advantage Strelok is a advanced stalmer so his pda shoud be advanced so it can acces low level info from near pda's Scar is a merc, his pda coud hack near pda, making them hack other pda and so on untill it collects the data other stalkers have. But scar theory is dumb so i dont belive it myself. Your clear sky idea is better And major has rookie gear so he dosent have anything special

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Yeah.

[@S.T.A.L.K.E.R_fan]

Now that explains why i receive a message from a dead bandit who i killed durring random acounter in Anomaly. It turns out it was his last words send to the communication centre to Stalkers

[@anomalousdugout9557]

It certainly sounds like it.

[@user-pr2rr9sf8j]

But it can’t run genshin impact… nah

[@TankJockey38]

My head Canon follows anomaly. But additionally expands on the United S.T.A.L.K.E.R network as a peer to peer mesh network

[@lebedev7153]

Nice video! Considering you are french, are you good?

[@anomalousdugout9557]

Thanks, I'm all good.