[Accessibility] New mailing list for LoroDux developers
THUROW, ANNETTE
ath at hud.de
Tue Oct 19 13:14:36 BST 2010
Hello List Members, hello Alex!
What is this project?
LoroDux is on the way to become a navigation software for java mobile phones with GPS.
What language is it coded in?
JavaME (Micro Edition).
What platforms does it run on?
All platforms that implement JavaME correctly. It is programmed for the sun reference implementation.
Up to now, we have found out that only Nokia seems to implement JavaME nicely.
Maybe with some additional lines of code the other devices will run, too.
We have figured that all newer Symbian S60 phones work fine, S80 should work also.
You find a compatibility list in the wiki:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/LoroDux/Compatibility
Please let us know if you have tested with another device, successful or non successful.
How does it compare in it's goals to Loadstone?
Similar goals. What is different?
(Maybe these are loadstone's goals, too, I don't know)
Important for LoroDux is:
- LoroDux is started as an OpenStreetMap subproject. It uses OSM as only datasource (except personal favorites) and the plan is to include OSM editor features.
Loadstone-GPS has additional tools to import OSM data, but as far as I know there is no data given back to OSM. In Loadstone's pointshare exchange there are probably only blind contributors. Uploading from the pointshare to OSM would cause license problems, I am afraid. So LoroDux does not need a webpage and a database, it's all OSM. I keep making sure that objects of special interest for blind persons can be added to OSM, like acoustic traffic signals and tactile paving.
- LoroDux is coded in JavaME to gain platform independency. When LoroDux was started, Symbian OS was rumored to be discontinued. Great that it's open now. LoroDux will benefit from existing JavaSE open source solutions for OSM routing etc.
- LoroDox is planned to become a full pedestrian navigation software, with street vector data and a routing engine. Up to now it is only Geocaching-Mode Point-to-Point-Navigation like Loadstone-GPS. LoroDux is not able to import externally generated routes yet.
- LoroDux is planned to add features of special interest to blind persons to a standard pedestrian navigation. It shall be able to choose not only the fastest but also the savest way from A to B, preferring traffic signals with acoustic signals even if the distance is somewhat longer.
- At the moment there are only German menu names, but all OSM attribution is in English. Translation to languages where a screenreader is available is planned.
- Same as Loadstone: LoroDux uses an accessible development environment, so blind programmers are invited to join.
- Organizational: LoroDux is organized by myself. I don't do the coding, I am deciding about the requirements and priorities, and I organize the team. As far as I know all Loadstone Team members do coding.
- Progress: At the moment Loadstone-GPS has a lot more features.
What sets it apart from other open-source projects in its category?
As I do know only Loadstone-GPS in this category, I think everything is answered above.
Well, it is designed for blind persons to work with screenreader or braille display,
that sets it apart from conventional graphics based routers or software coming with its own voice output.
Do you know any other open source blind pedestrian navigation tools?
Cheers
Lulu-Ann
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