Anybody else have similar trials and tribulations creating a POI file?

13 weeks ago when I joined POI-Factory, I thought, this is a great place and there are knowledgeable folks here willing to help and I still think that’s true.

An idea came to me after reading a post by Miss POI about Metro Projects [and it didn’t zoom away, like so many do these days. ]. I thought that maybe some folks would appreciate a POI file of Williamsburg. Lots of tourists visit the area and there are lots of newbie’s that have moved here that could maybe use some help. I sent her an email and got a reply back saying that she thought that it was a good idea. I thought that I could get one together very shortly. Little did I know that one could put so much time and effort into a POI file.

I started out thinking I could just drive around, save locations into my Garmin and then download. Ha, Ha, ha!

First problem: Garmin wanted to store addresses when storing in “Favorites”. That would be OK except that the address is wrong more often than it is right. Shopping centers are a nightmare for addresses, because they are not near the road. And trying to sort those out could lead to errors.

Second problem: Takes too long to enter location name via Garmin keypad. Writing names is a hassle too. Plus, you are way too conspicuous (read suspicious) in front of a business doing either.

So, a few days of spending way too much time and way too many errors, I saw an ad for a “Digital Recorder”. Did some research and decided “This is what I need”. Bought one and discovered that it was just what I needed. Can't tell you how handy it is and it stores "up" to 221 hrs in LP mode with no tapes to buy.

Now I could just drive or walk right up to the front of a location, look at the GPS screen and hit record. Then read the l/l out loud, speak the location name, speak the address, hit the Stop button and be off to the next site. The recorder is sensitive and it can be held down out of sight and still make a good voice recording – provided there isn’t too much background noise.

So, even though it may take longer and mistakes can be made much easier (misread l/l or fat finger l/l) it still can be very accurate and very fast.

Now I know some of you are thinking “Why didn’t he use Google Earth?” Well, if you use Google Earth there are 3 problems: Poor resolution, incorrect addresses and the photos of Williamsburg were taken during the summer and there are 80 ft. trees everywhere obscuring the small houses. Just too much guessing to do. Oh yeah, can’t see the front doors on Google Earth - no 3D of most of the streets in the restored area, because they are closed to vehicles 8 AM to 10 PM.

Why the accuracy? Many of the restored buildings are residences and it is amazing how many people miss the signs that say “Private residence. Not open to the public” right on the front door and walk right in if the door just happened to be unlocked. So, with no numbers on the house (each house does have a plaque with the builders or owners name and the date of the house) I wanted to put the “walkers” as close as I could to the front door and not have to look around for the right house (or restroom).

There will be more POI's to come of the other attractions and the businesses in the Williamsburg VA area.

Anyway, I like it here at the POI-Factory and I hope that some of you got something out of this post.

Miss POI – if this needs moving, go for it. If it’s too long, please say so.