Final Results from 2010 Digital Field Mapping Technology Survey Jennifer E. Athey Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys July 7, 2011
2010 survey results - interest in digital technology Digital mapping is defined as using a computer or personal DGGS surveyed the geologic digital assistant (PDA) to show community regarding their interest in and record information that has digital geologic mapping and the 82% traditionally been recorded on current technology being used. The of geologic organiza- Unsolicited Responses from Universities paper, whether on note cards, e-mail survey went out to over 1,250 tions/geologists want to A significant number of universities felt that in a notebook, or on a map. organizations (university geology undergraduate students should not have access departments, state and national or already use computers to digital mapping equipment while learning the geological surveys, and the private basics of field mapping (8%) sector) with a ~13% response rate. to map in the field Many universities already use digital mapping in Communication in the Geologic undergraduate classes or student research (18%) Community is Key to Advancing Digital Mapping Wishlist Digital Geologic Field Mapping Most commented (20 responses) 1. Increase software ease-of-use, documentation, and support Interested to start 2. Decrease cost of system digital mapping Make hardware with integrated GPS or better GPS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_geologic_mapping 3. Make hardware lighter Collecting traditional 4. Increase screen size (from PDA users) geologic data digitally Wikipedia as a resource 5. Hardware becomes obsolete too fast Collecting reconnaissance • Easy to access and edit by anyone 6. Hardware needs to be ruggedized geologic data digitally Battery life needs to be longer University Geology Departments • Language is free of jargon or defined 7. Write more Mac-compatible software Collecting point data digitally State Geological Surveys 8. Faster processors and video cards • Information is well documented National Geological Surveys Better screen visibility Not interested in Embedded photo capability, better camera digital mapping 9. Voice recognition http://list.state.ak.us/soalists/geomapping_technology/jl.htm Embedded sketch capability Least commented (2 responses) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Why a listserv? Responses Will promote conversation and networking Easy and fast to use 2010 survey results - technology being used Information will be up-to-date The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) Open membership GIS Software Responses Hardware Responses collects, analyzes, and publishes geological and geophysical information in order to inventory and manage Alaska's natural resources and mitigate ESRI ArcPAD: 35 PDAs: 34 ruggedized, geologic-hazard risks. In 2005, DGGS began investigating the potential ESRI ArcGIS: 18 17 non-ruggedized 2010 survey results - satisfaction Other programs: 25 of digital field mapping technology to streamline data collection and Hardware Software For Tablets, TabletPCs, Laptops processing. (Note: Software and hardware listed on this poster are not BGS SIGMA Mobile necessarily all-inclusive of those potentially capable of meeting 37% were satisfied, 43% were 39% were satisfied, 38% were ArcView Laptops: 8 ruggedized, requirements for field entry of geologic data. Brand names are examples BeeGIS 11 non-ruggedized only and do not imply endorsement by the State of Alaska.) satisfied with reservations satisfied with reservations GeoMapper/PenMap Geologists satisfied with their Geologists satisfied with their Grass digital mapping use: digital mapping software are Geovectra (Chile) "GVMapper” 48% like PDAs using a variety of products: Move - Midland Valley Tablets: 8 ruggedized, Metadata AutoCAD Map Created by: Jennifer E. Athey ([email protected]) 23% like laptops 74% are using ESRI products, 4 non-ruggedized Reviewed by: James Weakland ([email protected]) Ortelius (for Macs) Review date: July 7, 2011 16% like tablet PCs with ArcPad the most popular Published by: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Department of Natural Resources, 2011. Digital forms of this and most other DGGS publications are available on the DGGS website (http://www.dggs.alaska.gov). 13% like tablets at 46% For PDAs To purchase printed reports and maps, contact DGGS by phone (907-451-5020), e-mail ([email protected]), or Trimble TerraSync fax (907-451-5050). 20% were unsatisfied 23% were unsatisfied OziExplorer Phones: 7 non-ruggedized Acknowledgments 78% of geologists not satisfied 55% of digital geologic mappers Phone apps Thank you to the American Geological Institute (http://www.agiweb.org) for sending the 2010 digital mapping survey to with their digital mapping who are unsatisfied use ArcPad GeoPaparazzi (Android) its university geology department e-mail list and providing comments on the survey content. hardware are using PDAs 44% listed increased software eGeo Compass (Android) Unsatisfied digital mappers Maps (iPhone) TabletPCs: 2 ruggedized, References ease-of-use, documentation, Field Assets (iPhone) 4 non-ruggedized Athey, Jennifer, in prep., A plan and plea for increasing communication about digital geologic mapping, in Soller, D.R., are twice as likely to and support as the best way to My Maps (iPhone) ed., Digital Mapping Techniques 2010—Workshop Proceedings: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report XX, experiment with smart phones improve their digital mapping presentation accessed at http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/dmt/docs/DMT10_Athey.pdf. as mapping devices system Examples pictured from top to bottom: Trimble Nomad, http://www.trimble.com; Dell Latitude E5420, http://www.dell.com; Athey, Jennifer, Freeman, Larry, and Woods, Ken, 2008, The transition from traditional to digital mapping: Maintaining data Itronix Duo-Touch II, http://www.groupmobile.com; Apple iPhone, http://store.apple.com; Lifebook T730, http://store.shopfujitsu.com. quality while increasing geologic mapping efficiency in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Newsletter 2008-2, 12 p., accessed at http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/17821.