[sac-board] Re: SAC Site Updates

  I agree with Thad. For first time users of GPS this would be a good lesson 
and with Thad's help they would get more use of their GPS "toy" and would be 
more likely to attend an Star Party without fear of getting lost. Also consider 
the usefulness of giving your location via Ham radio incase the event of an 
accident. Just look in the mirror, we all are geeks. Come on how many of us 
have a spare bedroom just to hold our toys? 

AG

> 
> From: "Thad Robosson" <starstarcracker@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 2005/06/21 Tue AM 11:03:53 EDT
> To: sac-board@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [sac-board] Re: SAC Site Updates
> 
> Hello board and others,
> 
> I agree it's a bit overkill to post coordinates.  But answer me this....
> 
> Does it hurt to have a small file available?
> 
> Why not have a file available so that people who do want to take advantage
> of it can?
> 
> My point is this....Today's units are much more powerful, capable, and
> easier to use than those of a few years ago, and I believe that some
> people will take advantage of being able to upload a route file into their
> GPS unit.  Take a look at the Garmin and Magellan websites.  Nearly
> half of the units made today are designed with guidance (autorouting)
> and connectivity in mind.  Geez, quite a few cars, and even some cell
> phones and PDA's utilize the technology.  Providing a link to download
> a small route file for people can only help.  There is no downside.
> When you consider, as Paul did, that just getting to the parking lot has
> gotten somewhat tricky, what can it hurt?
> 
> Am I being geeky?  Yes, but we are astronomers after all. :-)
> Will EVERY new member/visitor use it?  Absolutely not.
> Could it help *someone* find our meeting/star party sites easier?  Most 
> likely.
> Does it hurt/cost us to have it available?  Not a bit.
> 
> For clarity, I'm only talking about directions to the parking lot.  I did 
> not
> take waypoints for the meeting room, the building entrance, Coke
> machine, or bathrooms.  :-)
> 
> So, as it stands, I'd still like to post the picture that Andrew worked up. 
> It's basically
> a cleaned up version of Paul's with numbered points.  I have worked up a 
> text file
> that gives descriptions for the points on the map.  I fully agree that NOT 
> putting
> coordinates on the direction sheet is best, but still think it's a "what can 
> it hurt" idea
> to make a file available for the GPS users. A simple "GPS users click here."
> would be sufficient.
> 
> Anyone else have a take on this?  Please speak up.....your voice counts.
> 
> Thad
> 
> 
> 
> 

Andrew Goodwin

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