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Offline Mapping For Android

It's here... not the apocalypse but offline mapping for android. The google maps app has just got an update which will allow for users to save their maps onto their device. My phone currently has insufficient storage for the update so that is currently being fixed. Also, most of the google apps are getting updated including Earth, Chrome (not beta anymore :)), Youtube, and Drive. Does anyone else know why there are an abnormally large amount of updates today? With the maps update this will be great for travelers and hikers since there will be no data connection required. I shall test out the features tomorrow.
Posted by Matthew Brener at 22:54 No comments: 

Adfly... Is it worth it?

Adfly is a web linking service similar to Bit.ly. What the difference is is that Adfly redirects the clicker to a page full of ads (If you don't have adblock installed) and, after waiting 5 seconds they can click on the Skip Ad Button. What the linker receives is $5 per 10000 viewers of these ads. Here are 3 examples of them:
So far, using social media, in half a day people have earned 1.7125c :). So, if you're fine with ads and want to make a bit (very little amount) of cash, it's ok. Otherwise stick to bit.ly.
Posted by Matthew Brener at 22:49 No comments: 

Google Map Maker

Last week I covered OSM, the Open Source mapping program. Ironically just after I posted that Google announced their own spin on the situation: Mapmaker. Mapmaker is a user edited mapping program powered by the all great, Google Maps. Google have just announced that they are expanding to more countries including Australia over the next few weeks. They are also releasing an android version with OFFLINE MAPPING. This is great for Geocaching. I think I may just switch to Mapmaker over OSM since I prefer Google's layout of places.
I love this new concept and hope it will do as well as the OSM project.
Posted by Matthew Brener at 17:34 No comments: 

Transit of Venus?!?

Well if you pay attention to the news ;) You'll know that the Transit of Venus occurred today. What this basically means is that Venus (a tiny speck of light) passed over the sun. This will be the last time (probably) in our lifetimes that we will see this phenomena. The next time this will occur will be in 2117.

Sadly today in Sydney we were recovering from Wild Weather and there were a few clouds in the air (limiting the view) and at one point it started to rain. Nonetheless we were able to follow the transit via video streaming from the Sydney Observatory and Mauna Loa in Hawaii (NASA). Here are two photos taken during the transit:
Posted by Matthew Brener at 21:35 No comments: 

Sydney Wild Weather

In Sydney we've had some pretty wacky weather, one minute glorious sunshine... the next 100km/h winds (no joke). So I was walking to Town Hall train station and just as I get outside the wind comes and blows me. Run through Hyde park getting soaked and arrive at a Mcdonalds to replenish myself. A double cheeseburger from the dollar menu thanks. Use my StudentEdge Card and get a free Coke as well. Then I run to the station and find all the trains are running on time.
Good on You CityRail Here's a picture of a basketball court
Posted by Matthew Brener at 21:21 No comments: 


What is OSM?
As the title says, OSM is "Open Street Maps". OSM is a project, similar to that of Wiki or any editable 'thing'. People, anywhere around the world can add to this project which is used by many people since it is Open Source. The reason why I brought this up is to raise awareness for a great cause. I actively use OSM maps for bushwalking as since they are user contributed, they are generally more detailed than Google Maps. These maps may also show people paths or parks not listed on Google Maps. For my hobby Geocaching, these are extremely useful for finding the most direct way to a geocache including parking.

To contribute to these maps you don't have to be a geographic expert, you just need a GPS (preferably hiking) or a smartphone with GPS capabilities. When walking down a track not listed on OSM, just turn on tracking and when you're home upload your track.

You can even contribute if you have neither of the above, if you're looking at the map and see a park not named on the map you can add a name and help thousands of people.

With even a small contribution you could help someone find that park where they're meeting a friend. You can even use the maps. Mapquest is an mapping website and application that uses OSM for calculating driving trips and fuel costs. If you have an android phone there is also an app for it.

If you have a GPS that supports maps then OSM is the free way to go. Just download the maps, load them and navigate since they are also routable. I can confirm that they work on my Garmin Oregon 300.

Posted by Matthew Brener at 15:31 No comments: