Grmapa - talking map
Grmapa is a computer software ,making possible nonvisual browsing of geographic maps with text and sound, instead of graphic.
Program works under Windows operating system. It requires a sound card, and screen-reading software for blind users. Currently Grmapa communicates with NVDA, Jaws for Windows, Window-eyes, or - if none of above is running - texts are spoken via default SAPI5 synthesizer.
Maps for program can be imported from OpenStreetMap project.
Grmapa map file contains 3 categories of geographical informations: points, lines and areas.
Points are most frequently roads intersections, and so called points of interest: shops, banks, restaurants, etc. Lines are paths, roads, rivers, boundaries of regions etc. Areas are e.g. forests, lakes, larger rivers, parkings, factories etc.
Virtual space of loaded terrain can be compared to giant chessboard. Each of its' box is a square which side is 10 meters long. User's direction is north. Using
arrow keys moves one square in choosen direction.
Few squares around user are illustrated by sounds, so it's important to have speakers or headphones properly positioned.
Name of object on current square is automatically announced by used screen reader. If it's not enough information, using Space key , we can hear more, e.g. object type, city, region etc.
If we're located at line, for example road, direction of this line is automatically spoken.
Initial user direction is north. It can be changed at any time.
Initial one square size set to 10 meters, can be changed in range from 2 meters (maximum accuracy) to 10 kilometers (viewing huge areas). Using arrows to move around the map is not only method of navigation. Second one is navigation using mouse or touchpad.
Program announces the name of current object, and sounds ilustrate few squares around the user. If we want to know more about further area, it is possible using commands from
"Area" menu or shortcut keys.
Bookmarks are user-defined orientational points, having geographical coordinates and name. Can be useful during map exploration, for defining some places we want easily return to, or for marking stages of planned route. Bookmarks can be saved to disk in Loadstone-gps file format. Such file can be copied to phone and used in real navigation. Some programs can import Loadstone-gps database text file, and not checkpoints file. It's possible to switch bookmark save format in the settings menu.
Grmapa lets play GPS log, saved in NMEA format. Such log can be generated e.g. in Loadstone-GPS software, using "Start logging" function.
Connection of Grmapa and GPS device works similar to log playback, but in real time. It's possible after pairing bluetooth GPS receiver and the computer using system tools.
First public Grmapa version was released in june of 2012, in Polish language only.
Grmapa used maps bui
ld on a server from UMP (Universal Map of Poland) project.
Last months, an OpenStreetMap import feature was added, and whole program and documentation internationalized, so it became ready to be presented for international blind computer users community.
English language translation is initial, so please report all language errors.
After correcting most language errors, it'll be possible to translate Grmapa to other languages (requires translation of two .po files).
License: Freeware.
Author: Grzegorz Zlotowicz.
Website: http://grmapa.zlotowicz.pl/test/
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