International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 69

OpenStreetMap

Kevin Curran, University of Ulster, UK John Crumlish, University of Ulster, UK Gavin Fisher, University of Ulster, UK

ABSTRACT

OpenStreetMap is a collaborative web-mapping project that collects geospatial data to create and distribute online , freely available to anyone with an Internet connection. Once accessed, OpenStreetMap allows Internet users to contribute and edit geospatial data, effectively making it the mapping equivalent of . OpenStreetMap is maintained by volunteer cartographers from around who use GPS devices, por- table cameras, and laptops for field mapping. Collected data are complemented with digitised and free maps from the governmental and commercial sources. This report provides a summary of OpenStreetMap as a remarkable example of participatory geographic information systems (GIS).

Keywords: Citizen , Collaborative Maps, , , Open Source Mapping, Participatory Geographic Information Systems (GIS), StreetMap

INTRODUCTION access or contribute information, might create a snowball effect, which would eventually lead to OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative web the development of, in his own words, a “jigsaw mapping project—an example of participatory of the world” (Musgrove, 2010). GIS—which makes free crowd-sourced geospa- Since its inception, OpenStreetMap has tial data available to anyone with access to the attracted countless Internet users throughout Internet. OpenStreetMap was started in 2004 the world who have contributed to the project by , a programmer from the United in different ways. At the time of the first State Kingdom residing in . Using his laptop of the Map (SoTM) conference, set up by and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, OpenStreetMap Foundation in July 2007 in Steve Coast began mapping his neighborhood, , there were only 9,000 registered paying attention to the locations of particular users. Starting from 2007, Yahoo! allowed interest to him, and including much more de- OSM to tap into its vertical aerial photography tail than any available online map service was database, which greatly facilitated the progress providing at that time. He correctly envisioned of the OSM project (in 2010 ’s Bing that making such data augmentable, editable Maps also released its aerial imagery for the and freely available online, where anyone could OSM). By August 2008, the number of reg- istered users rose to 50,000; by March 2009, the number rose to 100,000 members; and by DOI: 10.4018/ijicst.2012010105 the beginning of 2010 the project had 200,000

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 70 International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 members. In November 2011 the total number provide much needed relief encountered many of volunteers reached 500,000. problems identifying what roads and routes Among other milestones, one should men- were available for the rescue and delivery of tion: (a) valuable functionality was added in the necessary supplies. January 2008 making OSM available for cyclists According to the website CrisisCom- who started downloading map data to use it on mons.org, there were a number of stages in trips; (b) funding of 2.4 million euro became the development of the inclusive Haiti maps available from CloudMade, a company founded to allow the aid workers to get help to the vic- by Steve Coast, that uses OpenStreetMap data tims. Firstly, there was an immediate search for for providing commercial geospacial services; all available period and contemporary maps. (c) in September 2009 announced that These included various historic maps and even it began supporting OpenStreetMap, which maps unclassified by the CIA. Due to critical allowed geotagged photos of landmarks to circumstances, the Public Library, be uploaded to the OpenStreetMap server which has a specialized Map Rectifier facility, (Lardinois, 2009). Currently, netizens around provided volunteer cartographers with NYPL the world utilize and update data available Map Warper, a software application that allowed at the project’s website OpenStreetMap.org. for digitizing of the historic maps of Haiti and Citizen cartographers range from volunteers aligning them with contemporary maps. At this providing humanitarian relief work in disaster point, OpenStreetMap volunteers began to get regions—where up-to-date maps are essential deeply involved with the project. Before the and could be a matter of life and death for the earthquake of 2010, they had already collected victims—to residents of cities, small towns some mapping data of the disaster areas, which and villages; who simply want to map their were used in conjunction with historic maps. neighborhoods or highlight certain landmarks Starting from this point, the OpenStreetMap that might be of interest to others. At the time community began collecting and editing the of this writing, OpenStreetMap community field data and mapping collapsed bridges and continues to grow with contributors across the impassable roads, locations of hospitals and globe submitting novel data or editing existing refugee tent camps, as well as accurately mark- information. ing the position of damaged buildings where Probably the most significant use of victims could remained trapped. The next OpenStreetMap has come in the aftermath of vital step involved the United Nations releas- the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on ing satellite imagery of the region for public January 12, 2010 with the epicenter located 25 use, a move that was followed by commercial km to the west of the country’s capital Port-au- satellite overhead imagery providers such as Prince. Pre-earthquake maps of Haiti contained GeoEye and Digital Globe. All these combined little more than a few highways and roads, with efforts helped to collect a vast base of carto- Port-au-Prince being signified by a shaded graphic knowledge, which has permitted the outline. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in OpenStreetMap community to build what has the Western Hemisphere, and as very few of become the most comprehensive map of Haiti. the population could afford GPS, there was no The Haiti mapping effort may be the most point for the commercial mapping services in significant example of how OpenStreetMap has creating accurate digital maps. The lack of an had a major social impact, but there are many accessible online cartographic reference had other examples of OSM performing valuable serious impeding implications for the relief social service for society. A large part of the efforts once the catastrophic earthquake killed success of OpenStreetMap was due to its diverse hundreds of thousands of people, and made user base around the world. The OpenStreet- close to one million homeless. International Map official blog, user diaries and OSM forum rescue and aid workers who were trying to threads contain references to a number of local

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 71 or even global mapping events such, as Night agencies or commercial services, and volunteer of the Living Maps, a global OSM map editing cartographers in different countries work on marathon. The OpenStreetMap Wiki also high- securing them. Technical teams are set up to lights similar and smaller events. These events manage the conversion and import the data could be anything from a casual get-together when large datasets are available to use in the for novice users to explore neighborhoods using OSM. In some cases, GPS would not be used if on-the-ground GPS surveys or walking papers, satellite imagery had been previously uploaded with collected data to be later imported and to the OSM server. After the upload of data a processed in the OSM editing environment; to map editor is used to edit the data. mapping parties, where cartography enthusiasts Another important form of contribution meet with the of inclusive mapping of a to the OpenStreetMap project is based on an particular area; or events such as armchair editor’s own local knowledge, which allows mapping—editing cartographic information features such as schools, libraries, various com- collected in the field, working with available munity places and landmarks, roundabouts and sets of data or digitizing aerial photography. busy roads bypasses to be placed on the map. While armchair mapping provides only a virtual A number of enthusiasts who are extremely camaraderie, the mapping parties are made up committed to the project will methodically map of a number of people who then usually split whole towns or rural districts over a period of into groups of two. Using GPS units, volunteers time by systematically organising mapping typically start with plotting the locations of parties to intensively map a particular area in obscure roads and footpaths, local landmarks, the evenings or over weekends. A score of other etc. Coordinates can be recorded in handwritten volunteers correct errors and add features by form by novice users, or saved on GPS receiv- performing a large number of smaller edits. ers by the more experienced. These coordinates This is done via built-in and are then brought to a person experienced with stand-alone map editors. the OSM editing environment such as JOSM, Several governments, including the United who uploads the information into existing States, have released official cartographic data OpenStreetMap dataset. The main objective of to OpenStreetMap, including Landsat 7 Satellite these and similar volunteer efforts is to chart Imagery, Prototype Global Shorelines and Tiger exhaustively by adding layer after layer of detail Data. Other countries have also made available to a map of a designated area, and to keep it the use of detailed local aerial photography continuously up-to-date. through the Open Aerial Map initiative. Some commercial companies have also donated data to the OpenStreetMap project on suitable licences. OPENSTREETMAP For instance, the Automotive Navigation Data, PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES a well-known provider of the digital maps for GPS-based navigation devices, donated a The data collection for OpenStreetMap is complete road dataset for the and increasing rapidly. Basically, participatory partial road datasets for and . The digital map production techniques stem from use of Yahoo!’s aerial photography and Bing on-the-ground GPS or paper surveys, intimate Maps is an example of a partnership with com- knowledge of a certain geographical community mercial map providers. plus available aerial imagery. Volunteers who There is a long list of software that can be travel by foot, , or study the used in the creation of online editable maps such landscape using handheld GPS, a paper log, or as OSM. The main purposes are map rendering voice recorder, and create the initial OSM data and representation, map data collection, and file. The project can greatly benefit from access management. Map editing software used in the to aerial photography datasets from government production and presentation of OpenStreetMap

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 72 International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012

Figure 1. Kosmos OpenStreetMap rendering platform

came from different sources, each with its Other map rendering and presentation own licensing. Map rendering and presenta- software applications created for use on mobile tion software comes in the form of interactive phones and GPS devices include AndNav2 and online web-based software, desktop software, for Android smartphones; OpenTouch- and mobile phone applications. OpenLayers is Map, which is a is a slippy map optimised for an open source JavaScript library for display- touch screen devices such as iPhone; and fi- ing map data in web browsers. It provides an nally, GpsMid which is a Java ME application API for building rich web-based geographic that is a free, fully offline, vector-based map applications similar to Maps and Bing application for mobile phones. It displays one’s Maps (Surrey councils open access, 2010). current position on a zoomable map and can be Slippy map interface is used to display map tiles used to search for and navigate to roads or points rendering by other software such as Map OS of interest. Matic, which can generate city maps by using A prime example of mapping and data col- OSM data with the map split in squares allow- lection software that is most commonly used ing to easily look for streets and an index of for OpenStreetMaps is GPSBabel, which many the streets with references to the squares on the contributors use to convert GPS track data from map. Other examples of such software include various proprietary formats to the GPX format , Osmarender and Cartagen. that OpenStreetMap requires. GPSBabel is a Kosmos, which is currently being replaced cross platform, to transfer routes, by Maperitive, is an example of a lightweight tracks and waypoint data between GPS units OpenStreetMap rendering platform that pro- and mapping programs. It can convert over a vides many tasks, including the ability to render hundred different types of GPS data formats. OpenStreetMaps interactively, print the maps, GPSBabel grants users the ability to freely move set up a local tile map server, create separate their own waypoint data between the programs map rendering rules or share rules stored in and the hardware they choose to use. OpenStreetMap Wiki pages, view maps on a In OSM there is no option of categorising Java enabled mobile phone, and to perform what is uploaded (e.g., whether it is a road, or tasks from the command line (Figure 1). a river) therefore, the data needs to be edited.

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 73

Figure 2. JOSM using Yahoo WMS plug-in

The volunteers perform this task with the use ery, and much more. It is an essential applica- of map editing software. The most commonly tion for users of OpenStreetMap (as shown in used editing application for OpenStreetMap Figure 3). is JOSM, the original Java OpenStreetMap Other map editing applications available desktop editing software application (Figure 2). to users of OpenStreetMap include Potlatch, JOSM is a feature-rich editor with an interface an online flash editor; Merkaartor, a desktop that can seem complex at first. It also requires editor similar to JOSM; OSM2Go, a mobile/ certain installation and configuration efforts desktop editor; and Quantum GIS, another to get some plug-in features when working desktop editor which includes an OpenStreet- particularly with Yahoo! imagery. Map plug-in. The OpenStreetMap interface is The user can utilize JOSM software to edit easy to navigate and it is visually appealing. It place names, build locations, add photo imag- includes a built-in search to find places. Over-

Figure 3. JOSM displaying OpenStreetMap data and GPS track logs

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 74 International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 all, OpenStreetMap offers many functions and clicking at the beginning of a road will produce features allowing users to edit maps, review a node. The difference from the “point of inter- recent edits, export map data, view and upload est” entry is that once the user moves the mouse GPS data, and make comments and suggestions. pointer, the movement is traced with waypoints. Another single click will produce another node, and the tracing will continue from this point, al- INTERACTING WITH lowing the user to negotiate the tracing of bends OpenStreetMap in a motorway, road, track etc. Once the end of a particular road has been reached, a double click There are various methods to augment and edit will enter a final node that will signify the end the data in OpenStreetMap. Each individual of that particular entry. The user is then free to method is geared toward the individual tech- enter the necessary details, such as what type nical skills of users, and also depends on how of road it is, motorway, connecting road, cycle much time and effort the user would like to path, or footpath, and any names that the entry contribute. A range of online and standalone may have, such as M1, Dunfield Terrace, etc. editing software applications support the OSM Once all the information that the user wants project, with the most frequently used including to include has been added, they are provided with Potlatch, JOSM and Merkaator. the option to save the changes that they have Potlatch made for editing later, or to save the changes and upload them to the OpenStreetMap server. Potlatch 2 is the OSM default online editor, After the changes have been uploaded to the which opens when an Internet user goes to the OpenStreetMap server, other members of the edit tab on the OSM interface—utilizing any OpenStreetMap community can then review major browser and requiring only a Flash plug- and edit them if necessary. in. It allows the user, for example, to work with the satellite imagery provided by Yahoo! and Java OpenStreetMap Bing for the purposes of creating a map of a Java OpenStreetMap (JOSM) is an individual neighborhood. By double-clicking on the image, stand-alone software application that allows the user creates what is called a node. A node can OpenStreetMap users to render GPS data. This be used to highlight any single information can then be uploaded onto the Open- on the map, such as a building, and can be used StreetMap server. The user can either download in conjunction with other nodes. To complete the existing data associated with the area on the map map, the nodes are connected using waypoints. that they would like to edit or augment, or they In the latest version of OpenStreetMap, many can edit and upload their own raw GPS data to public amenities such as telephone boxes, bus JOSM. This would most likely be decided when stops, etc, have their own highlighting icons, establishing exactly how much data already is which the user simply needs to drag from the available for a particular area. For example, the toolbar and drop onto the required place on the accessible data, such as satellite imagery and map to mark the location. If a particular point existing OpenStreetMap entries, for major cit- of interest does not already have a designated ies and their surrounding areas is usually quite icon, the user can simply double click the cor- detailed. With this in mind, it may be helpful rect location on the image, creating a node. The for the user to reference the existing data when user can then manually add the description of making their own entries, as it will enable them that particular point of interest. to establish how accurate their GPS readings Roads, tracks and pathways can be added to are—if need be—as well as establish whether OpenStreetMap in a very similar way to places. the data they have compiled about particular The user simply has to identify the road, etc, items (streets, landmarks, points of interest, etc.) on the Yahoo! or Bing overhead image. Single

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 75 already exists within the server. The user may Merkaator find that the current data contained within the server may need to be updated. On the flip side, Merkaator, like JOSM, is a stand-alone map as some urban areas in the are editing software application that allows users having quite detailed cartographic information to access, add and edit the datasets stored on available, some others, for example, City the OpenStreetMap server. Once the data has in the , has very little. The been retrieved, Merkaators’ mapping functions satellite imagery available for the Derry City are very similar to that of JOSM, in that it is poor and the information exhibited on the deals with nodes which are used individually OpenStreetMap is quite minimal for anywhere to signify points of interest, or as a series to other than the city center. With this in mind, create waypoints signifying roads and paths users wanting to update data associated with etc., which can in turn be linked to Yahoo! an undermapped urban area such as Derry City or Bing satellite imagery. It has an intuitive may need to collect and upload the raw data user interface, providing a transparent display from their GPS to JOSM. of map features. However, Merkaator places When using JOSM, the user will initially more emphasis on the aesthetics of mapping, gather as much GPS data as possible using a since it allows mapping more precisely curved GPS unit. This information is then imported roads. On the other side, the OpenStreetMap into JOSM as a GPX file. The coordinates of the Wiki warns that this application, still being in GPX file can then be read by JOSM, and this in the phase of development, is “very memory turn allows the user to retrieve any existing data hungry and can freeze the machine while page- on that particular area from the OpenStreetMap swapping” (“Comparison of editors,” 2012). server. The information that is added is actually a series of coordinates. These coordinates can then be traced over by the user, creating nodes. DISCUSSION AND These nodes can then be used to signify an CONCLUSION individual object, such as a street postbox, or Given that a lot of mapping information with a as part of a series of nodes, or waypoints mak- high level of detail is now available online via ing up a road or a track, etc. Photos or images MapQuest, Google, Yahoo! or , it is such as a statue, street sign, building, etc., can worth asking the question, what benefit does also be uploaded, giving the user additional access to free, editable maps provide to regular information on a particular location. Various Internet users? It is important to recognize that types of information may be included about the OpenStreetMap project has had major influ- each of the nodes and waypoints. For example, ence on both the attitudes of citizens and gov- if a node signifies a street postbox, information ernments towards the issue of cartographic data should be entered to detail that it represents availability and accessibility. For example, over an amenity, and that it is indeed a postbox. If the past years, The Guardian has spearheaded a a series of nodes and waypoints signifies the campaign in the UK to make cartographic data location of a road, then the user should enter collected by government-funded organizations details of the type of road it is, e.g., motorway, freely available to the public. The argument is residential, cycle path, footpath etc., the name that, if taxpayers’ money paid for the data to be if applicable, and whether it is one way or not. collected, why should taxpayers have to pay any JOSM uses a uniform tagging system, which more to access the data? This in turn has resulted encourages users to tag all features on a map in , the UK national mapping in a consistent way. agency, making maps in several formats avail-

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 76 International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 able online for free downloads from April 2010 source project – open..co.uk map- (Sung, 2010). The Independent newspaper (OS ping site – based on the OpenStreetMap data. Maps, 2010) wrote that Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Additionally, in 2008, Google started its own the founder of the World Wide Web, advised OSM-type collaborative project called Google Prime Minister Gordon Brown on allowing Map Maker. According to the Times newspaper publicly funded map data to be freely available (Blakely, 2008), this service is aimed mainly at in an effort to boost entrepreneurship and kick- amateur cartographers based in “hyper-growth start cutting-edge technology enterprises in the countries” like India, where the infrastructure United Kingdom. According to Dr. Christopher has a tendency to change at an alarming rate Board, chairman of the Charles Close Society in comparison to more developed countries. for the Study of Ordnance Survey Maps, hav- creator Lalitesh Katragadda ing free Ordnance Survey maps at the user’s felt that Google’s “enormous online reach” disposal is very important. Board claims that would be the deciding factor on its popularity if it was left up to the providers to map what in comparison to similar non-commercial ap- they felt was important, then the “most popular plications such as OpenStreetMap. Four years tourist areas would be mapped regularly and later, Google Map Maker is available in 188 kept up to date, but there would be huge areas countries and its community has reached 25,000 of agricultural land, moor or croft that would members. Google Map Maker invites Internet be left untouched” (OS Maps, 2010). Ordnance users to correct and update and Survey maps can only be implemented as a provides step-by-step instructions and technical point of reference for the user, however if any support. However, as appealing and functional drastic changes may occur within the landscape as Google’s mapping applications may look, one of the area mapped, this effectively renders the should remember that they serve as a means map out of date and it is up to the Ordnance of generating corporate revenue—not for the Survey cartographers to provide updates. A altruistic purposes of mapping the world. On the major advantage that OpenStreetMap would other hand, the OpenStreetMap project allows have over any Ordnance Survey maps would for uninterrupted programming access to its be that it has the potential to be updated in datasets and provides a foundation for similar real time. On the other side, under the direct crowdsourced initiatives such as Information influence of the OSM, Ordnance Survey has Freeway, OpenCycleMap, OpenBusMap, started to provide more free services, such as OpenRouteService, OpenOrienteeringMap, OS OpenSpace, which allows embedding maps and other projects. of Great Britain into web pages. The OpenStreetMap initiative is growing The practices of commercial online map and expanding with new volunteers joining and image providers have also been influenced the effort to build and maintain a free-to-use, by the OpenStreetMap project. As mentioned, comprehensive map of the world. With con- first Yahoo! and then Bing Maps permitted tinuing advances in GIS technology and new volunteer mappers to use their proprietary aerial approaches to gathering and editing digital photography as a backdrop. Yahoo! Flickr also cartographic data, the seemingly utopian project allows tagging photo images with OSM tags steadily moves towards fruition as time passes. to be easily searched and transferred on OSM New features for OpenStreetMap are being maps if needed. At the 4th annual international added, more areas in developed countries are State of the Map 2010 conference, MapQuest, getting covered, and more and more develop- owned by AOL, announced that it decided to ing countries are getting involved with the become “the first major mapping site to em- OpenStreetMap project. Citizen cartographers brace and encourage open source mapping at are enthusiastically exploring unorthodox ways scale” (MapQuest Opens Up, 2010). As part of using OSM, from highlighting the location of this initiative, MapQuest founded an open of a communal event, to keeping a crisis map

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012 77 up-to-date during a humanitarian or relief mis- Lardinois, F. (2009, September 28). Flickr now sup- sion. Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake in 2010 has ports OpenStreetMap tags. ReadWriteWeb. Retrieved shown how powerful participatory and activist from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/ flickr_now_supports_openstreetmap_tags.php cartography can be when properly channeled and implemented. A major contribution to the Mapping party. (2009, May 8). Weait.com. Retrieved success of OpenStreetMap work during the Haiti from http://weait.com/content/mapping-party crisis is that OSM gave remote volunteer car- MapQuest Opens Up. (2010, July 9). Mapquest. Re- tographers and onsite relief workers the ability trieved from http://blog.mapquest.com/2010/07/09/ to work together and update geographical data mapquest-opens-up/ on the OSM in real time. Despite the fact that Musgrove, M. (2010, January 31). Citizen cartog- much of the work is still needed to complete raphers’ map the microcosms of the world. The the project, OpenStreetMap already serves as Post. Retrieved from http://www.wash- a remarkable example of public participation ingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/30/ GIS, and one of the largest collective mapping AR2010013000033.html endeavours in the history of human civilisation. OpenStreetMap. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. .org OpenStreetMap Wiki. (2012). Retrieved from http:// REFERENCES wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/index.php?title=Main_ Page&oldid=726612 Blakely, R. (2008, October 4). Google enlists pub- lic to map fast-changing world. The Times Online. OS maps: No.1 in the charts since 1747. (2010, April Retrieved from http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/ 2). The Independent. Retrieved from http://www. tol/news/tech_and_web/article4878039.ece independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/os-maps- no1-in-the-charts-since-1747-1934059.html Comparison of editors. (2012, January 3). Open- StreetMap Wiki. Retrieved from http://wiki.open- Sung, D. (2010, April 1). Ordnance Survey finally streetmap.org/wiki/Comparison_of_editors gives up the goods. Pocket-lint. Retrieved from http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/32400/ordnance- Google experiments with hotel prices on Google survey-free-up-data maps. (2010, March 24). The Independent. Retrieved from: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news- Surrey councils open access to aerial photography. and-advice/google-experiments-with-hotel-prices- (2010, April 6). Guardian Professional. Retrieved on-google-maps-1927650.html from http://www.guardian.co.uk/government-com- puting-network/2010/apr/06/surrey-heath-aerial- Haiti OpenStreetMap. (2010). CrisisCommons. photography-openstreetmap-gis-06apr10 Retrieved from http://www.crisiscommons.org/ Haiti-Open-Street-Map

Kevin Curran, PhD, is a Reader in Computer Science at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. He is an IEEE Technical Expert and member of the Information Security Specialist Group of the British Computer Society and other professional bodies. Among his achievements are winning and managing projects in information and communication technologies of the UK & European Framework and Technology Transfer Schemes. Dr. Curran is perhaps most well-known for his work on location positioning within indoor environments, pervasive computing, and Internet security. His expertise has been acknowledged by numerous publications, invitations to pres- ent his work at international conferences, overseas universities, and research laboratories. He was the recipient of an Engineering and Technology Board Visiting Lectureship for Exceptional Engineers, served as an advisor to the British Computer Society, and is a regular contributor to BBC radio & TV broadcasts in the UK about technology. Dr. Curran is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Ambient Computing and Intelligence.

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 78 International Journal of Interactive Communication Systems and Technologies, 2(1), 69-78, January-June 2012

John Crumlish has worked in the IT industry in Northern Ireland as a programmer and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems, Faculty of Computing and Engineering, at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. His research interests include HTML5, OpenStreetMap, geolocation, and Internet security.

Gavin Fisher has worked in the IT industry in Northern Ireland as a web designer and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems, Faculty of Computing and Engineering, at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. His research interests include Internet technologies and GPS.

Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.