afrigeo/kajgps

Geodata analysis of tracks; management of placemarks (in .py)

kajgps: Geodata analysis of tracks; management of placemarks (in .py)

kajgps is an app for managing your geodata, both track files and placemarks.

(Pronunciation note: "Kaj" rhymes with "rye")

Purpose of kajgps

kajgps is directed at GPS tracker users who wish to

• manage their existing recorded tracks
• plan future tracks
• manage supportive geodata: placemarks and place icons (.svg, .png)

using an Open Source (GPLv3) application that converts geodata between formats such as

• GPX (for most geodata programs)
• KML (for Google Earth, Google Maps etc.)
• HTML (for text based reporting and analysis of geodata)
• CSV (for entry and editing in spreadsheets and text editors)
• SVG (for simple vector graphics "maps" with tracks and placemarks, milestones and times, break points - but no "map canvas")
• json and geojson (limited support, for usage in apps)

Requirements

• Python: Python 2.7 without add-on packages
  • Works in OS X 10.7+ as such
• Platform: OS X (but cross platform)
  • Developed first under OS X 10.6, now OS X 10.10
  • Is coded to be cross-platform but currently testing is not done outside OS X
  • Actionable bug reports (preferrably with suggested patches) to make kajgps platform independent will be implemented

User interface

• kajgps.py has no graphical user interface
• kajgps.py works with text files in various formats (.csv .gpx etc.)
• kajgps.py works from the command line (either operating system level or Python command level)

License and copyright

• GPLv3
• Copyright 2015 Green Elk green-elk.com (Out-Sports Adventures Ab), Nagu, Finland
• Author Kaj Arnö kajarno.com

Installation

1. On GitHub, go to https://github.com/Green-Elk/kajgps
2. Click on the Download ZIP button in the lower right.
   • You’ll get a zip file called kajgps-master.zip.
3. Unzip kajgps-master.zip in the directory where you want to keep the source code
   • We recommend Code under your home directory)
   • The unzip process will create Code/kajgps-master as a directory
   • We recommend you to rename to to simply Code/kajgps
4. Check your installation from the operating system command level
   • kajgps$ python kajgps.py check

Configuration

1. Read the blog entry "Using kajgps to make sense of your outdoors adventure tracks"

• which expands upon the very brief elements below

2. Adapt the core files in ~/Code/kajgps/config to your needs, using a text editor (if needed, in combination with a spreadsheet and kajgps.py itself)

• ge_places.csv with your placemarks
• ge_areas.csv with your placemark hierarchy
• ge_day_metadata.csv with timezones and sports
• ge_time_metadata.csv with exceptions to ge_day_metadata.csv

3. If you're using kajgps.py more liberally (in a non-outdoors-sports setting), also adapt the following ~/Code/kajgps/config files

• ge_activities.csv, the activities of which are sports in the default Green Elk use case
• ge_placetypes.csv, where the types which relate to sports relevant placemarks
• ge_forced_breaks.csv, whereby tracks can be split up into segments when a point is passed
• ge_colors.csv, where activity specific colors are tailored

Running kajgps.py

• Enter your parameters into ~/Code/kajgps/config/ge_commands.csv (with your favourite text editor)
  • In this comma-separated file, enter parameters, source data files, and destination files in the corresponding columns
• From the command level of the operating system, run
  • cd ~/Code/kajgps
  • python kajgps.py
• Repeat as necessary
  • Refine your parameters as needed
  • Re-issue python kajgps.py as needed
  • Review and use the output data (GPX, HTML, SVG, CSV) in the corresponding software (Google Earth, a browser, a spreadsheet) as needed

Further markdown documentation

• How are activities allocated?
• How are placemarks entered?
• (Coding Guidelines for kajgps.py)[md/code_guidelines.md]

Core kajgps.py related blog entries

• Releasing adventure mapping software
• Ten basic concepts around GPS adventure tracks
• How to best track your outdoors adventures
• Three sources of adventure geodata you already have
• Using kajgps to make sense of your outdoors adventure tracks