FieldMap

The FieldMap package:

NEWS:

  • 2006-07-08 v3.5.3 released. This version runs on a desktop PC using Sun J2SE version 1.3 or later, and on PocketPC 2003 and later using J2ME Personal Profile. The PocketPC/J2ME version is known to work with IBM's J9 PPRO10, see: IBM Workplace Client Technology, Micro Edition. As of Windows Mobile Second Edition, the Jeode JVM used with previous releases no longer works correctly, so is no longer supported in FieldMap.
  • Note that some problems have been reported with the current version on some PocketPC devices when creating notes. The symptoms are that instead of the "template selection" page, the browser displays a blank page or a "FieldNote error" message. The fixes are as follows:
    1. Copy the file \MobiComp\Context.properties to a desktop machine and edit it to replace the line
      webBrowser="\\Windows\\mcwb.exe"
      with
      webBrowser=internal
      then copy the file back to the PDA. This makes FieldMap use an alternative simple (and very experimental) web browser. This browser is much slower than mcwb, but it does handle the cookies used by the web server for session handling properly.
    2. Always reboot the PDA after exiting or before starting FieldMap. It appears that some internal connections are not closed properly when the program exits, so they cannot be re-established until the device is rebooted.
  • The javax.comm serial port extensions needed to run FieldMap on a Windows desktop or laptop are not currently available from Sun. The current version of FieldMap will, however, work with either javax.comm or gnu.io packages. We therefore recommend installing rxtx v2.1.7.
  • The development of v3.5 is supported by the European Commission Framework 6 Network of Excellence EPOCH as part of its Common Infrastructure (WP3.3). The next major release (v4) is scheduled for 2007 and will be developed as part of the EPOCH Newton project CIMAD (WP3.2). This will be open source, highly modularised and will permit extensive user configuration of loadable survey modules. In the meantime, work on v3.5 will be limited to minor updates and bug fixing. Feedback and bug reports are welcome.

FieldMap is a context-aware data collection and information access tool for use in field sciences.

Current version: 3.5.3

FieldMap is now supplied in the form of self-installing executables for Windows and PocketPC 2003. Full intallation instructions are included in the manual.

Download

  1. First, make sure you have installed a recent Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Development Kit (JDK)
    • For a Windows desktop or laptop, these can be obtained from http://java.sun.com/j2se/. You will also need either the gnu.io or javax.comm extensions to allow the program to communicate with a GPS receiver via the serial port. This must be installed even if you do not intend to use the laptop/desktop version with a GPS receiver. Currently, the Windows version of javax.comm is not available. Instead, we recommend installing the gnu.io extensions provided in the rxtx package (v2.1.7).
    • On the PocketPC, you will need to install a JRE. The IBM PPRO10 J9 is available from handango. J9 is available in several forms, the one needed here is for J2ME Personal Profile. Do not expect FieldMap to work with the MIDP version!
  2. Download the installer(s):
    • For Windows: FieldMap.exe (3MB). This includes a copy of the Manual.
    • For PocketPC/Windows Mobile 2003 and later using the IBM J9 JVM: FieldMapPPC-J9.exe (955kB). This does NOTinclude a copy of the Manual.
    • For PocketPC 2003 using Jeode JVM, the earlier v3.4.3 FieldMapPPC-Jeode.exe (955kB) remains available, although we strongly recommend upgrading to the J9 version. Subsequent releases will not work with Jeode. This does NOTinclude a copy of the Manual.
    • If required separately, the Manual, manual.zip (1.5MB).

An online copy of the Manual is also available.

Let me know how you get on.

More on FieldMap:

Last update: 2006-09-05