[mkgmap-dev] Short mkgmap HowTo

Thu Nov 17 13:59:54 GMT 2011

Hi,

I'm new to this lists but with osm for quite some time.

I'd really like to contribute to improving the wiki pages about mkgmap
(being a user, not a developer - but that isn't necessarily all bad from my
point of view as long as the developers are willing to help with questions
users can't answer).

I think the new how-to page describing simple usage is a good idea. After
some thinking, it is probably a good idea as well to start using the
splitter right away rather than creating a very small map that does not
require to split the data. The latter would be even simpler but most people
likely would want to create larger maps.

Suggestions:

The main page (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mkgmap) seems a little
overcrowded and misleading ("The goal of the project is to take
OpenStreetMap data and put it on my Garmin Legend Cx"). I'd expect a
description here, maybe links to alternatives for those who are looking for
something else (prebuilt maps or a graphical interface). Also, it would
probably be easier to link to the download page
(http://www.mkgmap.org.uk/snapshots/) than trying to keep the version number
of the latest stable up to date. The link list seems a good idea, but I
would move it to be the last topic in the help section rather.

The options page (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mkgmap/help/usage -
should be renamed if possible?) does not need the paragraph on creating a
map anymore as the new how-to page covers that. Instead, all available
option should be explained. Charlie Ferrero has put together quite a lot of
information on his page which he might be willing to share (Charlie, you are
probably reading the list?). If we are not able to put together (and
maintain) something that is similarly detailed, I would rather link to his
page.

Then, the troubleshooting section might become a page of its own, also
explaining errors and warning messages. E.g. the message "area too small to
split" just left me scratching my head when it was thrown, and I'm still not
sure how to identify the objects that trigger it (or if I need to track this
down at all).

Ok, a question at last: any objections against these suggestions? I would
like to start contributing but would not want this to be perceived as
vandalism. 

Best regards,
g0ldfish

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