Installing user generated POIs to the RVND 7720 using Linux

The 7720 can be directly attached to a computer running Mint Maya, and I assume other distros. The memory shows up on the desktop as General Flash Disk Drive: 7.7 GB Filesystem.

When you load a cvs file directly into the 7720, it can go into /RM/ImportPOI and possibly /RM/ImportAlert. I have verified the first one. When you disconnect from the computer and start the 7720, it looks in /RM/ImportPOI to see if there are any files to import. If it finds one, it will ask you if you want to import it. If you do, it will do its best to import the data. All the data that is imported into its internal database is deleted from the csv file (I believe ).

If you stop the import in the middle of the process, those that have already been imported will be in the database, and those that have not will be remaining in the csv file.

If it processes all the lines in the file, then the csv file will be deleted.

Importantly, if there are any import errors, there will be a log file created in this directory showing what could not be imported. This gives good clues about what went wrong. You can see this file by connected the 7720 back up to the computer.

Just a minor point:

They are csv files not cvs.

It will be a possibly futile search on Google or Bing when seeking info. Also, doing a search on your computer for "*.cvs" (without quotes) will be fruitless. Won't find that file you just downloaded from Poi Factory.

Probably won't be recognized by the software having the wrong file extension either if you are manually entering the file name.

Been there, done that!

Or enter your own list. Tips for formatting your own list of POIs:
1. Files must be in .csv format.
2. You can enter locations by latitude/longitude (in decimal format),
address, or both.
3. Separate each piece of information with a comma.
Do not use spaces before or after commas.
4. Enter in order the latitude, longitude, location name, street address,
city, state, zip, and country. For example:
• Latitude/longitude and address:
42.059611,-87.761039,Rand McNally,9855 Woods
Dr,Skokie,IL,60077,USA
• Latitude/longitude only:
42.059611,-87.761039,Rand McNally
• Address only:
,,Rand McNally,9855 Woods Dr,Skokie,IL,60077,USA

I know it is csv, but my fingers want to type cvs. Maybe that is the name of a pharmacy? I will need to make sure I don't give any files I create the wrong extension. So far I have not.

Dave

Yes, CVS is a pharmacy chain - soon to be on every corner across from a Walgreens.

Be sure to read all the FAQs here about POI files.

Using a spreadsheet is the best way. If you don't want to shell out the big bucks for MS office, then check out Open Office at:

http://www.openoffice.org

It's compatabile with MS and FREE!

Also, check out some tips I wrote at:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30963

In my humble opinion, the easiest way to create a .csv file is to use Notepad or some other text editor to create a .txt file. Once you have the .txt file created, simply rename it or copy it to the .csv format. You can use the old DOS commands from a DOS window.
Here are examples:

cd c:/gps files/test files
rename "Restaurants & Bars.txt" "Restaurants & Bars.csv"
or
copy "restaurants & bars.txt" "Restaurants & Bars.csv"

The mere act of renaming or copying a file from .txt format to .csv format turns the file into a .csv spreadsheet file.

Notes:
Yes, I know that you can change a file extension by typing over it, but unprotecting the extension makes me nervous.
If the file name doesn't contain spaces, you don't need the quotes.
To capitalize any letters, use the quotes.

Phil

metricman, thanks for your links. Good info! I am already using OpenOffice, it is included by default in most Linux distros. But now it has split, and LibreOffice is what is included.

plunder, I understand what you are saying about the file types and extensions. I think what you wrote about renaming or copying the files must be Windows specific. I have never seen quotes used when copying files in Linux. I tried it, and to my surprise it did work, but is not needed.

Somebody ever had my problem.When I trie to download a poi file in my rand McNally rv7720 i always get a format error.It seems tht my GPS does'nt accept the periode in my longitude and latitude format.If I remove the period my file is accept and download to my GPS .But when i try to use the file ther is no information in the file

Thank for your help