Complete CostCo Listing

There is a program available, Extra POI Editor (EPE), that can read your file with the addresses and determine the GPS coordinates. The program can then output the data into either (or both) a CSV or GPX file to be loaded into a GPS allowing drivers to find the stores.

EPE can be downloaded from http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/. Be certain to grab Version 4.88 which has the all the needed files for PC (not MAC) This version will do all you need. The later versions have some enhancements you don't need for what you are trying to do. They also don't have the needed libraries that have to be installed for the program to run.

Of course, you could also try the Costco file we have here. http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31224

The existing POI file is being actively maintained so instead of creating another one it would be better to contact the maintainer of the existing file (donaldb530) and see if they can use the information to update their copy.

If you run into problems with the program, use the installer (see the troubleshooting section on the site). If the installer gives you problem, just click "Ignore" errors and let it run. It will work correctly after the install is complete.

It would be very useful if there was a "compare" program which could take two gpx or csv files & identify which locations were different or ones which were in one file but not the other. This would help determine whether updating the old file was the best way to go or adopting the new file.

Fred

I put together something like that in Microsoft Access a while back. It wasn't difficult to code, although the number of rows in the distance table can get quite large. For example, if you have 400 POIs in one file and 500 POIs in the other you'll have 400 * 500 = 200,000 rows in the distance table.

One surprise was the number of POIs that looked like possible duplicates based on distance, but really weren't. I ran it on a McDonalds POI file (comparing it to itself) and found lots of cases where there was a stand-alone McDonalds and a Walmart location almost side-by-side.

I believe Excel has this feature.

The OP has a complete list of stores including addresses. The Costco POI file also includes addresses. So do a simple compare in excel and you will find any stores missing from the existing POI file.

It appears there are two sets of Costco files.

One was submitted by DonaldB530 on 11/20/2010, last updated on 6/25/2011:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31224

The second set was submitted by Perrdom on 1/23/2008, last updated on 2/28/2010:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/9856 (CSV)
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/15095 (GPX)

Does anyone know why the DonaldB version was created?

Is the Perrdom no longer maintained?

Is there a CSV version of the DonaldB file?

Things get confusing when there are multiple versions of the same POI. It creates a problem on which one to use.

Thanks for any input.

Looks like donaldb530 needs to check, and integrate Dom's files. Dom's are better.

Dom's wife passed quite a while back, and he needed to take leave from here. We haven't heard from him in a while.

Anyone heard from him?

Curious. Why are Dom's better if donaldb530's are more up to date?

Also, it sure would be nice if we could get rid of all the odd files and duplicates that do not work anymore. Any suggestions? because I tried that with Miss Poi way back when we had issues with poi loader.

I tried to contact DOM before I started my file. I started with his (396 entries) and kept updating (506 entries). No there is not a recent csv file available.

Juggernaut and DonaldB530:

Thanks for the history and background. It is now clear to me that the DonaldB530 file is the one to use. It is a current and more complete version of what the Perrdom fle used to be. I did a quick comparision of my primary Costco and found some of the data in now unmaintained Perrdom file to be incorrect.

DonaldB530: It would be helpful if there is some way you could add a comment to the Download page for your copy of the Costco file that documents the background and history of the file. That way people will know it is the one to use.

Thanks everyone for all of your quick replies.

I believe if you upload a complete new file then the "last updated" will reflect the new date. Otherwise if you make site changes only to the file then there is no "last updated". A lot of us are putting the changes and date in a "change history".

Fantastic. Thanks. Australia too?