has been around for some time. It was established to prevent Google, Microsoft et al from dominating the use of internet mapping. Maps created under OSM are, essentially, free for anyone to use for pretty much any application.
This bloke:
http://www.getlost.com.au/
has done a brilliant job of producing a set of 50k:1 and 25k:1 topographic maps from the OSM base covering all of Victoria which he has made freely available to all. Follow the links on the above website if you wish to download any or all of them.
Of course it is just a little more complex than that.
First of all the downloads are *BIG*! All the 25k maps = 7.7GB (that's *giga* bytes) All the 50k maps = 2.9GB
You may download individual maps and that is much more manageable each map being 4MB or so.
Second: if you find computer and software operation difficult and complex then these maps are not for you.
Next you will need some software in order to view the maps. They come in two formats, one is suitable for "Avenza Maps" software (Android and Apple) of which I know nothing, you're on your own there. The second format is "OZF4" which is suitable for Ozi Explorer software:
http://www.oziexplorer3.com/
Ideally you will run both OziExplorer for PC and Android and the maps will service both devices.
These maps are impressive! I checked a remote very off-road location I know well in Gippsland where there is a short track not shown on most maps - sadly it is shown on both versions of these maps! Also, the 25k maps are not simply an enlarged version of the 50k, they hold data which is not shown on the 50k, I have found road names for example and there may well be other stuff.
If you use these maps please make a donation to the GetLost website, I suggest $10 per map set. The guy did a huge amount of work to provide these maps in their format and he has to support a website and associated bandwidth. In times past I use to pay $10 for a single paper sheet of Victorian 25k:1 mapping. You're getting hundreds of them for nothing.
Also, please consider contributing data to the Open Street Map project.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
This looks to be a most useful site having played around on it for just 10 minutes with some obscure place names we have been and it is just 2 - 3 seconds to come up with the map spot.
Excellent - thankyou. will now look to make a donation to his fantastic work.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
I have down loaded the 1:50,000s from GetLost and sent my $10.
Will get the 1:25,000 when I have enough data.
Already had most of SA at 1:100,000 plus the Kimberley at 1:50,000. Would love to get hold of the rest of Oz :)
Cheers,
Peter
It appears that I am as dopey and dumb as most consider me to be.
You say - "........a brilliant job of producing a set of 50k:1 and 25k:1 topographic maps from the OSM base covering all of Victoria which he has made freely available to all. Follow the links on the above website if you wish to download any or all of them. Of course it is just a little more complex than that."
I have been to the site, created 'an account' but I cannot find any links to view or download any maps. I can only see the 'search box' where one types in a location and it takes me to that place on the map provided on the home page. It doesn't take me to any downloadable 25:1 topographical map.
I even typed in the name of 25:1 topographical maps I already have just to see how much detail they provide ... but it just told me "no results".
How does one as dopey as me find where the actual 50:1 and 25:1 maps are.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Having had more time to study them I am impressed at how comprehensive these maps are although I note they do lack some aquatic features which are shown on the Vic "Fire Maps" - but, then, so does the Vic map base. Overall an excellent map set.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
has been around for some time. It was established to prevent Google, Microsoft et al from dominating the use of internet mapping. Maps created under OSM are, essentially, free for anyone to use for pretty much any application.
I like that one. I am considering using it instead of Google Maps for my planning.
I'm all for using alternative programmes to reduce the dominance of the big players. I commenced using OpenOfficeOrg when it became available and went to LibreOffice when owners of OOo threatened to cease support. In the same vein, I now have been using DuckDuckGo for my web searching instead of Google for most of this year. I find I am not being bombarded by advertising and sites that Google "thinks that I need."
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I sent a copy to a friend who stitched all the sheets together into a single mosaic using www.oziexplorer3.com/mapmerge/mapmerge.html
8 hours of processing, about 3.2Gb.
Brilliant.
Will try the same with the 1:25,000s when we get them.
Cheers,
Peter