From 48aa49033381ef5f93d8620c035cde3e15beaeb5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: spwoodcock Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2024 14:40:49 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] docs: update info in FAQ with alternative field data collection tools --- README.md | 3 +- docs/about/faq.md | 106 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------- 2 files changed, 85 insertions(+), 24 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 79b93ecfa4..e356c01c2f 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -40,10 +40,11 @@ the purpose of tagging the features with _field-verified_ information. While there are many excellent applications for tagging map features already, the FMTM aims to solve the problem of **coordinating** field mapping campaigns. -> More details can be found in this +> More details can be found here: > [overview](https://www.hotosm.org/updates/field-mapping-tasking-manager-fmtm), > [timeline](https://docs.fmtm.dev/timeline) and the > [docs](https://docs.fmtm.dev) page. +> [faq](https://docs.fmtm.dev/faq) page. ## How FMTM Works diff --git a/docs/about/faq.md b/docs/about/faq.md index d57a59165a..36629adc6a 100644 --- a/docs/about/faq.md +++ b/docs/about/faq.md @@ -1,15 +1,92 @@ # ❓ Frequently Asked Questions ❓ -## For Users +## General + +**Q:** What is the Field Mapping Tasking Manager (FMTM)? + +**A:** The Field Mapping Tasking Manager (FMTM) is an online platform that +allows contributors to participate in mapping projects related to +humanitarian and development work. + +--- + +Q: What problem does it solve? -Q: What is FMTM? +**A:** There are a few great tools for adding tags to OpenStreetMap in the field +already. FMTM is not aiming to compete with these tools, but instead has two goals: -**A:** FMTM stands for Field Monitoring Task Manager. It is a web-based -application that facilitates remote monitoring of field activities for -humanitarian organizations. + 1. To solve the challenge of effectively coordinating mappers to work together + when mapping an entire area of interest. It can be difficult to **subdivide tasks** + and know **who is working on what tasks.**. FMTM should solve this problem. + + 2. Allow for coordinated field mapping outside of OpenStreetMap. Sometimes + OpenStreetMap is not an appropriate target for the collected data, so a data + flow outside of this ecosystem should be possible too. --- +Q: Don't other tools do similar things? + +**A:** + +!!! note + + The following is the personal opinion from HOT staff members, and provides some + context for the reasoning behind creating the FMTM. + +- _Fulcrum_: proprietary / paid. Appears to be more focused on data collection in + engineering and environmental contexts, mostly for for-profit companies. + We could possibly learn from them, but they are closed-source. + +- _ArcGIS Field Maps_: proprietary / paid, similar applications to Fulcrum, but not + necessarily designed for text/question based surveys. + +- _ArcGIS Survey123_: proprietary / paid, more appropriate for our use case of field + survey data collection. However, not an option due to it's closed nature. + +- _KoboCollect_: fork of ODK, same mobile app essentially, but different back end. + Has a slightly complicated relationship with ODK, formerly taking from the + community and not giving back. However, they now contribute financially to ODK, + and definitely have some great ideas in this field. In our opinion, ODK is more + innovative in pushing field data collection forward though. Kobo do provide a + free public server backed by the UN, as a general public good, and is widely + adopted as a result. + +- _Ona_: proprietary software, with a slightly shady history of building open-source + tools using NGO money, then changing the license to a closed model. Were legally + forced to open-source the original work done, but everything since has been closed. + Have since done some great work around data management and analytics, however, + their main objective is not the same as FMTM: coordinating field mapping. + +- _MapCampaigner_: a now dead project. In our opinion, this tool certainly helped + the Monitoring & Evaluation team for field data collection projects, but did not + add anything innovative in terms of user experience for the the field mapper. + +- _POSM_ (+ OpenMapKit): a now dead project. However, this was an excellent technical + advancement and concept for the open mapping sector. It was arguably the first + good solution for field mobile data collection (using ODK and other tools + underneath). OpenMapKit was the data collection system, while POSM was the offline + server supporting it in the field. Unfortunately, the architecture around this + was poorly designed, making it difficult to maintain into the future, meaning + the project failed between 2014-2017. + +!!! note + + The gap left by this only started to be filled with the advent of the + 'Select From Map' functionality in ODK in 2018 (partly originally written by + Ping @ ODK, with support from HOT and Ramani Huria @ OMDTZ). It is still useful + to learn from the legacy of this tool around offline deployment on a small + field-based device (e.g. RaspberryPI), and is currently in our roadmap to explore + this approach further. + +- _CommCare_: technically open-source, developed by Dimagi, but built in such a way + to make it quite difficult to self-host. Very good at collection of "longitudinal + data" (data over time), which ODK has only recently began to address with Entities. + We should definitely look for opportunities to learn from / collaborate into the + future. + +## For Users + **Q:** Do I need to create an account to use the FMTM Web App? **A:** Mappers have no requirement to sign up, easing the process of mapping @@ -20,15 +97,6 @@ messages/emails. --- -**Q:** How do I browse and select mapping projects on the FMTM Web App? - -**A:** You can browse and select mapping projects on the FMTM Web App by -clicking on the "Projects" tab and selecting a project of -interest. You can view project details, tasks, and mapping data on the -project page. - ---- - **Q:** How do I contribute to a mapping project on the FMTM Web App? **A:** To contribute to a mapping project on the FMTM Web App, you can @@ -81,14 +149,6 @@ or projects. ## For Contributors -**Q:** What is the Field Mapping Tasking Manager (FMTM)? - -**A:** The Field Mapping Tasking Manager (FMTM) is an online platform that -allows contributors to participate in mapping projects related to -humanitarian and development work. - ---- - **Q:** How can I become a contributor to the FMTM? **A:** To become a contributor to the FMTM, you can create an account on @@ -134,7 +194,7 @@ into your language. **A:** FMTM is built using several technologies, including FastAPI, Postgres, React, and web components. The codebase is written in -Python, HTML, CSS, and TypeScript. +Python & TypeScript mostly. ---