Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Table of Contents

  1. What is CyberTracker?
  2. How much does CyberTracker cost?
  3. Where can I get the latest version of CyberTracker?
  4. CyberTracker contains some GIS functionality, but I need more
  5. How do I get new features into CyberTracker?
  6. Which desktop operating system does CyberTracker run on?
  7. What mobile devices does CyberTracker support?
  8. Can I collect data with both iOS and Android devices at the same time?
  9. How do I change the screen type, e.g. from radio list to check list?
  10. Does CyberTracker support collection of sightings on a laptop or desktop computer?
  11. Why can’t I edit data in a query table?
  12. How do I export sightings that don’t have Latitude/Longitude to an ESRI Shapefile?
  13. Why don’t my sightings save?
  14. When is my data downloaded from my device?
  15. What are timer tracks?
  16. How can I edit my timer tracks?
  17. How do I make the screen state persist between sightings, e.g. so a list keeps it’s selection?
  18. What are the different states for the GPS triangle button?
  19. How can I export data that I collect back to my GPS?
  20. What is the difference between a screen and a sub-screen?
  21. How do Paths work?
  22. How does the Element Formula control work?
  23. What does “No Result: Value not saved” and “No Result: Text not saved” mean?

What is CyberTracker?

CyberTracker is a software tool that allows non-programmers to collect field data with mobile devices. A lesser known capability is that it can also be used to create digital field guides, because it allows rich content to be displayed in conjunction with data capture fields. So the data capture system can also serve as a teaching or reference tool.

How much does CyberTracker cost?

CyberTracker is freeware. Over the years various organizations have contributed to the development. Some users commission features for their own use and these then become available for everyone.

Where can I get the latest version of CyberTracker?

The most recent version is available on this web here. The version numbers are always incrementing, so 3.200 is more recent than 3.195. If the version is a test version (not well tested), then it will have “(BETA)” after the build number.

CyberTracker contains some GIS functionality, but I need more

CyberTracker is primarily a data capture tool. We have been resisting the move toward extensive GIS functionality because it distracts from producing a great data capture solution. We also do not wish to compete on features with products like ESRI ArcView. If you need more GIS functionality, we recommend using ArcGIS with CyberTracker as your data-conduit.

How do I get new features into CyberTracker?

Email justin@cybertracker.org with your feature request.

Which desktop operating system does CyberTracker run on?

CyberTracker runs on all versions of Microsoft Windows, including Windows 11.

What mobile devices does CyberTracker support?

CyberTracker supports Android and iOS devices. If you bought a device in the last 5 years that runs Android or iOS then it will probably work.

Can I collect data with both iOS and Android devices at the same time?

Yes.

How do I change the screen type, e.g. from radio list to check list?

  1. Click the “Layout” toolbar button
  2. Select the Element List Control
  3. Change the “List mode” property - options are “Single select”, “Multi select”, etc
  4. Click the “Layout” toolbar button again

Does CyberTracker support collection of sightings on a laptop or desktop computer?

Yes, you can click on the “New sightings” button in “Report” mode.

Why can’t I edit data in a query table?

Table data is only editable if the column is bound to a single Element and the Column “Output As” field is set to “Data”. If you want to edit sightings more flexibly, then use the “Edit Sighting” feature off the Edit menu.

How do I export sightings that don’t have Latitude/Longitude to an ESRI Shapefile?

You can enable dummy XY generation by checking the “Generate XY on ShapeFile export” feature on the “Advanced” tab of the “Map Settings” dialog. Select “Edit View” from the toolbar when the map is selected.

Why don’t my sightings save?

Applications require that you have a Save button at the end of them, i.e. if your Application is: Screen A -> Screen B -> Screen C, then you must have a “Save” button on Screen C. You can enable a save button by checking the “Show Save 1” or “Show Save 2” checkbox on the screen properties under the “Navigator” title. Note, typically you will also uncheck “Show Next” so that your users have no choice but to Save at the end of a sighting.

When is my data downloaded from my device?

CyberTracker downloads the data during a sync operation. You can force CyberTracker to download sightings from an attached device using “File->Download Data from Connected Device”. If the download completed without error, then all the sightings are deleted from the device.

What are timer tracks?

The timer track feature sets up a timer that takes a GPS reading at fixed intervals. You can customize how long those intervals are from 1 second up. The track system internally has 2 separate modes of operation: short interval and long interval. For short intervals (60 seconds or less), the device is prevented from going to sleep on it’s own and the GPS is left permanently connected. For long intervals (more than 60 seconds), the device can be shut down and the alarm system will be used to wake it up, take a reading and shut it down again.

How can I edit my timer tracks?

There is no support in the CyberTracker UI for track editing. However, since the CyberTracker database is a Microsoft Access MDB file, you can open it and modify the “Waypoint2” table directly.

How do I make the screen state persist between sightings, e.g. so a list keeps it’s selection?

Several controls allow you to persist their state by using their “Retain state” property. Click the “Layout” toolbar button in “Applications” mode, select the control and check that property.

What are the different states for the GPS triangle button?

The GPS triangle has 4 possible states:

  1. Empty triangle with line through it = Track timer is not set and no open connection to the GPS exists
  2. Empty triangle with number in it = Track timer is enabled, but last track reading was not successful. This could be because the GPS is still acquiring satellites, or because the required GPS accuracy was not met on last attempt.
  3. Empty triangle with number in it and line through it = track timer is set, but the connection to the GPS timed out and so CyberTracker is no longer trying.
  4. Filled triangle = Track timer is enabled and last track reading was taken successfully

The number in the triangle is the track timer frequency. If the navigator button size is too small (as is the case on legacy PalmOS), this may not show. In addition, the display is rounded off, e.g. 80 seconds will show as “1m” (for 1 minute), even although it really is set at 80 seconds.

How can I export data that I collect back to my GPS?

CyberTracker supports export to CSV (Comma Separated Values) from the Query Table in Report mode. G7ToWin is a freeware application that can import CSV files. However, in order for this to work, you need the first column of your table to be called “Type” and have a “W” for its value. To make a table have a “W” in the first column, do this:

  1. Find an Element that exists in every sighting, e.g. “Begin”
  2. Go to the “Elements” mode (View->Elements)
  3. Find the Element “Begin” and click on “Element Properties” in the toolbar
  4. Set the “Tag” property (on the first tab) to “W” (without quotes)
  5. Go to the “Reports” mode (View->Reports)
  6. With the Table active, click “Edit View” on the toolbar
  7. Click “Add” to add a new column
  8. Set “Element source” to your Element, set “Name” to “Type” and set “Output As” to Tag
  9. Click “Move up” until it is the first column

Now you should have a “W” in the first column of your table. Don’t forget to add “Latitude” and “Longitude” columns as well. Click “Export” on the toolbar to export.

What is the difference between a screen and a sub-screen?

Screens and subscreens are identical from the systems point of view. Grouping is allowed to help the user organize their screens.

How do Paths work?

A path is created when sightings are connected in the map view. The path system is configured from the maps “View Properties” dialog under the “Render” tab. There are 3 Elements which control the path: Start Element, Stop Element and Join Elements(s).

If you do NOT set the Join Element(s), then the path will be controlled by the Start and Stop entirely, i.e. a sighting containing the “Start Element” will begin a path and it will not be terminated until a corresponding “Stop Element” occurs in a subsequent sighting. If you set the “Join Elements(s)”, then the system will connect any 2 points pA and pB (with pA occurring before pB) if they meet the following requirements:

  1. pA and pB must come from the same PDA
  2. pA must not contain the “Stop Element”
  3. pB must not contain the “Start Element”
  4. pA must contain the “Start Element” OR one of the “Join Elements”
  5. pB must contain the “Stop Element” OR one of the “Join Elements”
  6. If pA and pB both contain a “Join Element”, then it must be the same one

Note, a “Join Element” is defined as an Element that must be in each sighting for it to be considered part of the same path. The concept is that we can build different paths out of the same data, depending on what I want to connect. Some examples:

Connecting observations made by one particular Observer:

Set "Join Element(s)" to the Name of the observer

Connecting observations by transportation mode, e.g. Walk, Horse, Vehicle:

Set the "Join Element(s)" to a category containing the "Walk", "Horse" and "Vehicle" Elements.
Note, this assumes that all your sightings contain the mode of transportation that was used and only one can be used at a time.

How does the Element Formula control work?

The formula property is a regular expression, meaning it can hold expressions like: “1+2”. If you set the formula to this, the output will be “3”. However, there is also support for more complex expressions:

  1. “A+2” (where A is the number value of the Elements in the “Element A” property.
  2. “(1 + 2) * 3” works because parentheses are supported
  3. “max(1, 2)” produces “2” and “min(1, 2)” produces “1”
  4. “abs(-5)” produces 5
  5. “Today” works with the “Output as date” property. “Today-1” is yesterday.
  6. “date(2007, 5, 20)” produces a date, see (5).
  7. “if (1 < 2, 3, 5)” produces “3”
  8. “if (1 > 2, 3, 5+1)” produces “6”

You can place the result of the calculation in the “Result element”, which will then become part of the sighting data.

If you put the result into a global value using the “Result global value” property, then you can later reuse that value in the formula itself. This provides the ability to do counters. Try this:

  1. On screen 1, drop an “Element Formula” control:
  2. Set the “Formula” property to “Test + 1”
  3. Set the “Result global value” property to “Test”

Now everytime you save and return to this screen, the number will automatically increment.

What does “No Result: Value not saved” and “No Result: Text not saved” mean?

Text and Keypad screens require that the “Result Element” property be set. This specifies the storage Element for the result from the text editor and keypad screens. The error message occurs to prevent accidental data loss.