We came together over a shared excitement about building a product that could solve a problem dear to our hearts. But also a product that helps teams of cave explorers and surveyors to map the underground world.
The Underwater Speleological and Archaeological Heritage Institute (USAH Institute) was founded with a mission to enhance collaboration and innovation in the field of cave survey and data collection. Recognizing the challenges faced with the tools (often outdated) used by our community, proprietary file formats, and a lack of collaborative platforms—we set out to create a solution that addresses these issues while respecting the deep-seated concerns about data privacy and ownership.
Our journey began with the realization that the cave survey community needed a modern, open-source platform that prioritizes data integrity and collaboration. Inspired by proven solutions in other fields, such as GIT for version control and open-source governance, we envisioned a platform that would empower users to take full control of their data. Thus, SpeleoDB was born.
From the outset, our goal was to build a platform that is not only technologically advanced but also transparent and inclusive. SpeleoDB leverages open file format standards to ensure compatibility across different software, and our open-source code invites scrutiny and contributions from the community. We believe that a collaborative approach is essential for the platform's continuous improvement and alignment with the community's needs.
As we move forward, we remain committed to a decentralized future. With the development of the SpeleoPUB protocol, we aim to enable users to run their own servers, fostering a truly distributed network that enhances both collaboration and data security. Our technical steering committee, comprising members from various backgrounds within the cave survey community, ensures that the evolution of SpeleoDB is guided by collective wisdom and shared goals.
At SpeleoDB, we are driven by our dedication to innovation, transparency, and community. Our story is one of collaboration and progress, as we work together to transform the landscape of cave survey and data collection for the good of the cave diving communities.
SpeleoDB, developed by the Underwater Speleological and Archaeological Heritage Institute (USAH Institute), is a platform designed to address the unique needs of the cave survey and data collection community. We understand the critical importance of data privacy, ownership, and attribution. Our open-source platform is built on a foundation of transparency, allowing anyone to review the code. SpeleoDB leverages proven solutions like GIT for survey data versioning and champion an open file format standard to promote cross-software compatibility. With a technical steering committee guiding its evolution, the platform emphasizes a decentralized future through a newly developed protocol: SpeleoPUB, fostering seamless collaboration while respecting individual control over data.
At SpeleoDB, data privacy is our top priority. We understand the community's need for absolute control over their data. Our platform ensures that users maintain ownership and control over their information, with robust privacy measures in place to prevent unauthorized access. By prioritizing data privacy, we provide users with the confidence that their data is protected and handled with the utmost care.
SpeleoDB is committed to transparency in all aspects of its operation. As an open-source platform, our code is accessible for anyone to review, ensuring that our practices are open and accountable. This transparency fosters trust within the community, as users can see firsthand how their data is managed and safeguarded. By being transparent, we build a foundation of trust and integrity in our platform.'
SpeleoDB leverages GIT to version every survey, file or information, ensuring that all changes are tracked and recoverable, making collaboration seamless and reliable.
Each modification is automatically versioned, allowing users to revert to any previous state, ensuring data integrity and historical accuracy.
All data is backed up across multiple datacenters, providing robust protection against data loss and ensuring accessibility whenever needed.
SpeleoDB operates under an open-source model, welcoming contributions from anyone. Join our community and help shape the future of cave surveying and survey collaboration.
We aim towards a decentralized future with SpeleoPUB. Run your own server, ensuring data ownership and promoting collaboration across platforms.
Our platform and tools are designed to streamline and accelerate survey workflows, optimizing collaboration and enhancing efficiency for the entire community.