[Freegis-list] Stra?ennavigation

[Andrew Bolt]

(Apologies if this message comes through twice: the previous attempt
got sent to the list moderator because I've changed my e-mail address.
Also, see http://www.geowiki.com/ to see what we've produced so far).

On Tue, May 06, 2003 at 11:31:21AM +0200, Amaury Jacquot wrote:
> On Tue, 2003-05-06 at 11:23, Jan-Oliver Wagner wrote:
> > Rough translation:
> > 	An idea was explained that it would be interesting to
> > 	build and contribute to a street database while driving around
> > 	in order to have a reliable navigation system.
> > 
> > Though this idea is not new, so far a Free Software framework has
> > not been developed nor has a corresponding  infrastructure been setup.
> 
> There is...

I'd love to see something like this too: so much so that I (with the
help of some friends) have started collecting GPS track data and trying
to work out what to do with it!

It looks like you've managed to get a lot further than us though in
terms of software development.  So far, I've written a Java applet
for viewing track data (there's a slightly ancient version of it here:
http://www.wingnut.demon.co.uk/gps/track.html - I'll try to upload a
more recent version that colours tracks and stuff); a friend has
been working on producing vector maps from GPS data and out-of-copyright
OS maps.  Here are a couple of maps of the Cambridge area:
  http://www.backroom.uklinux.net/cambridgeshire-crop1.png
  http://www.backroom.uklinux.net/cambs-centre.png

Our ultimate aim is to build a web-site for collaborative mapping, where
people can upload GPS track data, create maps, and describe significant 
places (pubs, monuments, etc.).  I'll check with my fellow conspirators
to see if everyone is happy for us to share what we've produced so far.

I'm also playing with using a Bluetooth GPS, Palm Tungsten and GPRS mobile
phone to transmit real-time position data to a central server.

If anyone's interested in joining in, please drop me an e-mail
(mapping at blartwendo.com), saying whether you'd like to help contribute
track data, develop software, or just contribute ideas.

Cheers,

Andrew
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