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GPS Intro

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I’m looking for one all-inclusive mapping program that can show me the world, land AND water, that updates periodically over the internet. One day I might just break down and create it myself, but until then….

So my next idea is GPS. Can someone explain the techie side of GPS in less than 1000 words? I went to http://www.howstuffworks.com (I love that site) and learned how it functions and what it does, but how about the specs? Does a handheld GPS Receiver connect to PCs? How? Does it update? Does it come with software? Is there software to make a laptop a GPS Receiver? (I assume I’d need a wireless internet connection).

Thanks in advance, and I hope there’s more people out there reading this and learning than just myself (God, that’d be depressing).

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GPS for Beginners

In reply to GPS Intro

Microsoft Autoroute 2002 has an ‘interface’ for GPS. Magellan and Garmin GPS systems connect to a serial port on a PC and the GPS interface software in Autoroute does the rest.

GPS for Beginners

In reply to GPS Intro

Microsoft Autoroute 2002 has an ‘interface’ for GPS. Magellan and Garmin GPS systems connect to a serial port on a PC and the GPS interface software in Autoroute does the rest. Try the Garmin or Magellan web-sites as they have information on programming, protocols and PC GPS add-ons. I’ve been using GPS on a laptop since 1997 and it’s great for surveying rights of way, green lanes and bridleways when me and me buddies take the Land Rovers out at weekends!

Earthmate

In reply to GPS Intro

Check out this delorme web page.

http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/

The last time my friends and I compared the major mapping software packages for accuracy, delorme won hands down (for the US anyhow).
Delorme had fewer errors and more accurate street names then either Microsoft or Rand McNally.

Chas

Street names don’t apply…

In reply to Earthmate

at sea or in a dessert! However, the Garmin and Magellan sites offer a range of options for land, sea and air.

What is a street?

In reply to Street names don’t apply…

If you expand your definition to be a designated path with defined parameters, then shipping lanes become streets. A similar concept is being explored for air travel – an expansion of the altitude based direction of flight to a more defined space based on GPS.

After years of virtual circuits, such an expanded definition should be an easy leap for us.

[Author]

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