Digital field data capture in the York area : feedback and recommendations on the digital notebook application

Abstract

This report provides feedback and recommendations following field trials of the beta digital notebook component and associated aspects of the digital field data capture subproject of the SIGMA workflow. All points raised during the testing period are shown, including problems for which solutions have subsequently been found (in conjunction with the developers and project management). As well as indicating areas that require further development, this report is intended to highlight aspects of the system that may require additional explanation during training. Although this phase of testing was primarily intended to assess the beta notebook component of the digitally captured field data, aspects of this of this system were also considered for suitability with respect to the ongoing development of the digital fieldslip. Negative feedback directed at the notebook replacement may be due to the way in which users have attempted to force the notebook application to satisfy requests that would normally have been made of the fieldslip. This issue should be taken into account when considering the comments presented in this document. A detailed appraisal of the use of the GSD in visualising and manipulating these digital field data during this period is beyond the remit of this report, and will be reported elsewhere. Following an overview of the test environment, detailed feedback on the “beta notebook application” and “geoline” tool is organised into three sections. Firstly, issues relating to pre-fieldwork office-based preparation are discussed. Secondly, field-based observations are reported. Thirdly, matters arising from the transfer and management of field data are described