Truckstops POI

[xavier]

Truckstops POIs.

Enjoy.

[xavier]

You know, it's interesting to see that 25+ people downloaded this POI file, but nobody commented on it, or even posted a short response, like "Thanks, keep them coming", or something like that. So, for all I know this upload was worthless and totally useless to everyone who downloaded it

[jimkaron]

Well don't be discouraged. Lots of people in this day and age don't have a clue of what a compliment or thank you means.

Now for my saga. I would like to download your app but my windows 7 will not let me open it. Any suggestions??

Thanks

jim

[xavier]

Well don't be discouraged. Lots of people in this day and age don't have a clue of what a compliment or thank you means.

Yeah, you are right, but it still surprises me every so often

Now for my saga. I would like to download your app but my windows 7 will not let me open it. Any suggestions??

Hmm... Well, it's not an up, it's just a data file that you can import in the program. A bunch of people seem to have downloaded and probably didn't have problems. Anyway, what do you mean Windows 7 won't let you open it? It's a ZIP file and Windows 7 has no problems opening ZIP files. So what happens when you try to open it? What does Windows display?

[artmart]

You do need to have a "zip" file program on your Windows 7. This is what Xavier is alluding.

Like he said, this is a zip file that you copy down to your system, then use the zip file program (Winzip, Winrar, etc.) which is downloaded (and/or purchased separately) that opens the zip file so you can extract the files to a location on your system. Then you use TLDCN/RTN to locate these extracted files for use as POIs.

Is this what you're missing? Like Xavier also suggests, provide a full description of the error message you are getting and we can probably help better. Unfortunately, "windows 7 will not let me open it" is not a good description and there is probably a message you are getting. We need the message!

[artmart]

I forgot to mention, I have download this zip but we haven't gone any place needing to know truck stop locations so I really haven't used them, yet.

We all appreciate the POI posts from everyone and will use them. I guess keeping track of the download is one way to feel appreciated. And 25 downloads is quite a bit.

But here's an "attaboy", "pat on the back" and "thank you very much" for doing this. A quick look of the couple locations I checked were accurate. I do understand this information can change (some go out of business, close down, change ownership or could be slightly inaccurate) and therefore probably not your fault. I certainly won't feel the need to "lambaste", "blast" or "curse you to all ends of the earth" if this happens either.

All POI files must be regarded as part of our computer's "tool chests". Some tools can be unused, need a little improving and such. Let's just appreciate the tool is available. I have plenty of tools in my toolbox, computer files and in life in general that I have never used or wish they were better. Thanks for this one.

[xavier]

Thanks, Art. You made me feel better

[artmart]

It's my goal in life Xavier... I got another message from my rotten departed friend. He said "Hell is getting hot again!"

[MarkCryer]

Hi:

Thank you so much for putting this together. I don't know why people don't take the time to thank people of creating things like this, that helps them.

One question I have. I downloaded the file and they are unzipped and in MyPOI. But, when I start Roadtrip Navigator 2012 and go to the User section and User POI to load the csv file, it does not find the file. I even tried doing all files and I still don't see files? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Mark

[xavier]

Are you sure the file(s) are in "..\documents\RTN2012\MY POI"?

And, are you sure you are pointing to "that" folder when you run the program and try to access the files?

[artmart]

When you unZip the file you must know the subdirectories they were unZipped. Do a file search and note their location. You can either move them to where Xavier suggests or you can browse when adding the User POIs and select them that way.

Admittedly, I am lazy and leave the files in a subdirectory and point to them that way so I can keep track of how I acquired them. But I do this mostly because the default directories have been known to change for TLDCN and RTN while the POI files are kept in the same place for all programs that I use them with besides the Trailer Life software. I use my POI files for other applications, like other travel and GPS software.

You just know where they're located so you can locate them with whatever you use them with, like in this case, RTN.

[artmart]

Xavier, bad news. I enabled these User POIs and I am not having good luck with them.

I have only tried three truckstops and found the following:

1. There is no Love's in Rancho Bernardo (off hwy 56). The popup address displays information for this description in Tennessee. WHAT?! But the icon is near San Diego? Wow, this one is way off.

2. I tried two locations in Coachella, CA off I-10 and found that one POI was way too far north, when it should have been just north of the I-10 exit. The other one is actually close but still should have been showed a little farther south of the same exit. Bingmaps using Bird's eye view confirmed that the truckstops are off.

3. From memory I know there are more in Los Angeles and none of them are shown, so these User POIs are missing altogether. I only went by the fact that POIs for these aren't even on the display.

I think in all cases the Lat/Lon are off. I guess I need to use this to look for a truck stop, then I need Bingmaps to really locate them. Nevertheless this is too much inaccuracy to be effective.

Note to all: Unfortunately, as I've seen warnings before that these User POIs fiels should be used with some caution and confirmed by other means. This truckstop POI files should be used with great caution and I am too lazy to fix it. I also don't think it's very comprehensive.

[artmart]

More news about these User POI files... I think these POIs do not include many Independent Truck Stops which is why many of the truck stops I know of in the Los Angeles and San Diego counties are NOT included. I am thinking that these User POIs are only for some popular brand locations, like Pilot, Flying J, TA, Love's and others.

Use these with caution and do not expect to see the hundreds of independent truck stops across the country.

[ronselby]

I just downloaded and this will save me lots of time. So THANKS
Ron

[ddunstansr]

Thanks for this POI.
I had problems finding the file but once I did it works great.
I lost the truck bit image so I get the little flag default bit marker (No big deal to me).

Thanks again

[BobKrogstie]

My thanks to xavier for creating this POI.

[Nicholl12]

Thanks for the Truckstops POI I'm sure they will be very helpfull in our travels.