A Poor Workman always blames his tools

I have always been into tools to aid navigation, ever since as a Cub I was first shown how to use a Silva Explorer compass and an Ordnance Survey map. I advanced from merely finding a grid reference, to plotting position and then using profiles from contour lines alongside Naismith's Rule to calculate distance and time taken to complete a route.

Then the satellites went into orbit, and Global Positioning by Satellite (GPS) was born. Since the 2nd of May 2000 civillian users have had access to the same signal as the military and access to a wonderful new navigation tool. The GPS reciever , known as the GPSr.

For a long time it was the preserve of the hobbyist and people who needed fast accurate positioning data without complicated calculations, like seafarers and pilots. It became the must have for anyone going into the outdoors, even if it was just a simple "here you are " tool to be used alongside a map.

The cost was high, as with any new tech, then with all the other advances in computer chip technology the prices came down. At this point approximately 3 years ago we entered the world of SatNav! The real enthusiasts tool had become a new consumer toy. But worryingly it had also still retained the sophisticated elements of the first GPSr navigation tools.

Many people rushed out and bought the new toy declaring maps to be redundant. This marvellous new box will show me the quickest most efficient way of getting anywhere with a postcode! Wrong ! The simple element of RTFM had been lost on these new digital pioneers, it was a shiny new toy that told them how not to get lost.

Like any new technology you get what you pay for, a lot of the new mapping GPSr used old data to keep cost down. Roads had been built and in some cases entire towns several years after the data was compiled. Options on the GPSr allowed fine tuning of routing, but this was lost on the majority of the new pioneers girding their loins for an new quicker way to go see Aunt Mabel in Staines.

Reports started fl0oding in of people getting jammed on farm tracks,driving into rivers and lorrys stuck on country lanes ! RTFM numpties!

The cost of stupidity should be taxed at source for anyone using a tool that cannot use it correctly. Network Rail have announced the over 2,000 bridges have been damaged this year by lorrys taking inappropriate routes; people crashing into fences and crossing rail lines in the wrong places have added to the millions of pounds of damage!

I am now of the opinion that unless you can read a map you should not buy a GPSr. Look at the map, choose your route then program this into the GPSr or at least ensure it does not have options chosen to take you down country lanes and under low bridges. It should be included in the Highway Code and as part of the Driving Test.

Is it just too much to ask for people to use Common Sense... sadly it seems it is!

Technomadics

Many many years ago I joined the Technomads mailing list, I dreamt of being able to travel with all the cool tech that was part of the then blossoming Personal Computing era.

The list was started by Steve Roberts who many see as the doyen of Technomadics. Joining this list drew me into the world of GPS,wearable computing and a whole new Cyberculture.

in 1994 I left this list and joined what is now a place I consider to be my real home on the 'Net , Future Culture. A place where we once discussed the future of the internet and now just have left it to those younger than ourselves... but occasionally a bit of tech from our past dreams and discussions appears.

I can gladly say I can endorse this product whole heartedly, it is exactly what we once wanted! Look at the pic, a portable solar energy source combined with a Li-Ion storage battery. Can be charged with a USB cable from your 'puter or gets a full charge from being left in the sun for a 5-6 hours. A full charge is reputedly kept for up to 3 months, but so far I have found a couple of weeks storage before use is sufficient.

Of course you need to know more so go to Solar Technology in the UK or WaveMaker for the rest of the world. It rocks, I love it and it can charge up my GPS,phone, and camera !

So keep dreaming folks, one day some of them will come true!

If you go down to the woods today...

Not The Major Oak - Sherwood Forest 2007 - GC2024
Originally uploaded by Scouse_and_Jules

be sure to take your GPS if you venture into Sherwood Forest to see the Major Oak.

Not far away is a rather wonderful geocache , which is better than being surrounded by gawping chavs expecting Robin of Sherwood to pop out of the Major Oak.

The entire park is a wonderful place, almost magical in the stillness you can find as you wander through it. Recommended as a great place for a quiet day out.

Belper East Mill - from inside the Belper Nailers football ground

Belper East Mill - from inside the Belper Nailers football ground
Originally uploaded by Mark Berthelemy

Crawled out of a tent in the grounds of Belper Football Club this morning. We spent the night at a wedding reception in the football club.

Was more like a mini rally with the bikes dotted around and the "undead" staggering to the toilet block.

Pity it was so close to home, only managed to get us lost once on the way :)

The Crying Lamp

The Crying Lamp
Originally uploaded by Scouse_and_Jules

Took up geocaching last week , this was my first find... now if I can just get Jules interested , after all it is just another form of trainspotting :)

Or was it which Right ?

Welcome to our travel blog! As a quick explanation, I , Scouse, have an issue with my left and rights, despite owning two GPS's and having an obsession with mapping software and maps and navigation tools of all kinds.

Jules is often heard to heard to call out in desperation " Which left do you mean?" when I am navigating.

So there you go... a concise explanation, which is also a bit of a first for me.