cybertracker.org - gps field data collection

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Free Software: Since 1997 - NOW ON ANDROID!

CyberTracker is the most efficient method of gps field data collection. You can use CyberTracker on a Smartphone to record any type of observation. CyberTracker, which requires no programming skills, allows you to customize your own data collection Application.

The Origin of Science

The art of tracking may well be the origin of science. Science may have evolved more than a hundred thousand years ago with the evolution of modern hunter-gatherers. Scientific reasoning may therefore be an innate ability of the human mind. Anyone, regardless of their level of education, whether or not they can read or write, regardless of their cultural background, can make a contribution to science.

Download Free eBook: The Origin of Science (2013) by Louis Liebenberg. "This is an extraordinary book... a major insight into the nature and origins of scientific thinking." Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author ofHow the Mind Works.

Our Vision for the Future

Climate change, pollution, habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity may have serious impacts on human welfare. To anticipate and prevent negative impacts we need to discover, explore and monitor all aspects of the environment on a worldwide basis.

From its origins with the Kalahari Bushmen, CyberTracker projects have been initiated to monitor gorillas in the Congo, butterflies in Switzerland, the Sumatran rhino in Borneo, jaguars in Costa Rica, birds in the Amazon, wild horses in Mongolia, dolphins in California, marine turtles in the Pacific and whales in Antarctica.

CyberTracker is being used by indigenous communities, in national parks, scientific research, citizen science, environmental education, forestry, farming, social surveys, health surveys, crime prevention and disaster relief.

CyberTracker Conservation is a non-profit organisation that enables anyone to Discover & Explore Science and Nature and to participate in a Worldwide Environmental Monitoring Network.

Our ultimate vision is that smart phone users worldwide will use CyberTracker to capture observations on all aspects of the environment, making it possible to visualise changes in the global ecosystem in real time.

We help individuals, communities and organisations to Discover, Explore & Monitor their own environment
  • With Software that is Free and easy to use by all people, regardless of their level of education.
  • With Free eBooks to develop a better understanding of science and the art of tracking.
  • By providing Tracker Evaluations to help people develop their practical observation skills.
Getting Started

Go to the Free Download page to download and install CyberTracker onto your Windows desktop PC (desktop computer).

If you are using a Windows Mobile handheld device you also need to install the Windows Mobile and ActiveSync software that comes with the Smart Phone or PocketPC.

Quick Introduction

For a quick introduction to how CyberTracker works, download the CyberTracker Photo Notes (GeoTagger) Application onto your Windows desktop PC.

Download Application: CyberTracker Photo Notes (GeoTagger) (CTX)

  1. Open the CyberTracker-Photo-Notes.zip folder.
  2. Double-Click on the CyberTracker-Photo-Notes.CTX file to open with CyberTracker on your desktop PC.
  3. To save your database, select File, Save Database As... and type in the File name and Save.
  4. Connect your Smart Phone or PDA handheld unit to your PC.
  5. To install the Photo Notes onto your Smart Phone or PDA, select "Applications", then the "Install to Mobile Device" button.
  6. Follow the instructions.
  7. Note that you need to select the "Install to Mobile Device" button twice. The first time to install the CyberTracker Client software and the second time to install the CyberTracker Application. 
You are now ready to collect some basic data with CyberTracker Photo Notes.

  1. Select the Forward button at the bottom right corner of your screen.
  2. First enter your name under Your Name. Tap the screen to bring up the keyboard.
  3. Select Ok when finished for a Windows Mobile device or the Enter-Arrow-that-Loops-Back at the bottom right corner of an Android Smart Phone.
  4. Go Forward to the next screen.
  5. Tap the screen to Capture and Save a Photo.
  6. Go Forward to the next screen to type in a Field Note. Tap the screen to bring up the Keyboard.
  7. You can also record a voice note by selecting the red dot to record sound. Select the little square to stop recording.
  8. Select the Save button (the Arrow pointing down into a box) to capture your GPS location and Save your data.
  9. Select the GPS button (the Triangle at the bottom left) to view the GPS signal strength.



When you have collected your data, you need to transfer your data from your handheld device to your desktop PC.
  1. To upload your data onto your desktop PC, connect your handheld to your PC. For Windows Mobile devices, the data will upload automatically. For Android devices, you need to select File, Get data from connected device (F7) on your PC to upload your data.
  2. Once the data has been transferred, you can view your data under Reports (View/Reports).
  3. Your data will be displayed as a Query Editor Table View, a Map View and a Photo View.
  4. To view the map your PC needs to be connected to the Internet.
  5. Use the zoom and pan to find your location on the world map.