mpMICRODEM
This is under very active development, and will be changing
frequently. Only use if you are willing to experience problems; the price
for your indulgence will be an opportunity to influence the development of the
software. Virtually anything that can be done in MICRODEM could be ported,
and we are looking for what makes the most sense to do in the field with a
tablet or phone. Despite
lots of downloads, we have had no reports with either problems or
suggestions.
Currently GPS logging on a Geotiff image map should be very stable,
until you try to open a second program.
ianMICRODEM stood for iOS and Android (as well as subtly recognizing the
founder of geomorphometry). Since we have actually got a Mac
version running well before the iOS, we are changing the name to mpMICRODEM (for
MultiPlatform)
Installation
mpMICRODEM operations
mpMICRODEM menus
File locations on the device, by OS.
The program is currently not optimally configured for the phone form factor. Newer phones have more pixels,
and should work better. We have tested using:
- Currently
- Nexus 6P (Android 7.1.2, now 8.0.0)
- Kindle Fire HD (no GPS, so only limited utility, but program runs)
- Earlier,
- Nexus 7 (Android 6.0)
- Moto-X phone (Android 5.1)
 |
Running on a Mac |
Problems
- If the program hangs on opening, delete the microdem.ini file that will
be in microdem\logs. Use a file manager. This
appears to be related to reading/writing floats to the ini file, and is
stubbornly resistant to fixing. This might be fixed, as we have not
seen this issue for quite some time.
- To close, you probably must use the close button on the menu tab.
We are working to fix this, but each of the 3 operating systems does this a
little differently.
MICRODEM as a native app. This uses the same code base as the Windows
version. There were several challenges:
- The UI (user interface) had to be completely redone. MICRODEM has
several hundred forms, so this is non-trivial. The mobile app will
probably only do a fraction of what the desktop program does.
- This has ~70,000 lines of code compared to ~350,000 lines in the Windows
version.
- These changes should be finished and now be transparent to the users:
- Android is case sensitive, so all string handling had to be checked.
In some cases this required using different library functions, and in others
just making sure comparisons are case sensitive.
- Android uses "backwards" slashes for file paths and names.
Technically it uses front slashes, but for software designed for Windows,
it's backwards.
- Android enforces file permissions, and does not let the user navigate
around the directory structure as is done on Windows. Writing to
accessible directories is a challenge.
- The databases must move to something other than dBase and the
Borland Database Engine, and we moved
to sqlite. This move was already underway for 64 bit Windows (although
that will now probably stay with DBF using tDBF as the default, with an option to read
and write sqlite). At the moment the Android version probably is not
using any databases.
- This now runs on Mac OS.
- In theory this could run on iOS, but the Apple hassle factor means we
are not likely to try it anytime soon. We would have to spend serious
money to get into the iStore, unless you want to jailbreak your iPhone.
We are making mpMICRODEM open source, and over time may migrate more
functionality. We need:
- Delphi DX Tokyo coders; that is the only way the program will move to
the Mac OS or iOS, and will speed up work for Windows and Android. If
you want to get involved, contact me.
- Testers, to
- Find bugs
- Suggest improvements to the UI
- Nominate capabilities to add
There are currently multiple versions:
Program |
Platform |
Status |
Comments |
MICRODEM |
Windows Desktop |
Working, 64 bit |
Primary development platform; works with the mouse |
MICRODEM |
Windows Tablets |
Working |
Can run desktop MICRODEM, but mpMICRODEM uses the touchscreen |
mpMICRODEM |
Window Phones |
? |
I have never seen one. |
mpMICRODEM |
Android |
Working |
|
mpMICRODEM |
iOS |
|
Needs Delphi DX Seattle coder, and $$$ to join the app store |
mpMICRODEM |
Mac OS |
Working |
Needs Delphi DX Seattle coder |
Data |
Formats |
Suggested uses |
DEM |
- Untiled Geotiff
- MICRODEM DEM format, but only the current v4 variant.
|
|
Imagery |
|
NAIP imagery
Geologic maps
Nautical charts UStopo US historic maps DEM with Tiger
OpenStreetMap |
Lidar |
|
|
Testing has concentrated on Android, which is easier to program from and to
download programs and data. Immediate goal:
- Use topo maps on the tablet while hiking. This works.
- Have geologic map while hiking. This works.
- Use satellite imagery
to track progress during air travel.
- Use geologic maps to track progress during air travel.
Last Update: 9/17/2017