[vicsireland] Re: loadstone
- From: "Sandberg, Robert" <robert.sandberg@xxxxxxx>
- To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 16:50:34 +0100
Hi Joan Ann!
I've got Loadstone, so I'll try to give you an idea without going into
too much detail.
Firstly , you need to install the Loadstone software on your phone. This
is most easily done by accessing the website with your phone and
downloading the software strait on to it. Saves you from having to pair
up your pc with the phone.
Next you need a bluetooth GPS receiver. Compatible ones are listed on
the Loadstone website.
http://www.loadstone-gps.com/
Because Loadstone is not a commercial GPS software such as Wayfinder,
it's features are limited. For instants, you can not access internet
maps of what ever place you're in and use them for route planning. Its
most helpful feature is probably the electronic bread crumbs feature.
That's to say, you can save so called Points Of Interest and use them to
retrace your steps. So if you're going somewhere in an unfamiliar place,
you can create a route by entering Points Of Interest along the way,
save that set of P O I's as a route and give it a name. . Later, you can
Use that route to find your way back. It has to be said, that because
Loadstone does not get its info from a map, but solely from the data you
entered, it does not consider obstacles or changes of direction unless
you entered them. So if you're going around a lake for instance, you
should take care to enter each turn of the way as a Point Of Interest.
Otherwise Loadstone will send you through the lake on your way back,
because it always connects 2 adjacent points with a strait line. There's
a tautology for ya.
I said you can't download maps, but you can download lists of Points
which other people have entered and uploaded. So if you're going to an
area where other Loadstone users have been before, you benefit from
their input. In fact, for almost every populated region in the USA there
are P O I's listed. You can enter a radius which you want Loadstone to
check for P O I's. In a city, you have a good chance of finding P O I's
within a radius of 20 to 25 km. Again though, that does not necessarily
mean that there is a route available from where you are to a particular
P O I. However, it still gives you an idea of what restaurants, clubs,
museums, cinemas etc are in your vicinity.
On the whole I'd say that Loadstone is probably for people who are
adventurous and like to experiment. The Bread Crumb feature makes it a
good companion if you're out camping or hiking. If you want something to
safely guide you through a city without too much hassle, you're probably
better off with Wayfinder, because it allows you to access maps with
your phone where ever you are and connect any 2 points in a city with a
route. The downside is you pay for it.
Cheers,
Robbie
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joan Ann Brosnan
Sent: Freitag, 5. Januar 2007 16:04
To: vics
Subject: [vicsireland] loadstone
Hi all
I was reading a review of the Loadstone software and wondered if anyone
on
the list has experience using it? If so, an explanation of how it works
would be great.
Thanks
Joan Ann.
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