[Xastir] Prefered map format?

[Nate Bargmann]

Hello all.

This is probably an FAQ, but I've been driving myself nuts trying to
find a map format that isn't ugly as all get out.

I downloaded some palmmap files and they are okay, but not impressive.

I've tried various Tiger line format files and totally found things
lacking.  Far too many files to deal with and no real guidance that I
coupld find to use them effectively.  End result, still ugly.

The dynamic Tiger displays are beatiful!  I want these all the time, but I
don't have any kind of mobile Internet access out here in the sticks and
apparently there is no way to cache the data that is downloaded to disk
so the image files could be rebuilt later.  If only the Tiger files I
downloaded could look so good with colored roads and nicely defined
urban areas.

I thought I'd try MacAPRS files, but had no luck trying to decompress
them as Xastir never showed a map on the screen.

I am frustrated, to say the least, and should probably go back to doing
something else, but I'd really like a map display worthy of 2003 instead
of a few lines and an ugly motif-gray background.  :-\

Thanks for letting me vent a bit.  I really want to use Xastir, but I've
wasted nearly a day trying to find a map that meets my taste.  I find
I really need a continuous 'Net connection to make it work.  Bummer.

Does anyone have a really nice map format that they use from the hard
drive?  BTW, I'm using Xastir 1.2.0 on Debian Testing.

73, de Nate >>

-- 
 Wireless | Amateur Radio Station N0NB          |  Successfully Microsoft
 Internet | n0nb at networksplus.net               | free since January 1998.
 Location | Bremen, Kansas USA EM19ov           |  "Debian, the choice of
  Amateur radio exams; ham radio; Linux info @  |     a GNU generation!"
             http://www.qsl.net/n0nb/           |   http://www.debian.org