[OSM-talk] Mobile GPS data collection...

[Andy Robinson]

Mateusz,

I've copied the email you sent to the OSGEO list over to the
OpenStreetMap.org mailing list as I think your comments and experience are
useful information for those making use of data capture out in the field
when mapping for OpenStreetMap. If you have anything more you can add about
the platforms developed and used for this purpose and the software that's
been used I'm sure some on our list would be interested.

Cheers 

Andy Robinson
Andy_J_Robinson at blueyonder.co.uk 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mateusz Loskot [mailto:]
>Sent: 27 July 2006 18:27
>To: discuss at mail.osgeo.org
>Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Mobile GPS data collection...
>
>Gary Lang wrote:
>> We've been talkiing about this at Autodesk, this is because in
>> general users don't want to work (I'm not talking about consumers)
>> with maps through a tiny keyhole of a screen. We see much more
>> interest in the 'Toughbook' form factor.
>>
>> And for that I think that we have what people want to use for their
>> work.
>
>Hi,
>
>I've been developing mobile GIS applications for Windows CE
>platform for last 5 years.
>In Poland, the mobile GIS started to become very popular especially in
>forestry. So, the Forest Department decided to buy hundreds of mobile
>devices with GIS apps.
>The GIS app is used as a real GIS system with forest inventory
>database + GPS connection for navigation and data collecting (small
>surveying with accuracty lower than that used in geodesy, but sufficient
>for the application in forestry).
>
>The evolution of usage of mobile devices in this field started with
>bussines class devices, forest ranges used iPAQ's.
>Everyone knew it is not a good device to use in field, but costs are
>very low for start-up.
>During recent months, more rugged and professional devices are promoted
>like Mobile Mapper CE or Symbol devices.
>
>At first, we had doubts about small screen, no keyboard, etc.
>But I have to say, those small mobile devices was really usable.
>And, what was very important, the battery was working for whole working
>day (7-9 hours).
>
>Tablets seem to be good or even better, bigger screen etc. but holding
>2-3 Kg device for 6-7 hours when walking through forest in mountains or
>other difficult terrain could be very hard. Such situations are very
>common.
>
>Another interesting thing was that people had troubles with using ESRI
>ArcPad. This program was too complex for them, with not very
>intuitive UI and ... lack of polish language documentation, what was
>very important.
>
>IMHO the most important thing is a UI. It should be clean, simple and
>configurable (for example, support switching to kiosk,
>fullscreen mode, etc.)
>Next, good mobile application should provider automation of most of
>tasks (with suggesting default values, etc.)
>and support of hardware elements of the device.
>For example, our application supported catching GPS points on the layer
>manually using hardware keys, high/low PDOP was signaled by sounds,
>GPS activity was signaled by LEDs available in particular device, etc.
>
>I'd say such facilities caused those programs succeeded in hundreds of
>forest ranges in Poland.
>
>Note, when I was working in mobile bussines, we did not do any research
>to find Open Source mobile GIS. We did not considered OSS area for this.
>
>Best regards
>--
>Mateusz Loskot
>http://mateusz.loskot.net
>
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