MFM's dilemmas, futures and possible solutions - threads del

[FrancisTLim]

Actually Roadnav http://roadnav.sourceforge.net/index.php looks promising. However, the last release was 3 years ago. Also, it does not compile its own map but instead uses the free maps from USA census bureau. I am not sure if there is a compiler available for that format.

The last link in aikliang's list http://opensourcegis.org/ has a lot of other softwares, which may be worth exploring, but will take some time & effort.

[llboon]

MfM's Navigation software can come true only with action and not dreaming. I also come across this idea since I take this hobbies up. But, after doing some more studies, i realized that this is not an easy task but need all the talented mind out there to help MfM to make this dream come true.

Try to explore more different ways to make it happen, and I believe we do have lots of talented programmers in our MfM user group here that can constribute.

Last nite when I had a chat with my friends, they told me that one of the way that MfM can do is working with some IT college to have this idea as their course projects, I think this idea also have been discuss previously.

I also agreed on that is not a bad idea.

Agreed with brother shawchyn, working with college/university is a good start. Before that we need to form a team of programming expert to work with the said college/university. All the programming sifu here please kindly contribute by expertise.

[moeyhc]

If we embark on this venture let's choose a platform that will benefit most users. A Window based system targeting mobile users will generate much interest. Compatibilities with online maps data will be an added advantage too. We have many helpers/contributors but only few who knows the real job. If you think you have the talent to make this a reality do declare it here.... cheers!

[cruiser]

If we embark on this venture let's choose a platform that will benefit most users. A Window based system targeting mobile users will generate much interest.

Hear Hear en please include Mac users too accessing one's own IPhone.

[chinwy]

Tks aikliang for the links. Lots of beadtime stories to keep me awake.

There are 3 main issues to deal with. The Receiver, Hardware and the Software / or firmware platform.

The situation is chicken and egg as always.
The Receiver:
The GPS receiver / NMEA codes - ie your raw GPS data receiver. That is the easiest. Almost anyone with resonable pesistance (hardware and software knowledge) can get one going without breaking any sweat first time. You have several of these mfg around that will ship the plug and play module for a song and dance.

The Software:
Establish OS will automatically use traditional Intel or AMD based processors. Easier to develop since most of us have one or several at home. The main setback is the OS itself - "there are overheads" and that means SLOW. So much for putting the cart before the horse. This will also explain why your PDA's are slow in GPS compared to dedicated units.

The Hardware:
Using dedicated RISC or similar processors will speed up everything (almost no OS overheads).This is how most of your branded GPS are developed in. You will require a fair bit of programming skill and if savy you can to fruther pump up its speed, write in assembly. IT is espiceally tempting when you can also develop in higher level language compilers as newer RISC processors enter the market and move away from the traditional processor arcitacture design - that starts a new ball game for super fast processing that will suit our GPS processing needs. But that will put the bulk of us off the eager to try and help list. You will need to come up with a common harware platform to work with - would say a no-no-no for now.

In short you need new hardware to be developed and that means a new .... almost everything including the end users at the end of the day . To make it work on your existing dedicated harware will be not practical. Cost, time and resources will not make it viable to take this direction.

My 2 cts worth:
The best practical option is using the traditional established OS. That will establash some level of viability and practicalness, and hopefully to pave the way for more to come. ie take small firm steps first.

[moeyhc]

Let's learn how to craw first before attempting to walk... Something along the lines of GMXT will be great for now. No new hardware or reconfiguring the OS required. Supporting Bluetooth GPS receivers will be a plus too.... cheers!

[bleuz]

If I would to be the authority of any GPS company i.e. Garmin in this South Eat Asia region, as far as business concern, I would think out of box and proudly announced that MFM would be our free of whole life map provider or MFM maps would be our compatible map for free of life..

I guarantee the revenue of the company will be seeing up trend after the annoucement..

From a newbie's point of view.. I don't think those GPS companies will make the free map providers dying out as they did understand many GPS users are buying GPS due to it can be used with free maps.. thus indirectly they are destroying their own bussiness if they did that..

I urge MFM shall continue to provide free maps as it's wish and continue to do better..

[cruiser]

I guarantee the revenue of the company will be seeing up trend after the annoucement..

From a newbie's point of view.. I don't think those GPS companies will make the free map providers dying out as they did understand many GPS users are buying GPS due to it can be used with free maps.. thus indirectly they are destroying their own bussiness if they did that..

I urge MFM shall continue to provide free maps as it's wish and continue to do better..

Unfortunately for your rational evaluation, the analysis on how the marketing strategy is mapped out albeit by Garmin or others like TomTom.... isn't that simple as you would like to convince yourself with.
There's more to it than meets the eye and this stretches as far up and through with regional security and mapping rights which, needless to say nor underscore......involves government level and that is where the start of tenuous agreements and arrangements ly which also means, their outlook on future potential strategies involving marketing is far from over nor wasted or pointless to regard as being threatened to the point of being destroyed out of the regional market.

Yes, that is the sad equation I hate but have to help you by bearing upon you, this unfortunate fact of the current situation that is far from being admonished... believe you me...