Since making maps puts bread on my table I feel adequately qualified to comment on this subject.
Producing maps can be expensive. Today, all maps are created using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) - computer software that combines graphics (lines representing roads, shapes representing lakes etc.) with attribute information about those graphics (road names, lake names etc.) Desktop versions of these systems start at $2000. Then you need to buy data, although a lot can be had for free if you know how to find it. Then you need to manipulate the graphics based on the attributes. Then you need to decide how to publish the data. And when teh data changes - a new road gets built, or a dirt road gets paved, somebody has to update the database. The prohibiting factor in these types of initiatives is time - time is expensive. Publishing takes two forms (at least as has been requested on this list), internet or hardcopy (paper). Internet mapping is a world in itself. There are two general options: provide map images (in .jpg, .bmp etc) of a map that a GIS technician has prepared. End users on the internet access this image the same as opening a picture of say, Lance Armstrong, but a map image is generally quite large - it has to be in order to provide the necessary information in a legible manner. This causes issues with file storage, download time, and end users having the right tool to view the map etc. These are all issues that can be overcome, but not easily or cheaply. The other option is more interactive for the end user, but very expensive. It involves a GIS web server (hardware), another type of GIS web software, and time spent developing a user interface to simplify the access for end-users i.e. programming a button to display the OBC route from Ottawa to Manotick. This is the future of the mapping industry, but right now, a minimum cost of $50,000 to implement would be my best guess. (Most ISP's don't have the required type of server). An example of this type of website is Mapquest. Hardcopy maps again require lots of time. The same data would be used to do the internet mapping, or the hardcopy maps, but it is a question of time. How to colour the roads, how to label the roadnames, what size paper to put it on etc. I don't think the OBC could sell enough to make the investment worthwhile. So although the idea is great, and it would be fun for someone like me to do, I don't think that we are going to see OBC route maps on the internet anytime soon, or an official OBC hardcopy map for sale in the stores. Time to produce and cost of producing are just too prohibitive at this time. Many people have mentionned great alternatives here. try them. Or, get out on your bike, turn down a road and see where you end up. kevin Kevin Nelson ------------------------------------------------- For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ------------------------------------------------- ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
