Windows XP Unwired

GPS Software

A GPS receiver receives coordinate information about its location and that’s it. To put the location information to good use, you need mapping software that is able to take in the location information and return something, perhaps a map showing you where you are. Some mapping software goes the extra mile in helping you to navigate routes based on the end point that you have defined.

Here is a list mapping software that is worth exploring:

• Microsoft Streets and Trips (http://www.microsoft.com/streets/)

• MapPoint (http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/)

• MapPoint Web Service (http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/net/)

• EarthViewer3D (http://www.earthviewer.com)

• GPS3D (http://www.mgix.com/gps3d/)

• VisualGPS (http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPS/)

• GPS Trackmaker (http://www.gpstm.com/)

• USAPhotoMaps (http://jdmcox.com/)

In the next section, I show you how you can use the Microsoft Streets and Trips together with your GPS receiver to display a map showing your current location.

Microsoft Streets and Trips

Microsoft Streets and Trips is an affordable (less than $40) mapping package based on MapPoint technology. It has comprehensive maps of the U.S. and Canada, and lets you locate addresses, plan routes, and export maps to a Pocket PC. It also can use a GPS receiver to keep track of your location at all times.

To configure Streets and Trips to use a GPS:

1. Select Tools → GPS → Configure GPS Receiver. The GPS Receiver settings dialog appears (Figure 9-12).

   Figure 9-12. Configuring Microsoft Streets ...