I took a look at some of the online offers for free GPS software and found, like many “free” offers there were often limits and provisos involved. Often the freeware is a scaled–down version of purchasable products. Sometimes the free product has restricted functionality with features disabled, other products are trial–based and are disabled after a certain time (hours or days or use).
An example of limited free GPS software can be found at GPS Utility. The downloadable freeware is limited 100 waypoints and 500 track points. (There are 65,000 of each in the registered version of their program.) The free program gives you a good opportunity to try before you buy, and this is the benefit of most free programs.
There are online sites that list various free GPS software and describe how to use the programs after you download them. Often individuals who have used the programs themselves develop the sites. These are great because they give you an unbiased interpretation of the benefits and disadvantages of the programs before you use them.
Using free GPS software you can download programs that allow you to retrieve and display aerial photos, topographical maps, USGS landmarks. There are programs available that allow you import scanned images and add latitude and longitude points and other data.
Free GPS software downloads are available for PDA units that are capable of communication with GPS receivers. With these downloads you can have a useful navigation assistant, location database manager, and GPS data converter.
Programs to manage GPS waypoint and route files are available for both PC and Mac users. The waypoints and route files can be saved or converted to various formats used by other mapping programs.
If you need to transfer information to and from your GPS receiver and your home computer or laptop there are several free programs that allow you to do so. There are also programs that allow Garmin GPS receivers to “talk” to one another.
Many of the programs listed here are directed at the hiking/trekker community, but there are also free programs available for auto GPS systems and marine navigational systems. I found a couple of marine navigation programs that allow you to download nautical charts and plotters.
There are free GPS software programs that allow you to download street maps that might not be included in your auto–navigation system. If you intend downloading in–vehicle software, make sure that it has audio capacity, an essential safety factor for motorists. One such program offers data for several countries with voice guidance in twelve languages.
Free GPS software is also available for downloading to your cell phone. This is mostly tracking software and can be phone specific. You might want to check with your carrier before downloading anything to your cell phone to make sure that it does not incur extra charges.
As satellites are constantly moving, it is helpful to know the optimal time for data collection in your area. There is free GPS software that includes an almanac to let you know the availability of satellites at any given time.
Some of the free GPS software is brand specific. Programs designed for a Garmin receiver may not work for a Magellan, so check out the specifications carefully, especially if you intend purchasing a registered version after your trial period. Other software works with most brands.
By: Anne King
Archive for December, 2009
Free GPS Software
December 29th, 2009Modding and Hacking Your Cell Phone
December 22nd, 2009
So, you own a Motorola V3 Razor. If you are doing what I did you are searching various websites to find how how to change it to be what YOU want. You are reading things like “seems”, “flashing”, “flexing”. What the heck?
You’re confused, lost, and ready to pay somebody to do this, or give up. But don’t. I am by no means a computer expert or a modding guru but I have figured it out so that means you can to!
Lets talk about modding and or hacking (changing anything from how it came from the manufacturer) Hack? No I’m not taking about anything illegal, but the term is used to express the idea. You “hack” into an area of the phone or Ipod the manufacturer didn’t want you to access 
Why mod it at all? Well simple. I paid good money for this and if I want my kids picture as my outer LCD picture then by golly I shall have it! lol..Also there are several menu items locked out by certain carriers which I think is bunk anyway but I digress.. The biggest and most common reason for modding is to unlock the phone.
What is unlocking? Simple. Unlocking allows you to take the AT&T sim card out and put in a T mobile Sim card and use the phone. Sim card? you ask..
If you don’t know what a sim card is you should stop now and go bake cookies…lmao..not really, It is the card under the battery usually that only allows you to use the phone on that cards carrier. CDMA phones do not have these. Like Sprint, Verizon. Yes you can still mod but unlocking isn’t possible. You can just reactivate with whatever CDMA carrier you want
Back to modding..
You can personalize your phone (change the outer picture, make it louder, use different fonts, change the look of it all, etc). Also, changing the software on the phone can increase your reception, your volume, the menu speed, and much more.
Ok now your hooked. How do I do it you scream!
Slow down Tonto..This is complicated stuff so read read read….I got my 500 buck V9 and it took me 4 days to change the outer LCD because I do NOT want a 500 buck paperweight..Do you?
Other basic terms you should know are..
The Flex:
The flex is the files and branding of the phone. It contains all the carrier specific menus and images, like T-Zones for T-Mobile, or whichever graphic branding and text links your carrier puts in the phone.
The Flash:
The flash is the part we change most often. By now we have several types, but basically, the flash is the software of the phone. When you change the flash, it adjusts features, menus, and more. Also, things like the way your phone handles reception or menu speed are handled by flashes. Flashing your phone will not erase any of your media or settings. Then there’s the seem.
The Seem:
The seem is the individual pieces that make up the operating system on the phone. Every individual feature on your phone (SMS on/off, will the call end when you close the flip, can you access the web from your phone, etc) is all editable by changing a seem. More on that in the seem editing section, but basically seems are what you will change when you want to change one feature at a time.
By: M Silvers
