A bit frustrating
The UI design results in the auto function frequently turning off or the location turning off resulting in having to retake a bunch of measurements.
Response from developer
Hi Joe. Thanks for the update of your review. I think you’re referring to the “tap anywhere on the plot to turn off the auto feature” behavior. As you know, geologists are frequently taking measurements on awkward surfaces — e.g., overhanging bedding planes, while hanging off unstable ledges, etc. — so the idea was to provide a large tap target that the user could hit without actually being able to see the face of their phone at all. But, your review highlights the downside of this approach. I could put in an option allowing the user to disable the behavior or make it a double tap but the latter has the disadvantage that it could shake the phone enough to disturb the measurement in some situations. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact me via my web page.
A bit frustrating
Response from developer
Hi Joe. Thanks for the update of your review. I think you’re referring to the “tap anywhere on the plot to turn off the auto feature” behavior. As you know, geologists are frequently taking measurements on awkward surfaces — e.g., overhanging bedding planes, while hanging off unstable ledges, etc. — so the idea was to provide a large tap target that the user could hit without actually being able to see the face of their phone at all. But, your review highlights the downside of this approach. I could put in an option allowing the user to disable the behavior or make it a double tap but the latter has the disadvantage that it could shake the phone enough to disturb the measurement in some situations. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact me via my web page.
Rough
Response from developer
Hi Joe. I’m always interested in making my apps better but your review gives me no information to go on. What “quality of life” features do you expect in a scientific plotting and measuring app? How would you suggest the app work to make measurements faster, easier, and more accurate?
Great start, having a little trouble with importing data
I’ve never been able to import data sets between my pc and the mobile app without it crashing or saying the mobile stereonet format is unreadable. Because of that I can’t really use the app the way I’d like. I’m unsure if it’s a data file issue, but it happens on iPad, iPhone and multiple devices. I’ve redownloaded the app on all of these and it still crashes whenever attempting to import files.
Unsure if this is a bug but it’s really inhibiting and for me has made the mobile app unusable really. I’ve just reverted to writing the data manually and doing my nets on the pc when I get back to the office.
Thank you to the development crew though, I appreciate the tool and the attempts to make it as functional as possible. I’ll keep trying and I hope there’s a simple fix for this issue because I’d love to leave the laptop at home and have my data in my pocket on field trips.
Great consolidation
Great
Very nifty
Oh my
Appears you must explicitly save data on the data screen else if the app shutdowns per iOS, you'll need to go to Open and load the recovery file. Best practice is to save your Project early and often!
Response from developer
Thank you for your review. You might be interested in our manuscript documenting the accuracy of iPhones as data collection devices, how Stereonet Mobile works internally, and best practices concerning their use, available at: http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/faculty/RWA/programs/submitted_ms.pdf Yes, save early and often is always a good idea with computer software. When the program is started up, I could have it load the Recovery File automatically. By the way, all of the data in the program are saved whenever you tap the Save button in either the stereonet or the sighting view. Note that, if you erase data using the trash icon button in the data view, and then save a new measurement, the recovery file will have a single reading in it, i.e., only your most recent measurement. Another best practice: move your data files off of your phone as soon as possible and archive them on your desk/lap top.
