UK 'over-reliant' on GPS signals, engineers warn - Page 2

nikimcbee · 03-14-11, 11:58 AM

you should see my dad, he's helpless w/o his gps

.

TLAM Strike · 03-14-11, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

The problem is not GPS, but the reliance on GPS.

Exactly, I work in a pizza shop and have to take down directions to people's houses. If they are on one of the major North-South roads I will ask "are you north or south of route 441 (the major East-West road)"... I can swear I can hear their brain cells stutter and die after I ask a question like that; its like I just asked them a question about Cold Fusion. People don't know if they are north or south of the biggest road in town. Or when one of the drivers doesn't know where to go and I tell them to look in the road atlas (we have two FCOL) its like I'm talking french or something.

Herr-Berbunch · 03-14-11, 12:04 PM

Jim - I had fun in the Lakes, too. My parents had rented a cottage over Christmas and we drove up to Hawkshead on Christmas Day - Satnav was wonderful until we got to the B5285 at Windermere - Take the ferry! The ferry is only closed one day a year - Christmas Day! No problems - I'll just head down to Newby Bridge and go around the Lake, it'll recalibrate the route and all will be fine.

Nope, all the way to Newby Bridge, and for many miles after - Turn around when possible, Turn around when possible, Turn a

Platapus · 03-14-11, 12:04 PM

I am guilty of the north south failing too.

We have two major highways that are used for reference. None of them are North/South or East/West, but they are referred to as being North/south...

In my tiny brain, I have a visualization of my area and what I envision as the major north south road is actually a west and east road, but major portions go north and south.

Only in Virginia can you be west of a east and west road. But then in North Virginia you can have an intersection of Lee Road and Lee Highway which is close to Old Lee road and Old Lee highway.

MaddogK · 03-14-11, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schöneboom

This looks like an "appropriate technology" question: when is GPS the sensible solution, and when not? A handheld device for a trekker in the wilderness, that I could justify. And for a ship to navigate on the open sea. But the talking car units, as they are right now? Nah.

Given that satellites are not invulnerable, it would behoove us to maintain the old skills of navigation, just in case.

Here's an example of proper application of technology- Went to Oshkosh air show a couple years ago, we park the car amongst the thousands already there and the wife starts to grab sunglasses, tanning oil, food, etc. I reach into the glove box and pull out my magellan camping GPS receiver and get out of the car, mark the spot and pocket the unit. We head off to the air show. 8 hours later we start to head back to the car and the wife asks if I remember where we parked, I smile and pull out the GPS and lead her back to the parking spot.

She insisted I buy her one.

Geno_Mariner · 03-14-11, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddogK

Here's an example of proper application of technology- Went to Oshkosh air show a couple years ago, we park the car amongst the thousands already there and the wife starts to grab sunglasses, tanning oil, food, etc. I reach into the glove box and pull out my magellan camping GPS receiver and get out of the car, mark the spot and pocket the unit. We head off to the air show. 8 hours later we start to head back to the car and the wife asks if I remember where we parked, I smile and pull out the GPS and lead her back to the parking spot.

She insisted I buy her one.

I should get one of those

I sometimes forget where my car is in a major carpark, especially if there's a couple of cars that looks the same or if there's way too many white cars (had one embarrassing moment of approaching a car that isn't the same make and had the owner coming towards it as well

).

I don't mind the GPS but also be aware of Google Map's possible errors when you use the directions thing. I used it to get me to my Agriculture college, and it gave me several streets wrong that I ended up a good 10-15 mins away (could be more) from the college....

Platapus · 03-14-11, 06:18 PM

They make small simple GPS units designed especially for that purpose. They are small and fit in the pocket.

Been thinking of getting one

Geno_Mariner · 03-14-11, 06:57 PM

I shall have to look at that, good to know there's at least something to be able to locate my car in a big and busy carpark

Herr-Berbunch · 03-15-11, 08:47 AM

Don't need a GPS to screw up, my wife once drove to Nottingham (about 90 miles away) for an exam, was running a bit late, parked her car, paid for a ticket and ran to the exam centre.

An hour or so later she returned to the car park but couldn't find her car, frantic searching provided no results so she phoned the car park operators (NCP) to advise/help her.

A man from the company drove to her location and asked to see her ticket to ascertain what floor/area of the car park she'd parked in.

'But this isn't a ticket for an NCP car park!'

He kindly drove her to the correct car park where they found the car at once.

Another time she'd parked at Sainsbury's supermarket, bought some stuff and went out to the car, but couldn't unlock the car!!! She phoned the RAC to come and get her sorted but while she was waiting she spotted the car in the next row!

I swear, she is an intelligent woman, currently studying for her Masters, but like I say - there is a balance between education and common sense, not many people are blessed with both.

Herr-Berbunch · 03-15-11, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

They make small simple GPS units designed especially for that purpose. They are small and fit in the pocket.

Been thinking of getting one

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geno_Mariner

I shall have to look at that, good to know there's at least something to be able to locate my car in a big and busy carpark

If you've got or are getting a smartphone they usually have some gps built-in and most, if not all, use signal triangulation to find locations - there are some apps now that can use this to locate things like your car. Saves buying a separate phone and gps unit.

Platapus · 03-15-11, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

If you've got or are getting a smartphone they usually have some gps built-in and most, if not all, use signal triangulation to find locations - there are some apps now that can use this to locate things like your car. Saves buying a separate phone and gps unit.

I have a Jitterbug and it always stays in the car.

Herr-Berbunch · 03-15-11, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I have a Jitterbug

Can you get some medication for it?

nikimcbee · 03-15-11, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Can you get some medication for it?

Well, it's like crabs, but they take bigger bites.

Platapus · 03-15-11, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I have a Jitterbug and it always stays in the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Can you get some medication for it?

Don't be a Jitterbug hater.

I love my Jitterbug. It is just a cell phone. It makes and receives phone calls. And it does it well. Since it stays in my car all the time, I don't need the extra "features" that other cell phone/electronic friends have. To me a cell phone is a specialized tool. I don't want to have a "relationship" with it. I don't want it part of my life.

I want it to sit quietly and obediently until I decide to use it. I don't want my cellphone reminding me of things, nor to I want to "share" my life experiences with my cell phone.

Best of all, with the Jitterbug J, it has blue tooth so once I program my car, I never have to see nor touch my cell phone any more. It is hidden in the center console (which makes it easy to "forget" to check voice mail too.

Jimbuna · 03-15-11, 04:11 PM

I always thought the Jitterbug was a dance

03-14-11, 11:58 AM	#16
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	you should see my dad, he's helpless w/o his gps. __________________

03-14-11, 12:04 PM	#18
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Jim - I had fun in the Lakes, too. My parents had rented a cottage over Christmas and we drove up to Hawkshead on Christmas Day - Satnav was wonderful until we got to the B5285 at Windermere - Take the ferry! The ferry is only closed one day a year - Christmas Day! No problems - I'll just head down to Newby Bridge and go around the Lake, it'll recalibrate the route and all will be fine. Nope, all the way to Newby Bridge, and for many miles after - Turn around when possible, Turn around when possible, Turn a __________________

03-14-11, 12:04 PM	#19
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,373 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I am guilty of the north south failing too. We have two major highways that are used for reference. None of them are North/South or East/West, but they are referred to as being North/south... In my tiny brain, I have a visualization of my area and what I envision as the major north south road is actually a west and east road, but major portions go north and south. Only in Virginia can you be west of a east and west road. But then in North Virginia you can have an intersection of Lee Road and Lee Highway which is close to Old Lee road and Old Lee highway. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

03-14-11, 06:18 PM	#22
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,373 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	They make small simple GPS units designed especially for that purpose. They are small and fit in the pocket. Been thinking of getting one __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

03-15-11, 08:47 AM	#24
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Don't need a GPS to screw up, my wife once drove to Nottingham (about 90 miles away) for an exam, was running a bit late, parked her car, paid for a ticket and ran to the exam centre. An hour or so later she returned to the car park but couldn't find her car, frantic searching provided no results so she phoned the car park operators (NCP) to advise/help her. A man from the company drove to her location and asked to see her ticket to ascertain what floor/area of the car park she'd parked in. 'But this isn't a ticket for an NCP car park!' He kindly drove her to the correct car park where they found the car at once. Another time she'd parked at Sainsbury's supermarket, bought some stuff and went out to the car, but couldn't unlock the car!!! She phoned the RAC to come and get her sorted but while she was waiting she spotted the car in the next row! I swear, she is an intelligent woman, currently studying for her Masters, but like I say - there is a balance between education and common sense, not many people are blessed with both. __________________

03-14-11, 06:57 PM	#23
Geno_Mariner Weps Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 369 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I shall have to look at that, good to know there's at least something to be able to locate my car in a big and busy carpark

03-15-11, 04:11 PM	#30
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,561 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I always thought the Jitterbug was a dance __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!