#OSGEO IRC Log - 2009-05-08

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05:55:37 FrankW: aboudreault: regarding the UbuntuGIS respository, I think I was confused because when I browsed down into:
05:55:41 FrankW: http://svn.debian.org/wsvn/pkg-grass/packages/geotiff/libgeotiff-dfsg/trunk/#_packages_geotiff_libgeotiff-dfsg_trunk_
05:55:43 sigq: Title: WebSVN - pkg-grass - Rev 2187 - /packages/geotiff/libgeotiff-dfsg/trunk/ ( at svn.debian.org )
05:55:47 FrankW: I found lots of actual source code.
05:56:24 FrankW: Do you have any thoughts on whether having an UbuntuGIS area inside the generic OSGeo SVN respository would be ok, or if it is better to have a freestanding respository?
07:37:26 FrankW: TylerM: It seems the FOSS4G2009 logo is missing from the top right box on the osgeo home page.
07:37:31 FrankW: Do you see the same problem?
07:38:13 TylerM: hmm yeah thanks.. they changed locations again.. I'm going to copy the file now : )
07:41:16 TylerM: fixed - thanks for pointing it out
07:41:23 TylerM: hope others aren't live linking like I was : )
07:41:26 FrankW: np
08:12:41 CIA-15: osgeo: tmitchell * r1574 /journal/volume_5/en-us/annual_report/projects/soc.tex: adding soc report - thanks Wolfsvn add soc.tex
08:12:41 sigq: osgeofeed: Changeset [1574]: adding soc report - thanks Wolfsvn add soc.tex <http://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/changeset/1574>
08:15:53 joelar: researching handheld computers / tablet pc's..if anyone has any good input, i'd love to hear it.
08:19:05 TylerM: joelar: i saw an interesting option somewhere.. an eee PC or acer aspire one netbook.. with a tablet conversion kit - looked cool
08:19:21 TylerM: they show you how to flip the screen around backward and everything : )
08:20:27 joelar: oh yeah, that sounds familiar...where was that?
08:21:30 joelar: maybe a planetgs or planetosgeo post..
08:21:56 TylerM: here's one http://www.ctlcorp.com/v4/p-715-ctl-2go-convertible-classmate-pc-89-laptoptablet-with-hard-drive-with-windows-xp-home.aspx?affiliateid=10060&gclid=CJ75iqCRrZoCFRUhnAodzAFocA&
08:21:58 sigq: Title: 2go Convertible Intel Classmate PC by CTL Atom Netbook Tablet with Microsoft Windows XP Home ( at www.ctlcorp.com )
08:30:49 sigq: osgeofeed: Changeset [1575]: formatting soc report <http://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/changeset/1575>
08:31:30 CIA-15: osgeo: tmitchell * r1575 /journal/volume_5/en-us/annual_report/projects/soc.tex: formatting soc report
08:32:05 CIA-15: osgeo: tmitchell * r1576 /journal/volume_5/en-us/OSGeoJournal_vol5.pdf: formatting soc report
08:32:06 sigq: osgeofeed: Changeset [1576]: formatting soc report <http://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/changeset/1576>
08:40:31 joelar: i'm glad you mentioned that eee pc option TylerM - i think that could be a possible solution when data is collected from an auto. handheld portability is a likely requirement for field collection however i.e. hiking hills and such...
08:45:09 darkblue_B: joelar: I've been working with the ( non-GPS ) Nokia N800..
08:45:38 darkblue_B: I like the package alot.. but I have heard complaints about its GPS sucessor, the N810
08:46:14 darkblue_B: 2nd hand info though
08:49:29 joelar: i have heard good things about Nokia, will look into that. thx darkblue_B and thx TylerM. needed this feedback to think outside of my box.
08:52:35 TylerM: if you can handle a smallish cell phone screen, the E-series nokia phones are good ( i've used e62, e71 ), with a 'full' keyboard and run pretty fast. you can also script python on them, and more. e71 has built in gps, wifi and bluetooth. I used it a lot for email quite comfortably.
09:37:22 joelar: thought this was interesting re:'handheld computers w/ GPS support' http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/GPS_Data_Logger
09:37:24 sigq: Title: GPS Data Logger - Openmoko ( at wiki.openmoko.org )
09:38:23 joelar: stumbled on this as well, also interesting http://www.tangogps.org/gps/cat/About
09:38:24 sigq: Title: tangoGPS - Free user friendly map and gps for Linux || About || ( at www.tangogps.org )
10:59:23 wildintellect: joelar, you know it sounds like your doing what i did for about 4 years at DFG - handheld data collection system
11:38:00 joelar: wildintellect i have to reboot right now, but YES - i'm working on a plan for how we're going to collect field data, what hardware/software we'll use, etc.
12:11:40 wildintellect: joelar, the biggest probelem is having enough programmers to actually accomplish what you want
12:13:03 wildintellect: my recommendations is java( look at polish ) or python app with sqlite backend, but you need several experienced programmers to pull it off
12:13:48 wildintellect: and then use either android, openmoko, symbian or iphones
12:14:14 wildintellect: with large button touch based interface for fast data entry, little to no stylus
12:14:27 darkblue_B: Maemo ?
12:14:59 wildintellect: Maemo could work, none of the devices I've seen have long enough battery life
12:15:36 wildintellect: but that can be fixed with an external battery pack
12:15:43 darkblue_B: aha - interesting
12:16:05 wildintellect: well in field work, you're looking for an 8-10 hour with gps battery life
12:16:57 wildintellect: and as they shrink the devices so do the batteries, which is frustrating
12:17:38 wildintellect: the real key is if it's platform independant software - you can easily switch when a better device comes out
12:18:09 wildintellect: my app got stuck on windows mobile 2003se or older devices do to an activesync issue
12:18:19 wildintellect: but we didn't build from scratch
12:43:45 joelar: wildintellect did the DFG end up using that type of system? are they still using it?
12:47:16 wildintellect: joelar, I customized and maintained a proprietary solution on windows mobile using access and some other tools
12:47:55 wildintellect: the software still works on newer devices but theres no way to get the data off the device since pocket access is no longer supported by microsoft
12:48:03 wildintellect: so it's a dead end technologically
12:48:32 wildintellect: the solutions I mentioned earlier are my conclusions from researching a new alternative
12:48:51 wildintellect: but me at 20% time was not enough to support a custom application
12:52:33 joelar: yes, i don't imagine building a custom application will occur in this situation.
12:53:18 joelar: Since I'm also working for the State, I was thinking it could have been something deployed within another State Agency.
12:57:43 wildintellect: that only leaves a couple of solutions, that are actually more expensive
12:58:57 wildintellect: DWR is using an ArcPad or ArcScript solution or at least thats what I think they were going to do, DFG OSPR( oil response ) uses arcpad, and DFG R1 is still using a similar tool to mine with VisualCE
12:59:07 joelar: yes, i imagine we'll either fall back to simply using GPS units
12:59:33 wildintellect: oh and USGS uses Pendragon
12:59:37 joelar: or buy a Trimble product ( probably the Juno model ) - the software support there is really expensive
12:59:51 wildintellect: yes we have several in my lab
13:00:03 wildintellect: the devices are good but the software sucks
13:00:15 wildintellect: you can however run python
13:00:19 joelar: what software specifically?
13:00:23 wildintellect: and I've proven it's easy to write a simple app
13:00:32 wildintellect: Terrasync, Arcpad
13:00:57 wildintellect: the screens are just really small and way overcomplicated
13:01:31 wildintellect: the Juno's are nice though in that the memory doesn't die with the battery like most Pocket PCs
13:01:48 joelar: can you use Terrasync solely without ArcPad?
13:01:53 wildintellect: yes
13:02:10 wildintellect: and it includes data dictionaries for data entry
13:02:13 joelar: and do you have to buy the Professional version to get post-processing?
13:02:30 wildintellect: no you just need a copy of pathdfinder office on the desktop
13:03:07 joelar: oh, so Terrasync doesn't do the post-proc?
13:03:16 wildintellect: no
13:03:47 wildintellect: fyi waas is just as accurate as post-processing Juno data from our experiments so far
13:03:48 joelar: how do the photos look with the Juno's?
13:04:03 joelar: oh well, that's great to know re: waas
13:04:04 wildintellect: our Junos don't have cameras
13:04:24 wildintellect: or do you mean airphotos on the screen
13:04:37 joelar: no, the new Juno's have 3MP cameras
13:04:46 wildintellect: ah we don't have that model
13:05:13 wildintellect: my guess is 3MP will be good enough
13:07:38 joelar: but Terrasync is basically requried even though it's 'optional software' right?
13:08:01 wildintellect: no it's not required
13:08:19 wildintellect: the gps can transmit NMEA to any application on the device
13:08:57 wildintellect: I have some python example programs I can post for you that would get you started on a custom app
13:09:12 wildintellect: I did some proof of concept stuff
13:10:28 joelar: The $750 Juno might fit into our budget then ; ) I would like to see the example programs, that'd be much appreciated!
13:11:42 wildintellect: joelar, here are some results( we used a separate camera ) http://imaps.dfg.ca.gov/viewers/biospublic/app.asp?zoomtoBookmark=1716
13:11:44 sigq: Title: California Department of Fish and Game - IMAPS Viewer ( at imaps.dfg.ca.gov )
13:11:58 wildintellect: select some points and in the table you can launch the photo viewer
13:12:09 joelar: These newer Juno's are using Windows Mobile 6.1. Is that what version you were able to run Python on?
13:13:42 wildintellect: I've heard it runs on that too
13:14:36 wildintellect: PythonCE
13:15:43 wildintellect: http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/pythonce
13:15:45 sigq: Title: PythonCE Info Page ( at mail.python.org )
13:17:54 wildintellect: here's one of my code samples http://www.siafoo.net/library/23
13:17:56 sigq: Title: Pocket PC Serial - Siafoo ( at www.siafoo.net )
13:19:58 wildintellect: uses the simple tk library, I've got an exe installer for it somewhere - been meaning to get all this stuff online for a while
13:22:30 joelar: thx wildintellect very much!
21:08:48 wildintellect: anyone awake I've got a gdal_translate syntax question and it seems #gdal is quite tonight