free Ordnance Survey desktop mapping application

infopete

Hi

I've just published an alpha release of a desktop (windows only) application that allows you to select regions of Ordnance Survery maps (in most scales) and copy the region to the clipboard.

Once in the clipboard you can paste it into Word or similar.

It's ideal for creating itineraries for something like LeJog.

I want to add much more functionality to the application but before I do I'd like to know what features you would like. Please let me have your ideas.

The zipped installation files can be found at http://www.infonote.com/free.htm

regards

Pete

amaferanga

A bit like 'print screen'?

andrewjoseph

How does OS licensing come into this?
Where is the OS mapping coming from?
Do you have to scan a paper map?
Can you do a Mac version?

amaferanga

Presumably you need something like memory map (which allows you to select and print regions anyway).

infopete

Hi

The maps are from Ordnance Survey and are live.

I have registered to be an Ordnance Survey Openspace developer.

So... you don't need memory map or anything else.

Regards

pete

infopete

Hi amaferanga

Yes you could use PrintScrn but you would then need to use an editor to cut out the region you need.

In addition, PrintScrn won't help you with routes, waymarkers etc which I hope to add to this.

Pete

gbs

to infopete: looks v interesting but windows message tells me that some files are missing!

I do not know if it is relevant but I am using XP and excel 2007.

infopete

Hi gbs

I've only tried it on Vista at the moment.

When I get home I'll try it on XP and Windows 7.

I'll let you know if I have problems.

What files does it say you're missing?

Regards

Pete

amaferanga

Ah I see. Something like bikehike, but with a print option?

infopete

Hi gbs,

I installed the application on my XP laptop yesterday and it worked fine. Are you still having problems?

I will be publishing the next release tomorrow and I'll put a bit more effort into the method of publication that may solve your problem.

On another note, I've not had any suggestions or requests for features, does this mean people are not interested?

Regards

Pete

gbs

pete: have just tried; same result - an excel s/s with mixed indecipherable characters - rather like the bewildering mess that presents itself when sender and receiver versions of MS word are out of synch.

What are you planing to offer that is over and above the bikehike and bikely offerings? :?:

bompington

I'm quite a fan of Memory Map, with one big exception - like all mapping software that uses OS maps, the maps are just bitmaps, i.e. pictures - apart from the height field, they contain no internal information, especially on where roads are. So if you want to plot a route along a road, you have to draw it yourself - incredibly tedious if you want a reasonably accurate route of any distance.
So I could go to bikely, mapmyride or for that matter google maps (preferred choice for quick route plan); but I much prefer the OS 50 thou maps, as you can see for yourself what the terrain etc. is like, and I find M-map's interface & route info, profile tools etc. to be much smarter and easier to use.
So what I'd really like to see is software that combines M-map's OS mapping and route info with the automatic routing you get with google maps etc.
There's a feature request for you!

infopete

The Ordnance Survey API does not include a routing option, strange but true

I have thought about getting Google maps to do the routes and then copy the waymarkers over to the Ordnance Map.

You can draw lines on the Ordnance map with the api but they don't follow the roads so at the moment I would suggest just having waymarkers.

What do people think?

Pete

amaferanga

bompington wrote:

I'm quite a fan of Memory Map, with one big exception - like all mapping software that uses OS maps, the maps are just bitmaps, i.e. pictures - apart from the height field, they contain no internal information, especially on where roads are. So if you want to plot a route along a road, you have to draw it yourself - incredibly tedious if you want a reasonably accurate route of any distance.
So I could go to bikely, mapmyride or for that matter google maps (preferred choice for quick route plan); but I much prefer the OS 50 thou maps, as you can see for yourself what the terrain etc. is like, and I find M-map's interface & route info, profile tools etc. to be much smarter and easier to use.
So what I'd really like to see is software that combines M-map's OS mapping and route info with the automatic routing you get with google maps etc.
There's a feature request for you!

Try bikehike then

amaferanga

infopete wrote:

The Ordnance Survey API does not include a routing option, strange but true

I have thought about getting Google maps to do the routes and then copy the waymarkers over to the Ordnance Map.

You can draw lines on the Ordnance map with the api but they don't follow the roads so at the moment I would suggest just having waymarkers.

What do people think?

Pete

I haven't tried using your application yet Pete, because I can't work out what it offers that existing websites don't already offer (except maybe the print option for OS maps). More and more people are using GPS to navigate, particularly for routes in the UK, so I don't get the need for the print option. What you're doing is probably very clever, but how are you going to make it better than what is already available?

bompington

amaferanga wrote:

Try bikehike then

Dohhhhh! I've heard of bikehike but when I looked, it wasn't a route planning website at all.
That's because I was looking at bikehike.com, not .co.uk
Easy mistake to make, it's not like I'm an ICT teacher or anything....

amaferanga

bompington wrote:

amaferanga wrote:

Try bikehike then

Dohhhhh! I've heard of bikehike but when I looked, it wasn't a route planning website at all.
That's because I was looking at bikehike.com, not .co.uk
Easy mistake to make, it's not like I'm an ICT teacher or anything....

Doh!

infopete

Hi All,

I've just posted a new release http://www.infonote.com and go to our free stuff.

Please un-install the old version before you install this one or you'll end up with two versions.

This is a different installation package so I hope it works for everyone this time.

I've added a picture panel down the right which will show each and every selection you make. Each picture on the panel has the options Copy, Save and View if you right mouse click on them.

More to come when I have time.

Regards

Pete

infopete

Hi Everyone,

rather than re-inventing the wheel I've decided to open my application up to more mapping websites.

I've spoken with Simon at Bikehike and he has agreed to letting me add a link. He's also looking into having the facility to display his maps to the whole screen which makes it better to grab snippets of the map.

What other mapping sites would you all like added?

Pete

infopete

New version up and it now contains a link to Bikehike and a few other mapping sites.

It also allows you to open any website of your choice.

In addition ther base map now allows you to add waymarkers and to see your current position.

More to come later.

Pete

infopete

Hi

I don't have a Garmin and I'm trying to get valid GPX out of my mapping application.

Could someone test this for me please?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<gpx xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance&quot; xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema&quot; version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1"&gt;
<wpt lat="52.478929242464" lon="-0.955575086125607">
<name>Description of Point 1</name>
</wpt>
<wpt lat="52.4770401530996" lon="-0.945313147285571">
<name>Description of Point 2</name>
</wpt>
<wpt lat="52.4773953705706" lon="-0.924838374986347">
<name>Description of Point </name>
</wpt>
</gpx>

chasctc

Readable by EasyGPS and Memory Map - looks OK

infopete

Thank you chasctc

Once I've added the logic for Tomtom I'll publish the next version for exporting to GPX and ITN.

Pete

infopete

Hi

The latest test release is available to download at http://www.infonote.com on the free pages.

I've added export to GPX and Tomtom itinerary files.

I've also used Microsoft maps to get the current location details (if they're avaliable).

It's still in test so there may be an undocumented feature or two or ....

Ordnance Survey are doing an update at the end of the month for the api so I'm waiting until then to do more with waypoints and dragable markers.

Let me have your feedback if you like bits or hate chunks.

Pete

infopete

Hi

I'd like to be able to add Sustran routes to the OS maps but I'm not doing very well in obtaining the KML or GPX files from Sustrans.

Does anyone have the data for the Sustran routes that I could have?

Pete

infopete

I've made some changes and a few fixes so please all download the latest release.

I'm toying with the idea of adding live tracking on Windows Mobile phones, would this be of interest?

Regards

Pete

jay_clock

I am pretty amazed by this! Thanks!

infopete

Hi

I've just made amendments to my OS mapping application.

I've added "draggable" markers and I've fixed a feature or two.

Let me know if you want more features adding.

you will need to download the new windows application from http://www.infonote.com/free.htm

Pete