Website

by Claudio

The website is to be created in correspondence with the web mapping application as the web mapping application will be hosted on the website. The website needs to be finalized by the 12^th of November 2015. The website has to be user friendly, simple and applicable to the project context. In this situation, the theme behind the website, the functions within the website and so forth.

The choice of the website software is Wix since it is the most widely used application for website creation and has many functions to add to the website. It is also user friendly and creates an efficient and effective website. Our website is to follow the project group’s theme colour which is green, it should also have other functional aspects such as;

HTML, HTML5, Javascript and PHP coding – One of the requirements is to include HTML coding to enrich the website. The website hosted by Wix uses HTML5 coding but HTML coding was also incorporated in the sign up function and the update a dwelling function. In both these functions, they also included Javascript which was shown by the time and date function in the webpage and PHP was shown by the writing and retrieval of information inserted. The data inserted was written and read from a coma delaminated file.

Web Map

by Claudio

A web map is an interactive platform on which an end-user can interact with the mapped data and information gathered from Alaska, Mamelodi. The GSP team begun with web map research and production from the 22nd of September 2015 until the 9th of November 2015. HTML, JAVASCRIPT, and CSS scripting was used for web map functionality and aesthetics.

The requirements for the web map included the following: platform compatibility; change the base map; zoom function; pan function; point query; search function; update / add point and attributes; distance estimation; route display function; and a signup form which connects to email. The GSP identified additional functional requirements which should be included to improve user interactivity and use of the web map. These included: data summary function; mouse highlight; print web map to PDF function; geolocation; mouse position; pushpins with clusters; copyright; and a map refresh function.

Many tools and methods for creating a web map were identified and compared based on the necessary requirements which needed to be executed. The GSP team attempted to build the web map using Boundless Web App builder, AfriGIS API, ArcGIS Online, and Leaflet. These methods and tools however proved to not produce the desired web map.

The MangoMap web map creating service was identified, analyzed and used to create the web map. It allowed for much more interactivity, tools to be used, functions to be applied, better customization and styling, and for a much better, well rounded deliverable to be produced. The web map is hosted in MangoMap itself, but it will also be embedded in the website for easy access and use.

Firstly, each map layer was uploaded to the MangoMap portal and server. This allowed for the data to be stored on the MangoMap server, and to then allow remote access to the respective map layers. The map layers were then customized in regards to symbolization, colour, size and layer grouping. Once all of the layers were added to the web map builder, tools were used to add functionality to the map. All of the requirements stated before were successfully created and made functional.

A constant and iterative process of updating layer features, attributes and characteristics occurred from the beginning of creation until the web map was created. The web map can be accessed at: http://mangomap.com/maps/43755/Alaska,%20Mamelodi#

Blog

by Claudio

The blog is one of the project deliverables.. The blog was created in WordPress. WordPress allows for users to create a free blog and to customize it accordingly. The GSP blog was created in WordPress, and is hosted in WordPress, but it will also be embedded in the website for easy access and use. The blog can be accessed at : https://geospatialpentagon.wordpress.com/

The requirements for the blog included blogs posts about challenges, experiences, lessons learned, methods to produce deliverables and any other related matters. The blog documents the process of the GSP project from beginning until the end. As appropriate progress was made in the project, relevant blog posts were written, categorized and posted online. These blog posts include certain challenges, lessons learned, events and experiences throughout the GSP project.

CGIS Mini-Conference 2015

by TK

On the 6^th November 2015, the University of Pretoria (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences), hosted a mini-conference. The Centre for Geoinformation Sciences (CGIS) conference was in celebration of the international map year, and sought to share the different ways in which geo-information and mapping was being applied both in the university, and within the industry.

The speakers at the conference showcased a wide spectrum of applications for geo-information, and how the mapping of information can cross into and even play pivotal roles within other industries. Some of the projects spoken of were; mapping of wind projection, mapping of addresses in augmented reality, evaluating maps with eye-tracking, mapping daily lightning risk over South Africa and may more.

The conference also included the official opening of the map exhibition in the university’s library, affording other students and visitors to appreciate and get a better understanding of what GIS and GISc is.

The day was concluded with a prize giving ceremony, which was a fun way to end the day. A lot was learnt throughout the conference and it provided a platform for people to share their projects, and also benefit from those in the industry that may have already walked a similar path.

At the end of the mini-conference, the winners for the Map Competition 2015 were awarded. Claudio and Ryen from the GSP team came 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 3rd year GMT 320 category.

The GMT Experience

07 November 2015 by TK

Our road as GSP has been a very interesting and enlightening journey, from its inception and maturing, throughout and until the very end. The experience of our 3^rd year project taught us a great deal, about ourselves, each other and the dynamics of operating within a group. We had to learn to rely on each other, how to effectively delegate work amongst group members, as well as reality of needing to ask for assistance at times.

The challenges that we faced as GSP were vast, but not so great that we couldn’t work our way around, under, over or through it. When we put our minds together and knuckled down. Some of the noteworthy trials we faced were learning to code in multiple languages, meeting deadlines and endless researching to find optimal ways to achieve requirements.

It wasn’t just gloomy though, as we learnt to appreciate the value of working timeously, not only so that your own part in a group is covered, but so that other members have sufficient time to review your work (peer assessment). What we can also say that we can take away from our time working together is that we all have our strengths and niches, and it’s important to realise this when tackling different facets of a project and also when delegating.

We relished this project, as it was representative of the environment in the industry, where more often than not, one would not work individually, but as a link in a chain.

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor

05 November 2015 by Tshire

As part of our project GSP had to produce a Web Application or Web Map and as part of the apart from the normal HTML and other web stuff we had to incorporate into the Web Application what is called PHP.

So what is PHP? Well, PHP is a general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited to server-side web development, in which case PHP generally runs on a web server. Any PHP code in a requested file is executed by the PHP runtime, usually to create dynamic web page content or dynamic images used on websites or elsewhere.

So our idea was that was that in our Web Application we were going to have a Sign Up and an Update page or form. So users will be able to sign up using their name, a valid email address and create their own password. Once you were signed we would have the user information saved in a CSV Excel file which would then enable you to log in to the Web Map as a user. Once logged you could if maybe you saw an incorrect street name or address assigned, you could go to our Update form. The input or changes or errors that you think should happen, would be sent to us. From there we will check and see if the change you suggested is correct or at least viable.

Seems easy enough right? Well it was all roses and sunshine.

We were met with a number of problems such saving the data given by the user. At first the PHP form could let the user input data but we could not see where it went after that. Once that was sorted, we now had to find a place to store that data that was given by the user. We created a database in PostgreSQL or PostGISand through a web server platform tried to link the form to the database. That did not work out to be a success as the connection between form and server did not materialize after several attempts.

We then tried to use a email transaction platforms namely Thunderbird and Mandrill. With this was that whatever data input a user gave us from the form would be emailed directly to us and then we would enter the information manually into a database or storage file or space. With Mandrill emails could be sent but when editing the template to suit what we wanted to achieve it didn’t work out, we realized that the coding that was used in the template didn’t recognize the form we had linked to it and only sent email without the user input data. With Thunderbird the platform kept on losing our host email address every time the web server restarted.

At last we opted to scrap the PostGIS database. We opted to use a CSV excel folder to store the user input data from the forms. Whenever the user inputted data into the form and submitted, the data would be saved in a excel csv file. Each form had its own separate CSV file. It was seen to be much better because one CSV would have user login data and other suggested changes or updates regarding the Web Map. Also it was much better to manage each CSV file separately.

Here are some of the mistakes made that someone can learn from and avoid:

• Confusing PHP syntax with HTML and JavaScript
• Taking different templates from forums mixing them together hoping it would work.
• Just clicking “next” when installing a web server platform without reading instruction and options available to you
• Installing web server platforms in one computer, resulting in them working against each other.
• Incorrect coding syntax
• Incomplete coding

Some tips when implementing PHP:

• Find out what you want to do, make sure that it is feasible
• Try use template engines. But it requires you to know how to read other peoples code
• Know the syntax used in php.
• Don’t mix programming languages
• Write clear code that expresses your intent clearly
• Online Forums really help, try to check them out.
• Try keep a cool head, it might be frustrating at times don’t lose hope
• Trial and error will be the order of the day majority of the time

ESRI Map Life Event

By Tshire & Claudio

On the 16^th October ESRI held their map life competition at the University of Pretoria for students to compete in.

The competition was open to all GIS students interested in GIS, but unfortunately it was only attended by Third Year GIS students; so we all the fun to ourselves.

On the day we were introduced to what is termed “Story Maps”. In a short description Story Maps is an application that presents a sequential, place-based narrative in the form of a series of geo-tagged photos and captions linked to an interactive map.

It lets you combine authoritative maps with narrative text, images, and multimedia content. They make it easy to harness the power of maps and geography to tell your story.

We were asked to form our own groups and in those groups in come up with a topic on what you were going to make the story map on. Some of the topics that were there included Football careers of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Footballer from All over the world that played for FC Barcelona, The adventure of Sean and Nadia, Fashion designers and Sewing Machines and Seven Wonders of the World.

At around lunch time break, we had a map folding competition and on the prize list was a whole box of FerreroRochers and funny enough the guy, Sean who had his girlfriend watching and supporting, won. Those chocolates would have made a sweet little gift for his girlfriend but he opted to share among the whole and that’s how he won our hearts but that’s a love story for another time.

At around 14h00. We had to presents our various story maps. The judges included the two ESRI representatives and Victoria. The group that presented story map on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s footballing career won. It had to win since it included two of Geospatial Pentagons members, Ruhee and Claudio. (just kidding). You can view the story map by clicking here:

Football’s Greatest Nomad

At the end of the competition ESRI gave us some cool glass flasks and some caps for the day’s efforts.

It was really and new and interesting experience that gave us a whole perspective on mapping and showed us that mapping is not that all boring as everybody makes it to be.

Visit our story map here:

GSP “Our Journey”

Project Demonstration #1

01 October 2015 by Thire & Claudio

On the 1^st of October we had our first Project demo presentation whereby we to show progress and demo the deliverables and how far we are with them.

This was our first presentation done as a group which gave us a platform to put our presentation skills to the test, so that on the ‘Final Presentation’ day they polished and shinier than a nickel with the Queens face on it

The criteria for the presentation was as follows and the person who presented:-

1. Background and context of project (Ruhee)
2. Project scope (TK)
3. Project requirements (Claudio)
4. Communication management plan (Tshire)
5. Progress on deliverables:

• Blog (Claudio)
• Map for Viva (Ruhee)
• 3D model (Ryen)
• Web map (Ryen)

• Further schedule (TK)

We had 30 minutes for the presentation, followed by 10 minutes for questions.

Key lessons learned:

1. stick to the time allocated (we went over time and it was not a pleasant experience)
2. make sure to run through and have ‘mock’ presentations as a group BEFORE the presenting in class
3. Make sure to understand in depth what you are presenting. This helps with answering any possible questions which could come your way.
4. Critique one another. If you not sure of something in your project, it is most likely that your lecturer / examiner will also not be sure of something in your project.

3d Map Model

By Ryen Gest

To get a better view of the study area, we decided to implement a 3D model of the study area. This was done by using QGIS and a plugin called Qgis2threejs. We needed the dataset for the spatial layer files, a DEM to create the landscape shape and an Ariel photo for the scene backdrop. This is quite a simple process if you have all the data and it is projected with the correct CRS. On the other hand if the data had a null value the plugin will have an error and crash.

Once you have all the data you choose you r DEM as the 3D Model DEM, and then you decide the layers you want present on the 3D Model. You choose an output HTML to save it under and click run and the plugin will generate the 3D Model

This is the plugin interface:

The Finalised 3D Model viewed in the Web browser.

And because the 3D model is a HTML document you can continue to edit the application to suit your needs.