[aprssig] APRSPoint with MapPoint 2004 Media

[spam8mybrain]

This is specifically why, when I started writing YAAC ("Yet Another APRS Client") in 2011, I decided to use OpenStreetMap data with my own offline renderer and refused to add Google Maps support. YAAC was designed assuming it would used in the field where Internet service would not be available.
Yeah, my maps aren't quite as pretty as those generated by Internet service providers with petabytes of storage and teraflops of processing power for pre-rendering (though I am working on it), but they can run on a Raspberry Pi with no Internet service. And they can be updated within 48 hours of the latest snapshot release by the OpenStreetMap Foundation. And I have submitted map improvements for some of the public service events I have worked.
Andrew, KA2DDOauthor of YAAChttp://www.ka2ddo.org/ka2ddo/YAAC.html



-------- Original message --------
From: Rob Riggs <mobilinkd at gmail.com> 
Date: 11/23/18  18:46  (GMT-05:00) 
To: "Stephen H. Smith" <wa8lmf2 at aol.com> 
Cc: aprssig at lists.tapr.org 
Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRSPoint with MapPoint 2004 Media 

[ALL of the  locally-stored  independent-of-the-Internet  mapping packages (Delorme Street Atlas, Delorme TopoUSA, MapPoint and Microsoft MapPoint fell victim to the smartphone foolishness of assuming you can be constantly tethered to the Internet and only need Google Maps. --  They were all  discontinued In the same period of about 18 months. As you well know in PR, you CAN'T depend on the Internet always being there.   Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of square miles of  western North America that have NO CELL COVERAGE AT ALL, even without a hurricane.]

A number of modern APRS software packages support OpenStreetMap (OSM) offline maps.
FWIW, the amateur radio community, APRS users, and the infrastructure we support, are uniquely positioned to provide data to contribute to and enhance OSM.  Even if you cannot go to the areas affected, you can support the relief and response missions by ensuring the OSM maps are kept up-to-date.  Maps require constant maintenance and updates.  Today, maintenance of those maps can be performed by the people and groups supporting the primary disaster response mission.  The public now has direct (and recent) satellite imagery to work from.  And the APRS community has lots of relevant and detailed GPS data available. Kind Regards,

Rob Riggs WX9O
Mobilinkd LLC       
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