[gps-talkusers] Re: GPS on a laptop
- From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 10:21:45 -0400
Thanks Mike, I never would have thought of the joystick; I'll have to
think that over to see if it would offer any obvious advantages in user
interface abilities.
I have to say I wish there were a way around all these cables and
batteries!!! :(
Chip
=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael May
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 7:22 PM
> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] GPS on a laptop
>=20
> Chip,
>=20
> We used a USB keypad with a Radio Shack belt clip. It worked=20
> reasonably well. We also tried a few outboard joy stick=20
> arrangements which could easily fit in a pocket and give you=20
> access to 5 or 10 primary commands.
>=20
> Mike
> At 02:04 PM 6/7/2004, you wrote:
> >Yes, it's getting more and more common for service folks to have a=20
> >laptop with gps receiver. They can have very high quality=20
> maps on cd,=20
> >and they often have some sort of wireless link back to the=20
> home office=20
> >so they receive job instructions as well as automatic routing on the=20
> >laptop, and are able to communicate current location and=20
> status back to=20
> >the home office.
> >
> >One of my "wouldn't it be cool" ideas for this project of=20
> mine (which I=20
> >call TIPS for Travel Information Position System) would be=20
> for you to=20
> >have a wireless link, and a defined group of friends, so=20
> that you all=20
> >could know where each other were at any time. It's not at=20
> the top of=20
> >the list, but maybe someday ...
> >
> >Another idea of mine is not just to allow the defining of=20
> locations of=20
> >points of interest, but categories, and free-form text=20
> descriptions (so=20
> >that you could type a note to yourself for instance that=20
> says to get to=20
> >sportswear, go up the eskilator and turn left). And of course, to=20
> >allow some web-based system for all users of this system to upload=20
> >their files of points of interest to create an ever-growing database=20
> >that all can download.
> >
> >Controlling it while wearing it in a backpack is my biggest worry at=20
> >the moment. I have heard that the Sendaro product used an external=20
> >keypad, but unless I can find one with a belt clip or=20
> something I don't=20
> >like the idea of tying up your hands (which are often busy),=20
> so I think=20
> >I'm going to look into the voice command option first.
> >
> >Oh well, got to get the basic one out there so I can=20
> hopefully get some=20
> >bright ideas from others interested in this approach as well.
> >
> >Chip
> >
> >=3D20
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D20
> > > [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mary=3D20 =
=20
> > >Ellen Earls
> > > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 6:09 PM
> > > To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: A really interesting observation:
> > >=3D20
> > > I have an ibm think pad T. series which we won't get into=20
> but=3D20 I=20
> > >am fascinated by this because the guy who came to put in a=3D20 =
new=20
> > >hard drive on this pc got here because of gps on his=3D20 =20
> laptop and=20
> > >an Earthmate receiver.
> > > .
> > > I had one of the original Atlas Gps-talks on a laptop and=3D20 =20
> > >probably would still have ithad it not for something=3D20 =20
> happening to=20
> > >the laptop computer itself. I had loads of=3D20 trouble=20
> with the thing=20
> > >and we were using the Magellan 310 on=3D20 it. I wonder=20
> what using an=20
> > >earthmate on it might have been=3D20 like. I do recall being told =
I=20
> > >was in a different city than I=3D20 actually was by it.
> > > There was one section or road where I got absolutely=20
> no=3D20 signal=20
> > >and the program just quit and it was one of the little=3D20 lanes=20
> > >which opened off the streets in our village. Now, of=3D20 =20
> course, I go=20
> > >back there with the bn and earthmate and=3D20 sometimes the =
trekker=20
> > >and know where I am just fine with very=3D20 little loss of=20
> any kind=20
> > >of signal.
> > > Interesting concept.
> > > By the way, you were the one who told me about the=20
> laptops=3D20 with=20
> > >bays in them where you could remove components and=3D20 =20
> replace them=20
> > >with different ones.
> > > Thanks.
> > > Mary Ellen Earls
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 9:03 AM
> > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: A really interesting observation:
> > >=3D20
> > >=3D20
> > > > Mary Ellen,
> > > >
> > > > Yah, it's meant specifically for the blind who have laptops=3D20
> > > rather than
> > > > notetakers or pdas. The idea is that I put the=20
> software I write=20
> > > > out there for free, but you (the end user) still need to buy a=20
> > > > mapping program with data and a gps receiver to make it=20
> all work.=20
> > > > =3D20
> > > Then you run
> > > > it on your laptop (which must have a screen reader and=3D20
> > > windows 2000 or
> > > > xp) much like you do on the BN.
> > > >
> > > > The mapping software I'm currently using is MapPoint=20
> from MS, and=20
> > > > it sells for about $300 retail, a little less if you find the=20
> > > > right discounter. The earthmate which can be used with laptops=20
> > > > (the USB version without batteries and a special serial cable=20
> > > > needed=3D20
> > > by the BN)
> > > > sells for around $100, so if you already own a laptop you'd=3D20
> > > only be out
> > > > about $400.
> > > >
> > > > Lot's of planned limitations to this approach that I=20
> can't do much=20
> > > > about. You'll probably have to wear a backpack to carry=3D20
> > > the laptop, and
> > > > use an ear-plug or external speaker to hear the verbal=3D20
> > > reports. And it
> > > > will be verbal only, no plans for any braille support.
> > > >
> > > > I'm trying to design it so that you configure it once at=3D20
> > > startup as to
> > > > where you're going and what you want to hear along the=20
> way, then=20
> > > > it shouldn't need much in the way of input from you after=3D20
> > > that. My only
> > > > thought for providing input if you're wearing a backpack is=3D20
> > > a headset
> > > > and voice control, which I will explore someday, but=3D20
> > > certainly not on
> > > > the first release.
> > > >
> > > > Laptops tend to have relatively short battery life, so=3D20
> > > you'll have to
> > > > make efforts to conserve the batteries, buy and carry extra, or=20
> > > > make some other arrangements if you want to use it over=20
> a full day=20
> > > > of traveling.
> > > >
> > > > I'm thinking that something like the IBM thinkpad X series=3D20
> > > (which only
> > > > weighs 2.7 pounds, and I think gets 8 hours from a battery=3D20
> > > charge) would
> > > > be the perfect laptop for this experiment.
> > > >
> > > > That's the other thing, this is an experiment, done in my=3D20
> > > spare time, so
> > > > there wouldn't mbe much in the way of support. This is=3D20
> > > definitely for
> > > > your more adventurous types, or for those who already have=3D20
> > > a laptop, or
> > > > for those who feel a laptop is more useful to them than a=20
> > > > special-purpose notetaker or pda.
> > > >
> > > > I've written a prototype in a language that's interpreted, and=20
> > > > it's caused me to run up against some problems that I think can=20
> > > > only be solved by starting over in a different=20
> language, so I'll=20
> > > > be=3D20
> > > rewriting in
> > > > vb.net.
> > > >
> > > > Would have started sooner, but, bad news at work about 9=3D20
> > > months ago; we
> > > > got hit with a mandate that we (the I.T. department)=20
> will work a=20
> > > > lot harder to get projects out a lot sooner or we'll be=3D20
> > > outsourced. Doesn't
> > > > make me want to do much with my pc when I'm finally at home. :(
> > > >
> > > > If I do get it rewritten in vb.net, I've had some=20
> offers of help=20
> > > > for support and future development from folks like=20
> Debee Norling,=20
> > > > and so I'll probably take a reasonably working version and turn=20
> > > > it=3D20
> > > into an open
> > > > source project so anyone who wants can tinker with it.
> > > >
> > > > Not having done this before, I suspect that's a lot easier=3D20
> > > to do after
> > > > we've got something on the table to talk about than from=3D20
> > > the beginning.
> > > >
> > > > I'd be interested to hear any opinions good or bad as to=3D20
> > > advantages or
> > > > problems with the idea so far.
> > > >
> > > > Chip
> > > >
> > > > =3D3D20
> > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D3D20
> > > > > [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of=20
> > > > >Mary=3D3D20 Ellen Earls
> > > > > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 2:39 PM
> > > > > To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: A really interesting observation:
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > > > Chip this is exactly the kind of road I live on.
> > > > > We call it Wooster Pike the state route is S. R. 50=20
> and the=3D3D20 =20
> > > > >bus rout is r.
> > > > > 128 and then you go about 3 miles from here and it changes=20
> > > > >to=3D3D20 wooster road and another 2 miles from that it =
changes=20
> > > > >to=3D3D20 Columbia Parkway and after you run through=20
> downtown=3D3D20 =20
> > > > >Cincinnati and get to third street the route changes to=3D20
> > > Old rout 50.
> > > > > So in your program is this going to be something for=20
> the=3D3D20 =20
> > > > >blind and visually impaired and what sort of device=20
> will it go on?
> > > > > Mary Ellen Earls who gets curiouser and curioser by the hour.
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 7:40 AM
> > > > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: A really interesting observation:
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > > > > Mary Ellen,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The term you're looking for is "reverse geocoding" and is=20
> > > > > > a=3D3D20
> > > > > function of
> > > > > > the software and maps from Sendaro, not the receiver.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > To complicate the issue, most communities have stretches=20
> > > > > > of=3D3D20
> > > > > roads that
> > > > > > are often known by more than one name (I travel one to=20
> > > > > > work=3D3D20
> > > > > that has 3
> > > > > > names associated with it (or is it 4)), and so the one=20
> > > > > > the=3D3D20
> > > > > map reports
> > > > > > to you may not be the one that the locals use to=20
> refer to it.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > In my gps navigation program I'm writing my maps give=3D3D20
> > > > > several names to
> > > > > > choose from for a road/address (in my example it's=20
> > > > > > reported=3D3D20
> > > > > as U.S. 319,
> > > > > > Capitol Circle S.E., and if I remember right (S.R. =
263=3D3D20
> > > > > (S.R. for state
> > > > > > road)), and it changes as you drive along. I've written=20
> > > > > > my=3D3D20
> > > > > program to
> > > > > > find street names which are comprised of numbers and=20
> > > > > > known=3D3D20
> > > > > abbreviations
> > > > > > (such as U.S. or S.R. or many others), which a map =
may=3D3D20
> > > > > list, but which
> > > > > > the locals don't usually use, and I move these=20
> names down=3D3D20
> > > > > to the bottom
> > > > > > of my preferred name list for a road so that when I=20
> > > > > > report=3D3D20
> > > > > an address I
> > > > > > try to use the street name that the locals use (if the=20
> > > > > > map=3D3D20
> > > > > data has it).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Aside from this confusing multiple name issue, your map=3D20
> > > data may not
> > > > > > have the street your on (especially if it's new or =
very=3D3D20
> > > > > small), so the
> > > > > > software from Sendaro may cast about for the nearest=20
> > > > > > street=3D3D20
> > > > > that it can
> > > > > > find.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hth,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Chip
> > > > > >
> > > > > > =3D3D3D20
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > > From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf=3D20
> > > Of Mary=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > Ellen Earls
> > > > > > > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 1:22 PM
> > > > > > > To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] A really interesting observation:
> > > > > > >=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > Hi guys!
> > > > > > > I have just completed one of my daily walks and we=3D20
> > > live in a=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > small village and near the center of it is the inn.=3D20
> > > This is a=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > lovely old building, very dignified and as I was=3D20
> > > passing my=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > earthmate told me that I had poor 1 satellite.
> > > > > > > I thought that was extremely interesting and amazing =3D
> >that=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > something that small would have the tenacity to=20
> hang in there.
> > > > > > > Now I am wondering with the new version coming out, =3D
> >will=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > there be a way to more accurately for lack of a=3D20
> > > better way to=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > put it, way to tell you at which address you are? As=3D20
> > > of now,=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > if I were standing in front of my house, the bn gps =3D
> >says=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > "near 6811 Wooster Pike, and the trekker is worse=3D20
> > > than that,=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > > it says "near 6801 Wooster Pike."
> > > > > > > Anyway to my knowledge there is no 6801 Wooster pike.
> > > > > > > Happy traveling, all!
> > > > > > > Mary Ellen Earls
> > > > > > >=3D3D3D20
> > > > > > >=3D3D3D20
> > > > > >
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > > >=3D3D20
> > > >
> > >=3D20
> > >=3D20
> > >=3D20
>=20
>=20
> Michael G. May
>=20
> CEO Sendero Group
>=20
> Developers and distributors of BrailleNote GPS Now=20
> distributing BrailleNote, VoiceNote, Miniguide, The Tissot=20
> Silen-T tactile watch and the ID Mate, bar code reader
>=20
> MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.SenderoGroup.com
>=20
> (530) 757-6800, Fax (530) 757-6830, Mobile (530) 304-0007=20
> Sendero Group, LLC
> 1118 Maple Lane, Davis, CA 95616-1723, USA
>=20
> Latitude, 38 33 9.239 North
> Longitude, 121 45 40.145 West
>=20
>=20
>=20
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