GrottoCenter Blog

Pascal Mouneyrat has developed an interface that allows you to query Grottocenter directly from his website. We are delighted with this initiative, which showcases another way to use the Grottocenter APIs. https://spelebase.fr/ARIS-GROTTOCENTER/

The newly released version introduces a vast number of changes, primarily aimed at enhancing visual impact, offering new advanced search capabilities, improving internal mobile messaging, and making the bulk import of cavities more efficient. Thanks to Paul and Clément.

There is a Grottocenter app for Android, but we have faced significant difficulties maintaining it. Paul has built a new Android app using a different approach; it will provide the exact same services as the website and be easy to maintain. Testing is about to begin; if you would like to volunteer, please let me know so I can add you to the list of testers.

Lana had reported that she was unable to use the GPX and KML files in other applications because the entry names were inaccessible. Clément has modified how these files are generated; the entry names are now accessible and usable in other applications. Paul is asking for our feedback on a set of changes regarding Grottocenter's visual design. The description of the proposed changes can be found here: https://github.com/GrottoCenter/grottocenter-front/pull/1469 The test server is accessible here: https://orange-rock-0d4f87503-1469.westeurope.azurestaticapps.net/ In summary, the changes cover: - Better management of page titles and their general layout - Improved button hierarchy on the homepage - Highlighting of authors and contributors - Complete overhaul of the internal chat tool, including support for clickable links in messages - Further improvements to the equipment management tool - Display of the applicable license as an icon - For documents, highlighting the publisher and ...

Paul has just released an update covering a wide range of topics: - An update to map markers and a reorganization of data quality information - A revamp of how planting areas are handled, enabling users to view their entry points and open their pop-ups - An update to the internal messaging tool to improve usability on mobile phones and prevent display issues during long, active conversations

The exploration mission carried out in June highlighted the need for a detailed guide explaining how to organize such a mission. I am proposing an initial version of a document that outlines how to organize the study of an area. It is available here: https://wiki.grottocenter.org/wiki/Mod%C3%A8le:Fr/Investigations (only in French for now)

This is a situation frequently encountered in documents related to the caving community: the organization itself is designated as the author. It is a simple solution to implement when many club members have contributed, but it creates problems—particularly for Grottocenter. Paul wanted to initiate a discussion on this topic; he offers an analysis, a comparative study of existing solutions, and a recommendation for Grottocenter. I invite you to check out his work and contribute if you find the subject interesting. https://github.com/GrottoCenter/grottocenter-front/issues/1419

As I understand the situation, Clément went looking for cave entrances listed on Grottocenter—data originally sourced from the BRGM database. It seems he didn't find the entrance itself, but he suggested that Paul set up a compass feature on the phone to help orient the map. This feature is now active on both the general map and the specific map view for an entrance (when displayed in full screen), which should make your fieldwork easier. The second new feature relates to revision history: this now tracks changes to entrance names and recently added information, covering all types of entrances.

You’ll notice that Grottocenter is running faster this morning. That’s because it’s using Vite, thanks to work done by Paul. Here are the other advantages of Vite: - For developers, the code builds in 1 second instead of 60. - Instead of declaring 1,000 dependencies, only one is needed. - SVG images are handled very easily. - Long-running calculations are managed more efficiently. - Maintenance is now possible, whereas React—which was used until yesterday—is no longer maintained. But above all, it will be possible to create an app with the same features as Grottocenter that allows for data storage for offline use. Paul is very keen to get started on this development.

Zouhair has produced a comprehensive text on the guidelines for managing scientific data within an open science framework. https://github.com/GrottoCenter/grottocenter-api/issues/1726 This is a non-technical topic that offers fresh perspectives and useful leads. The text is clear and concise. Thanks, Zouhair.

As part of the development work assigned to him, Zouhair has just released a feature that displays the laws applicable within a protected area. This information appears on the massif's page and on the page for each entry located within the massif.

Today's new feature is truly impressive. Paul has introduced an update to the rigging sheet that allows you to use predefined abbreviations to describe your recommended anchor setup. Once your rigging sheet is complete, Grottocenter displays information on the estimated rope length and the number of obstacles to be negotiated. Beyond the quality of the work itself, Paul is helping us move forward by incorporating features that will allow Grottocenter to contribute to caver safety. Let he who has never run short of rope or anchors cast the first stone.

Throughout June, the documentation team worked on a complete overhaul of the wiki to provide you with a comprehensive user guide showcasing all the new features. Chloé created two highly instructional videos that have been embedded in the wiki. Karl, Jean Donatien, Aissatou, Bernard, Constance, Chloé, and Frédéric all contributed to this work on the wiki. An English version is currently being finalized. https://wiki.grottocenter.org/wiki/GrottoCenter:Fr/User_Guide https://wiki.grottocenter.org/wiki/GrottoCenter:En/User_Guide

As of yesterday, Clément and Paul have introduced a system on Grottocenter where only copies of images are displayed. Whether you are viewing an entry or a document page, or scrolling through a gallery on mobile or desktop, you will see only copies sized specifically for display. This reduces data traffic across networks and speeds up loading times significantly, while still allowing you to download the original via a dedicated button.

Paul has released his work on the feature for creating and editing entries. Everything is better organized thanks to the visual icon guide. Mandatory fields are displayed more clearly. And the feature for creating a network or removing an entry from a network is more easily accessible. Paul is making Grottocenter accessible to everyone!

We want to better define Grottocenter users. To do this, we are outlining typical user profiles. Visitor? Explorer? Tell us who you are and whether you identify with these descriptions. https://github.com/GrottoCenter/grottocenter-api/wiki/Personas

Paul has introduced updates that make using Grottocenter easier when working with networks. First of all, quick search results no longer return document-related answers but now include networks.

Before heading off on vacation, Chloé sent us a video providing an overview of the account management features on Grottocenter. You probably aren't aware of everything that's possible—come and find out! https://youtu.be/ukqers2mzgA

Paul has just released an improvement to the feature that allows you to designate an organization as responsible for a geographic entity. He has also updated document management to prompt for confirmation when creating a document without an attached file, and to fix a bug —identified by Benjamin— that was complicating the import of certain file types. However, the most impressive update concerns network visualization on the map. It is now possible to visualize —via links— all the entries that make up a network.

Zouhair has just released a feature that prevents the creation of duplicate entries. When you enter the name of a new Grottocenter entry, the system displays the names of caves located near the one you are typing. When you position your cursor, caves near your chosen location appear.