Exploring the Underworld with Free Software

More people have walked on the Moon than have visited many of Earth's deep cave
systems, yet cave exploration is probably the most accessible way to boldy go
where no one has gone before.

As these new underground worlds are discovered, they are usually mapped. There
are a number of motivations for making maps - for example, maps aid navigation
in complex caves or in the case of a rescue, help you know where to look when
trying to connect caves together, and give a framework for recording the locations
of unexplored side passages or scientific samples. And of course, maps are cool.

In this presentation we'll look at how caves are explored and mapped, and
in particular how Free Software can help. We'll cover gathering information
while in the cave, processing and visualising that data, drawing up printable
maps, and keeping track of all the information a long term cave exploration
project generates.

No previous experience of cave exploration is required to understand and enjoy
this talk.

Warning: Caves are dark. You may be eaten by a grue.

Teaser video: http://survex.com/~olly/loser.mpg