Hi Sheep.

I've been an online webmap user since it's introduction, and would love to
get a copy of webmapathome. How would I go about doing so. A nice pit of
software, by-the-way!

Peter


On 8/24/06 4:33 PM, "sheep dalton" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>> Dear all,
>> 
>> some time ago I used Axman for my diploma thesis. Now I would like
>> to use Space syntax software for some other projects  (mainly
>> academical, but some commercial) and, later on, also develop a space
>> syntax analyse tool myself to add certain new features.
> 
> why ?
> 
>> 
>> I know that there is a wide range of axial analysis programs
>> available (Depthmap, Axman, Greyscale axman, Axwoman, Ajax ...)
>> 
>> What programs do you use in your daily work, and why do you prefer them?
> 
> 
> I tend to use webmapAthome - the application version of webmap.
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_network_analysis_software
> 
> It all depends upon what you want to do and how you want to do it.
> What kind of computer you have also  helps.
> 
> If you have *A LOT* of spare time and a lot of money and don't care
> much what the results look like but do have access to digital data
> then look at one of the GIS derived programs.  UCL offers a full
> masters course in how to use GIS.
> 
> If you have a windows PC and know how to use a CAD program of some
> sort use Depthmap. The program is large and rambling but can do
> segmental analysis and a zillion other things. I find it complex to
> use so read the user guide very very carefully. Depthmap tends to
> contain everything Alasdair has ever thought about so be careful.
> 
> If your looking for an Axman replacement (simple axial line only)
> with lots of things to help investigate the data try webmap
> (webversion ) or webmapAthome. People can use webmap commercially or
> rather I've noticed a large number of commercial practices have
> accounts on webmap( I don't look at unpublished projects so I don't
> know to what purposes they use them ).
> 
> There are a shed load of programs to isovisty stuff too.
> 
>> Are there any "commercial" licenses of Axman or Depthmap, and how
>> much do they cost?
> Debate divides on this matter(see below).
>> 
>> Are there any source codes available?
>> 
>> Is anyone of you intested in starting an Space Syntax open-source
>> project? Or, at least, in some external participation to his/her
>> software?
> 
> Yes I have mentioned several times I an open to collaborate on an
> open source version. For example check out
> http://www.thepurehands.org/AXILFormat.html
> there is also a page somewhere which has the JAVA code to do binary
> reads of old Axman files.
> 
> The question lies in what program to develop ?
> Axman replacement ?
> Segmental analysis ( segmental stuff is still in development).
> Isovists
> Convex spaces.
> 
> What is the user base ?
> commercial architectural practices doing some syntax on the side
> ( has to be useable by the casual user).
> space consultants
> - the users will be very knowledgeable and can have lots of
> training on how to use the program.
> students - again general architectural students need programs
> which can be picked up
> in a few minuets of experimentation, with no user
> guide and no input
> from a tutor.
> academics - partially knowledgeable. Large range in
> computational skills needs to be
> very flexible so can be used for the next big
> paper. the programs
> tend to only be used once.
> 
> There have been constant discussions on the nature of software at the
> Bartlett for the last 17 years. Do you make something simple for
> people to use or do you make something simple to write ? Once that
> has been decided  you can write the software quite quickly.
> 
> It only takes an afternoon to write the core code for space syntax
> but the the key issue is how to test it. I always test my software
> against Axman as a 'gold' standard but I think we do need some public
> test cases to make sure everyone is getting the same numbers.
> 
>> 
>> During the symposion in Delft someone said the Space Syntax Software
>> is not free because it is a kind of Quality assurance if only
>> skilled scientists use it. What do you think of this? Is this still
>> the case with so many free axial analysis tools?
> 
> Thats right only people with money have the ability to produce
> correct axial maps and interpret the results:-) I've *never* received
> any royalty cheques from UCL for any of the software I've written
> (Axman/Pesh/Spacebox...), the software *IS* free ( as in cost free
> not free as in freedom).
> 
> On the other hand do people/architectural practices value things they
> havn't had to pay for?
> 
> What I find strange is the number of times people want free software
> for a project, then go out and buy an expensive computer to run it
> on. Strange how people will pay  thousands for a computer and a copy
> of Autocad/Mapinfo/Arcinfo but then feel so indignant when it comes
> to paying for the specialized code. One day this will all be clear.
> 
> I'm rambling must stop.
> 
> sheep
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Dr. Peter C. Dawson
Department of Archaeology
University of Calgary
2500 University Dr. NW.
Calgary, AB.
T2N 1N4
phone: 403-220-4855
homepage: http://homepage.mac.com/pcdawson1/