Geocode database

[Richard K]

http://www.odditysoftware.com/gis/ge...tabase_39.html

Just wondering if anyone has used this, or a similar database.
There's a sample database on the site you can take a look at.

Useful or otherwise?

[Smellybiker]

I use it to add detail to GPS maps & its not that bad, see
http://www.smellybiker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=484

Interesting that they're charging for it, the data is public domain & free to download via the USGS.

[Richard K]

Thanks Bob, don't suppose you have a link to the free download?

[Chris Scott]

The link didnt open for me but if it's what I think it is, it's worth knowing that these 'waypoints' have been collected by merely reading long/lats of place names from old maps - not actually on the ground using GPS. So they are no more reliable than DIY. For more see p.324 of the book.

Ch

[Richard K]

3 -1404161 -2015820 200500 -141400 EH82 NF28-15 T HLLS MR 00 V TIGYARATEN Tigyaraten Tigyaraten 20.0833333 -14.2333333 1993-12-28

Chris, here's a sample entry - passes, dunes, wadis etc. are included. Just checked the new edition of SO and it does sound like what you are writing about there.

Could still be handy for 'deepening' the data on the 200k's -- would be good to know which maps they used as reference, then maybe the whole deal can be calibrated?

From what I can make out so far, the added value of the £20 download is that the info has been collated.

[Chris Scott]

Glad to hear its accurate but when I first came across this database (it was free then and maybe still is - see p.324 link on http://www.sahara-overland.com/typos) I never assumed they'd collected them by simply labouriously reading off maps. A handy directory of place names-to-positions it is, but it's open to cartographic errors on 40 year old maps and not done using GPS. I just wanted to clarify that in case it is not obvious. Navigating by reading from a map and keying into a GPS and it can end badly:
http://www.coolkareem.freeuk.com/Story.htm

Chris S

[Jose Brito]

Hi Richard,


There is no need to pay for a software with GPS entries, as these are available for free for all countries in the world :-)
Go to http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html
and just download the country files into your computer in TXT format (which can be opened easily with MS excell)

Cheers,
José

[andybee]

Hi folks,

Does anyone already have a utility that converts the GNS data to a common 'end user' format such as PCX5 .wpt files?

If not, I'm going to have a crack at doing one - probably using SQL and MS SQL Server (in a rare instance where my job and hobby coincide). Anyway, thought I'd check that there isn't one already before possibly wasting my time.

Cheers,

Andy

[Smellybiker]

Originally Posted by Richard K

Thanks Bob, don't suppose you have a link to the free download?

Oops, sorry, forgot to add it & someone beat me to it......helpfull lot these HUBBers.

[Richard K]

Thanks, it seems I actually downloaded these last year and then forgot, !

Would be nice to incorporate them into a map somehow, but time closes in...