[OSM-dev] Josm Bookmarks WAS: JOSM plugin for direct serial read

[Nick Hill]

Whilst on the subject of Josm features, I have noticed a few issues new users 
can have with Josm.

[1] (a)Not have Java installed
     (b)have incorrect version of Java.

[2] Not be able to find their location in Josm to start editing.

[3] Not have properties box visible to see that ways, segments and nodes have
     name/value pairs.

I have made some initiative to overcome these issues;

[1] (a) On windows platforms, if a user downloads a .jar file then double clicks 
on it, it refers to Microsoft's web site which unhelpfully tells users Windows 
can't open such a file. It then refers users on to another site which in turn 
refers users to arj software. Most unhelpful, and perhaps reflects Microsoft 
discouraging cross-platform compatible programs.

I have proposed a solution to this. I discovered that you can append any rubbish 
to the beginning of a jar file without changing it's behaviour so long as that 
'rubbish' doesn't contain the PKzip magic number. It is therefore possible to 
prepend a small (200k) windows executable to the front of a jar then call it 
.jar.exe. That executable can check for a suitable installation of java before 
invoking the program, if necessary download & install the necessary version of 
Java. 'java -jar myapp.jar.exe' will work normally.

Whilst the problem persists on Microsoft Windows, the problem will solve itself 
with GNU/Linux as distributions will typically include the SUN JVM by mid 2007.


[2] I have noticed new users have trouble finding their location in Josm. I have 
been considering creating a citysearch bookmark for Josm, using a heirachial 
list of country/locality/city/town.

It wasn't until I started looking at the Josm code that I realised there was a 
zoomable map of the world in the download box. The zoomable map of the world 
looks really cool, but is of a low resolution, and users tend to select a much 
bigger area than would be advisable. A recursive bookmark index of the world's 
towns may be easier to use, and take the user much closer to home.

Initially most useful for JOSM would be a citysearch bookmark if the data were 
available. In the longer term, a bookmark based on OSM data would be good, as 
this will encourage structured naming of areas. I can see a problem wit this; 
localities are named with points, where they are in fact areas. It is not 
possible to accurately derive an area heirachy (eg 
UK->England->London->Lewisham->Catford) from OSM data.


[3] Josm is of limited practical use without the properties box visible. In 
fact, it is dangerous for new users to use Josm if they can't see the properties 
box as they may assume odd nodes around are placed in error if they can't see 
they represent a place of interest, or a name of a town. They are inclined to 
click on them and delete them as part of a well intentioned but misled clean-up 
operation. Also, ways all have direction. Being aware of the direction of ways 
is essential if you will be making a good map. I suggest Josm by default shows 
direction arrows on segments and has properties, layers, current selection and 
command stack visible. The user can always turn them off, but I feel the 
directionality of ways and properties of objects are so fundamental, they 
shouldn't be hidden.




Nick Whitelegg wrote:
> Hello Imi,
> 
> I'm quite keen to add the direct serial port read functionality to JOSM as 
> it would enable people to use one application to read from their GPS and 
> create new data for OSM. I'm thinking of my particular OSM user-base of 
> interest (walkers) in particular. I'm quite happy with the gpsbabel/josm 
> approach but I'd imagine that new users could be attracted to the project 
> if they have just one piece of software for the whole process.
> 
> I tried emailing the other guy who's doing this but haven't had a response 
> yet. Is it worth me carrying on with it or would I just be duplicating 
> effort?
> (the approach I would take is the cross platform 'GPSylon' Java library 
> for GPS serial communication)
> 
> Thanks,
> Nick
> 
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