[clug] GPS on Linux

[David Tulloh]

Ian McLeod wrote:
> Anyone had any success with GPS USB / Bluetooth devices on Linux?  
> Just realised that without built in GPS on our new Netbook this will 
> be essential for travel.  Presume can work ok with Google Maps or free 
> open source software that can use some commercial maps or freely 
> available maps.  Google Maps is preferred as it is free and uses 
> quality mapping data.
Most GPS devices use the NMEA protocol, often with some common 
variations.  These devices simply register as a serial device over usb 
or any other protocol and the GPS programs talk plain text NMEA to 
them.  If your device talks NMEA, and most do, then it will work with 
basically anything.

I haven't really played with the Linux mapping programs, that hasn't 
really been my area of GPS interest.  I believe Viking uses Google Maps.
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/viking/index.php?title=Main_Page


David