Locus Map - forum

Support => Troubles & Questions => Topic started by: svartbjorn on April 15, 2011, 13:13:34

Title: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: svartbjorn on April 15, 2011, 13:13:34
I understand Menion was forced by the map source providers to remove certain map sources from Locus, and that this is the reason behind the new release 1.5.2.
==>  But this is a disaster for Locus! What is left of map sources? Nothing - only OSM!

Is this going to be the future too? Aren't there any solutions to this? This is really, bad, bad news.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 15, 2011, 13:22:14
I know, but I don't think this is end to Locus, at least I hope this is not the end.

OSM are pretty good for normal usage. Also there is chance to add own maps sources to Locus. And finally, there is chance to contact map provider to allow displaying their maps in Locus (it's up to users).
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: regisstg on April 15, 2011, 14:10:48
It should have been stated in the 1.5.2 update. I would never have updated.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: regisstg on April 15, 2011, 14:20:04
OSM does not even have secondary roads (at least in Canada, province of Quebec)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: coolaun on April 15, 2011, 16:21:10
I found locus free 1.5.1 here: http://handheld.softpedia.com/progDownl ... 12633.html (http://handheld.softpedia.com/progDownload/Locus-Download-112633.html)

Now I have both the pro and the free version on my phone. I'll keep the pro version upgraded, but leave the free one at 1.5.1 so I can still download the maps.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 15, 2011, 16:31:02
nice, keeping older free version is very recommended solution ;)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 15, 2011, 16:56:21
This is really a pitty! :evil:

I've over 1GB of map data on my phone but now I can't use it together with Locus.

This is more than disappointing and user should have be informed before installing the update.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 15, 2011, 17:02:48
but it's written twice in description on market. On info in main text and one in update text!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 15, 2011, 17:14:14
Quote from: "menion"but it's written twice in description on market. On info in main text and one in update text!

Ok, but what about such idiots like me which have enabled automatic update??? :(
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Betonar on April 15, 2011, 20:15:12
Offline maps works like charm....
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: dzid_ on April 15, 2011, 21:54:36
Can we make some sort of underground repository of map sources. It would be the best if Locus has capability to add custom map sources in some file format. Officially it would be a feature for those who, let's say, has at home own server with maps but in practice we know..   ;-)  
The responsibility of downloading maps will be lying on users not developers.

It would be like making printscreens of maps and saving them with MS Paint. Paint itself doesn't violate any terms of use, right.    :)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: coolaun on April 16, 2011, 09:49:53
Quote from: "femto"
Quote from: "menion"but it's written twice in description on market. On info in main text and one in update text!

Ok, but what about such idiots like me which have enabled automatic update??? :(

If you're using the free version, just uninstall it and grab version 1.5.1 from here:
http://handheld.softpedia.com/progDownl ... 12633.html (http://handheld.softpedia.com/progDownload/Locus-Download-112633.html)

If you're using the pro version, keep it with the upgrade but also download Locus Free from the above link. You can keep both Free and Pro on your phone, and Pro will read the maps you download using Free.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 17, 2011, 07:09:03
isn't here anyone experienced with law? I need to know what I can do as legal and what I can't.

For example, when I add on bottom of online map screen button "+", after click I show list of online maps and user then can click on map and add it to list. Before adding I'll just show terms of use of selected map providers and thats all. Is this wrong and also illegal? I'm lost in all this stuff. I'm just thinking how to make it easier to users add own maps. Actual method isn't much easy for basic users ...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: jusc on April 17, 2011, 17:30:34
The problem is the download or offline mode.
Everybody can use a "browser" to look at google, bing, outdooractive, osm and so on, will say using the online mode.
But if you begin to download or store a bigger aerea, that is even with Openstreetmap "not allowed", because of their server policies.
The problem is that, while downloading, tiles especially in higher zoom levels, must be rendered on the fly, because OSM is changing every day and there is no periodic tile store locating all wanted zoom levels at this moment. That means, that the Openstreetmap server are using al  lot of CPU time for rendering while user are downloading.

For example
a.
you find out for your bicycle roundtrip of 30 km within an area of 15 x 20 km, the zoom levels 12, 13, 14 (mobac) are best for your usage. So you use up to 300 tiles in online mode (worst case) while cycling, let us say in two hours.
b.
If you plan to make a tour and you are not sure what you really want, you may think offline mode is the better way for usage later on. Now you choose perhaps an area of 50 x 50 km with the zoom levels of 12 -16... You never know if these higher zoom levels could be necessary. You have to download??????  Up to 40.000 tiles  :shock:  only for your own but most without any usage . And what happens, if 10 users do it at the same time?
==> Openstreetmap is going to block massive downloads. (in mobac too)

Other maps like google are not allowed to copy. Maybe that means even to store, but in this point I´m not sure.

In my eyes, online mode is the same as sitting in front of a PC and should be allowed. For offline mode, we have to find a solution, perhaps dowload small areas and share them?

J.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 17, 2011, 17:48:00
Hi jusc,

AFAIK, OpenStreetMap does cache the tiles on their map server. I've done some additions to the map and to see them immediately I had to send a special command to the map server to get my changes rendered.

IMHO, sharing will also be not allowed.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 17, 2011, 18:24:19
I also agree. Osm maps are cached, but are regenerated once a time I think (maybe once per 7 days?) ..

Terms of use for google maps say: Use our maps. They are free for you, but you can use them only through our API on website. There is no chance to use them outside web site. I wrote question on google here (//http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/maps/thread?tid=3b33b87e2fc2bc3c&hl=en&fid=3b33b87e2fc2bc3c0004a10d5328371f) so anyone can refresh my question to give it more priority. Also downloading of OSM maps is allowed but only two threads at one time, no more. Also reduction of mass download is suggested.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 17, 2011, 20:16:39
Hey Folks,

forget about all the worries. Upgrade to 1.5.2 and read this: http://bit.ly/ffiDRm (http://bit.ly/ffiDRm)

Cheers, berkley
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: marlar on April 17, 2011, 20:49:47
Berkley, it works as a charm :-)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 17, 2011, 21:08:46
I know :P

Please push the thread on XDA. Please put it on the comments on the markets. Please spread the good news to the rest of the world. Please support Menion.
It's up to users like you and me to let Locus live. Comparable apps don't care about the violation of terms of usage from map providers. I really don't wanna know why. Menion's reaction is comprehensible. I understand it!
But we all have to count with negative comments on markets. This means less users are going to install (or buy) Locus. This means less income for Menion. And this means less improvements on Locus. And I really don't have to explain what that means...
 :ugeek:
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: royrose on April 18, 2011, 05:20:23
Berkely,

Thanks so much. Your method works great. Like you, I love this app. I tried a bunch of others and none worked as well for me as Locus does.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: marlar on April 18, 2011, 11:14:07
Berkley, maybe it is even possible to make a simple App that does the same? Maybe not all users are confident with managing files on Android.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: dzid_ on April 18, 2011, 11:19:50
Yeah - Locus Unlocker
:)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 18, 2011, 11:31:57
Hi berkeley,

thanks a lot for the fine file!

I'll owe you a beer or two! ;)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 18, 2011, 21:05:19
I'm definatly coming back to the beers sometime :D

I know it would be a nice thing, if there was an app that makes the copy and paste. But every developer who makes this app, would get affected by the same problem why Menion removed the online maps...

And for everybody who says thanks to me... I'm gratefully doing this job. That's just a minimum of thankfulness. This app is nothing than great and i'm really interested what features are coming next.
So... don't say thanks to me! Say thanks to Menion!!!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 18, 2011, 21:18:52
too much thanks on one person so stop with this :). I'm not wondering that many apps on market use illegal map content. Without distributing payed locus, this should work also for a while. I'm just wondering that there are some apps that are PAYED and use illegal content as well, like maverick and some others. Hmm nevermind. Enjoy map adding and Locus itself. I have still some plans with it and still taste to work on improvements so stay tuned. And Berkley ... you have my biggest thanks for your invested time in days where you have almost no free time. Good luck on field! ;)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 18, 2011, 21:29:33
OK now... everybody said thanks to each other. :P
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: tipichris on April 18, 2011, 21:35:54
Hi Berkley

Any clues how to add the maps that aren't in your providers.xml file? The one I really used a lot is missing, and their URLs don't use {x} and {y}, but some other thing I mentioned at viewtopic.php?f=21&t=45#p2458 (http://forum.asamm.cz/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=45#p2458)
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 19, 2011, 10:40:35
improved version is supported now, also for quadkeys. I can create also some support for another types if anyone wants and give me some specification ...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: 2012 on April 20, 2011, 14:54:33
Anyone with interest in and reverse-engineering skills to produce the XML lines for Eniro maps?
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 22, 2011, 14:11:29
eniro maps are pretty simple for 1.6.0 Locus version ;)

anyway I'm goding to be little angry. I wrote to around ten of map providers (some of them twice) and only one response (which? surprise for later). Grr .. I also wrote to Sygic developers to allow global call and starting navigation on defined coordinates (from Locus for example ;) ) and also no response. Are all guys on support mails sleeping or what? Hard work ...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: jusc on April 22, 2011, 16:13:01
Hi Menion,
head up, why thinking about this? The "providers.xml solution" is a good one. Users can implemet and use it at their own risk. And if you get no answer, maybe it´s allowed....
In Germany there is a saying "Who asks a lot, gets a lot of answers"  ;)

J.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 23, 2011, 00:48:58
https://market.android.com/details?id=c ... usmaptweak (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mjk.locusmaptweak) :P
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 23, 2011, 06:42:10
you're really crazy :D

edit: few suggestions

1. may the name be similar to addons? like Locus - addon Map Tweak?
2. you're missing icon in application list. you have to place this icon at least into res/drawable and define it in manifest (maybe you have already there some icon.png so just replace it)
3. when I deleted custom directory, your tweaker cannot find locus. You have to count that many people will not have this custom directory created!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Betonar on April 23, 2011, 06:52:49
It say: You don't have Locus. Please get it from the market and return here leter.
I don't need it, I have maps I need downloaded....
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 23, 2011, 07:46:30
@menion i know, thanks for tips. fixed. ;)

@betonar try new version please...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Betonar on April 23, 2011, 08:02:10
Same
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: LosBrinkos on April 23, 2011, 15:40:08
Maybe it is time to forget closed map sources such as Google etc.
Lets turn to Openstreetmap (OSM).
It is true that in some areas of the world OSM has not the coverage as google has, but you can change that yourself!
Checkout: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Editing (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Editing)  and update Openstreetmap in your area and we don't need Google anymore!
Menion keep on the good work!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: marlar on April 23, 2011, 17:45:53
Actually, where I was on vacation in Turkey OSM had a lot better coverage than Google! So I solely used OSM.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 23, 2011, 18:16:40
@berkley: How do you determine the path to the maps directory?

On my SGS it's totally wrong, the error box says "/mnt/sdcard/ecternal_sd", but it should be "/mnt/sdcard/external_sd". To make it even more worse, I can see a new directory on my SD card called "/mnt/sdcard/external_se".
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 23, 2011, 20:51:35
@femto: OMG... have to check spelling mistakes :P I guess you can delete "SE" directory... This happens when you work late at night... sorry!

@Betonar: What phone do you have? And can you tell me the Locus location? something like "/mnt/sdcard/Locus". For example where your exported tracks are saved...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Betonar on April 23, 2011, 21:01:52
I don't have any experience with Linux but Astro (//https://market.android.com/details?id=com.metago.astro&feature=search_result) shows /sdcard/Locus
GT540 Opt.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 23, 2011, 22:47:11
Betonar, please try version 1.1.5 from market...

I really can't believe, this doesn't work for you...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Betonar on April 23, 2011, 23:06:33
Works!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 23, 2011, 23:12:04
do you have email notification activated on that thread? :D
you're reacting extrem fast!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Betonar on April 23, 2011, 23:22:03
Always;-)
Title: Re: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 24, 2011, 07:53:49
Quote from: "berkley"@femto: OMG... have to check spelling mistakes :P I guess you can delete "SE" directory... This happens when you work late at night... sorry!

Not a problem!

BUT, the directory is still wrong, even in version 1.1.5 the last characters are "..._se" while it should be "..._sd".
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: femto on April 24, 2011, 17:21:36
Ok, the newest version 1.1.6 seems to work correct now.
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: berkley on April 24, 2011, 19:51:52
glad to hear ;)

thanks for your patience!
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: golgot on April 26, 2011, 15:06:05
Hey guy,

Why not creating a unoffical "LOCUS - ADDON, add other maps" available on the market?

I'd like to do that, but unfortunately, I'm not a developper (even if I used to do some php when I was young)...

Of course this will not be a menion official addon, but something which may help every people to use old good online maps.

What do you think of that?
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: Menion on April 26, 2011, 15:11:27
do you updated locus? did you tried search for addons in new addon dialog? if not click on top left button, press addons and then search ... maybe you'll find answer ...
Title: Re: Map sources removed from Locus - a disaster!
Post by: golgot on April 26, 2011, 15:35:19
:) :oops: