Re: [LUG] Ornance Survey preventing Linux users from using Getamap

[Simon Avery <digdilem@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 30 October 2012 19:21, L Smith <lhs47crewe@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Its to do with surveying derelict canals and I need the os grid references to line up with satellite maps.

This is going to sound a bit long-winded, but...

A hobby of mine is geocaching. geocaching.com has a website that shows where the various caches are, overlaid on various maps. (Free registration, although many will be hidden for subscription users - the maps should work without paying)

What this doesn't include is the OS maps, only OSM, Google, Bing etc.

However - there is a greasemonkey script (For firefox or chrome) available called "Geocaching Map Enhancements" which DOES add the proper OS 25k maps to geocaching.com's maps. It's far, far faster and easier than OS's own web interface, just as easy to use as googlemaps, OSM etc. And yes, it includes the numbered grid lines.

Another occasional hobby of mine is editing Openstreetmaps (Usually after going on a geocaching walk and uploading my tracks - the OSM maps can find their way onto Garmin GPSs in time), and I use the above method to verify footpaths and locality names from the OS maps on my second monitor, combined with the satellite images overlay on the main screen. Actually, OSM's editing page does have some historical OSM mapping data available to overlay. Not the modern stuff, but interesting nevertheless, and could well include your canals in their heyday.

Geocaching also has a bunch of tools, including several apps, that will allow you to waymark using a gps. My Garmin Oregons will allow me to waymark, and locate myself, very easily using british (OS) 10 digit references - it's just a setting. If surveying on the ground, it would be trivial to waymark or make a track of the site and use any GPX software to manipulate.
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