Day 218 Letterfrack, Ireland - Why and how this GPS Map will work

Hi everyone,

Here's some brainstorming info.

Lots of technicals.. but my thought is that if i write i out by hand... knowone can read it.. so if im writing it hout here, maybe someone out there can give me another key to open up the puzzel box some more..



Here's what im working on.



But 1st here the map i started yesterday.


View Larger Map

1. Always looking to find more peoples routes and maps going across Canada.

Why? Because it helps me by:

a- Help me (and hopefully others) adjust the google map showing the 5 recommended routes across canada.

b- Those 5 routes across canada, get imported onto my GPS map, and shown as the recommended route. (maybe called - google map, recommended routes?)

c- I can add their POI (points of interest) manually to the list of recommended points of interest. ... also available on google maps. (ie. if they say they stayed at a campsite.. i can check the 'Campgrounds Across Canada' google map, and see if i have it already listed.



2. I am bringing in (and overrighting the old files) of the downloaded routes that people took for across canada.. and including all the small trails.

Whats done? .. all of the tracks from across canada and smaller routes, gets downloaded and put into a folder (the folder is big, so it's broken down into categories of routes) ... cause i'm searching the different sites which all have GPX tracks and waypoints that people have posted.

... and checking that map.. compared to my GPS Routes map, and seeing if i have it. .. if i dont.. i simply add it.

How? I copy the GPS tracks and turn them all into roads or tracks (havent decidd yet) any sugestion on which is better?..; and i take all the waypoints that the poster (user) entered in when they were using the device, going along the trails. ... and copy them onto the map. .. listing them as just Lables (no identifing marks icons) ...

Why no icons and marks?

Because the data is collected from (what will be) actually thousands of tracks and waypoints which people load their routes and points on to their map. So the only way to get accurate and always up-todate information on the current state of the Highways and roads, and trails and paths, bridges, is to have it shown on the map. .. the task of zooming in detail all across the map and picking out just the campgrounds, or the bridges, or the out houses.. is unthinkable. .. why? because this information needs to be shown in REAL-TIME. .. thats why we have streeming data... so it's constantly uptodate.



3. Im always updating the Google Earth file of this map. (shown on Google Earth Community)

This file is included onto the Zip file that people download, because it holds a direct connection with all of the latest information (and most likely the streeming info seen on google earth would be more uptodate than what i have on the map?

.. Why is this? Actually once i get a good handle on it (download as much as i can find, of what is already available).. then it's a matter of checking back at those sites to see what has been reciently added. Then go to my GPS map, and see what i have... a comparison. then copy the whole thing on. ... if it hapens to be 1 solid small line (and i get the right one) i can import the new file (and just take the tracks) ... but i cant take the points because alot would be already on the map from other users. ... so all i can do is try to just copy those waypoints which have notes that people put in there.



4. Adding Flickr and Google Earth, and my GPS Map:

What i'm doing is (Virtually walking across canada, and finding photos (of the roads and route and signs)... no people, ... of course.) and copying the photo onto this GPS map).. but just showing the Title of it (but if the user has a webready GPS device) they would be able to see the photos right there.



5. I am adding to the Google maps files of -Campgrounds -infocenters -bike shops -motels ... and making more maps.

As those ones are special, as they get imported onto the map, and do have a icon, and is listed as a 'Point Of Interest'.

I'm also adding in a few others (which come from Community group sites for POI) like Tim Hortons Across Canada.

Which bytheway.. no i didnt search for everyone and add it in there... somone else did :)

But that POI is right now on the map. ... so when i go and update that file (with the updated list of Tim Hortons) .. i simply just see all the ones that i made and icon and update those. ..

As it's easier. This is the 1st file i'm putting on the gps map :)



6. Creating the 1st Beta version of the map called 'AcrossCanada Trails'

What i'll do is make another post.. which showing the contents of the file. ... It's a helper for me :) .. then i'll always have a back up. now im working on the problems having getting it going.

..

Technical stuff, map maker people would and only need to know.

1 - Levels... I haven figured out that one. I guess i just need to be putting everything on level 0. and try to keep level 1 blank. .. so when i toggle the attachments off, its always on that layer. .. so when i bring in more points. .. A reminder that it's only the Special Point of interest which need to be updated.... the rest just gets kept on the map.

.. as it's only the