[Ubuntu-be] garmin&gps

[Amedee Van Gasse]

On Tue, September 11, 2007 10:15, wannes wrote:
> 2007/9/11, Amedee Van Gasse <amedee at amedee.be>:

>> * If a cartography company wants to ask €€€ for their map data, I
>> don't
>> see any problem with that? They made the investment: photograpghy,
>> measurements, image processing software,...
>
> Sounds reasonable. But the same goes for software company's. Why are
> some company's charging for their software, and some are providing
> their software free of charge under some non-restrictive license?

Why are some companies charging money for software with a non-restrictive
license?
Why are some companies giving software away with a restrictive license?

There is nothing evil with asking money. Some zealots forget that.
The evil thing is when, after you pay money, you still cannot do whatever
you want with your purchase.

> Openstreetmap is providing map-data free of charge, under a
> CC-license. That way, anyone can use the data, and not only the
> $$$-people.

I wouldn't mind paying an organisation like Openstreetmap. In fact, in the
past I have given €€€ (well, just €€) to Free/Libre Software projects.

>> * If you want free maps, anyone can make (new) maps. You're just not
>> allowed to copy existing maps.
>
> That's exactly what openstreetmap is doing. Walking/driving/cycling
> around with a GPS, using aerial photography, ...

I know that. To be exact, I didn't know the name "openstreetmap", but what
you describe sounds like a logical project.

> I encourage anyone with a GPS-device to get an Openstreetmap account
> and start mapping their area. Any mapping done, even if it's only a
> little, would be great! :-)

The GPS-device has to be able to talk with Linux for your target audience.
;-)

-- 
Amedee