GPS Interface Software

[John Peterson <jaypee@netcom.com>]

   I've noticed one topic that hasn't come up on the list yet; GPS
interface software, so here's some food for thought. Personally, I
think this is one of the more useful pieces of software. I like having
the ability to upload "user" waypoints and routes to the unit before a
flight, as well as the ability to download the flight track when I
return home (mostly for soaring flights).

   I own a Garmin 89 which I choose partly because of it's compact
size, and in part because I knew there was Unix based interface
software for it. For the most part, I've been quite pleased with it.

   On the other hand, I get the impression that the general situation
still leaves *much* to be desired. Many of the manufacturers have taken
a very Microsoft "like" attitude and won't release interface specs (as I
recall, even the Garmin software was written by reverse engineering the
protocol with serial port logging software). There's also the problem
that the file formats (for waypoints, routes, etc.) are all different.

   I would like to add a feature to fplan that allows you to upload
an fplan computed "route" to the GPS unit, but the problems I mentioned
above make this dificult. Michael Johnson, who has been helping with
the design of a Gnome, Gtk+ interface for fplan had an interesting
idea; develop a device independent interface for GPS units, in the same
spirit as SANE (Scanner Acces Now Easy) which was developed to support
all the different scanners out there. I love the idea, but I suspect
it's a very daunting project.

   As I mentioned above, I own a Garmin, so I don't know much about
the other units. Could some of you shed some light on what the general
situation is for some of the other manufacturers???

Regards, John

-- 
 ___|___  | John C. Peterson, KD6EKQ | Micro$oft free since 1987!!!
  -(*)-   | mailto:jaypee@netcom.com | Where would you like to go tomorrow?
  o/ \o   | San Diego, CA   U.S.A    | See http://www.linux.org/ for info!
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