cheap GPS / buy a Microsoft product!

[Ansar Mohammed]

The gps unit just provides location info based on satellites. Everything
else is provided by software. Most GPS devices have the capability to hook
into a PC using a "variety of standard protocols".



> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org [mailto:owner-tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Zbigniew
> Koziol
> Sent: September 1, 2007 1:13 PM
> To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org
> Subject: Re: [TLUG]: cheap GPS / buy a Microsoft product!
> 
> On Saturday 01 September 2007 11:51, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
> > I noticed that the Factory Direct flyer in today's Star offers the
> > Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 with GPS Locator for $39.99
> >
> > This seems like a good price.  The locator will work under Linux.  It is
> a
> > little box + cable that plugs into a USB port.  The software is of
> course
> > useless under Linux.
> 
> I wonder how all this works. Is the database with maps stored on the box
> or do
> the maps needed have to be downloaded through the internet?
> 
> Detailed maps for North America take around 20 GB disk space.
> 
> > Linux mapping software could be improved.  So buy one of these and pitch
> > in :-)
> 
> Depends, what you have in mind. It is not so much that there is no Linux
> software for mapping. They simply did a version for Windows and they
> obviously did not want to make a Linux version. There is quite some
> software
> for mapping working on Linux. Also, there is open source mapping server
> around (I did not really try myself). MapInfo has some Java based software
> which works on Linux too. I am developing a very complex web application
> based on their product, MapXtreme Java. Since it is a web application, it
> will work on at least Firefox on any platform. hopefully also on other
> browsers.
> 
> zb.
> 
> > As usual, phone Factory Direct before making a trip: they often don't
> > stock what they advertise.
> > --
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