I've got a whole lot of mine locations filed rather loosely in my head and I'd like to get them plotted on maps. Digital not paper, as it would be nice to maybe be able to add them from text files etc

I'm not particularly taken by the idea of using google earth or google maps, and don't mind paying for software that will do a good job.

Any recommendations or otherwise? The obvious ones like MemoryMap and Quo seemed biased towards planning walking routes, rather than plotting points.

Cheers.

I've always used Memory Map, theres no problem with plotting points on it rather than routes.

I like it because I can also run a version on my mobile phone (which has a built in GPS) and sync the data with the PC, to actually take me to the grid reference or record new ones.

If it doesnt import/export the format you need, theres always something like GPSBabel which can basically convert anything to anything.

Is there any reason specifically not to use Google Earth? I have some very nicely organised KMZ's as a result of it. I can export these as I see fit, and save/use them elsewhere. It also works in Linux should you choose to use a superior operating system :tongue:

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One particularly nice thing about the Google Earth way is that you can put transparent graphical overlays onto the map and turn/resize them.

Lets you drop an abandonment plan onto a current view by lining up the stuff like roads and rivers that havent moved.

I use that a lot too, then transfer any point of interest back into Memory Map.

[photo]Personal-Album-859-Image-56572[/photo]

Memory Map is alright but nothing more.

If all you want it for is for browsing maps then its spot on but as soon as you add any of your own details it just becomes a cluttered mess.

Most of the functionality is fairly pointless as well.

Is there any reason specifically not to use Google Earth? I have some very nicely organised KMZ's as a result of it. I can export these as I see fit, and save/use them elsewhere.

I suppose the main point against Google Earth is simply that it isn't a map. So it's missing feature and contour information.

Also, if I've got say 200 mines to add, in the form of a grid reference and a name, it would be quite a task to convert to lat/long, then input to Google Earth. However, it's free and KMZs seem to be a fairly standard way to share info.

(Finally, I'd hazard a guess that you have nicely organised KMZ files because you are good at organising things. I'm not 😉 )

(Finally, I'd hazard a guess that you have nicely organised KMZ files because you are good at organising things. I'm not 😉 )

This is probably the only thing I *am* organised about.

christwigg makes a good point about overlays, you can get a great idea of scale etc when overlaying plans on GE. I have several of these, although I do it in a slightly different way.

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I use Memory Map, and have the handheld version as well. I suppose it depends on which plotting system you get on with. I prefer the good old O/S refs.
If you save the Memory map overlays as a .csv file, it comes out as a format which you can transfer to Google Earth.

Smart Notebook software allows you to create transparent overlays which you can position over screenshots of Memory Map. Great for transferring data from old maps. I have about 27000 mines on Memory Map and about another 12000 shafts

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Google Earth with placemarks is a very useful tool. I use these in conjunction with 6" historic maps.

I use a program called MWSnap to take screenshots and save them as JPEGs and then use "Smartboard Software" to manipulate the images and make them seethrough. I do my photo mucking about using Irfanview, which is a great tool.

I sometimes resort to using flashearth.com which is enough out of date and different to Google Earth to give a totally different image, which may be clearer, you can muck about with this and have all sorts of views, from Satellite to Road Maps.

Anything OS related and they will rape you in the ££££

Here is some of my stuff that I've used as the basis of discussions. .







There are many ways of skinning a cat, mine is easy and effective.

Some interesting approaches to using data and maps. In times past Stuey I would have agreed with you that OS mapping would have been pricey when it comes to digital info. That is now a thing of the past. You can now subscribe freely to their OpenSpace API, very much along the lines of Google Maps. Depending on your level of computer competence you can add data to the mapping.

Of course the OS mapping does not reside with your computer it is served dynamically from their web server to you. But you can, once you have and API key, create a localhost if you do not wish to publish data. You can of course take screen shots. Being on a Mac I use Snap Pro X, which will also allow video sequences as well.

The downside to such mapping at present is the addition of very large amounts of information slows up the API. For example if the Aditnow database were added to a single OS map then you would be waiting for ever to see additional map data the was trying to be added. Here I've used a simple text file to add markers and data to an OS map.
http://www.kap.toadstone.com/kapmap/osmap.html  The map is fully dynamic in the sense that it is scrollable and you can zoom in and out.

Another approach is to call gps data files using XML. This approach will allow you to put lines, shaded areas etc. But again really only for one instance or a few. Finally you can by using php call data from an online database, again vast amounts of data would slow the API down. The simplistic way round this of course is to either create multiple maps in order to separate/divide data up or as some have done to create layers as the OS OpenSpace is compatible with OpenLayers.

There are also a couple of ways to add data to the mapping either automatically or by using a database. The first is by ftp-ing a file to your server and then having that re-served using php. The marker then displays the latest information. Here I've used it for weather info from my weather station http://www.biglow.co.uk/weather/php/osmap.php  It's updated every 10 mins. But you could of course feed other info, like warnings, flood data etc. Click on marker.
You can also add data from a web page to a database and then for that data to be displayed on refresh. It uses TinyMCE to populate the database.

It all depends on how much you want and are able to get your hands dirty with code :confused:

Edit: for Mac OS mapping software Route Buddy is good & the OS OpenSpace can be found here http://openspace.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/openspace/ 

An interesting thread - even if I don't understand all the technical bits!

Have long believed that we need a Google type landscape image of the Upper Nent valley with an overlay of the underground levels just so that the public visiting the heritage centre get to see the true extent of the old workings here. It is, I believe, the only way they will really understand it - by seeing it in an image - rather than by us just telling us them.

An suggestions -ideas?
Is this possible?

An interesting thread - even if I don't understand all the technical bits!

Have long believed that we need a Google type landscape image of the Upper Nent valley with an overlay of the underground levels just so that the public visiting the heritage centre get to see the true extent of the old workings here. It is, I believe, the only way they will really understand it - by seeing it in an image - rather than by us just telling us them.

An suggestions -ideas?
Is this possible?

I made one once with the map I think must have been from Dunham or somewhere but I couldn't really get all the adits and shafts to line up exactly right.
Anybody with even the smallest amount of computer skills could do it fairly easily though I'd imagine.

I made one once with the map I think must have been from Dunham or somewhere but I couldn't really get all the adits and shafts to line up exactly right.
Anybody with even the smallest amount of computer skills could do it fairly easily though I'd imagine.

It depends entirely on how accurate the Map/Survey is, scale-wise. I'm working on one at the moment, and it's most certainly a "Best Fit" option.

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I use a combination of Google Earth and Memory Map, plus a fair amount of 'best fit' and that works fine for me. I've done 200km pipeline routes on Google Earth, and some quite intricate best-fit solutions for old workings in various locations, and they work as well as anything can be expected to.

As has already been pointed out, the original data is often the main constraint anyway

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Paul
Mr Mike has already pretty much done this - why not pm him and see what he can do.. You still managing to survive up there? Helen says she's almost snowed in at cherrytree..
pete

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Anyone got a copy of arcview or arcinfo 🙂

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The Hug is free

http://maps.the-hug.net/