Hi Bill,
The problem with geocoding is the varying quality of the underlying datasets, not the
functionality itself. Even in over-registered little Denmark! So to launch such a
thing, you'd need absolute control over the datasets, and thus need to bundle these
with the software.
So searching for "one" free/Open Source solution is probably an impossible task.
I've just built a "cascading geocoding" routine (much like MapMarker) in MS/SQL and
MapBasic for a major client, and the tricky part was handling the 5+ different
datasets, which all have some kind of drawback: the most accurate (address points)
weren't complete, and the less accurate weren't (off course) less accurate/desirable.
This solution is definitely cannot be moved to other systems. I expect all kinds of
trouble when we need to update one of the datasets :-z
Some sort of web service is probably the way to go. You'd then just need to build the
client part into a desktop program. Here the only trouble is the current lack of
standard !?
Best regards / Med venlig hilsen
Lars V. Nielsen
Odense, Denmark
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Thoen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: MapInfo-L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 5:22 AM
Subject: MI-L Open Source geocoding software?
> Does anyone know of any Open Source geocoding software? I have an
> application where purchasing MapMarker is not a practical option
> (really good, but too expensive) so I thought I'd explore the
> alternatives. I suppose one would also need a good source of updated
> street address data too. A lot of streets have built since 2000.
>
> One thought was to write an mbx to read in TIGER files and then use
> MapInfo's Find feature. I've heard that the TIGER 2000 data is
> pretty decent, but is it?
>
> Another thought is simply buying the points on an as-needed basis.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> - Bill Thoen
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com |
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Message number: 3022
>
