Using http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocoder/

What I do is after converting the addresses using http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocoder/ using Yahoo I then use the create map function and check the locations on the map.
I copy all the converted locations to a text file and then re-check the addresses that appear to be incorrect on the map using http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocoder/ using google and create map again. If all appear to be OK I copy the new location to my text file.
Hope that helps.

The problem with GPS Visualizer, when using Yahoo as the source, is when it can't find the address it gives you [the coordinates of] the street; if it can't find the street, it gives you the city; and if it can't find the city, it gives you the state. If the addresses are entered individually it tells you the 'Result precision'; but when it's batch converted, the precision is unknown which can result in huge coordinate errors and multiple duplicates

RT.

I may be missing something. If you already have MapSource, why aren't you looking those addresses up within? Especially if it's 20 locations.

However, I am trying to learn how to import POIs so that some day I can contribute on here like so many others.

I understand how to use Mapsource and create WayPoints, I was just trying to strech my wings and learn more about POIs.

On the GPS Visualizer's geocoder page for "How to geocode more addresses with Google" and follow the directions. Once you've saved the HTML page as dierected and obtained your own API Key from Google, you can geocode away within the limits put in place by Google, instead of 8 at a time.

If people have a list of addresses, they can geocode the list in one fell swoop rather than looking them up individually in MapSource which is more time consuming.

MM,

I totally agree for a large list it would be time consuming to lookup individually and being able to process in 'one fell swoop' is convenient. However, as retiredtechnician stated earlier, batching has it's own drawbacks. And I think that's fine for one's own use, but accuracy is more important when you start sharing that information with others. Woudn't you agree? Personally, I prefer to download smaller set of POI that people put more effort on accuracy rather than volume.

I guess that's why I cross-reference each of my POIs with multiple sources until I'm comfortable so I won't run into surprises when I really need it...and also don't want to lead others that downloaded my data to nowhere. It took me a long time to generate the small list I've uploaded recently. I had a dozen or so I ended up calling the store for directions because I was getting different results from multiple sources. To me, it's not a competition of how many locations I upload, but a desire to share my data that people will feel comfortable counting on...but that's me. And I'm not implying in anyway that people do that. It's everyone's own choice and that's what makes this country so great.

Sorry, MM.

That was my professional side coming out. I architect and lead groups of developers for fortune 100 companies (and medical industry) for their enterprise solutions. And although volume is very important, data accuracy is paramount.

I tell my guys volumetric is useless if the data is bad...

Apology accepted.

My response to your initial posting was going to be that yes, I want the data to be accurate, but that I'm not going to be nearly that anal about it. This is supposed to be fun. We aren't programming the Space Shuttle after all.

Yes, I want the data that I provide to be accurate. Usually once I geocode a list, I load it into MapSource so I can visually verify that the point are, for the most part as best as I can tell, where I think they should be.

But the caveat that I always preach to people about using a GPSr for navigation, is to NEVER rely on a single source for navigation. Always have a backup. The SEALs have a saying that is "Two is one. One is none." And always verify where you are going.

And most importantly, don't turn off that thing between your ears.

All - Thanks for the all the help.....Now that I have stirred the pot....I think I will just entered the blasted data by hand in the Nuvi.....To be honest, it really seems to be a lot of trouble to go to for only 20 or so addresses.

MM - your comment about using grey matter is right on track.....never rely 100% on that little box on your window or dash.

Make it a great day!

Sometimes 'bad data is worse than no data at all', especially in the case of an emergency.

If I'm in an unfamiliar area (quite often when RVing), no phone book, no cell phone, and need to get to a hospital fast, what am I going to do ..... grab the best thing I have going (my GPS) and take off like a bat out of h-ll. Unless I previously checked every location in the POI file, I'm going to have to wing it (I sure don't have time to check them now).

If the author batch coded using 'GPS Visualizer' with Yahoo as the source and it couldn't find the address, guess where we'll end up .... possibly in the middle of the town nowhere near the hospital. As 'theTraveler' said, sometines "data accuracy is paramount". I'd be 'pleased as punch' if I knew he was the author of a Hospital POI when I need it.

RT

Thanks for the compliment. That means a lot coming from you.