What I'm doing: A Summery

Hi everyone,
I figured i'd give an update.
Finally i figured out how to Create A GPS Map which contains all free information, which can be given out for free to everyone who want it.

The GPS map will contain Topo maps from
http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/
which is created by users, and always gets updated. I can download the IMG map (so it can show up in the GPS device as a nice background)

Using CrazyGuyOnABike.com
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/samvekemans
As it has links and stories from those who have biked across Canada.
Many of which, i eithor contact directly, or they submit their route (using google maps or other sites) or i make it, and make sure to have a link back to the source.
and it shows pictures aling the way.. as well as showing important info, like where they camped and what the towns were like along their partictular route.

Using EveryTrail.com
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=7234
It has the ability to show streems of information (each trail wich people load on there, using an easy way, of uploading their GPS tracks) and linking with Flickr and with Panoramio photos, which were geo-tagged) and shows the vertical profile and all the info needed to make a decision about that route.
So those routes get copied onto my database (live on google earth) and have the name of the route and links back to where the info came from.

Using Map Edit.com (free program)
I can import all the copied GPX files, along with all the waypoints which people made. (from their own GPS device) ... I can import all the streeming info from the Google maps for bike shops across canada, for Campgrounds Across Canada ... Motels, B&B's. .. and perhaps? also the bridges and tunnels. .. and the trail heads (and trail names).. as these all contain photos and has contact phone numbers and websites. --- for bridges, contact info for those who would be fixing it... or where there are trail maintenace needed. the exact local phone number to talk to would be available. .. ... as all this info is available free :)
What's cool is; for example, my file, bike shops across canada. That anyone can take that file, and edit it themselves... and add in more bike shops, and edit the info for current ones... ie. adding in more information (like what they specialize in) and if they also have outdoor supply stuff.
As also, there is a button on each for 'more' where people can post their reviews about the place.
... So trail-head photos would be great too. .. as it can include more links of those who did the trail (links back to crazyguyonabike and bikely and everytrail, and others)

The only downside for google maps is that it (right now) has a hard time with importing kml files. . so that's ok... As for most things... it's a physical business, who already has a listing in there. ... So it's really only the trail heads, and campgrounds, and bridges, tunnels, gates. .. that are entered in.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&z=4&om=1


Then we have POI-Factory.com
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/7579
a great community site where people can load on theire GPX files (and CSV files) for points of interest.
So there i'll (and other people) be able to load on the points such as the gates and other marks.
Fortunatly, there are tonnes of users from Bikely.com and everytrail.com (and others) who are putting in cool details.
An example is the file someone made of the rolerblade route through calgery.. and he/she put in all the water fountains and the bathrooms along the route. .. as well as some places of interest.
Those all help. :)

So the way this thing works, is the users are the ones who are creating the map... as all im doing is creating a couple layers ontop of those topo maps.
One which has all the sujested routes, (with the reference back to where it came from)
and another with the waypoints that the users put in. (this is all from the google earth file) as that file contains the streeming info. along with the copied info)
so what needs to be done before the points get loaded onto the map is making a copy of each type of point. (to get the latest info) .. and putting that info onto the map as a type.
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=675728&page=&vc=1&PHPSESSID=#Post675728

So once that file is avalable. .. Im guessing that it can be made available on this site ... showing people the process to load onto their device the map. (it can also be loaded onto an XD card) so then the different info centers across the country, and any one interested) can get a copy. (as on the datacard would be that free program.

So in order to keep with the rules of conduct.. what needs to be done is this:
The map needs to be 100% percent free in it's intirety. ... so it's done one peoples spare time.

So the same way that CrazyGuyOnABike.com works.. is that donations can be recieved. (but not for the product) ... as Crazyguyonabike.com has it... you can download the journals onto a CD and it can be mailed to you for no cost.

What i would do, (and am begining) is to be promoting this ride (the going over what is done and testing of the 1st version of the map) is raising funds for World Wildlife fund Canada.
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/40226
.. and asking people to be donating things rather than money (they could donate on paypal if they like)
As theres a growing list of tools that would be great to have to make the ride across canada along the TransCanada trail, and also along the sujested by-pass routes, and also the routes which are most recommended. .. and perhaps also, taking those hiking routes too.


Anyway, this is kinda long, but I hope it's some kind of summery for those interested in lending a hand. .. it would be much appreciated :)

Cheers,
Sam