[Talk-mm] GPS devices in Myanmar
Neil Penman
npenman at au1.ibm.com
Thu Jun 12 09:12:52 BST 2008
Hi Thaung, Mikel,
I think it would be a good idea to look at multiple potential sources for
devices including the OSM foundation, corporate sponsors and maybe what we
can gather together ourselves, Mikel if you have any contacts who can help
that would be great. Ideally it would be good to get a big shipment with
the same devices as that would simplify the support and training. However
we probably don't have the luxury to wait for that to happen at the moment.
So to get the data capture started by at least one team, I could send a
parcel to Myanmar with the following:
1) A Globalsat DG100
(http://www.globalsat.com.tw/eng/product_detail_00000090.htm)
2) A digital camera
3) A creative muvo with 512MB capacity for voice.
If you combine the above with one of the donated eeePCs to review and
record the data then the team should be well equipped.
Thaung, can you let me know if that would be useful and if the above timing
would be good for you.
Regards
Neil Penman
IT Architect
Global Business Services
Phone : + 61 -3-864 65703
Mobile: +61 402-975-959
email: npenman at au1.ibm.com
"Thaung Su Nyein"
<thaungsunyein at gm
ail.com> To
"Mikel Maron"
10/06/2008 06:30 <mikel_maron at yahoo.com>
PM cc
Neil Penman/Australia/IBM at IBMAU,
john.mckenzie at worldvision.com.au,
kieran.scott at worldvision.com.au,
R.Shamir at cfa.vic.gov.au, "Kyaw Soe
Hlaing" <kshlaing at ait.asia>, "Chit
Tun Pe" <christophertun at gmail.com>,
talk-mm at openstreetmap.org, Ian
Checkley/Australia/IBM at IBMAU, Brett
Henderson/Australia/IBM at IBMAU,
Richard Rome/Australia/IBM at IBMAU
Subject
Re: [Talk-mm] GPS devices in
Myanmar
Neil,
1. Egress already has enough HR resources to field 50 GPS data capturing
teams of approximately 3 persons each. One lead person, plus 2 helpers
(guides) from local areas. Not all of them will be GPS / mapping experts
though. They will have to be trained quickly.
2. Based on suggestions, can we modify requirements list to read: 50 GPS
devices, 50 voice recorders and 50 digital cameras?
3. After this work is over, these devices can be presumably handed over to
other teams who are going out into the villages for aid relief, data
capture, etc. Wonder who knows how many GPS devices are in operation by
NGOs and other local authorities?
4. It'd be great to have volunteer trainers / mapping experts in Myanmar.
thanks,
tsn
P.S. Now I'm back in Yangon.
On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 2:44 AM, Mikel Maron <mikel_maron at yahoo.com> wrote:
Neil-
Good news that we'll be able to ship devices directly into Myanmar. What
are the current leads on donation and/or funding for equipment? Let me
know if the OSM Foundation, or any introductions to potential corporate
sponsors, would be helpful.
-Mikel
----- Original Message ----
From: Neil Penman <npenman at au1.ibm.com>
To: john.mckenzie at worldvision.com.au; kieran.scott at worldvision.com.au;
R.Shamir at cfa.vic.gov.au; Kyaw Soe Hlaing <kshlaing at ait.asia>; Kyaw Soe
Hlaing <kshlaing at ait.asia>; Chit Tun Pe <christophertun at gmail.com>
Cc: Richard Rome <rrome at au1.ibm.com>; Ian Checkley <icheckle at au1.ibm.com
>; Brett Henderson <brethend at au1.ibm.com>; Mikel Maron <
mikel_maron at yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, June 9, 2008 5:23:41 AM
Subject: Fw: GPS devices in Myanmar
Guys,
It looks like we should be able to ship GPS devices directly into Myanmar
and Myanmar Egress will help clear through customs.
The plan by MPCA is to use 50 teams each equipped with a GPS device to
map
several public spots in each of 2,500 villages in the disaster area over
a
period of 2-3 weeks. I'd treat this as the maximum number we would be
looking for as it may not be possible to resource 50 data capture teams
(Thaung can you confirm?). It may also be a good idea to start with a
smaller number of devices (say 10) and make sure we get the data capture
process working right before going to full scale. If possible the teams
should also have digital cameras as the photographs would provide useful
information and they are easily synchronised to the tracks produced by
the
GPS so that the photos would have accurate location information
associated
with them.
The captured map data would be loaded into OSM and be available as maps
for
use in Sahana, as printed paper maps and to be loaded onto Garmin devices
used by aid workers.
I presume these teams will also be involved in acquiring data for input
into Sahana.
We will also need GPS devices for aid delivery workers so if we can't use
all the GPSs for data capture we can put the remainder to good use.
The types of devices we are looking for are any Garmin devices that can
take OSM maps Garmin eTrex legend CX or HCx and Garmin 60CSX. Actually
there are a broad range of devices that can capture GPS tracks and show
OSM
maps including most high end phones that have a GPS chip. So if we have
to
scrounge these from multiple sources we can.
Issues:
1) Until we try and get some GPS devices into Myanmar and start using
them
we won't know for sure that its going to work. However it is looking
promising.
2) The big outstanding issue is that we still have to source the GPS
devices or sufficient funding to purchase them.
3) For training we should be able to get experienced mappers to volunteer
to go to Myanmar to help train the data capture teams. I'd be happy to go
for one.
4) Setting up Sahana and the Map servers including ensuring there is
enough
capacity on the hardware. This is being dealt with separately.
5) Network bandwidth. We think we can work with the bandwidth available
using IPSTAR from the regions toYangon and low bandwidth links out of
Myanmar from there.
Thaung, I hope you had a good flight back to Yangon and I look forward to
hearing from you.
Regards
Neil Penman
IT Architect
Global Business Services
Phone : + 61 -3-864 65703
Mobile: +61 402-975-959
email: npenman at au1.ibm.com
----- Forwarded by Neil Penman/Australia/IBM on 09/06/2008 07:05 PM -----
"Thaung Su Nyein"
<thaungsunyein at gm
ail.com> To
"Kyaw Soe Hlaing"
09/06/2008 05:20 <kshlaing at ait.asia>
PM cc
Neil Penman/Australia/IBM at IBMAU,
"Chit Tun Pe"
<christophertun at gmail.com>
Subject
Re: GPS devices in Myanmar
Hello Neil,
After a brief discussion with people from Myanmar Egress, the best
solution
may be to send them directly from wherever to Myanmar, addressed to
someone
in Myanmar who will help us clear the items through customs. If shipment
is
confirmed, I'll give more details.
thanks,
tsn
On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Kyaw Soe Hlaing <kshlaing at ait.asia>
wrote:
Dear TSN and Neil,
It is OK for me to receive GPS(s) in Bangkok and forward it to Yangon.
However, pls. consider Thai custom duties if you are importing from
outside Thailand.
Because of custom ditues, GPS price in Thailand is about 60% higher
than
abroad (e.g. Cambodia where there is no custom duties on GPS devices).
Thus, I would suggest you to consider "sending through Thailand" as
last
option.
If any WV person is travelling directly to Yangon, he/she can bring
these
GPSs as personal effects and Nargis Action Group Myanmar (NAG) can
arrange customs clearance at YGN airport.
Best,
Kyaw
******************************************************
Kyaw Soe Hlaing, Mr.
Coordinator, Promotions and Alumni Relations
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Room#242, AIT Admin Bldg.
P.O.Box-4, Klong Luang
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Tel: 66 (0)2 524 5076
Fax: +66 (0)2 524 5065
E-mail: kshlaing at ait.ac.th , kshlaing at ait.asia
******************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: Thaung Su Nyein
To: Neil Penman
Cc: Chit Tun Pe ; Kyaw Soe Hlaing
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:53 AM
Subject: Re: GPS devices in Myanmar
Hi Neil,
I cc Mr Kyaw Soe Hlaing here, who is from AIT. He and AIT have been
organizing the donation of equipment, and sponsoring of this project.
He's based in Bangkok, so you could get the devices to him perhaps.
Once
in Ko Kyaw Soe Hlaing's hands, he will be able to use our channels to
ship the GPS into Myanmar.
Dear Ko Kyaw Soe Hlaing, I forward our past conversation so you can
know
the background of this email. Can you also advise us with regards to
whether AIT could help this process? Or if need be, can AIT coordinate
with WV?
thanks very much,
tsn
On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 8:33 AM, Neil Penman <npenman at au1.ibm.com>
wrote:
This is great analysisThaung,
Unfortunately we haven't managed to donate any GPS's yet to anyone.
However we are working with WV to organise this. My aim is to get
the
GPS
devices to you for use in mapping. I can't see this completing by
the
12th so we will have to address how we delvier the units when we get
to
that point.
Regards
Neil Penman
IT Architect
Global Business Services
Phone : + 61 -3-864 65703
Mobile: +61 402-975-959
email: npenman at au1.ibm.com
"Thaung Su Nyein"
<thaungsunyein at gm
ail.com>
To
Neil
Penman/Australia/IBM at IBMAU,
09/06/2008 06:02 "Chit Tun Pe"
AM <christophertun at gmail.com>
cc
Subject
Re: GPS devices in Myanmar
Hi Neil,
1. If we can use the GPS devices for our mapping project, we can
carry
them
into Yangon under our heading.
1a. There are approximately 2,500 villages in the disaster area. We
sat
down with a GIS expert and figured about 2-3 weeks will be needed for
50
teams (total of 50 GPS devices), to go and mark a few public spots in
each
village. We based this on a rate of 3 villages per day per team. So,
we
will need 50 GPS devices.
Can we take this opportunity and draw up a plan to OSM'ize the rest
of
Myanmar? There are
66,000 villages in Myanmar total.
1c. I'm leaving Monday 5:45pm with Thai Airways. If somehow, you were
able
to arrange this in time: I'll carry them into Myanmar myself. We have
secured a way to do it.
1d. If not in time for me, but you still were able to arrange this:
my
friend, Mr Ye Myat Thu who is also in our team will go back to
Myanmar
on
12th. He can carry the devices in.
2. Creating maps for OSM should be fine. Since this (Sahana & OSM)
might
even turn out to be used by the authorities eventually, I don't see
any
situation where they will want to forbid it.
3. For their comm equipment, we might be able to point out some local
repair shops which could do something for them.
4. We will of course, definitely be glad to have all NGO's be
connected
to
the Sahana project, so we will do everything possible to help them.
If you have anything urgent to ask or tell me, feel free to call my
Thai
mobile phone: (0)871087401. I'll be leaving for airport around 3pm
Bkk
time.
thanks and best regards,
tsn
On Sun, Jun 8, 2008 at 1:58 PM, Neil Penman <npenman at au1.ibm.com>
wrote:
Hi Chris, Thaung,
World Vision sent me an email in which they said that GPS devices are
"not
allowed in Myanmar". What is the situation as you understand it and
can
your group do anything to assist? In addition do you see any issues
with
creating maps for OSM within the country? Also World Vision say that
they
are having communication problems and are interested in what you guys
are
planning to use so there may be opportunities for your organisation
to
provide consulting there.
Regards
Neil Penman
IT Architect
Global Business Services
Phone : + 61 -3-864 65703
Mobile: +61 402-975-959
email: npenman at au1.ibm.com
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