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BumpJumper
12-29-2008, 15:52
I just got the FT map on CD and went to install it and nothing. It installed Arc Reader but I cannot find any FT maps or anything worth doing anything with!:eek:
WTH am I doing wrong. Anyone got a clue how to work this thing?:eek:

wahoo
12-29-2008, 17:20
Hmm..are you trying to open the files from the CD? From ArcReader File->Open, choose your CD Drive.
Maybe?
PM me if you need more help, I'll give you my phone#. I'll try to help ya out.

genxrex
12-29-2008, 17:51
I have alot of the gps data for central florida if thats what you are looking for. That trail data cd is very disorganizied and not very PC friendly.

There is also two websites that host geo trail data:

http://www.everytrail.com/browse.php?country=United%20States&state=Florida&activity_id=5&order=recent_popularity&page=1


http://wikiloc.com/wikiloc/map.do?lat=41.3317607&lng=-74.35682&z=10

wahoo
12-29-2008, 18:05
I have alot of the gps data for central florida if thats what you are looking for. That trail data cd is very disorganizied and not very PC friendly.

There is also two websites that host geo trail data:

http://www.everytrail.com/browse.php?country=United%20States&state=Florida&activity_id=5&order=recent_popularity&page=1


http://wikiloc.com/wikiloc/map.do?lat=41.3317607&lng=-74.35682&z=10

Great links!
I agree with you on the CD. It's pretty raw. What does the CD these days ship with (professional label, instructions)?

JaxHiker
12-29-2008, 19:28
Like wahoo said, you need to do a File -> Open. If you're reading it from the CD (they suggest copying the data to your hard drive) then it should be something like this (my CD is F:)....

F:\FTA_Map\Map\FTAMap-08.pmf

If you're after GPS info it's broken down by file type (GPX, KML, etc) in the GPS folder.

Be careful with the GPS data. It's pretty easy to exceed the max # of waypoints in a single track.

Drat. The spousal unit just came home and is waiting for me outside to run to dinner. I'll help more if I can if needed. :-)

JaxHiker
12-29-2008, 21:50
Your map should look something like this when you zoom in.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/FTA-Juniper.jpg

BumpJumper
12-30-2008, 07:15
Damnit to hell and back again. I am so pissed. Yes I am supposed to be able to open it at the drive like that but it is not on there. And what a hunk of shiot if you can manuver around in it. I want my money back. Folks tried to tell me it wasnt worth it...Now I agree.

I wanted to look at a map of the area chief wanted to hike up in White Springs. A map like that is useless.

BumpJumper
12-30-2008, 07:17
"The spousal unit just came home"
:D:D:D:D:D:D
Now thats some funny shiot right there.:D:D:D

wahoo
12-30-2008, 09:27
Hey Dawn, don't throw that CD up against the wall, or step on it, or whatever! Send it to me....
Like I said, the map data that is there is pretty raw. I haven't looked at what's being sent in a good while, but from what I remember it's just GPS data to overlay on a base map (topo, street, sat, whatever).
I think what people are interested in are digital copies of the paper maps that the FT offers, like a PDF. But, maybe making it easy to just print out your own maps would cut into the sales of the paper maps.
Personally, I think a nice touch with your FT membership would be a trail map on CD. Again, this probably would reduce the amount of paper maps that are sold, but might be a way to increase membership. Maybe?

MOWGLI
12-30-2008, 09:52
Damnit to hell and back again. I am so pissed.

Take it up with the FTA. 1-877-HIKE-FLA

JaxHiker
12-30-2008, 11:06
I think what people are interested in are digital copies of the paper maps that the FT offers, like a PDF. But, maybe making it easy to just print out your own maps would cut into the sales of the paper maps.

The maps that are sold individually are provided on the CD. You can select any map and print it yourself or take it someplace for high-quality printing. They're located under \FTA_Map\PDF-Maps.

BJ, what do you see when you look at the CD in Explorer? Mine looks like this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/CD-layout.jpg

JaxHiker
12-30-2008, 11:13
Thought I'd add that there are 68 PDF maps on my 2008 CD.

If you open the trail KMZ in Google Earth you'll see something like this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/ge-fta.jpg

I'm hoping to be working with the FTA on the GPS data and making it more user-friendly as well as creating the tools to integrate with different GPS devices. We're still in the infant stage in our talks but I'd love to hear constructive feedback that we might use to improve the product.

wahoo
12-30-2008, 13:45
The maps that are sold individually are provided on the CD. You can select any map and print it yourself or take it someplace for high-quality printing. They're located under \FTA_Map\PDF-Maps.


Oh, cool! I didn't know that, thanks for the info. Didn't remember seeing those on the CD that I had, of course it's been a while, and it's an older one I think. I'll have to go ahead and order me an updated version.

BumpJumper
12-30-2008, 22:57
Jax...that is exactly what I was told I was getting. I just cant get it to open up.
Kevin, I wont stomp on it. I aim to get the dang thing working.
Mow....Wouldnt that be the smart thing to do?

JaxHiker
12-30-2008, 23:30
What are you doing? EXACTLY?

It really should be as simple as doing File -> Open and selecting the correct file. I do think the install program should make a shortcut to the map itself rather than just opening ArcReader. However, it does make a file association so even double-clicking the pmf file should launch the app and open the map for you.

What happens when you try to open it? I get a picture of the entire state. What do you see?

I don't know if this will help you but you might try creating a new shortcut. I'll see if the screenshots will help.

1) From the Start button, bring up the group for ArcGIS. Right-click and select Open from the context menu.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/cd/shortcut1.jpg

2) You should now see something like this for the group.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/cd/shortcut2.jpg

3) Right-click inside the group and select New -> Shortcut.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/cd/shortcut3.jpg

4) Enter the full path to the map (.pmf) file. In this example I'm running from the CD.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/cd/shortcut4.jpg

5) Click Next and enter a name for the shortcut. I changed mine to denote where it's launching from.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/cd/shortcut5.jpg

6) Click Finish. Now you should see your new shortcut listed in the program group. Try double-clicking it to see if it launches the app and the map.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/cd/shortcut6.jpg

BumpJumper
01-04-2009, 22:07
Thanks Jax...I will try it. I just got back on the computer today as I have been gone, busy, sick...you know LIFE...I will let you know.

Wise Old Owl
01-04-2009, 22:12
OMG! BJ call a teenager! Geek, Someone who is into Second Life.....

I would help you but so many from so far have gone above and beyond allready!

BumpJumper
01-04-2009, 22:14
Thanks.

floridahikes
01-05-2009, 08:35
Ah, BJ, do you have a Mac? The Map on CD isn't Mac-compatible, last I heard. ;-)
Cheers, Navigator

BumpJumper
01-05-2009, 17:43
No...IBM.
I am sick right now and dont feel like farting around with it. When I get a chance I will. Thanks. I may call ya if Jax's blow by blow instructions dont help.
Thanks Jax. Love ya man.:D

hikeflorida
01-28-2009, 14:02
Thanks JaxHiker for the tip about opening the KMZ files in google earth. Makes the cd more worthwhile.....The FTA should point that out on their website or cdrom insert. For those with acrobat professional, the .pdf maps can be easily combined together into one file, eliminating the need to open each one individually. I like being able to scroll down through the collection.

JaxHiker
01-28-2009, 16:18
Glad to help. If you don't have Acrobat Pro (as I don't) there's also an open source tool you can use to split/merge PDFs. Just download pdfmerge (http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfmerge/). So far the FTA and I haven't gotten anywhere on the GPS stuff but this would be a good thing to address as you said hf.

Do we have any update Bump?

GeneralLee10
01-28-2009, 17:03
Do any of you know of anyone mapping the whole FT end to end using Sub meter GPS or any accurate GPS. If not wouldn't that be something that FTA can use an up to date trail map and some download able maps with Latitude and Longitude so one can upload it to there GPS. I think it would be a fun project and journey, can add in all the updates for the Guide book also with the trip. If you think i am crazy or lost in thought just let me know. What about the people that do the info gathering on the Data books and such do they sell it to the FTA or what?

JaxHiker
01-28-2009, 19:21
That'd be nice if someone could afford it. Don't expect the FTA to buy one anytime soon. I don't think I need *that* much accuracy. :)

floridahikes
02-01-2009, 11:52
Nah, guidebook updates were a volunteer thing, and then I did 'em while I was staff. For putting it all in a book, I made $$ from the publisher but heck, not even enough to pay my car payments for 5 months, and that took 4 years to earn. Split royalties 50/50 with FTA since I used their map & gps data that Cricket collected. The GPS that FTA uses is extremely accurate, non-standard equipment you can't buy in a store, used for GIS. I did the Long Distance Hikers guide update and have all the data points for service in towns in KML files. I'll be backpacking with Cricket this month so maybe we can figure out something out as a new model for downloadable maps. It's doable, but it has to pass the FTA board, and so far that hasn't happened. Meanwhile, I'm collecting data for the next book, whatever form it will take. Sounds like downloadable chapters & KMLs or GPX would be the way to go.

Cheers, Navigator
www.floridahikes.com (http://www.floridahikes.com)


Do any of you know of anyone mapping the whole FT end to end using Sub meter GPS or any accurate GPS. If not wouldn't that be something that FTA can use an up to date trail map and some download able maps with Latitude and Longitude so one can upload it to there GPS. I think it would be a fun project and journey, can add in all the updates for the Guide book also with the trip. If you think i am crazy or lost in thought just let me know. What about the people that do the info gathering on the Data books and such do they sell it to the FTA or what?

GeneralLee10
02-01-2009, 21:00
Sounds good I was just curious, Maybe they can make it just like buying the paper Maps same cost and if more info is included just charge more. I just met a guy today at the 10 Trail Head N. of Juniper and he has the Guide Book so he can do the FT in sections. Someone like him mite have got the trail in sections, heck if you break it up you mite just make more funds out of it. We know what more money can do for the FT.

BumpJumper
02-20-2009, 18:23
I think I am actually ready to get started on this now. Life slowed down.;)

BumpJumper
03-04-2009, 08:44
Ok Jax...I have tried your tutorial and I am not getting it right or something. If you have time, anytime, can you walk me through it on the phone? I can email you my #.

JaxHiker
03-05-2009, 10:23
Shoot me your # and I'll try to call this weekend.

BumpJumper
03-05-2009, 22:50
Uh...I am headed to the Chassahowitzka River to camp and paddle this weekend. I will shoot it to you next week. Thanks so much.