Mapeo Support Materials
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  • Introduction
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      • Mapeo tools
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    • Mapeo Mobile
    • Mapeo Desktop
  • Complete Reference guide
    • Welcome – Introduction
    • 🗒️Essentials for a successful Mapeo project
      • Planning a Mapeo project
        • What is the project goal?
        • What outputs do you want?
        • What information to collect?
          • Data types within Mapeo
        • Who should be involved and how?
        • What are the parameters?
      • Security & risk assessment
      • Creating user protocols
    • ✔️Will Mapeo work out-of-the-box for me?
      • Default configuration
      • Default background map
    • ⚙️Customization options
      • Translating Mapeo & default configurations
      • Custom configurations
        • Creating custom configurations
          • Planning configuration & data structure
            • Categories
            • Icons
            • Details fields
          • Coding configuration
            • Adding icon files
              • Creating and exporting SVG files using Adobe Illustrator
              • Creating and exporting SVG files using Inkscape
            • Creating details fields
            • Creating categories
            • Defining geometry defaults
            • Adding a project key
            • Adding project name and version
            • Building configuration file
              • Via the command line
              • Using GitHub Actions
          • Testing and iterating
      • Custom background maps
        • Creating custom background maps
          • Generating map files in .mbtiles format for the experimental Background Maps feature
    • 📱Mapeo Mobile installation & setup
      • Installing Mapeo Mobile
      • Choosing Mapeo Mobile settings
      • Experiments: Turning on experimental features
        • Directional Arrow
        • P2P (peer-to-peer) App Updates
        • Background Maps
        • Security
          • App Passcode
          • Obscure Passcode
      • Importing configurations into Mapeo Mobile
      • Adding custom background maps to Mapeo Mobile
      • Updating Mapeo Mobile
    • 📱Mapeo Mobile use
      • Activating GPS and viewing current location
      • Creating observations
      • Viewing observations
      • Editing and deleting observations
      • Sharing data externally
      • Syncing data via Wi-Fi
    • 💻Mapeo Desktop installation & setup
      • Installing Mapeo Desktop
      • Choosing Mapeo Desktop language
      • Importing configurations to Mapeo Desktop
      • Adding custom background maps to Mapeo Desktop
      • Updating Mapeo Desktop
    • 💻Mapeo Desktop use
      • Mapeo Desktop for managing Mapeo Mobile data (Observations mode)
        • Synchronizing data
          • Synchronizing via Wi-Fi
          • Synchronizing with a file
        • Viewing observations
        • Editing and deleting observations
        • Exporting data & sharing externally
      • Mapeo Desktop for creating territory data (Territory mode)
        • Navigating around the map
        • Creating and editing territory data
        • Changing background maps in Territory mode
        • Importing and using external geospatial data
        • Exporting and syncing data
      • Synchronizing data with Mapeo Desktop
    • 💡Mapeo trainings
      • Defining goals and format
      • Structuring a training
        • Best practices for planning a training
        • Structuring the agenda, content and activities
          • Suggestions for the different sections of a training event
          • Tips and suggested activities for training key features of Mapeo
          • Materials and resources available for the training event
      • Preparing equipment and supplies for a training
        • Recommended equipment and supplies
        • Tech preparation before doing in-person training
    • 🔧Troubleshooting
      • I can't start Mapeo
      • Mapeo closes automatically
      • I have problems with the GPS in Mapeo
        • GPS is not activated in Mapeo
        • My GPS signal is very weak
      • I have problems with the camera in Mapeo
        • I get a black screen when using the camera
      • I want to update Mapeo Mobile permissions
      • I have sync issues
        • I want to connect to Wi-Fi
        • I want to create local Wi-Fi networks
          • With a portable router
          • With a smartphone
        • The device I want to sync with does not show up on my Synchronize screen
        • I get an error when I try to sync with another device
        • I can't sync with the sync file
        • The person I want to sync with has deleted valuable data
      • Sharing files between devices
      • Saving and printing Mapeo reference materials
      • How do I back up Mapeo Desktop data?
    • Glossary & quick reference sheets
      • Glossary of Mapeo related terms
      • Overview of Mapeo Desktop Territory mode screen
  • For developers
    • Mapeo architecture overview
    • Mapeo repositories
    • Localization
  • Support
  • Additional references
  • Digital Democracy website
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  1. Complete Reference guide
  2. Glossary & quick reference sheets

Glossary of Mapeo related terms

PreviousGlossary & quick reference sheetsNextOverview of Mapeo Desktop Territory mode screen

Last updated 2 years ago

APK

Application (app)

An app is a type of software that can be installed and used on a computer, a smartphone, or on another electronic device and has been designed for a specific function. For example, Mapeo Mobile is an app for Android smartphones and Mapeo Desktop is an app for computers. Both have been designed for and with earth-defenders to map and monitor their lands. Some very famous apps that have been designed for communication purposes are Whatsapp, TikTok, and Zoom.

Background map

In a Mapeo project, they are the maps used in the background of the home screen. In Mapeo Mobile, background maps are used to show users their current location and that of the collected data. In Mapeo Desktop, they are used as a background in the map screen for displaying data collected, created, or imported to Mapeo. Background maps can be customized (see more about it in Custom background maps) and usually, they include geographic elements such as rivers and mountains, as well as some political and urban elements such as borders, cities, roads, and others.

Background map package

Bluetooth

Bug

Category

Compressed file (.zip)

Configuration

Coordinates

[Content coming soon]

Crowdin

Data

Device Accessibility Feature Settings

Most phones and computers have an Accessibility settings menu to help users change the settings of their devices to adapt to their needs. For example, there are often features for blind or low-vision computer users, such as Text-to-speech or Enlarged cursors, icons, and text. There are features for deaf or low-hearing computer users, such as Closed-captioning to convey audio information into a visual form or Mono audio, and there are also features for limited-mobility computer users, such as Keyboard shortcuts.

Feature

We use the word features to describe things that appear on the map, such as rivers, buildings, or points of interest. In Mapeo Desktop - Territory mode, you can create features in the form of points, lines, and areas.

File extension

Folder/Directory

[Content coming soon]

GPS

Keyboard

Observation

Offline

Not connected to the internet.

Online

Connected to the internet.

Peer-to-peer:

Play Store

Portable battery

Project key

Router

Synchronization

Sync files

USB drive

Virus

Wi-Fi network

APK files, also called here "Installation files (.apk)", have a .apk and can be used by Android phones to distribute and install mobile . For example, you can download the Mapeo Mobile APK file to install Mapeo on Android smartphones offline. Learn more about it in

A Mapeo background map package consists of several folders and files that, used at the same time, create a . They are often shared as a .

It is a wireless technology used for exchanging between devices over short distances (less than 10 meters) using radio waves. Currently, most smartphones and computers offer this option, but you might need to activate the Bluetooth in your device before sharing or receiving data. Bluetooth can be a useful way to exchange files in conditions. For example, even with an internet connection, you can share a Mapeo file (.mapeosettings) via Bluetooth with other devices.

In this context, a bug is an error or flaw in the software that causes it to produce an unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. We call "debugging" the process of finding and correcting bugs. Mapeo is under development and it may have some bugs that need to be fixed. If you ever encounter unexpected or incorrect behaviors, you can share them with us via or Github, so that we can debug them.

In a Mapeo project, categories are the different groups or classes in which you can classify the collected or created using Mapeo. For example, when you create a new point on the map, you can choose among categories such as "house", "tree", "hunting site" and many others to classify it. Each category is represented by a different icon and has different questions attached to it. By default, Mapeo comes with a set of categories, but they can be customized. For more information on customization, see Custom configurations.

Compressed or zipped files and folders are commonly used because they take up less storage space than uncompressed files and can be transferred to other computers more quickly. They often have an .zip (they can sometimes have an .7z or .rar extension as well) and can be easily created and unzipped. In Mapeo, we use compressed folders to share , since they are composed of many files, and it is easier to share them as a folder.

In Mapeo, the configuration of a project determines which categories, icons, and questions users see when they are collecting . For each data point collected with Mapeo, users can select a category to classify the point and may answer questions or respond to prompts to provide more detail about what is being documented. When you install Mapeo, it comes with a default configuration that includes general categories and questions for territory mapping and monitoring. Mapeo offers the option to create custom configurations to fit the needs of specific projects. For more information on customization, see Custom configurations.

It is a platform that helps companies and organizations to translate their software. We use the platform to translate Mapeo into different languages. It is free to create an account on Crowdin and anyone can contribute translations to Mapeo for new or existing languages. For more information, see Translating Mapeo & default configurations

It refers to information in digital form that can be transmitted or processed. In Mapeo, the word "data" is used for both collected by Mapeo Mobile (observation data) as well as lines, points, and polygons created using Mapeo Desktop (territory data). Data can be organized and stored in databases and be accessed electronically.

You can read more about the Accessibility options on a laptop () and on a smartphone ().

It refers to the letters appearing at the end of a file's name, after the dot. It indicates the type of file. Common examples are .doc for Word documents, and .pdf for PDF files. In a Mapeo project, some files have very uncommon extensions, such as .mapeosettings for the and .mapeodata for .

The GPS acronym stands for "Global Positioning System", which is a satellite navigation system that allows determining the ground position (or ) of an object. When we here talk about a GPS device, we are referring to a portable tool that allows gathering information on the user's current position, allows saving specific locations as points as well as of the paths traveled. Most smartphones have a GPS feature that gathers the user's current position. This feature normally appears under the names GPS or Location. This is what Mapeo Mobile uses to gather the coordinates of a point when creating a new . In Mapeo Mobile, the accuracy of the GPS signal received by our smartphone is shown with a ±number of meters (e.g.), and it refers to the margin of error of the given coordinates. The bigger the number, the less accurate the GPS signal is.

In a Mapeo project, an observation refers to a point on the map collected by Mapeo Mobile. It is based on a geographic location (it has ) and can have associated photos, notes, and other details.

Also called P2P, it refers to a or network that connects all different devices participating in a project, such as cell phones or computers. This is the type of database used by Mapeo and it allows users to transfer data to other users , and also allows several users with computers or smartphones to all work on the same dataset and share edits. For more on this, read Peer-to-peer & Mapeo sync

Also called Google Play, or Google Play Store, it is the official app store for Android and Chrome OS devices. There you can browse and download many , including Mapeo Mobile. Some of them are free, like Mapeo, and others are at a cost. You can access the Play Store space from any Android and Chrome smartphone by clicking on the Play Store icon n your device.

It is a form of portable power supply that provides charging for smartphones, tablets, and other devices. If you plan to use Mapeo and you won't have access to a charger and an electrical outlet (e.g. if you are on a patrol or you are in the woods), it's good to take a fully-charged portable battery with you, so that you can recharge your device if needed.

In Mapeo, a project key is a random cryptographic string of characters that prevents unwanted devices from getting access to your and allows you to data with your teammates. It offers more security since synchronization will only happen between Mapeo devices using the same project key, ergo, participating in the same project.

A router is a device that is designed to receive, analyze, and forward packets between . In an context, you can use a portable router to create a internet-free network to which devices can be connected and share data with each other. For example, by using a network created by a portable router, Mapeo allows data between devices anywhere, without the need for an internet connection, as long as the devices are connected to the same network.

In a Mapeo project, synchronization is a process in which information is shared directly between different devices, and each device receives and shares . In this non-hierarchical process, all devices that synchronize end up having the same information, and changes made on one device will be reflected on the other devices after syncing. To know more about it, visit Peer-to-peer & Mapeo sync

It is a type of file created in Mapeo Desktop that allows the of Mapeo between computers. It has an .mapeodata extension and, similarly to synchronization via , it uses a two-way sync method. To learn more about how synchronization works, see

Also called USB flash drive, is a small storage device with an integrated USB interface. You can connect it easily to most computers, and many smartphones (you might need an adapter). It is rewritable and very useful to transfer files from one device to another or to create backups. For more information on how to transfer data using a USB stick, visit Sharing files between devices in Troubleshooting.

A computer or smartphone virus, similar to a flu virus, is designed to spread from device to device and causes problems, often impeding the proper functioning of a file, a program, an , or the device itself.

It is a wireless connection that’s shared with multiple devices via a . If the router is connected to an internet modem, your Wi-Fi network would have internet. Otherwise, it would be an offline network. Even using an offline Wi-Fi network, Mapeo allows you to data with other Mapeo devices connected to the same network.

Discord
Crowdin
here
here
APK
Application (app)
Background map
Background map package
Bluetooth
Bug
Category
Compressed file (.zip)
Configuration
Coordinates
Crowdin
Data
Device accessibility feature settings
Feature
File extension
Folder/Directory
GPS
Keyboard
Observation
Offline
Online
Peer-to-peer
Play Store
Portable battery
Project key
Router
Synchronization
Sync file
USB drive
Virus
Wi-Fi network
background map
compressed file(.zip)
data
extension
background map packages
data
observations
configurations
sync files
coordinates
database
offline
data
synchronize
data
synchronization
data
Wi-Fi
app
router
synchronize
extension
apps
data
offline
configuration
coordinates
tracks
observation
applications
data
networks
offline
Wi-Fi
synchronizing
data
Install from APK file
Keyboard in Windows (credits: image from finallylearn.com modified by Digital Democracy)
Keyboard in Mac (credits: image from finallylearn.com modified by Digital Democracy)