Category: mapping

Etrex Garmin GPS to Google Maps

This post describes how to create Google Maps from a GPS devise.

Your Etrex will output two lots of data available from the GPX files.

The two types of data allow you to create.

A Google Map of Waypoints

A Google Map of Tracks

There is a process you need to follow:-

Plug in your GPS unit.

Access Ozi Explorer.

Use the interface to import your waypoints..

A Google Map of Waypoints

1) Ozi Explorer
Get Waypoints from GPS

File > Save Maps to File > Export to GPX – Save to Desktop

2) GPS Visualizer
You’ve got a selection of options.

In order to get them into Google Maps, they have to be in a web accessible format. So choose Google Earth format.

Once your file is uploaded you should be given a link to download your file which looks something like this 1211203282-21568-82.37.19.123.kmz.

Click on it get it to your desktop.

3) Googlemaps
Go to Googlemaps.co.uk

Go to My Maps

On Create New Map > Import > KML File

A Google Map of Tracks

… lifted straight from previous blogs on the subject.

1) Ozi Explorer
From the interface > Get track from GPS

If you’ve done it correctly, you’ll get a tally in the toolbar.

Wait until this has finished.

File > Save Maps to File > Export to GPX – Save to Desktop

2) GPS Visualizer
Again, you’ve got a selection, choose Google Earth and your file will convert to a web-ready format.

From your link, 1211203282-21568-82.37.19.123.kmz, save to desktop.

3) Googlemaps
Go to Googlemaps.co.uk

Go to My Maps

On Create New Map > Import > KML File.

If the file is a large one Maps will split it up over a number of pages.

That’s it! Google plots your waypoints/tracks then zooms to center the map.
It’s as simple as giving your waypoints/tracks some names and you can share this map with the world.

Hardware

Garmin Etrex GPS

Garmin PC interface cable (RS232 serial port connector) – not applicable to Geko 101

666 the number of the beast.

as iron maiden used to sing.
My fave was the ace of spades ‘gamblin’s for fools, but that’s the way i like it honey..’

Without a spade in sight or an ace. Here’s 6 stories from 6 authors in 6 weeks. It’s called ‘we tell stories’.

It uses a map to illustrate how a story progresses, the narrative being provided by 6 successful UK authors.

* Charles Cumming
* Toby Litt
* Kevin Brooks
* Nicci French
* Matt Mason
* Mohsin Hamid

Each week you can tune in and read a little. The stories are quite long, longer than a coffee break, so if social networking is getting you down, this may be the ideal distraction.

Visit the site here and click through each story until the devil arrives to reprimand your computer and sack you for wasting office time.

remove line break characters

preg_replace to get rid of those pesky line break characters.

Particularly for Google Maps bubble’s which take an aversion to non-ASCII chars so as to stop a map rendering altogether.

Non-ACSII characters
This piece of code should be applied when generating a Google Map using any quantity of user generated material.

function removelinebreaks($string)
{
return preg_replace(‘/[\r\n\t]/e’, ‘ ‘, $string);
}

Also make sure you trim your bubbles, and if you’re particularly nervous check the htmlentities and CDATA[ declarations also.

Makes for happier bubbles :)

RFID – Being aware


I know evil doesn’t exist, except for in people(like me)’s imagination, but here’s a real excuse to believe everyone has good intentions.

It’s called RFID or Radio Frequency ID.
First employed during the second world war in allied bombing campaigns, the industry has seen some growth and is now worth $2 billion.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.

RFID opens all sorts of opportunities for companies to monitor our movements real time.
For example, you may not be aware of it, but if you are the owner of a bottle of Viagra, Pfizer may be monitoring you right now.
Think I’m joking.
I’m not.

They’re not the only ones, American Express have new card issues fitted with RFID chip. Procter and Gamble have filed patents and NCR are amongst other big names looking to muscle in on the act.

What’s it all about?

RFID Monitor using a semi-ductile, lightweight tag with a low cost.
When fitted to a product they relay information back to a receiver.
You may have seen them on new items of clothing or taped to new CD’s.

Any product fitted with RFID within range of a receiver would provide information; a geo-fix and product beacon. Leading to data on; when those products were bought, how long you’ve owned them, how much they cost, where you bought them from.
If you kept them on your person, when you returned to refresh your product. Where else you went in between.

Some RFID have more important information.
The AMEX RFID contains personal banking information on the card holder.

The worrying thing is, RFID information is gathered without regulation.
Information can be sold on without regulation.
No Data Protection act here.

FMCG Future
With reduction of tag implementation below 1p in the near future, support from heavyweight FMCG companies, Banking and technology institutions, multiple patents filed and industry screaming out for large quantities of qualitative marketing information.
The future looks set.

Expect these snazzy labels to be appearing near you soon, whether you believe it or not.

Copied and pasted from: BBC News Website.

Creating Google Maps Icon/Marker/Pushpin

Simple steps to create your own Google Maps pushpins.

Step 1) Create your image:

  • Ideally width to 32px.
  • PNG-24 fomat.
  • Transparent.
  • Non-aliased.

Step 2) Visit Shadowmaker.

  • Select the icon from your desktop. The program creates a 2D outline of your image.
  • Save the shadow.

If you like it you’re ready to go.

If you don’t like, you can try these stock Icons/Markers/Pushpins.

Google Labs: Google Maps Push Pins
Google Stock Pushpins: Google Maps Stock Icons