Psi-Mapper (or just 'Mapper') is a project for Psion palmtops and Symbian smartphones. The Psion version has been on hold since 1999, but there's now a new version for Symbian UIQ smartphones like the Sony Ericsson P800. Author Steve Litchfield provide us with the low-down.
What is it?
Mapper is a Geographical Information System (GIS), with basic
maps and systems of overlays which can be browsed around and searched.
Importantly for use on a handheld, the use of vector overlays throughout (hardly
a bitmap in sight) means that it's extremely frugal with your precious memory
and disk space. A typical installation would be only a few hundred kilobytes,
with a similar amount needed for the running program in RAM.
What about other countries?
The Psion version is available for several countries (and
languages), with hard-won data sets produced by myself and a couple of other
enthusiasts. The Symbian UIQ version is a new venture. In theory, it's quite
possible to open the application out in the same way as the Psion one, but this
will depend on the support I get in terms of registrations and practical help
with digitising.
Is it freeware or shareware?
Mapper has variously been both at different stages of
development. The Psion version went freeware a long time ago, as I felt I'd been
rewarded sufficiently for my efforts and I wanted to give something back to the
EPOC community.
The new UIQ version has been quite a lot of work (well over a
man week of work) to produce and is currently (fully working) shareware. See my
registration page for ways to
register.
What can Mapper do?
With the appropriate country broken down onto a 1000 by 1000
grid (in the UK's case, this is simply the National Grid), up to 1000 towns and
all motorways and primary routes, dozens of overlays of interest, you can draw a
map with any centre, add in roads or railways or county boundaries, overlay
points of interest, perform distance calculations, search for specific
information, and much, much more...
What can Mapper not do?
It can't perform automatic route finding or voice navigation, in
the manner of the excellent TomTom products for all handheld computing
platforms. Mapper isn't meant to compete with the likes of CityMaps or
Navigator. Mapper is a GIS, implying huge amounts of geographical information,
presented efficiently and quickly.
Mapper/GB for Symbian UIQ (e.g. the P800 and P900
smartphones)
Version 7.0 is available here as mappergbuiq70.zip (200k). Once grabbed and
unzipped, please read my README.TXT file to help you install the program
and to guide you through other issues.
If you haven't already done so, you'll also need to install the
OPL
Runtime patch, which gives your smartphone the ability
to run games and applications written in the OPL language.
Please get feedback and reports of any bugs to me as soon as possible. Remember, this is early days for the UIQ version
and there's some functionality not yet ported from the Psion app. Comments and
suggestions concerning the data sets would also be welcome.
Psi-Mapper/GB v6.2 for Psion Revo/Series 5/5mx,
etc.
v6.2 is available here as mappergb.zip (~309k), and unzips to a standard
.SIS install file.
If, after the dozens of overlays
included in the main program, you're desperate for yet more, here are a few
extra bits and pieces. All unzipped files should simply be put into an
\System\Apps\MapperGB folder and the overlay names and descriptions added as
appropriate to your Overlays.idx index file.
Covering 900 places across the capital, with road data down to B
road level (and below, in some places), with all the usual Psi-Mapper distancing
functions.
Psi-Mapper/London v2.2 for Psion 3a/c/mx
Download the last version here as mapl22.zip (126k)
Based upon the Ordnance Survey map with permission of The
Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, (C) Crown Copyright MC 0055.
Le 21 avril 1997. Si vous avez une Psion Serie 3a ou 3c, v1.1 de
Psi-Mapper/France est disponible
ici (100k).
Prière de dézipper avec l'option "Include folders/directories"
pour obtenir la structure des répertoires \APP\, \DAT\ et \OPO\ en vue d'une
copie directe de l'arborescence sur votre PSION.
Il y a aussi un 'Plus-Pack' (57k) avec de tas de bases de donnés
d'information et plus de calques.
Please don't be put off by the fact that the program is in
french, you really don't need many words to be able to use it, especially if
you've used the GB or Irish versions previously. Adding to your school french
will serve you in good stead when actually visiting France!
April 21st 1997. For the Psion Series 3a and 3c, v1.1 of
Psi-Mapper/France is available
here (100k).
Please unzip the ZIP file with the "Include folders/directories"
option turned ON, to obtain a directory structure with \APP\, \DAT\ et \OPO\
directories visible. Each directory can then be copied straight onto the root
directory of a Psion disk.
There's also a Plus-Pack (57k) of extra databases and an extra
overlay.
Steve is based in the UK and runs a popular webportal called 3LIB (http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk). The site is for the Psion freeware and shareware library, with articles
and information for all Psion and Symbian palmtops, smartphones and
communicators, plus homegrown downloads, buying advice and recommendations.
Technologies covered include SIBO (Series 3), EPOC (Series 5/Revo/Series 7,
etc), GPRS, HTML, OPL, UIQ, Series 80 and Series 60. Manufacturers covered
include Psion, Nokia and Sony Ericsson.
Thanks to Steve for this interesting
contribution!
Entire article Copyright Steve Litchfield, UK, 2004
Psi-Mapper (or just 'Mapper') is a project for Psion palmtops and Symbian smartphones. The Psion version has been on hold since 1999, but there's now a new version for Symbian UIQ smartphones like the Sony Ericsson P800. Author Steve Litchfield provide us with the low-down.
What is it?
Is it freeware or shareware?
What can Mapper not do?![[screen fragment]](http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/gifs/annot1.gif)
![[screen shot]](http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/gifs/s5lon2.gif)
![[screen shot]](http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/gifs/maplon.gif)
See more 
