Thanks to everyone that participated in the last Insiders call of 2024!
Workshop to improve capturing points in Collect and Web Forms
We had a great workshop to reflect on what's working and to think of ways to enhance the overall geo experience. As part of the discussion, we also shared a few quick prototypes to get early feedback on the direction we are heading for our new Web Forms.
All the Insider feedback from the workshop has been added to our research library. This helps us prioritize recurring themes and challenges faced by a broader group of users. Expand the summary below to see some of the insights we gathered:
Workshop summary
Working well
- The map and default view (without a map) with the warning works well
- Setting accuracy thresholds results in high quality data and the data collector doesn’t need to know much about accuracy as concept
- The satellite count is helpful to understand the true location
Not working
- Switching the appearances often confuses data collectors
- Seeing all the options in Enketo (lat/long, search, map) confuses users
- Enketo not having offline layers and limited zoom
- Make instructions easier to read and maybe rethink the trash/save icons
Hopes
- Users want to see other geo data when collecting new points
- Helping the users navigate and determine if they are in the right spot
- Select one from a map in Web Forms
- Minimal Web Forms experience to reduce confusion and mistakes
- Show coordinates in decimal degrees (Note: we're actively working on this)
- Ability to combine entity layer with basemap
Web Forms prototypes
We also went through a few different prototypes and got quick feedback on the direction. Here are two screenshots of some design work in progress. More coming soon!
Favorite 2024 moments & ODK wishes
Insiders shared their top moments, wishes, and feedback:
Top moments
- Longitudinal data collection via Entities
- @LN holding an office hours session during Australian daytime
- All of the incredible lightning talks from users (watch all talks!)
- Helpfulness of the Insiders call on security
- Talking regularly with the ODK team
Wishes
- See already captured features on the map while drawing a polygon
- Support for media in Entities
- Integrate AI tools for biodiversity monitoring
- Improvements to finding specific submissions in Central
- Control who can see specific Entities (segmenting)
- For everyone to contribute what they can towards development
Other feedback
- "Working with ODK is such a relief: There is so much going on and the community that is working with it is so helpful and motivated. No more ticket submissions and vague replies that do not help you forward. Concrete feedback and (rather) quick solving."
Looking forward
During the call, the ODK team reflected on our 2024 goals and our plans based on Insider feedback. We had lots to celebrate and have noted a few areas that could be improved for next year.
The image below is more of a high level snapshot, but you can always look at the roadmap to see what's coming up next with Central, Collect, and Web Forms.
Resources
Next call: Feb 4th
Want to join the next @Insiders call in Feb? Learn how.
We would love to hear from you too...
- What’s your favorite community moment of 2024?
- What’s your wish for ODK in 2025?
- Anything else you’d like to share?