If they can build missles with the capability of using GPS signals, we have other things to worry about. Especially since we can turn off said signal, give false signals, or encrypt it.
During the Iraq invasion there was discussion in the Geocaching community about whether Geocaching would be disrupted. I think they encrypted the signal for the middle-east, but the the rest of the world was fine.
Heck, big o'l Iraq had to get their GPS scrambling equipment from Russia, and it didn't even work that well.
You launched a team of missles headed for the white house? Well guess what, our signal now says that those coordinates are in the middle of the Atlantic.
Edited By Paul on 1124975909
GPS
I was ordered by the board admin to make changes to my profile to see if that kicked something that would allow me to receive PMs. I found that I could change my text color and chose that as a random setting to change. The color you had been seeing was the closest to "Light urple" I could find.First off, get rid of that gay ass purple text, I found myself highlighting as I read your post to change the colors.
Second, good write up. Makes me consider buying it for my laptop, but in the end, I think I'll want to spend the money on a handheld later. Luckily it's not an issue yet.
Here's an update:
I tried tweaking the numbers it uses to calculate the time it takes to get from point a to point b. I saw the numbers as being WAY too low. 22mph on roads normally posted at 45mph, etc. However, then it said I was going to get there way too early. So, the 22mph is probably suppose to be an average, taking stop lights, etc into consideration. So, I set the numbers back to default so that it would always estimate longer times for traveling. Figure it might help me be on time for stuff. I'm paying attention while driving to the times it announces. Then I'll change the numbers less drastically until the reflect closer to reality. I like that I can do that.
I stopped using the trip logging. It wasn't doing what I wanted. All I wanted was a summary of where I went, how long it took to get there, and how many miles it was. It doesn't do that. All it does is record your trip for later play back. You can go home and say "Look honey. This is the route I took today." And it plays it back. . . . real time. You can speed it up, but, over all, I see little point to it. "See how it's pausing right here? Ya, that's a stop light I was at. Isn't that cool?" I have created a spreadsheet and track my time/miles/etc in it. Having the laptop right there makes it easier to maintain.
Driving directions aren't too bad. However, you can't depend entirely on the voice. When it says "Turn now." It follows it with a "Off route, recalculating route". Reason being is there is a delay between when it sees you need to turn, decides it's going to speak, translates it to speach, etc. So, it meant, "turn now" 1 second ago, which at 45mph, is now behind you. This is solved by zooming in on the map and glancing at it, and watching street signs. This makes me want a car/laptop stand even more. Looking at the seat is bad. You lose almost all view of the road unless you have REALLY good periferal vision. I find myself wishing I had a 4 year old laptop with 256MB RAM and a 14" screen. Don't need alot of CPU power for the software and it wouldn't be so bulky in the car. Software requires a min of 128MB RAM though.
It takes too long to be able to start your trip. After a job, I unpack the laptop (hide it behind the seat) plug it in, boot it up. Start the software, turn on GPS, wait for it to get a signal (up to 45 seconds), load the route, and go. So, it's about 4-5 minutes after I get in the car that I can actually get going. Cumbersome. Putting the laptop to sleep instead of shutting down cuts the time in half.
I've been VERY busy all weak. Woke up at about 9am on Tuesday, and have had a total of 10.5 hours of sleep since then. Going to actually get about 6 hours of sleep tonight!! Anyway, busting out the laptop to track miles, etc, has been way to hard. It hasn't been in the vehicle since Wed. Which kind of defeats the purpose of having a GPS system. Luckily, I knew how to get to all the places I've had to go to. . . but still. It sucks having your GPS system sitting on the kitchen table. Having a laptop stand in the car would make it easier. It has it's spot, I don't have to clear off the seat, etc. However, I see it mostly used for longer trips. I want more access to it for the unexpected trips and stuff.
When it's in the car, I'm diggin' it. It really does help. Was on my way to a site that was 1.75 hours away. Small town mall. On the way, one of the rural roads was closed due to construction. My GPS saw me deviate, recalculated a new route, and got me to the mall. With Yahoo map print outs only, I could have been in trouble. After the long drive on the expressway where I zone out and think about other stuff, I don't have to worry if I passed my exit while day dreaming. I can check.
GPS is definately very handy. Having it on the laptop so far has great advantages, but great disadvantages as well. The smaller ones are either less powerful, less versitle, or VERY expensive. The laptop is big, bulky, and cumbersome to use.
Not giving up on the laptop yet though. Need to test during a more realistic week. This one has just been CRAZY.
Excuse any grammer/spelling errors. I seriously have only had 10.5 hours of sleep in the last 3.5 days and just do not feel like proof reading.
Good night all.
Oh ya. The software has a pocket PC/Smart phone version included. So, a smaller more portable device is possible. However, I REALLY like the large screen of the laptop. So, I'm holding off on buying a pocket PC. Too bad pocket PCs don't have a video out option you could hook up to an LCD screen.
Oh, ya, one other thing. I REALLY miss not having a touch screen. It's a royal pain to try to use a mouse on the seat next to you while driving. However, the software has voice recognition buit in, so, a microphone will be getting purchased soon. Then I don't have to hit the F5 key to get a 'next turn' reminder. I can simply say "Computer, next turn", and it will tell me.
Oh, ya, one other thing. I REALLY miss not having a touch screen. It's a royal pain to try to use a mouse on the seat next to you while driving. However, the software has voice recognition buit in, so, a microphone will be getting purchased soon. Then I don't have to hit the F5 key to get a 'next turn' reminder. I can simply say "Computer, next turn", and it will tell me.
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mbilderback
- Posts: 1282
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2004 9:50 am
- Location: Memphis
- Contact:
BTW, saw today that Cobra makes GPS systems. Hope it's better than their radar detectors.
Cobra GPS
But, Crutchfield has a wide selection for side-by-side comparisons:
Magellan, Garmin, even the Clarion or Cobra....TomTom? Lawrence?
Cobra GPS
But, Crutchfield has a wide selection for side-by-side comparisons:
Magellan, Garmin, even the Clarion or Cobra....TomTom? Lawrence?
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DictionaryDave
- Posts: 487
- Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 12:37 pm