Re: Roadtrip - Hot Springs, AR
By: Dmxrob to All on Wed Jun 20 2018 05:45 pm
We like to old-school things -- roadside park lunches, use a Road Atla take the side roads instead of Interstate, etc. etc. When we get to
On 06-21-18 12:34, Datalus wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
Plan you trips on the internet and print it out simple
Sam a.k.a. Datalus
Doesn't work if you are in a paperless environment. :P And that's one thing that annoys me about society today, even government departments - the assumption that everyone has a printer. I normally have so little need for one that it's not worth maintaining one, and I have issues with supporting an industry that promotes waste by selling refills for a price similar to the printer itself (ready to go).
assumption that everyone has a printer. I normally have so little need fo that it's not worth maintaining one, and I have issues with supporting an industry that promotes waste by selling refills for a price similar to the printer itself (ready to go).
On 06-21-18 16:52, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I occasionally still print things, but I do it so rarely that when I
had an inkjet printer, the ink would often dry up before I'd want to
use it again. I ended up buying a laser printer, which uses toner and doesn't have that problem. A laser printer and toner is more
expensive, but if it can sit for a long time and still let me print
when I need to, then I think there's more value in that for me than an inkjet printer.
On 06-22-18 02:55, Static wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I used to use an old Lexmark Optra S because of that sort of thing. The printer itself was gotten secondhand from a recycler for peanuts and wasn't fussy about cheap third party cartridges, which were each good
for around 18K pages. It ran reliably for over ten years before a bad storm blew something on one of the circuit boards and let the magic
smoke out.
Agree, laser printers are a better fit, but there's still the cost of toner replacement.
From memory, some really old HP inkjets were also good for using refills (could DIY).
On 06-22-18 17:50, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Toners are getting cheap if you're talking black and white. I just got
a 1500 page toner for my Samsung laser for $35.
On 06-22-18 17:52, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I had a Deskjet 500, the first consumer inkjet that I knew of. I wish
I'd kept that thing. 300 DPI, but built like a tank.
I had a friend who worked in printing, and he would bring me a bottle
of "blanket conditioner" - rubber conditioner they'd use on printing presses. It'd rejuvenate glazed print rollers and make windshield
wipers like new. As soon as the paper feed started slipping, I'd rub
some of that stuff on the rollers and they'd be like new.
Plan you trips on the internet and print it out simple
Sam a.k.a. Datalus
Plan you trips on the internet and print it out simple
Sam a.k.a. Datalus
I'd rather buy a map or use an app that can download the routes I need for offline use (Google Maps can do this on Android).
On 06-24-18 16:49, Dmxrob wrote to Vk3jed <=-
We've been in places before on our road trips where for 100+ miles
there is no cell service. Your road atlas becomes your best friend.
On 06-24-18 16:48, Dmxrob wrote to Datalus <=-
You are missing the point. That is about as fun as copy and paste. Roadtrips are about exploring, turning OFF the technology and
exploring. Google and Bing maps do nothing more than show you the quickest point from A to B -- which is useless.
You are missing the point. That is about as fun as copy and paste. Roadtrips are about exploring, turning OFF the technology and exploring. Google and Bing maps do nothing more than show you the quickest point from A to B -- which is useless.
A great book I once read was titled, "I Drove from New York to San Francisco
We've been in places before on our road trips where for 100+ miles there is no cell service. Your road atlas becomes your best friend.
On 06-25-18 06:49, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Dmxrob <=-
Google allows you to download offline map data, but you need to do so before you leave coverage. Admittedly, I like the road less traveled approach.
Wow, that sounds like fun. Haven't taken a road trip in a long time.I encourage you to do it! I can't tell you how much enjoyment we all get out of this. Sure, there are moments of "Ugh, I can't take these people anymore!"
but for the most part it is the time of our lives. The open road, quirky little towns, picnics in parks - just a wonderful, relaxing time. We don't worry about cell phones or Internet, just enjoy each others company!
Static wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I used to use an old Lexmark Optra S because of that sort of thing. The printer itself was gotten secondhand from a recycler for peanuts and wasn't fussy about cheap third party cartridges, which were each good
for around 18K pages. It ran reliably for over ten years before a bad storm blew something on one of the circuit boards and let the magic
smoke out.
of my companions. :) In 2015, I toured the UP, and most of the costal lower P, of Michigan. This past Summer, I toured Northern WI, Northeastern MN, costal NW Ontario, Manitoulin Island, the Bruce Penninsula, and the
Toners are getting cheap if you're talking black and white. I just got a 1500 page toner for my Samsung laser for $35.
what i like about toners is that they never dry up like many inktcartridge over a time, i print very less so prefer laser/toner.
for $35 used that had 1200 pages on the engine - I joked that the head of HR in some company had a printer at his/her desk for "Confidential" printouts that barely got used.
Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
doesn't have that problem. A laser printer and toner is more
expensive, but if it can sit for a long time and still let me print
when I need to, then I think there's more value in that for me than an inkjet printer.
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Dmxrob <=-
Google allows you to download offline map data, but you need to do so before you leave coverage. Admittedly, I like the road less traveled approach.
when I need to, then I think there's more value in that for me than
an inkjet printer.
That's why I use specific Brother laser models. I can use aftermarket toner cartridges in my printer without a problem. I think I paid $20 for four cartridges (1 Blk, 3 Clr). When you work out cost per page, it comes out way cheaper than inkjet. And, as you say, toner doesn't dry out.
I guess there's a use for the tradtional car GPS unit, after all. Old school, but at least the maps are stored on the device. No cell service required.
It's been awhile since I've traveled via paper map. I'm a little too dependent on GPS satellites for navigation.
Office Depot was charging for the toner. I found some aftermarket toner on Amazon for quite a bit less. I don't remember exactly what it cost, but it was a pack of 3 toner cartridges for less than Office Depot was charging for one of the black toner cartridges from Brother. I thought it was a fairly good deal.
never used that though, but I've driven in some new developments where houses are just being built and streets were just recently laid down, and the GPS didn't seem to know there were streets there.
That's why I use specific Brother laser models. I can use aftermarket toner cartridges in my printer without a problem. I think I paid $20 for four cartridges (1 Blk, 3 Clr). When you work out cost per page, it comes out way cheaper than inkjet. And, as you say, toner doesn't dry out.
did you hit any of those northern wi strip clubs?
anything goes, and full nude
And the quality is comparable, which is what is surprising. I'm only on my first round of aftermarket toner for this printer, so I will only know the long term effects given more time. In today's digital world, I rarely need to print anymore, so toner lasts me an incredibly long time. I occasionally print out coupons and bar codes for pick ups at stores and coupons at restaurants. Other than that, not much printing happens here. Speaking of which, I'd like for digital coupons to become more standardized and streamlined. There's little need for paper coupons in 2018. I guess it does keep the mailman happy.
In 2012, I bought an aftermarket GPS stereo for my car. It communicates w GPS satellites rather than having the maps all stored in the unit, so I su it can use the most up-to-date maps via the GPS satellites. It does have
never used that though, but I've driven in some new developments where
houses are just being built and streets were just recently laid down,
and the GPS didn't seem to know there were streets there.
I was always under the impression that GPS satellites only transmit telemetry data. The GPS devices I've used use that data to pinpoint your location on the maps stored on the device. That may be why the roads did not show up for you. You have to update the maps with a PC. Or, that could be just one more thing I wasn't aware of before jumping on these echos. I'm not sure how quickly map data gets updated.
On 06-26-18 16:22, Chai wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
I guess there's a use for the tradtional car GPS unit, after all. Old school, but at least the maps are stored on the device. No cell
service required.
It's been awhile since I've traveled via paper map. I'm a little too dependent on GPS satellites for navigation.
It's been awhile since I've traveled via paper map. I'm a little too dependent
on GPS satellites for navigation.
On 06-26-18 17:09, Nightfox wrote to Chai <=-
In 2012, I bought an aftermarket GPS stereo for my car. It
communicates with GPS satellites rather than having the maps all stored
in the unit, so I suppose it can use the most up-to-date maps via the
GPS satellites. It does have a memory card slot that the manual says
is for updated maps.. I've never used that though, but I've driven in some new developments where houses are just being built and streets
were just recently laid down, and the GPS didn't seem to know there
were streets there.
On 06-27-18 01:36, Chai wrote to Nightfox <=-
Or, that could be just one more thing I wasn't aware of before jumping
on these echos. I'm not sure how quickly map data gets updated.
It's been awhile since I've traveled via paper map. I'm a little too dependent
on GPS satellites for navigation.
I don't use GPS or cell phone navigation. The only times I tried, it
either could not figure out where I was (at the harbor in Copper Harbor, MI), or it tried to tell me that I was at least 1/4 mile out into Lake Michigan (several times along Michigan's West Coast, between Traverse City and Ludington, when I was in places where the lake was not even visible).
And the quality is comparable, which is what is surprising. I'm only on my first round of aftermarket toner for this printer, so I will only know the long term effects given more time. In today's digital world, I rarely need to print anymore, so toner lasts me an incredibly long time.
I was thinking about that after I posted my message, and I think you may be right. The GPS satellites probably just pinpoint where you are, and the map data is probably stored in the device.
I seem to recall seeing that the GPS manufacturer charges money for updated map data.. I'm not sure I could download it for free.
In 2012, I bought an aftermarket GPS stereo for my car. It
communicates with GPS satellites rather than having the maps all
stored in the unit, so I suppose it can use the most up-to-date maps
via the
No, they would be stored in the unit. All the GPS satellites do is broadcast the time signals that the system relies upon to determine position (AFAIK), but no mapping data would be up there. That is added on the ground end.
My 2014 Prius is due for a map update - they're $150 from the dealer and come on a DVD. There's a DVD-R under the seat. eBay and Torrent sites have them, too.
I don't use GPS or cell phone navigation. The only times I tried, it either could not figure out where I was (at the harbor in Copper Harbor, MI), or it tried to tell me that I was at least 1/4 mile out into Lake Michigan (several times along Michigan's West Coast, between Traverse City and Ludington, when I was in places where the lake was not even visible).
It seemed to have no concept of, "if the human using me is there, I need to notify 911 because the human is drowning."
i use gps all the time. especially since i'm a little night blind and it helps me see the turns.
I have a laser printer in my office at work; I'm working in a more old-school environment and I print way more than I used to. PDFs are much nicer than printouts, and as they said, you can't grep a dead tree.
My 2014 Prius is due for a map update - they're $150 from the dealer
and come on a DVD. There's a DVD-R under the seat. eBay and Torrent
sites have them, too.
It seems silly they charge so much for a map update. And your car has a DVD burner under the seat? Or did you mean DVD-ROM?
Re: Re: Roadtrip - Hot Spring
By: Nightfox to Chai on Wed Jun 27 2018 09:29 am
I was thinking about that after I posted my message, and I think you may be right. The GPS satellites probably just pinpoint where you are, and the map data is probably stored in the device.
I seem to recall seeing that the GPS manufacturer charges money for updated map data.. I'm not sure I could download it for free.
My 2014 Prius is due for a map update - they're $150 from the dealer and come on a DVD. There's a DVD-R under the seat. eBay and Torrent sites have them, too.
They would have to have maps stored on them somehow. GPS satellites don't transmit map data or graphics, only position info.
On 06-28-18 00:11, MRO wrote to Dumas Walker <=-
i think you had an issue with your device.
i use gps all the time. especially since i'm a little night blind and
it helps me see the turns.
On 06-28-18 09:30, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Yeah, after I posted my message, I realized the GPS satellites are probably only sending the location and the maps must be stored in the unit.
On 06-28-18 07:16, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Nightfox <=-
My 2014 Prius is due for a map update - they're $150 from the dealer
and come on a DVD. There's a DVD-R under the seat. eBay and Torrent
sites have them, too.
On 06-28-18 09:42, Nightfox wrote to MRO <=-
I also use GPS, mainly when I'm going somewhere I've never been to in
an unfamiliar area, or when I'm driving in an area I haven't been to in
a long time. And sometimes you need to know the correct lane to be in
or else you won't be able to make a turn you need or take an offramp
you need, etc. Sometimes I wish there was a better design for roads so that people wouldn't have to rely on GPS and such. Before GPS, it was easier to make a mistake and have to figure out a way back on the route you need to be on.
On 06-28-18 06:30, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Chai <=-
I have a laser printer in my office at work; I'm working in a more old-school environment and I print way more than I used to. PDFs are
much nicer than printouts, and as they said, you can't grep a dead
tree.
On 06-28-18 09:46, Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
One time I got so used to using grep on a PC that I was looking for something in my apartment (probably hidden in a box in a closet or something) and I wanted to just grep for it so I could find it easier..
And I've pretty much run paperless since 2004. :)
Paperless at home, too - and most of my stuff is on Google Docs. My
Vk3jed wrote to Nightfox <=-
@VIA: VERT/FREEWAY
@TZ: 1258
On 06-28-18 09:46, Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
One time I got so used to using grep on a PC that I was looking for something in my apartment (probably hidden in a box in a closet or something) and I wanted to just grep for it so I could find it easier..
Haha if only I could do "find | grep" in the physical world! :D I love grep, such a useful little utility. :)
I like grep so much, sometimes I think it's the only reason I use *nix boxes.
Then, I think of the other million reasons.
Re: Re: Toner
By: Jazzy_J to Vk3jed on Fri Jun 29 2018 12:15 pm
I like grep so much, sometimes I think it's the only reason I use *nix boxes.
There's a GNU Grep available for Windows too. It works on the command line just like the *nix Grep. There are GUI Grep tools for Windows too, but I'm used to the command-line one.
There's a GNU Grep available for Windows too. It works on the command
line just like the *nix Grep. There are GUI Grep tools for Windows
too, but I'm used to the command-line one.
Windows comes with "findstr" too, but I usually prefer grep (or fgrep).
I install this on any Windows PC I use regularly: http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/
On 06-29-18 06:29, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Paperless at home, too - and most of my stuff is on Google Docs. My inkjet's document feeder died last night, scanning what I get with that has changed the way I kept paper. Scan it and shred it.
On 06-29-18 12:15, Jazzy_J wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I like grep so much, sometimes I think it's the only reason I use *nix boxes.
Then, I think of the other million reasons.
i use gps all the time. especially since i'm a little night blind and it helps >me see the turns.
It seemed to have no concept of, "if the human using me is there, I need to notify 911 because the human is drowning."Well you could have been in a boat..
Re: Re: Toner
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Fri Jun 29 2018 06:29 am
Paperless at home, too - and most of my stuff is on Google Docs. My
I still find it hard to want to rely on something in the cloud like Google Docs. What if your internet service goes out or your router dies and you're unable to access your files?
I still find it hard to want to rely on something in the cloud like Google Docs. What if your internet service goes out or your router dies and you're unable to access your files?
I like grep so much, sometimes I think it's the only reason I use *nix boxes.
If you must deal with it. I hate storing documents as images, they take up a lot of space and are hard to manipulate in a meaningful way.
Nightfox wrote to Jazzy_J <=-
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@TZ: c1e0
Re: Re: Toner
By: Jazzy_J to Vk3jed on Fri Jun 29 2018 12:15 pm
I like grep so much, sometimes I think it's the only reason I use *nix boxes.
There's a GNU Grep available for Windows too. It works on the command line just like the *nix Grep. There are GUI Grep tools for Windows
too, but I'm used to the command-line one.
Then, I think of the other million reasons.
Yep, there are good reasons to use *nix.
Nightfox
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Digital Man wrote to Nightfox <=-
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Re: Re: Toner
By: Nightfox to Jazzy_J on Fri Jun 29 2018 01:21 pm
Re: Re: Toner
By: Jazzy_J to Vk3jed on Fri Jun 29 2018 12:15 pm
I like grep so much, sometimes I think it's the only reason I use *nix boxes.
There's a GNU Grep available for Windows too. It works on the command line just like the *nix Grep. There are GUI Grep tools for Windows too, but I'm used to the command-line one.
Windows comes with "findstr" too, but I usually prefer grep (or fgrep).
I install this on any Windows PC I use regularly: http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/
digital man
Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #56:
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Norco, CA WX: 77.9øF, 49.0% humidity, 7 mph ESE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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Nightfox wrote to Digital Man <=-
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@TZ: c1e0
Re: Re: Toner
By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Fri Jun 29 2018 01:33 pm
There's a GNU Grep available for Windows too. It works on the command
line just like the *nix Grep. There are GUI Grep tools for Windows
too, but I'm used to the command-line one.
Windows comes with "findstr" too, but I usually prefer grep (or fgrep).
I install this on any Windows PC I use regularly: http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/
Interesting.. I usually install at least Grep, and sometimes the other GNU tools, using GnuWin32:
http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net
They have individual packages you can download, but there's also a
package I've seen that installs all the GnuWin32 tools.
Nightfox
---
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On 07-01-18 06:36, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Storing them as PDFs makes it possible to get them into word, don't
know about text search. Most of the paperwork I keep/scan is archival,
and I'd rather keep a small-ish PDF than have to go sort through a box
of papers in my storage space.
I still find it hard to want to rely on something in the cloud like
Google Docs. What if your internet service goes out or your router
dies and you're unable to access your files?
You can enable offline file access in Google Docs. I wrote a novel, sometimes working in a coffee shop without access, and as soon as I got back into service all of the changes synced.
If you must deal with it. I hate storing documents as images, they take up a lot of space and are hard to manipulate in a meaningful way.
Do you use OCR software to convert scanned documents to a text format?
On 07-02-18 09:32, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
@VIA: VERT/DIGDIST
Re: Re: Toner
By: Vk3jed to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat Jun 30 2018 08:26 am
If you must deal with it. I hate storing documents as images, they take up a lot of space and are hard to manipulate in a meaningful way.
Do you use OCR software to convert scanned documents to a text format?
On 07-02-18 13:05, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Nightfox <=-
@VIA: VERT/REALITY
Re: Re: Toner
By: Nightfox to Vk3jed on Mon Jul 02 2018 09:32 am
Do you use OCR software to convert scanned documents to a text format?
OneNote will do OCR of PDFs, I might try that. Right now I do a title search.
I admit, OneNote is pretty good,
On 07-04-18 19:45, Hawkeye wrote to Vk3jed <=-
@VIA: VERT/MASHBBS
Re: Re: Toner
By: Vk3jed to poindexter FORTRAN on Wed Jul 04 2018 19:59:00
I admit, OneNote is pretty good,
I don't know which smartphone you use, but I believe Office Lens in combination with OneNote is awesome. I use it a lot for my whiteboards etc....
Vk3jed wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
OneNote will do OCR of PDFs, I might try that. Right now I do a title search.
I admit, OneNote is pretty good,
On 07-07-18 23:03, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I started using Outlook Notes to sync text to my phone, then EverNote - then got sick of the ads and limits, then used OneNote; now I'm using
Keep - the rich text and syncing with OneNote on my desktop end up
taking up way too much room on my phone.
No, they would be stored in the unit. All the GPS satellites do is
broadcast the time signals that the system relies upon to determine
position (AFAIK), but no mapping data would be up there. That is
added on the ground end.
Yeah, after I posted my message, I realized the GPS satellites are probably only sending the location and the maps must be stored in the unit.
Re: Re: Roadtrip - Hot Spring
By: Nightfox to Vk3jed on Thu Jun 28 2018 09:30 am
No, they would be stored in the unit. All the GPS satellites do is
broadcast the time signals that the system relies upon to determine
position (AFAIK), but no mapping data would be up there. That is
added on the ground end.
Yeah, after I posted my message, I realized the GPS satellites are probably only sending the location and the maps must be stored in the unit.
I've noticed that my car's GPS knows when traffic is bad and can re-route me if traffic is really bad on the route it would normally take me to get somewhere. So it seems it knows more than just my location. I'm wondering where it gets its traffic information from, unless that als ocomes from GPS satellites. I don't have a cellular data connection for my GPS/car stereo (I don't think it even supports that).
On 07-25-18 12:46, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I've noticed that my car's GPS knows when traffic is bad and can
re-route me if traffic is really bad on the route it would normally
take me to get somewhere. So it seems it knows more than just my
location. I'm wondering where it gets its traffic information from, unless that als ocomes from GPS satellites. I don't have a cellular
data connection for my GPS/car stereo (I don't think it even supports that).
That made me curious, so I looked it up on the ole interwebs: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-does-live-traffic-on-gps-work
I've noticed that my car's GPS knows when traffic is bad and can
re-route me if traffic is really bad on the route it would normally
take me to get somewhere. So it seems it knows more than just my
location. I'm wondering where it gets its traffic information from,
unless that als ocomes from GPS satellites. I don't have a cellular
data connection for my GPS/car stereo (I don't think it even supports
that).
That made me curious, so I looked it up on the ole interwebs: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-does-live-traffic-on-gps-work
I've noticed that my car's GPS knows when traffic is bad and can
re-route me if traffic is really bad on the route it would normally
take me to get somewhere. So it seems it knows more than just my
location. I'm wondering where it gets its traffic information from,
unless that als ocomes from GPS satellites. I don't have a cellular
data connection for my GPS/car stereo (I don't think it even
supports that).
Traffic info comes from an online database somewhere. In your case, probably an estimate of traffic based on time of day and historic traffic patterns that was downloaded to your car's GPS at some stage. Oh, and do you have Bluetooth?
If so, it could be using your phone's data connection.
On 07-25-18 16:56, Digital Man wrote to Nightfox <=-
That made me curious, so I looked it up on the ole interwebs: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-does-live-traffic-on-gps-work
On 07-25-18 20:40, MRO wrote to Digital Man <=-
i bought a garmin from bestbuy [so ofcourse it was old and i didnt do
my homework before buying] but it works okay. sometimes when i'm
driving on the interstate it wants me to take a shitty route even
though i drive through there all the time. no clue why. it doesnt support all that fancy update stuff. ---
On 07-26-18 10:06, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I don't often have my phone connected via Bluetooth. And I doubt it's
an online internet source, since I don't have an internet connection in
my car.
Digital Man posted a link that said a GPS in a car stereo can receive traffic information via radio signals.
On 07-25-18 20:40, MRO wrote to Digital Man <=-
i bought a garmin from bestbuy [so ofcourse it was old and i didnt do my homework before buying] but it works okay. sometimes when i'm driving on the interstate it wants me to take a shitty route even though i drive through there all the time. no clue why. it doesnt support all that fancy update stuff. ---
I just use my phone when I need a GPS, as I don't need one full time, and Google Maps does allow me to download the route, which is handy if I know I'm going into areas with poor coverage.
On 07-26-18 10:06, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I don't often have my phone connected via Bluetooth. And I doubt it's an online internet source, since I don't have an internet connection in my car.
Digital Man posted a link that said a GPS in a car stereo can receive traffic information via radio signals.
Yeah I saw that after, probably US only stuff, which would do it for you. :)
That made me curious, so I looked it up on the ole interwebs:
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-does-live-traffic-on-gps-work
I suspect some of those services are US/NA specific, but cellular data is generally available worldwide (within coverage areas - but those areas with no coverage generally don't need traffic informations! ;) ).
I just use my phone when I need a GPS, as I don't need one full time, and Google Maps does allow me to download the route, which is handy if I know I'm going into areas with poor coverage.
show my speed. i am used to looking up instead of down.also i'm nightblind so it helps to see the streets. i still use google maps when there's
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: Vk3jed to MRO on Fri Jul 27 2018 06:32 am
I just use my phone when I need a GPS, as I don't need one full time, and Google Maps does allow me to download the route, which is handy if I know I'm going into areas with poor coverage.
I find that having a GPS in my car all the time is a little less clumsy than using my phone for GPS. Also, my car has an in-dash GPS in the stereo, so the GPS audio plays through the car speakers, so I can hear it better. I suppose I could connect my phone to the car stereo with bluetooth and hear the GPS instructions that way.. But still, with the GPS in the stereo, I can be listening to music or something and then the GPS audio comes through when the GPS is giving the next instruction.
With an iPhone, it blends the music and driving instructions together pretty well. I use Bluetooth sometimes and sometimes I tether, but I never use a dedicated GPS/map device - haven't for a long time now.
On 07-25-18 16:56, Digital Man wrote to Nightfox <=-
That made me curious, so I looked it up on the ole interwebs: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-does-live-traffic-on-gps-work
I suspect some of those services are US/NA specific, but cellular data
is generally available worldwide (within coverage areas - but those
areas with no coverage generally don't need traffic informations! ;) ).
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Thu Jul 26 2018 04:14 pm
With an iPhone, it blends the music and driving instructions together pretty well. I use Bluetooth sometimes and sometimes I tether, but I never use a dedicated GPS/map device - haven't for a long time now.
I suppose if I had my phone connected via bluetooth, I could be playing music on my phone while I'm using the GPS on my phone.. But when I'm in my car, I typically play MP3s on a USB drive connected to my car stereo, or sometimes I listen to news radio or other radio stations in my car. I rarely play music from my phone in my car, but I bet my phone would blend the audio.
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: MRO to Vk3jed on Thu Jul 26 2018 05:13 pm
show my speed.
show my speed. i am used to looking up instead of down.also i'm nightblind so it helps to see the streets. i still use google maps when there's
When did we get old? :-)
On 07-26-18 17:13, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
i like my garmin. it has a lot of features and i usually depend on it
to show my speed. i am used to looking up instead of down.also i'm nightblind so it helps to see the streets. i still use google maps
when there's traffic changes. i dont want to drain on my cell battery
and i have this gps and i use it. when i drove across country it was certainly advantageous to have a true gps and not just a phone.
On 07-26-18 15:35, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Normally I think you'd need to pay for a cellular connection. I'm not sure I'd want to pay for that for my car yet (no real need to), and as
you said, sometimes there is no coverage.
On 07-26-18 15:36, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I find that having a GPS in my car all the time is a little less clumsy than using my phone for GPS. Also, my car has an in-dash GPS in the stereo, so the GPS audio plays through the car speakers, so I can hear
it better. I suppose I could connect my phone to the car stereo with bluetooth and hear the GPS instructions that way.. But still, with the GPS in the stereo, I can be listening to music or something and then
the GPS audio comes through when the GPS is giving the next
On 07-26-18 19:38, Jon Justvig wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I suspect some of those services are US/NA specific, but cellular data
is generally available worldwide (within coverage areas - but those
areas with no coverage generally don't need traffic informations! ;) ).
You make a good point. Everyone knows everyone in those areas anyway.
i like my garmin. it has a lot of features and i usually depend on it to show my speed. i am used to looking up instead of down.also i'm nightblind s it helps to see the streets. i still use google maps when there's traffic changes. i dont want to drain on my cell battery and i have this gps and i it. when i drove across country it was certainly advantageous to have a tru gps and not just a phone.
I find that having a GPS in my car all the time is a little less clumsy than using my phone for GPS. Also, my car has an in-dash GPS in the stereo, so t GPS audio plays through the car speakers, so I can hear it better. I suppos could connect my phone to the car stereo with bluetooth and hear the GPS instructions that way.. But still, with the GPS in the stereo, I can be listening to music or something and then the GPS audio comes through when th GPS is giving the next instruction.
Normally I think you'd need to pay for a cellular connection. I'm
not sure I'd want to pay for that for my car yet (no real need to),
and as you said, sometimes there is no coverage.
I suspect some could do Bluetooth and use your phone for Internet access, if you wanted to do that. Probably makes more sense than getting a SIM for the car.
If I had an actual built in GPS in the car, I'd use it, but mine's not that new. I can do phone audio through the car stereo with one of those FM transmitters. Only issue is I have 2 phones, one for music, the other does the GPS, so a little technical wizardry will be needed to get it all working the way I want. :)
The easier alternative is to buy a new car, but I don't have the money for that. :D
I was going to say: a good stand for your phone should help keep it more stable.
I find that having a GPS in my car all the time is a little less
clumsy than using my phone for GPS. Also, my car has an in-dash GPS
Not sure what you mean by "less clumsy". Is it because the cell phone is smaller than the navigator? Or is it from the fact that your navigator is part of your car?
That was one of the features that I like with my old Garmin: speedometer.
That was one of the features that I like with my old Garmin: speedomete
Most cars have a speedometer in the dashboard, so I don't really understand usefullness of having a speedometer in the GPS also. Unless the dashboard speedometer is broken.. But I have noticed my GPS knows the speed limits in the area and will show if I'm going over the speed limit.
On 07-27-18 09:29, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Perhaps. My car stereo has a Pandora app, but it needs to connect to a smart phone for Pandora access. It's supposed to work via Bluetooth,
but whenever I connect my phone with the stereo via Bluetooth and try Pandora on the stereo, it says it can't connect to Pandora on my phone.
I've never gotten that to work.
On 07-27-18 09:32, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
My car radio is actually an aftermarket Kenwood unit. My car came with
a more basic radio, and after a few years I decided to buy a car radio with a GPS. Also, the Kenwood unit has a USB port and is able to play
MP3s from a USB flash drive, which the stock radio didn't, so that's another bonus..
I can't justify the extra expense, and the phone battery issue is solved with a 12V charging setup in the car. Bonus, the phone usually arrives with a full battery. :)
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: Jagossel to Nightfox on Fri Jul 27 2018 11:56 am
I was going to say: a good stand for your phone should help keep it more stable.
I have these in our cars (https://www.scosche.com/magicmount/, purchased at Costco for like $20) - and they work fantastic, especially if you attach the metal to the outside (rather than the inside) of your phone case.
Well, yes... There is a speedometer in the dashboard; however, depending on the app or navigator, it does let you know what the speed limit is. That's very helpful for when loosing track of the speed limit or not knowing what it is while going on a road that I've never been on.
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: Digital Man to MRO on Thu Jul 26 2018 04:13 pm
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: MRO to Vk3jed on Thu Jul 26 2018 05:13 pm
show my speed.
SO I'M ALWAYS GOING 50 IN A 30
show my speed. i am used to looking up instead of down.also i'm nightblind so it helps to see the streets. i still use google maps wh there's
When did we get old? :-)
yep, lets just talk about our medical problems and the weather while our org shut down.
On 07-27-18 19:51, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
gps have more features than a phone with google maps, usually.
On 07-27-18 20:36, MRO wrote to Jagossel <=-
yeah, that's what i use mine for. also around here cops depend on
people losing track of the speed limit in some key areas. they will
get people 60ft away from where the speed limit changes.
Nightfox wrote to Jagossel <=-
Most cars have a speedometer in the dashboard, so I don't really understand the usefullness of having a speedometer in the GPS also.
On 07-27-18 19:51, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
gps have more features than a phone with google maps, usually.
I'm yet to be convinced of that.
My car radio is actually an aftermarket Kenwood unit. My car came
OK, cool. How is the user interface for playing MP3s? Guess if you have decent shuffle and skip buttons, as well as playlist support, it's all good. :)
I tend to avoid working on car dashboards, too much of a pain to pull apart. )
Most cars have a speedometer in the dashboard, so I don't really
understand the usefullness of having a speedometer in the GPS also.
I use it to verify that the speedometer in my car is calibrated correctly. I've owned a few vehicles where the speedometer is off just a tad.
I can't justify the extra expense, and the phone battery issue is
solved with a 12V charging setup in the car. Bonus, the phone usually
arrives with a full battery. :)
gps have more features than a phone with google maps, usually.
On 07-28-18 09:16, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
@VIA: VERT/BBSESINF
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip - Hot Spring)
By: Vk3jed to MRO on Sat Jul 28 2018 12:18 pm
On 07-27-18 19:51, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
gps have more features than a phone with google maps, usually.
I'm yet to be convinced of that.
no, it does.
interest", which inclues shopping, gas, restaurants, etc.. And I can also search a place by name and if it finds it, it will show me how far it is and can direct me to it. And without an internet connection in my car, I actually don't know where it gets all that information about names of places nearby and where they are.
gps have more features than a phone with google maps, usually.
I'm yet to be convinced of that.
no, it does.
That doesn't make it so, got a list of features?
Re: Re: GPS (was: Roadtrip -
By: Chai to Nightfox on Fri Jul 27 2018 10:10 pm
Most cars have a speedometer in the dashboard, so I don't really
understand the usefullness of having a speedometer in the GPS also.
I use it to verify that the speedometer in my car is calibrated correctly. I've owned a few vehicles where the speedometer is off just a tad.
But how do you know the speedometer in the GPS is calibrated correctly? And I wonder where it gets the speed data from. It might even be getting the same speed data that your car's speedomoeter gets - The car's computer might provide the speed data to both the speedometer and to the GPS unit.
On 07-28-18 15:12, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-
The interface is okay.. It lets you browse by artist, by album, or you can just browse the filesystem if you want. It has skip buttons, and I believe it has shuffle as well (I don't use the shuffle). But
unfortunately it doesn't support playlists.. And one thing that bugs
me is that if you're listening to an album, when you turn off your car
and later get in and turn your car on again to drive, it will show you
the actual filenames instead of the album track metadata that it was showing you before. It has a few quirks like that, but overall it
works well enough, I suppose. Another one of its quirks is that it
seems to support only a limited number of folders on the USB drive. At one point, I think I started to have too many folders on the USB drive, because not all my music was showing up in the player on the radio. I
had to re-structure my files in order for all the music to show up.
I tend to avoid working on car dashboards, too much of a pain to pull apart. )
I didn't install it myself, I had the stereo professionally installed
(the place I bought it from did the install for free when purchasing
the stereo).
On 07-28-18 15:15, Nightfox wrote to MRO <=-
Yeah, the GPS in my car has a feature where I can look up "points of interest", which inclues shopping, gas, restaurants, etc.. And I can
also search a place by name and if it finds it, it will show me how far
it is and can direct me to it. And without an internet connection in
my car, I actually don't know where it gets all that information about names of places nearby and where they are.
On 07-28-18 20:49, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
That doesn't make it so, got a list of features?
just look up any gps and look at the features. google maps is nice, but doesnt compare to a real gps unit.
what i like are the graphical and history features and i can select the types of things i want to avoid by default.
we've traveled across the country with my garmin and we've used the
google map app. i only like google maps for real time info about
traffic issues. otherwise it doesnt compare to a real gps unit [even my
what i like are the graphical and history features and i can select the types of things i want to avoid by default.
Don't know what you mean by "graphical". History is always useful, though I can look up my history too.
Don't have the time for that.^^ if you did you would see.
But how do you know the speedometer in the GPS is calibratedcorrectly? And I wonder where it gets the speed data from. It might
No, not at all. The GPS knows, accurately (within 3 meters?) your current location and your location one second ago. A little math and it knows (and tells you) your speed. This works if you walking, flying, boating, or driving.
Yeah, the GPS in my car has a feature where I can look up "points of
interest", which inclues shopping, gas, restaurants, etc.. And I
can also search a place by name and if it finds it, it will show me
Phones can do that too, so not much difference.
On 07-29-18 14:15, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-
google maps is only slightly comparable to a gps unit.
nNo, not at all. The GPS knows, accurately (within 3 meters?) your curre
alocation and your location one second ago. A little math and it knows (
tells you) your speed. This works if you walking, flying, boating, or driving.
Interesting.. I knew GPS systems were accurate, but didn't ralize they were quite accurate enough for that.
Paperless at home, too - and most of my stuff is on Google Docs. MyI still find it hard to want to rely on something in the cloud like Google Docs. What if your internet service goes out or your router dies and you're unable to access your files?
Interesting.. I knew GPS systems were accurate, but didn't ralize they were quite accurate enough for that.
My partner and I, along with our friends, are heading out on our annual road trip next month. The seven of us pile into a large Ford Transit van andhead
out. This year our destination is Hot Springs, AR with a stop in
Bentonville,
AR.
We like to old-school things -- roadside park lunches, use a Road Atlas,take
the side roads instead of Interstate, etc. etc. When we get to hotsprings we've rented a house for the week to call home. It's really become an
annual,
I encourage you to do it! I can't tell you how much enjoyment we all getout
of this. Sure, there are moments of "Ugh, I can't take these peopleanymore!
but for the most part it is the time of our lives. The open road, quirky little towns, picnics in parks - just a wonderful, relaxing time. We don't worry about cell phones or Internet, just enjoy each others company!
CHAI wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-
never used that though, but I've driven in some new developments where houses are just being built and streets were just recently laid down, and the GPS didn't seem to know there were streets there.
I was always under the impression that GPS satellites only transmit telemetry data. The GPS devices I've used use that data to pinpoint
your location on the maps stored on the device. That may be why the
roads did not show up for you. You have to update the maps with a PC.
Or, that could be just one more thing I wasn't aware of before jumping
on these echos. I'm not sure how quickly map data gets updated.
DUMAS WALKER wrote to DMXROB <=-
I go on road trips by myself, so I don't have to worry about becoming
sick of my companions. :) In 2015, I toured the UP, and most of the costal lower P, of Michigan. This past Summer, I toured Northern WI, Northeastern MN, costal NW Ontario, Manitoulin Island, the Bruce Penninsula, and the "thumb" of Michigan. Finished my circle tours of
both Lakes Superior and Huron.
Both trips were very beautiful. There were times when I wish I had someone to share some of it with (and I did have for a day in Canada),
but there were also a lot of things I would probably not have been able
to see if I were with someone else.
When my wife and I travel north to see our son in Indy, we tend to avoid
the Interstate on the way home - see the little towns - take our time -
stop where we want, etc.
Very interesting! Two things - number one, my wife's boss YEARS ago
said the best trip he could recommend (this was before we had kids)
was to fly to Washington State - rent a Blazer (or antoher vehicle
with a camper shell) and drive north. Sleep in the back of it - enjoy
nature etc. Every few nights get a motel to get a shower and bed
rest, then back to the truck. Drive it back to Washington at the
end and fly home. :-)
Second - have you heard about 'van life?' Looks interesting!!!
At least alone you go by your own schedule. :-) I would enjoy it better
with my wife, though, my soul mate. We still travel SOME but her health
has gotten the better of her the last couple of years. :-(
DUMAS WALKER wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-
Very interesting! Two things - number one, my wife's boss YEARS ago
said the best trip he could recommend (this was before we had kids)
was to fly to Washington State - rent a Blazer (or antoher vehicle
with a camper shell) and drive north. Sleep in the back of it - enjoy
nature etc. Every few nights get a motel to get a shower and bed
rest, then back to the truck. Drive it back to Washington at the
end and fly home. :-)
One of these days, I plan a driving trip through that country... from
what little I have seen of it, it is beautiful, plus I want to see the Arctic Ocean. :)
Second - have you heard about 'van life?' Looks interesting!!!
No, I have not. Is it a show or... ?
At least alone you go by your own schedule. :-) I would enjoy it better
with my wife, though, my soul mate. We still travel SOME but her health
has gotten the better of her the last couple of years. :-(
If I had a companion like that, I am sure I would enjoy it as well.
Second - have you heard about 'van life?' Looks interesting!!!No - it means basically living out of the back of a van. I saw
No, I have not. Is it a show or... ?
a blog a couple of months ago (sorry, didn't save it) where they
were talking about the places they'd gone and the things they'd
see.
Like sleeping on a mattress in the back of the van - in the morning
opening the side door and seeing the lake! Kinda like an RV, but
much smaller - about minivan size - so can still get 'in and out'
of any parking lot you want. No running water or stove like in
an RV, but again take it where you want! Kinda like a tent that
you drive. :-)
DUMAS WALKER wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-
Like sleeping on a mattress in the back of the van - in the morning
opening the side door and seeing the lake! Kinda like an RV, but
much smaller - about minivan size - so can still get 'in and out'
of any parking lot you want. No running water or stove like in
an RV, but again take it where you want! Kinda like a tent that
you drive. :-)
When I was traveling around the Northern Shore of Lake Superior last
year, I met a woman who was doing something similar. She had a Subaru
(or something like it) that was big enough she could sleep in the back. Not sure about in the US but, in Canada, the Flying J's are apparently safe places to stay overnight and they allow non-truckers to use the showers and facilities. So, she was spending some nights at places
like that, and some in hotels.
She was traveling from Vancouver to Toronto.
There are Flying J's here - they are open all night, and I know
Wal-Mart has made their parking lots "bus friendly" for people
traveling in larger RV's. Can't dump water or plug into electricity,
but if you need supplies they know where you're going to buy them. :-)
There are Flying J's here - they are open all night, and I knowMy Super WalMart is so popular where bus parking is kinda rare.
Wal-Mart has made their parking lots "bus friendly" for people
traveling in larger RV's. Can't dump water or plug into electricity,
but if you need supplies they know where you're going to buy them. :-)
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