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Chapter 8, Desktop Programs
#67 Map Your Meatspace
HACK
Use Mapping Software
You probably want to use GPS so that you can view a map of your area as
you travel through it. Some GPSes display a general map with streets and
street names, and other maps go one step further to provide instructions on
where to go (such as “at the end of the road, turn left” instructions). The
former system uses general mapping information and the latter is a vector-
based satellite navigation system.
For general mapping information, a useful tool is GpsDrive (http://gpsdrive.
kraftvoll.at/). You can use this application to indicate your current location,
to plot waypoints (locations in latitude and longitude), and to interact with
other GPS users over a wireless network.
Although GpsDrive is a useful tool, one of its problems is that free maps of
Europe and many other parts of the world are not available for use with it.
The lack of free maps is a big problem with GPS software in general. Gps-
Drive does spider some online mapping web sites to download maps for the
areas you are in, but that is useful only when a map is available, and only if
you have wireless connectivity when you enter a new area. To solve this
problem, you need to use a script that can download maps of entire areas in
advance of your visit (this script is covered later in this hack).
Another option, particularly if you just want to see where your ...