Comments on: Open Source GPS Data: Navigation By and For the People http://rickbeckman.org/open-source-gps-data-navigation-by-and-for-the-people/ Here We Go Again Again Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:06:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Tim http://rickbeckman.org/open-source-gps-data-navigation-by-and-for-the-people/#comment-6763 Tim Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:22:21 +0000 http://rickbeckman.org/?p=1792#comment-6763 That's really interesting. I wonder if it would work at all in rural areas where no one uses the computer much, like out here in western Canada. Most of my neighbours just finally mastered programming their VCR and arte thinking about getting a DVD player. That’s really interesting. I wonder if it would work at all in rural areas where no one uses the computer much, like out here in western Canada. Most of my neighbours just finally mastered programming their VCR and arte thinking about getting a DVD player.

]]> By: Rick Beckman http://rickbeckman.org/open-source-gps-data-navigation-by-and-for-the-people/#comment-6433 Rick Beckman Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:48:42 +0000 http://rickbeckman.org/?p=1792#comment-6433 That's really cool! I've never used a TomTom, so I actually know very little about them. We have a Garmin, and I don't think it has anything like that at all. The problem is that it doesn't seem likely that TomTom would let other devices (such as Garmins or smart phones) benefit from their community. That's why a platform-independent solution would be needed. If I were to predict the future, I would predict such a service to be built on Google Maps as it can do pretty much everything that would be required -- plus using it as an application platform is free already. The information gathered could be licensed under Creative Commons or similar, allowing any navigation device or service to draw upon it. That's what I think we need. I'm glad that TomTom has such a service, though. That means they are at least aware of the awesome possibilities that community involvement entails! That’s really cool! I’ve never used a TomTom, so I actually know very little about them. We have a Garmin, and I don’t think it has anything like that at all.

The problem is that it doesn’t seem likely that TomTom would let other devices (such as Garmins or smart phones) benefit from their community. That’s why a platform-independent solution would be needed. If I were to predict the future, I would predict such a service to be built on Google Maps as it can do pretty much everything that would be required — plus using it as an application platform is free already. The information gathered could be licensed under Creative Commons or similar, allowing any navigation device or service to draw upon it. That’s what I think we need.

I’m glad that TomTom has such a service, though. That means they are at least aware of the awesome possibilities that community involvement entails!

]]> By: Nathan W. Bingham http://rickbeckman.org/open-source-gps-data-navigation-by-and-for-the-people/#comment-6432 Nathan W. Bingham Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:25:26 +0000 http://rickbeckman.org/?p=1792#comment-6432 Rick: I'm from Australia and don't have a GPS. I did just buy one for my brother-in-law (a TomTom) and I believe they have what you are describing already. You can edit maps, notify of speed cameras, etc., and it will be updated to their community database. As the user you can select whether you want all the updates from *anybody* on your own device or whether you only want those modifications that have been verified by TomTom. I've not used this service, nor do I have much experience as I don't own a GPS. Thought I should let you know that it may already be happening in a similar form. I also stumbled across a site in my research (it may have been illegal) which was offering all the "real-time" updates for free and without having to be linked to a TomTom service etc. I can't recall the site name. Rick: I’m from Australia and don’t have a GPS. I did just buy one for my brother-in-law (a TomTom) and I believe they have what you are describing already. You can edit maps, notify of speed cameras, etc., and it will be updated to their community database. As the user you can select whether you want all the updates from *anybody* on your own device or whether you only want those modifications that have been verified by TomTom.

I’ve not used this service, nor do I have much experience as I don’t own a GPS. Thought I should let you know that it may already be happening in a similar form. I also stumbled across a site in my research (it may have been illegal) which was offering all the “real-time” updates for free and without having to be linked to a TomTom service etc. I can’t recall the site name.

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