maintaining existing POI files

Thanks for asking. I'm relatively new here myself and I'm not 100% clear on the best way to go. I look forward to the comments from the more experienced members.

One thing I do know is that the OV2 file is currently generated "on the fly" from the CSV, so if the CSV file is updated then the next OV2 download will get the latest data.

Some maintainers, I'm sure, do use the add / edit functions on the webpage, but I haven't. When I upload an updated csv or gpx file, the file is also still on my PC. That's the one I use to update and just upload it when I make updates.

There is no right or wrong way, it all depends which method you find easier to use.

Hi synctronic, it may be easiest for you to keep a copy of the csv file saved onto your desktop, and then make any additional changes to your POI as needed and then upload the new file each time.

The reason I always upload a new file instead of using the Maintainer Tools you mentioned is that it makes it easier for me to maintain and check for updates for my POIs.

For example, take the Whole Foods Market POI. I am able to sort my csv (using Excel) to the same order I can see on their website http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/all/ When checking for updates I simply compare both lists side by side and look for any changes to either the website or my POI.

If you use the Maintainer Tools you can enter the information rather easily, however it will place the newest changes at the end of the POI and not in the same order as the website listing. Over time your lists will be out of sync and make it a bit more difficult to compare the lists.

If you use the maintainer tools then the "last updated" date at the very top will not be current. Most people using the files look for that versus looking furthur down the page in the notes that a lot of us use. And as stated, the file is out of order. Some of us try to maintain a file in state order.

Downloading to the computer, making corrections, and then a full upload changes that date.

I was wondering why the date at the top would sometimes not reflect the latest changes. Thanks for the clarification!

I have started using the add a location tab when I need to add one location. I have found this easier (faster) for download and upload. It has always changed the date for me. Maybe the date doesn't change if you only do an edit? I will try and notice next time.

The search feature is also nice if I need to make one correction. I can find a location instantly. When a file has several hundred rows it can be a chore to find a particular location in excel or notepad.

Daniel

I use .csv format exclusively for my POI files so the first thing I do preparing to upload a file to my GPS is to sort column A (longitude)in Microsoft Works and save in .csv format.
This makes it easy to find in Notepad to make corrections and/or add or delete locations.

For the file I maintain, which is updated approx. monthly, I sometimes have 15-30 changes to make and I find Notepad easy to modify and save.

I then run POI Verifier II (I am fortunate to own the application)to make sure I did things right as far as format.

Then I chose edit to upload the "revised" file to POI Factory. This automatically changes the "last change date"

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm going to download the csv file from POI factory and keep in a "maintainer file" and then make changes to that and re-upload. I think thats the best way.

I prefer the GPX files, as the CSV 4th field gets quite corrupted from one maintainer to another. EPE can save as a 4 column CSV for other GPS devices, but I thing Garmin has a winner with their GPX format. Everything important is in a specific field and there is a freeform description field for other information.

EPE can sort in many orders, though I prefer alpha name order, so I can direcly access a POI name by typing the first letter to get to the general location in the file quickly.

The files I "maintain" are places that don't change. I'm VERY grateful... maintainance is non-existant.

I have an area on my server (RAID array. Lost stuff too many times now ) in a "POI source" folder. All the POIs that I use are in there. The ones that I maintain have a "(master)" label in their folder name. When I run POI Loader, it's only one area that I need to hit.

I'm new to the site and recently updated a file that I am maintaining now (Tractor Supply stores). It is saying there are 5 "unusuable" records in the file, record numbers that would be at the very end (after the last record actually). I opened the file in both Notepad and Excel and see no evidence of this. Anyone have ideas what the problem could be? I've looked at the locations ABOVE the lines it says and they all look good. Thanks.

In Notepad, check for blank (empty) lines at the end of the file.

There was one extra carriage return at the end of the file. Didn't think that would cause 5 unusable records but it did.