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

[Mateusz Loskot]

Andy,

I'm glad my comments may be helpful.
Now, I'm a bit busy but I'll try to track the discussion on the
OpenStreetmap list.

Cheers


Andy Robinson wrote:
> 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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> 
> 
> 
> 


-- 
Mateusz Loskot
http://mateusz.loskot.net