[Xastir] A rant on the shapefiles...

[Richard Polivka, N6NKO]

I have to agree that they are a start and people use them for more than 
what the initial intent was.

That is why I have taken to editing what I have so the maps I have will 
be more useful. I am finding that even the maps issued by the cities and 
county here are inaccurate as well, missing important info such as local 
parks, creeks, etc.

Now to go and walk around a bit - can't sit too long. Plus the dog is 
dreaming.

73 from 807,

Richard, N6NKO


Curt, WE7U wrote:
> On Wed, 9 Apr 2008, Richard Polivka, N6NKO wrote:
>
>   
>> I am wondering who participated in getting these maps made? Was it state,
>> county, feds?
>>     
>
> Blame the census takers.  Feds.  Federalies.  Men in black?
>
> For the purpose of taking the every-10-year federal census they've
> kept track of roads.  Unfortunately the census-takers haven't had
> any cartography training (hey, it's really not their job, right?).
> The maps were not intended to be used for the purposes people put
> them to.  That philosophy is changing a bit lately and they're
> trying to do a better job on the data.  I suspect Gerry or Tom can
> fill us in on the details, but that's my vague recollection.
>
> Even with that less than stellar cartography start, they're awfully
> nice road maps, and free.  Hard to beat that in most other
> countries!
>
> Many of the commercial mapping programs start with Tiger data as
> their base and add to/correct it.
>
>