6 ms·

Rose-tinted nostalgia surely? OS map styling is beautiful, but folding maps is the work of devils. You must remember trying to pin sections down so you could

by JNRowe 5y ago

Rose-tinted nostalgia surely? OS map styling is beautiful, but folding maps is the work of devils. You must remember trying to pin sections down so you could see across the paper splits caused by the pure evilness that is folding. It is possible my rage might also be caused by growing up on the point of a four-way boundary in Explorer and Landranger format. More seriously though, do they no longer teach at least basic navigation skills in school? It still feels, to me, like it is an essential life skill. If only for being able to assess the validity of your phone's answers in the most general case.

etothepii 5y ago
Are you from Stalybridge?
onionisafruit 5y ago
The first day of class in Texas History in my school was devoted to learning how to fold a map (hello fellow Mr Buttrey students). It was a good time investment.
ghaff 5y ago
OS has a really nice app I’ve used for long distance walking trips. I still carry hard copy maps because I’m like that but I mostly don’t use them except to get a broader view.
throwaway8689 5y ago
OS have a variety of products including maps supplied rolled in a tube to avoid folding. I think the 1:10000 scale has the names of individual fields on farms.
pm215 5y ago
If you want to walk, as opposed to just get somewhere in a car, I have yet to find anything better than an OS map. Google Maps is hopeless for footpaths; OpenStreetMaps is a bit better but it depends a lot on whether somebody enthusiastic has put in the data for the area you're in. The OS map is always reliably comprehensive. Plus these days if you buy a paper map it includes a code so you can also download the digital version to a mobile app (or you can get an annual subscription to get access to the whole lot, but for me I find that uneconomical.)
- stefanu 5y ago
  In Czechia and Slovakia we have mapy.cz which gives you more detailed map for walking/hiking, including contour lines. See [^1] for example. The coloured trails you can see at more detailed zoom levels, are part of the hiking trail system. The outdoor signage even has a national technical norm [^2] (in Slovak, but has some terminology translated int to English and German). [1] https://en.mapy.cz/turisticka?x=19.8702765&y=48.7675046&z=14 https://en.mapy.cz/turisticka?x=19.8702765&y=48.7675046&z=14 [2] http://www.jazdecka-turistika.sk/images/stories/dokumenty/KTS_norma_STN_01_8025.pdf http://www.jazdecka-turistika.sk/images/stories/dokumenty/KT...
  - miniscapes 5y ago
    I must concur, I have used mapy.cz for hiking across the Europe with great success. Even on Iceland.
  - topdancing 5y ago
    This is just OpenStreetMap with another frontend on top, you can see this by going to the area[1] and going to the right, selecting layers and looking at the CyclOSM one. Also, a bit lame that on mapy.cz, you have to click on the "and others" to actually see the OpenStreetMap credit. [1]: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/48.75343/19.87948 https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/48.75343/19.87948
    - inglor_cz 5y ago
      Mapy.cz has a lot of other layers, try them out. Including historical and photo maps. This is the full list of holders of copyrights: Základní, Turistická, Zimní a další níže neuvedené mapy: „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” „© AOPK ČR – ochrana přírody a krajiny” „© Slovenská agentúra živ. prostredia” – digitální model terénu SR „© Národné lesnické centrum SR” – lesní a polní cesty SR „© Přispěvatelé OpenStreetMap” Letecká mapa (ortofotomapa): „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” (zoom 9-20 jen v ČR) „© TopGis, s.r.o.” (zoom 9-20 jen v ČR) „© EUROSENSE s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© GEODIS Slovakia s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© www.basemap.at” (zoom 9-19 jen Rakousko) „© NASA Earth Observatory” (zoom 2-8) „© Sentinel-2 cloudless - https://s2maps.eu by EOX IT Services GmbH (Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2016 & 2017” (zoom 8-13 jen Evropa mimo ČR, SR) „© Microsoft Corporation” (zoom 14-19 jen mimo ČR a SR) Archivní Letecká mapa '15, '12, '06 a '03: „© GEODIS BRNO, s.r.o.” (zoom 9-20 jen v ČR) „© EUROSENSE s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© GEODIS Slovakia s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© NASA Earth Observatory” (zoom 2-7) „© Sentinel-2 cloudless - https://s2maps.eu by EOX IT Services GmbH (Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2016 & 2017” (zoom 8-13 jen mimo ČR a SR) Historická mapa (z 19. století): „© 2nd Military Survey, Austrian State Archive” „© Datový podklad MŽP ČR” „© Laboratoř geoinformatiky UJEP” Panorama: „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” „© GIS - Stavinvex, a.s.” „© TopGis, s.r.o.” „© GEODIS BRNO, s.r.o.” 3D mapa: „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” „© Melown Maps™” „© TopGis, s.r.o.“ „© GEODIS BRNO, s.r.o.” „© www.basemap.at” (zoom 9-19 jen Rakousko) „© NASA Earth Observatory” (zoom 2-8) „© Sentinel-2 cloudless - https://s2maps.eu by EOX IT Services GmbH (Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2016 & 2017” (zoom 8-13 jen Evropa mimo ČR, SR) „© Microsoft Corporation“ (zoom 14-19 jen mimo ČR a SR)” “©2005-16 Jonathan de Ferranti” “© Přispěvatelé OpenStreetMap”
jack_riminton 5y ago
The new laminated maps they sell are a great help in this regard. And whilst they obviously add some bulk, the added waterproofness is a great boon Beats my days in the army when we had to laminate each map by hand. They were a nightmare to fold after that
- aembleton 5y ago
  I don't understand why they don't just print them on plastic like Harveys do. It is so much more useable and durable.
laumars 5y ago
> OS map styling is beautiful, but folding maps is the work of devils. I don’t miss folding paper maps but my comment was about the mapping data not the physical medium. Thankfully you can now have OS maps electronically. Best of both worlds. Though at least paper maps have their unique quality that they still retain their data even after your batteries go flat ;) I joke but actually that can be be invaluable if you’re camping and hiking over multi-days. Also useful if you end up anywhere with low mobile phone coverage. > More seriously though, do they no longer teach at least basic navigation skills in school? It still feels, to me, like it is an essential life skill. If only for being able to assess the validity of your phone's answers in the most general case. Good question. I assumed they wouldn’t because the curriculum is pretty jam packed. But after after asking your question to teacher friend, it seems they still do teach map reading.
- JNRowe 5y ago
  In all honesty, I'd mostly prefer a paper OS map to all alternatives all other things being equal(weather/space/etc). My comment was largely from a place of love, it is the only reason I've used enough to be annoyed about the splitting or needing to carry an armful for an afternoon cycle ride. This thread did teach me that there are a few more usable print options for sale on the OS website too, which is great. > it seems they still do teach map reading. That pleases me. I'm strongly of the opinion we should be teaching to the available tools(phone maps/calculators/etc), but with enough preliminary knowledge to understand implications and judge validity.
ourlordcaffeine 5y ago
They don't (in the UK). And every year people die after they decide to go trekking with only a phone and gmaps, and it runs out of power and they get lost.
gumby 5y ago
OS map styling is beautiful, but folding maps is the work of devils. As a long distance through hiker I find paper maps invaluable. They are lighter than a gps and don’t require batteries. They provide a greater perspective than you can experience through a screen — very important when plotting a route (trail info tends to be quite out or date here in the US). I always carry paper maps.
- JNRowe 5y ago
  To reach for a lowbrow Twister quote "Look, all I'm saying is don't fold the maps." Are the paper maps you use available flat or tubed? I've learnt from this thread that Ordnance Survey produce a surprising number of formats beyond the common pre-folded maps, even including custom runs¹ that also fix my trapped-on-a-map-boundary complaint. Peering through the window of my local outdoor supplies shop this afternoon showed only a rack of the folded ones sadly. ¹ https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/ https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/
  - gumby 5y ago
    I do fold because I typically only have so much room in my pack. I am pathetically type a and have multiple maps which I try to fold differently so that I can try to take a good one for a given trip (doesn’t really work on long through hikes. The USGS has stopped printing maps so the choice these days is commercial ones or downloading and printing at home (which eliminates both the size advantage and the high resolution of offset printing).

by JNRowe 5y ago

etothepii 5y ago

Are you from Stalybridge?

onionisafruit 5y ago

The first day of class in Texas History in my school was devoted to learning how to fold a map (hello fellow Mr Buttrey students). It was a good time investment.

ghaff 5y ago

OS has a really nice app I’ve used for long distance walking trips. I still carry hard copy maps because I’m like that but I mostly don’t use them except to get a broader view.

throwaway8689 5y ago

OS have a variety of products including maps supplied rolled in a tube to avoid folding. I think the 1:10000 scale has the names of individual fields on farms.

pm215 5y ago

If you want to walk, as opposed to just get somewhere in a car, I have yet to find anything better than an OS map. Google Maps is hopeless for footpaths; OpenStreetMaps is a bit better but it depends a lot on whether somebody enthusiastic has put in the data for the area you're in. The OS map is always reliably comprehensive. Plus these days if you buy a paper map it includes a code so you can also download the digital version to a mobile app (or you can get an annual subscription to get access to the whole lot, but for me I find that uneconomical.)

stefanu 5y ago
In Czechia and Slovakia we have mapy.cz which gives you more detailed map for walking/hiking, including contour lines. See [^1] for example. The coloured trails you can see at more detailed zoom levels, are part of the hiking trail system. The outdoor signage even has a national technical norm [^2] (in Slovak, but has some terminology translated int to English and German). [1] https://en.mapy.cz/turisticka?x=19.8702765&y=48.7675046&z=14 https://en.mapy.cz/turisticka?x=19.8702765&y=48.7675046&z=14 [2] http://www.jazdecka-turistika.sk/images/stories/dokumenty/KTS_norma_STN_01_8025.pdf http://www.jazdecka-turistika.sk/images/stories/dokumenty/KT...
- miniscapes 5y ago
  I must concur, I have used mapy.cz for hiking across the Europe with great success. Even on Iceland.
- topdancing 5y ago
  This is just OpenStreetMap with another frontend on top, you can see this by going to the area[1] and going to the right, selecting layers and looking at the CyclOSM one. Also, a bit lame that on mapy.cz, you have to click on the "and others" to actually see the OpenStreetMap credit. [1]: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/48.75343/19.87948 https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/48.75343/19.87948
  - inglor_cz 5y ago
    Mapy.cz has a lot of other layers, try them out. Including historical and photo maps. This is the full list of holders of copyrights: Základní, Turistická, Zimní a další níže neuvedené mapy: „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” „© AOPK ČR – ochrana přírody a krajiny” „© Slovenská agentúra živ. prostredia” – digitální model terénu SR „© Národné lesnické centrum SR” – lesní a polní cesty SR „© Přispěvatelé OpenStreetMap” Letecká mapa (ortofotomapa): „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” (zoom 9-20 jen v ČR) „© TopGis, s.r.o.” (zoom 9-20 jen v ČR) „© EUROSENSE s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© GEODIS Slovakia s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© www.basemap.at” (zoom 9-19 jen Rakousko) „© NASA Earth Observatory” (zoom 2-8) „© Sentinel-2 cloudless - https://s2maps.eu by EOX IT Services GmbH (Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2016 & 2017” (zoom 8-13 jen Evropa mimo ČR, SR) „© Microsoft Corporation” (zoom 14-19 jen mimo ČR a SR) Archivní Letecká mapa '15, '12, '06 a '03: „© GEODIS BRNO, s.r.o.” (zoom 9-20 jen v ČR) „© EUROSENSE s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© GEODIS Slovakia s.r.o.” (zoom 9-19 jen SR) „© NASA Earth Observatory” (zoom 2-7) „© Sentinel-2 cloudless - https://s2maps.eu by EOX IT Services GmbH (Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2016 & 2017” (zoom 8-13 jen mimo ČR a SR) Historická mapa (z 19. století): „© 2nd Military Survey, Austrian State Archive” „© Datový podklad MŽP ČR” „© Laboratoř geoinformatiky UJEP” Panorama: „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” „© GIS - Stavinvex, a.s.” „© TopGis, s.r.o.” „© GEODIS BRNO, s.r.o.” 3D mapa: „© Seznam.cz, a.s.” „© Melown Maps™” „© TopGis, s.r.o.“ „© GEODIS BRNO, s.r.o.” „© www.basemap.at” (zoom 9-19 jen Rakousko) „© NASA Earth Observatory” (zoom 2-8) „© Sentinel-2 cloudless - https://s2maps.eu by EOX IT Services GmbH (Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2016 & 2017” (zoom 8-13 jen Evropa mimo ČR, SR) „© Microsoft Corporation“ (zoom 14-19 jen mimo ČR a SR)” “©2005-16 Jonathan de Ferranti” “© Přispěvatelé OpenStreetMap”

jack_riminton 5y ago

The new laminated maps they sell are a great help in this regard. And whilst they obviously add some bulk, the added waterproofness is a great boon Beats my days in the army when we had to laminate each map by hand. They were a nightmare to fold after that

aembleton 5y ago
I don't understand why they don't just print them on plastic like Harveys do. It is so much more useable and durable.

laumars 5y ago

> OS map styling is beautiful, but folding maps is the work of devils. I don’t miss folding paper maps but my comment was about the mapping data not the physical medium. Thankfully you can now have OS maps electronically. Best of both worlds. Though at least paper maps have their unique quality that they still retain their data even after your batteries go flat ;) I joke but actually that can be be invaluable if you’re camping and hiking over multi-days. Also useful if you end up anywhere with low mobile phone coverage. > More seriously though, do they no longer teach at least basic navigation skills in school? It still feels, to me, like it is an essential life skill. If only for being able to assess the validity of your phone's answers in the most general case. Good question. I assumed they wouldn’t because the curriculum is pretty jam packed. But after after asking your question to teacher friend, it seems they still do teach map reading.

JNRowe 5y ago
In all honesty, I'd mostly prefer a paper OS map to all alternatives all other things being equal(weather/space/etc). My comment was largely from a place of love, it is the only reason I've used enough to be annoyed about the splitting or needing to carry an armful for an afternoon cycle ride. This thread did teach me that there are a few more usable print options for sale on the OS website too, which is great. > it seems they still do teach map reading. That pleases me. I'm strongly of the opinion we should be teaching to the available tools(phone maps/calculators/etc), but with enough preliminary knowledge to understand implications and judge validity.

ourlordcaffeine 5y ago

They don't (in the UK). And every year people die after they decide to go trekking with only a phone and gmaps, and it runs out of power and they get lost.

gumby 5y ago

OS map styling is beautiful, but folding maps is the work of devils. As a long distance through hiker I find paper maps invaluable. They are lighter than a gps and don’t require batteries. They provide a greater perspective than you can experience through a screen — very important when plotting a route (trail info tends to be quite out or date here in the US). I always carry paper maps.

JNRowe 5y ago
To reach for a lowbrow Twister quote "Look, all I'm saying is don't fold the maps." Are the paper maps you use available flat or tubed? I've learnt from this thread that Ordnance Survey produce a surprising number of formats beyond the common pre-folded maps, even including custom runs¹ that also fix my trapped-on-a-map-boundary complaint. Peering through the window of my local outdoor supplies shop this afternoon showed only a rack of the folded ones sadly. ¹ https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/ https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/
- gumby 5y ago
  I do fold because I typically only have so much room in my pack. I am pathetically type a and have multiple maps which I try to fold differently so that I can try to take a good one for a given trip (doesn’t really work on long through hikes. The USGS has stopped printing maps so the choice these days is commercial ones or downloading and printing at home (which eliminates both the size advantage and the high resolution of offset printing).