Tips for Using GPS & Maps

It's not my goal to do comparisons, and lead the reader to choose one software product over another, instead, get involved with as many programs as possible. I want to accommodate the person who has already acquired a particular type of software, and only express the limits of simpler version software to the more advanced or professional versions. Almost any software program can be useful, and put to purpose in your planning and everyday life. It is only the software that is never used that can be considered abused, or useless. In fact, that has been a motto of mine for the longest time, e.g., "The worst abuse of any computer and its software is to never use it." I imagine it's because I see no harm in telling someone to experiment with these machines and programs, because when all else fails, there is always the original software to rebuild the machines, and start fresh. The only harm is not having your folders and files backed up on a routine basis. How routine is truly up to you, and how you see the importance of those folders and files. The second is losing the discs that came with the machine, and the software you started using.

My interest in continuing to focus on mapping programs and Global Positioning System (GPS) fall along my current roll in obtaining experience (time) with my Commercial Driver's License. I become aware of those other professionals opening up this type of program in particular, and finding only a limited purpose .., from simply looking up an unknown destination, to using only the GPS to figure out where they are going, and how far (and long) before reaching their destination. Many of you know of map websites that give you the option of finding unknown places, and even choosing a start and end point, click, and it gives you the directions, and estimated time of travel, from point "A" to point "B". You then simply print out the results. Mapping software can be much more involving to initially setup to get those same results, and at the same time, offer you more. I have and use two mapping programs that both can do the same thing, which means I can choose which one I like the best. Strangely enough, I still use both, as I prefer one for planning my route, and the second to track the actual traveling activities. It still doesn't matter if you own one or more. It's understands what results you can achieve, to print out, or keep as a record. Others simply have the one piece GPS, which of course comes with a software program to download your saved destinations, and keep as a record, or print. In any case, if you chose the software for the computer, that has the GPS attaching to the PC to track your travels, the use is still obtained, and still there is so much more.

Why would anyone desire to keep a record? Well, if asked later in time how you got there, and how long it took, you can bring it back up, and even play back the recording. Many Drivers' fear that somehow this can be used against you, this is not true, unless you present it in a court yourself, or to a police officer at an incident. Then, they just might want a copy of all your records. In any case, there are others who know that they benefit using the product, and include the use of it in a manner that they consider part of their roll as a safe driver.

Software mapping programs offer you the ability to take a destination and add comments, remarks, and even your own symbols and other information pertaining to your planned route. This also includes configuring the program, in some cases, over time, to adjust your driving speeds, the amount of fuel per gallons used, and even what you consider the period of time as the day of travel. Depending on other symbols that the software came from, you can add symbols of hazards, points of interest, Fueling points, and even notes that you can print out as a completed project. This is also great for giving directions to a family or social event, or to planned occasions. With many programs, they can also be saved as a webpage, to add to a website, and even an Email. With time, you learn how to alter the projected route (some programs allow you to click and hold to move the route, while others need you to right click to the alternate road and choose "VIA" to include in the original generated route). There is nothing wrong to go online and using the online sites to draw this route, but if you constantly use a map, and need to plan your travels on a regular basis, having a mapping software is convenient for you to have on the road or in a pinch. And, if you use your computer for every other record for business, having the mapping software enhances your tolls of the trade. It can be used before and during your trip, plus, kept as a saved file that can link or be attached to your expenses, and used again in the future, to recall the best (and worst) aspects of the trip years later.

Of course, some find it a hassle to keep resetting configurations, since one of my programs do open fresh with all the default settings restored, but that's why you can open the previous trip, then omit those locations, and add the new destinations, landmarks, and stop points. The program saves all of the fuel, speed, and costs with the file, making it easier to get those configurations back. Other software will keep the configuration you set, so it is always your default and desired settings. The other benefit to having the mapping software is that most include features such as points of interest (Recreational, and civil locations, such as police and hospitals), the ability to plan your route by the shortest time, or the shortest distance, and even find restaurants and motels. Depending on the programs, the amount of information can also tell you radio (AM/FM) information, Demographics (population), and even emergency numbers for that area or region (of course, you have to find out how the designer placed this information, since much of it is not readily seen). My favorite parts are finding restaurants, especially coming into another state to deliver, and needing a place nearby for a meal, or restock the truck with groceries.

The hardest part is starting with a new program. It does take an interest to explore its abilities, like how to make those speed, fuel, and cost settings, and understand how it will serve you in the future. But like everything else, if you include it as a tool for the job, it is through routine use that you pick up and find more and more practical uses for it, and through time, making it a powerful referencing tool for your everyday travels. Much software also comes with an introduction to getting started, and all have that Help button as part of the file menu. The best plan is to actually simulate trips and figure out how to plot destinations, stops, and add comments. But over time, when you look back, or at others starting out, you will realize that you have picked up more than you knew when you started out.

Other advances to mapping programs are the ability to update information, when you are online. One of my programs is able to download and update construction information, while the other will download Arial views and update points of interest. All that include known points of interests (to the designer) have the ability to show telephone numbers, hours of operation, and other information when you click on those places. I sometimes refer back to the plotted course the GPS has recorded, because they are like a "trail of breadcrumbs" full of information, that includes speed, time, and date. This came in handy when making multiple stops, and rushing to stay with my planned time, because when I finally had time to go back and log my locations, those "breadcrumbs" knew when I stopped and started out again.

The GPS (Ground Positioning System) actually communicates with more than three satellites to track where you are, and how fast you're going. With this information, your program has the ability to estimate your time to arrive to your next location you have set it for. To work properly, the GPS does need to be able to communicate with those satellites, which means they stop working when you go through tunnels, or areas with too much radio interference. But, the software does keep trying to reconnect to those satellites, and others, until the information can be obtained again. If you are using the mapping software, while going through a tunnel, the map will show a gap from where it stopped communicating, and where it started again. This is where you can add notes and symbols to identify the location you were at (since not all mapping programs will show a tunneled roadway). This also comes in handy if you travel on the same route often, and you want to track when the GPS has interference. Through enough records you might be able to identify if it happens only at certain times, and if enough information is obtained, where the interference is coming from (radio towers and alike).

I have noticed on occasion where the tracking would go astray, and I would need to restart the program to get the GPS to track again. I really never found the cause, and at first, I though it was the computers processor, but I have other computers with smaller processors that never showed this problem. The problem didn't happen often to find the GPS unreliable, but I did start using the other computer to eliminate this issue. It may have to do with the wear of the GPS transceiver, the extreme temperatures, and even interference. It may even be a combination. Whatever the case, when it is used everyday, the problem rarely occurred.

There will always be a need to have a map for backup, especially as a professional driver. Sticking to the paper maps may also be what you wish. But keeping notes is more paper, and writing on maps most likely means writing over other information. With the software program, you can always save you notes pertaining to that trip, and start fresh by eliminating your information and saving a new version of that location, as a file; if anything, having the software, and a road map works best when using both together. Where one is missing information, the other will most likely have what you are looking for, and more. Using both together, and focusing out which one has the strongest resource of information you desire, at any given time, will make the combination an enhanced informative tooling process, and help you in planning your trip, as well as changing your route of travel. If you recall that at the beginning of this article, I said I had two mapping programs; if you include my trucker's road map, I had three maps with me at all times. This does not make me a better driver, but it did provide me with plenty of resources to get me wherever I was going, and in time, be able to let them know where I planned to stop, and when I would arrive.

Another key advantage is when everything goes wrong, and you breakdown. Sure, most of the major trucking companies can track your truck to find out where you are, but it is great to know where I am, and if there are any places close by to seek comfort. Even on those times when the GPS and computer were not running, I powered my computer up, and in a little time, I knew exactly where I was, what towns were near me, and if there was a store nearby. Only once did I find myself in that place called "the middle of nowhere", but with the ability to connect to the internet (with a card I purchased), the connection to yellowbook.com, and finding the nearest town, I was able to convince a Dominos Pizza establishment to deliver to the roadway (where I was broke down) and eat while waiting for the wrecker to come. This wasn't always the case with every breakdown, but it only takes the one time to tell a great story. Depending on where you are, and the type of establishment you call some places will deliver. There was another pizza place (which was listed in my computer program) that did deliver to one of my stops as the receivers unloaded my trailer (I tried to make it worth the delivery person's trip, so I got on the CB and asked other drivers if they wanted anything delivered). In short, the mapping software is only as good as you choose to use it, but with a little imagination, the limits are really hard to see. As far as which of the two stories you like the best, well, that is totally up to you.

Drive safely, and just as importantly, know where you are going (everyone does know where they came from).