More info on the Charts CD

Follows:

We recently fielded a call from a gentleman named Mark Doyle. "Would you like to know about our product?" he asked. "We have put all the NOAA charts for the West Coast of the United States, Alaska, and the Pacific Islands, all onto a single CD, readable in both PC or MAC format, and compatible with virtually all of the computer navigation software programs. In addition, the CD contains various government publications such as Coast Pilots, Light Lists, and Chart #1. Oh, and we also include trial versions of several PC software systems so that folks who don't have a nav system on their PC can try out a few of the industry leaders before making a final decision concerning which system to purchase."

"Wow!" we replied. "That's a pretty ambitious CD. What does that sell for? Maybe $150, or $200?"

"No, and that's what's so incredible about this product," said Mark. "As a lot of people are probably aware, this year the government began allowing the public to download raster navigation charts free of charge. That only makes sense because the taxpayers' money was spent to make these charts to begin with. Unfortunately, trying to download, catalog, and organize an entire library of charts can take an incredible amount of time. What's more, to stay up to date the process really needs to be repeated once per year. Because the charts are free to begin with, our customers are simply paying for the downloading and cataloging service. The CD sells for $24.95"

"What? For $24.95 you provide every chart for the W Coast of the US, Alaska, and the Pacific Islands, along with trial versions of different software programs, light lists, and Coast Pilots? Heck, send us one!"

When the CD titled "Managing the Waterway" arrived from Mark's company (semi-local productions LLC) we loaded it up onto the editor's PC to explore the content. The CD does indeed contain everything promised, including several versions of PC Nav systems. The PC nav systems are all trial versions (with the exception of a public domain program called "Sea Clear") and are either designed to operate for a limited number of days after activation or have some of the more interesting features disabled. Users will have a chance to compare, hands on, several systems before identifying a particular favorite and arranging to purchase a permanent or fully functional licensed copy.

If we were to offer any criticism at all of "Managing the Waterway," it might be that the CD is a bit light on step-by-step instructions for getting the system set up. We began by downloading all of the 184* series charts onto our hard drive and then downloading one of the sample PC Nav systems. One of the menu selections on the nav system screen was "get charts" and a browse option was included. We browsed up the folder containing all of the 184* series charts, and within less than another minute we had every NOAA chart pertaining to the Pacific NW available for planning purposes.

Not bad for $24.95!

Semi-local productions also offers (for a slightly greater price) an even more comprehensive CD with every NOAA chart for the entire US.

Looking for a stocking stuffer or a useful gift appropriate for a boating buddy this holiday season? Check out Managing the Waterway at www.managingthewaterway.com

******

And heck Chuck does not even like me :-)

Capt Jack R..

Eisboch

Okay..

Too bad you Canadians aren't more liberal with chart distribution. Lack of BC charts leaves a "hole" in the middle of the Puget Sound to Alaska cruising grounds favored by many boaters in this region, but for $25 a Pac NW boater can have every US chart he or she will ever need.

Boats are in your life 24x7. Most of us have more varied interests.

I find your 2,000 word advertisements here far more objectionable than a discussion about war movies on Veterans Day.

The OT threads you object to usually turn south only after you and your deputies ride to enforce *your* laws.

Speaking of relatives and cameras, I just had the best lunch I've had in a while.

Stopped at a new deli in town - run by real deli guys from Neeew York City and had the veggie cheese spread on a whole rye bagel, fresh made potato salad on a bed of romaine lettuce, half sour pickles (three of them) and a small taster bowl of cole slaw.

I'm telling you, that sandwich was unbelievable. It was a base cream cheese mixed with chopped pieces of carrot, tomato, green/red/yellow pepper, celery and what I think was pimento with just a hint of garlic - mixed it right up in front of me. The fresh rye bagel had a couple of leafs of lettuce on it. The potato salad was made with baby red potatoes with onions, green peppers, celery and hard boiled egg with a very light olive oil dressing and another slight hint of garlic.

Cole slaw is cole slaw but this was different - that same light olive oil dressing.

Man, that was a good lunch.

Finished it off with a one liter bottle of Diet Pepsi - perfect. :>)

So, what did you have for lunch Chuck?

Oh wait, it's not lunch time out in the Great North West.

What 'cha have for breakfast? :>)

I also do not start many political threads. In fact I doubt you will find more than 3 or so over the past few months. You, on the other hand, participate in the political stuff with your comments and 2,000 word editorials, then get back on your pony telling others not do what you just did.

I would not have a problem with your sheriffing if you at least followed your own rules Chuck. Giddyup!

We're not that different, JimH. You can't see how you're out of sync with the stated purpose of a boating newsgroup with threads like "Who's the weirdest character ever to post to this NG?" or "I hope you're happy (now that the Democrats won congress and the terrorists will be coming ashore in droves)" or "The Greatest War Movie Ever Filmed!" and I can't see how I'm out of sync posting about boats, boating, and boating related products and services.

My suggestion was sincere: if you have a variety of interests, you might be less frustrated posting to a variety of newsgroups. You have been known to make an interesting boating related post or two, and undoubtedly your posts about your other interests would be even more appreciated in forums where people gather to discuss those subjects as well.

That's a great deal since you can get them for nothing in exchange for a little download time on your computer. I'd like to see the Canadians improve upon that price since they seem to value their charts very highly.

bored, ornery and thinking summer

Cole Slaw

1 ½ lb shredded cabbage 1 teaspoon salt (usually more needed) 2/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup vinegar 1 cup whipping cream ¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper (or more!)

Place shredded cabbage in a covered dish in refrigerator for several hours. Mix ingredients in order given 30 minutes before serving. Chill and serve.

Now, where's the recipe for the brown sugar stuff?

Good lord...

Chuck Gould wrote:

When did your brother start this company Chuck?

I deserve all the criticism you'd care to heap on. The nerve! I should have been posting about "the greatest war movie ever filmed" or some such drivel, rather than reporting on a new product that actually has to do with boating. What was I thinking?