Technology

As we have been having a slightly quieter couple of weeks in terms of trips to see new things I thought as promised I would tell you about some of the new technology’s we have been working with.

Over the last few weeks I have been experimenting with Appstilleries online program MakkaMappa which is basically a free online program to render any map. This map is linked with Google map and can be downloaded as an app and used to navigate with your iPhone or android (which is a type of phone apparently). Although this sounds rather technical they have done all the hard bits so it’s pretty simple to use. The best bit is that you can then add layers, with icons and trails so you can lead people round a site and point out features. While you can use any map including hand drawn I have been using historical maps as they are quicker and a bit more accuracy makes them easier to render. So far I have published two maps. Merkinch 1832 which comes with listed buildings marked: http://makkamappa.com/maps/1255                                                                                                       And Braco trail which includes most of the features that will go on the trail: http://makkamappa.com/maps/1195

Sadly if you do not have a posh phone (neither do I) you can only look at the rendered map and not see the features or trails but it’s still worth a wee look. Having thought that this might be useful to our groups we set up a meeting with Michel from Appstillery about using some of their software for Archaeology Scotland. I must say I was a bit disappointed me and Phil had dun our part to fulfil the archaeology stereotype with beards etc. but Michel looked smart, normal, well-dressed he was not wearing glasses and had a proper haircut. He even spoke English we are hoping to set up an archaeology Scotland version of MakkaMappa with a version that works on normal computers. So look out for our new program in the next few months.

MakkaMappa in action at Braco

The other bit of software I have been looking at is Photosynth another free online program made by Microsoft this time which makes 3D views from ordinary photos. I thought I would have a go with an artefact from the Archaeology Scotland collection. I just put it on a table took 50 photos of it, uploaded them all and the program stuck them all together: http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=293269b8-b0fa-474e-a552-0ab7fdd5f0af

You can now spin round the object and see it from all angles. It’s worth having a play with this program especially try looking at the point cloud data which is very snazzy. We hope to use this on some of our adopt sites to as it’s so simple to use and any image from any camera will do. I can particularly recommend this church and have a look at the aerial view created just from photos taken on the ground!   http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=b2fb01ff-de7d-4383-a4c0-b7a5510f545e



You can use Photosynth for almost anything including insects apparently

You may need to download Silverlight but its only a small program and is useful for all sorts of stuff. Good luck and have fun.