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<DIV>From: "Curt, WE7U" <<A
href="mailto:archer@eskimo.com">archer@eskimo.com</A>><BR>"So why aren't you
going after Xastir and WinAPRS too? "</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Curt, I'm not "going after" anyone. I have said and
do say that *all* mapping applications that present bad data should be ashamed
of doing so after they have been notified and intentionally decided to leave it
uncorrected.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Traditional cartographers *solicited* corrections,
better known as "ground conformation" in military mapping circles. Fifty years
ago if you sent a map maker a correction note, they sent you a thank-you letter
AND a copy of the next edition of the map, gratis. They were quite happy to pay
(maps cost money) to get their ground conformation done for free, it was an
expected part of the business.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I haven't "gone after" James or APRSWORLD. On the
contrary, he's decided the errors aren't his problem and he's decided to take
umbrage at the fact that some of us won't pretend the emperor(s) have new
clothes. When I found apparent errors, I asked him about them. I suggested a
simple way to compensate for them. That was a long time ago. Why he has decided
now to feel picked on, when he wasn't mentioned by name, and why he thinks I
should recode his application, I can't guess. Users find and submit bug reports
for applications. The *authors* fix them, not the users. That's the norm on this
planet.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have asked NavTeq, and Google (who uses NavTeq
and other sources) and DeLorme, and others, to make corrections when they have
made errors. Some do, some don't. If you notify the USCG of an error in a
charted buoy location, they'll send out a field team to the buoy and re-measure
the location to make SURE of whether there is a problem. They know what the
consequences can be. But the USGS, USCG, NOAA, NIMA, GSIA (who call themselves
GSA apparently not realizing that's another government agency)...they don't get
upset about errors, they know errors will and do happen. They say "thanks for
the catch" and then they go on to FIX IT.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But most of the "internet mappers" really just
don't care, they figure "cheap is good" and be damned with the rest. (And do
take note, I said "most" not any one in particular.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've seen hospitals that literally were bulldozed
more than five years ago, still shown as standing on DeLorme, NavTeq, and other
Google sources. How would you feel if you were a stranger passing through town,
needed an emergency room, pulled one up on your computer and when you got
there...found private homes or a library instead? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mapping errors can KILL. They are not something to
laugh at and say "Cheap is good". Sure, cheap often is good but there's no
excuse for intentionally presenting bad data after the good data is known.
Especially after five+ rounds of annual data updates, in the case of the
hospitals on software that is updated annually.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now, as to Xastir? Sorry, Curt, but you know very
well that I don't run *NIX and despite your oft-repeated remark that Xastir runs
on Windows, we both know it does NOT run on WIndows, it runs on *NIX or a *NIX
emulator which may or may not be run on Windows. I have no desire to start
learning the vagarities of a *NIX emulator loaded on top of everything else to
find out how well your app might run. As far as I'm concerned, it is a *NIX app
and I've chosen not to look at those. If you find a rock-solid stable
boot-from-CD *NIX version that you can distribute with it, let me know, I'm
always willing to take a look.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And WinAPRS? Sure, it needs better map
availability. What makes you think the Sprouls don't know it has problems
because of using the TIGER maps? The difference is, the Sprouls don't come here
to say "OK Mister, you write the new code for us!". </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Don't try to confuse the issue. There's lots of
software which COULD easily do better. One author feels picked upon because I
made (and make) that general statement.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Why not ask him why he doesn't just implement any
of the solutions instead? After all, he's the one who says he can and does write
software, not me. I only said I'm familiar with navigation and cartography--not
writing software.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>