Mapmaker?!! I'm a Geospatial Analyst if you please (that's posh for mapmaker )

Kev.

In other words . . . cartographer.

Ken V.

In other words . . . cartographer.

Ken V.

Bingo! Can't read a map to save my life though.

Bingo! Can't read a map to save my life though.

Huh? What kind of maps are you talking about? Street maps? Topographical maps? Charts?

Then again, what area of the cartographic process do you work in?

Ken V.

Huh? What kind of maps are you talking about? Street maps? Topographical maps? Charts?

Then again, what area of the cartographic process do you work in?

Ken V.

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse you there. I actually meant that I have absolutely no sense of direction, which is kind of ironic for someone who makes maps.

We make all sorts, but I suppose our bread and butter are navigation charts. I've worked in most of the areas now, but my present job is geopositioning and triangulation.

You sound like you might have a bit of background with cartography as well.

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse you there. I actually meant that I have absolutely no sense of direction, which is kind of ironic for someone who makes maps.

Not really -- that's why compasses were invented.

We make all sorts, but I suppose our bread and butter are navigation charts. I've worked in most of the areas now, but my present job is geopositioning and triangulation.

That's an important job to my way of thinking. Especially since GPS systems have become so common. When Sat-Nav, LORAN, and Celestial Navigation were in common usage, The existing charts were fine. Today, GPS is more accurate than the charts, so the charts need updating.

You sound like you might have a bit of background with cartography as well.

Reading maps and charts, yes; making them . . . no.

People are often surprised at how closely you can fix your position in Costal Navigation by just using the chart, a good hand bearing compass, and a set of parallels -- and a pencil, can't do without the pencil.

Ken V.

People are often surprised at how closely you can fix your position in Costal Navigation by just using the chart, a good hand bearing compass, and a set of parallels -- and a pencil, can't do without the pencil.

Most of our charts are air charts, but I wish I could remember more of those methods. I had to learn all about the different map projections, ground surveying and the like in the beginning, but nowadays it's all done sitting in front of a computer and a lot of the old methods have been forgotten because people can just press a button.
Oh, no :eek:! I've turned into one of those people who complain that it's not like it was in the old days. Help!

Chev

Most of our charts are air charts, but I wish I could remember more of those methods. I had to learn all about the different map projections, ground surveying and the like in the beginning, but nowadays it's all done sitting in front of a computer and a lot of the old methods have been forgotten because people can just press a button.

I'm not familiar with air charts.

I think virtually everyone knows how to use a street map, but different skills are needed when you want to use a topographical map or a navigational chart. Fortunately, they're not difficult to either learn or use.

Oh, no :eek:! I've turned into one of those people who complain that it's not like it was in the old days. Help!

Well, it isn't, and that's all to the good. In the OLD, old days, a ships navigator had to do everything. There were no nautical almanacs which would tell him the position of the sun, moon, and stars every second of the day for an entire year; he had to figure most of that out for himself, and the mathematics was pretty involved: natural cosines, log haversines, pretty complex stuff.

Problem is; a lot of people come to depend entirely on their electronic navigation systems, and if the electrics go out (which can happen if you're at sea and in a salt water environment) they're in big trouble.

When my wife and I were sailing, we eventually got a GPS System, but I still practised my celestial navigation. (I'd check my results against the GPS.) Although I've forgotten a lot of it in the past twelve years, at least I can still take a noon sight. My wife has died, and the boat has been sold, but I still have my sextant.

Ken V.

Warning: There could be spoilers in this if you haven't read Infernal yet.

Hello. Been a while since I posted anything, but I've just finished Infernal (enjoyed it loads) and wanted to ask some questions as I'm going to have a go at drawing the map to the Lillitongue. Don't ask me why, I just thought it would be fun. And I like maps (even though I make 'em all day long at work). And it stops me from rushing straight into Harbingers. I like to hold out from reading the books for as long as possible so I don't run out! Sorry if this means you have to dig out the book to look up bits (you mean it's not on display with the rest of your collection?!) but I'm very grateful to anyone who will have a stab at helping me with these.

1. In the book it says: "Right of centre was a wedge-shaped landmass with a northward-pointing nipple. A line ran on a diagonal to a star surrounded by wiggly lines."
Do you think the diagonal line is between the star and the nipple bit, or do you think it's more likey that the line is between the star and the closest bit of land? It doesn't actually say for definite that it's between the star and the nipple, but that's what I first thought.

2. The map is said to have the date on it that the Sombre sank. Do you think that Francisco Mendez hurriedly drew the map on that particular day, or do you think he would have waited until some time after he'd been picked up by one of the following Vatican ships so that he could draw the map in a bit more comfort, and the date refers to when he took a reading of the Sombre's position?

3. The book only mentions the one island but there were other maps made around that time with the other islands shown. If Fransisco Mendez drew the map at a later date (from question 2), do you think he would have drawn the other islands as well?

Well, that's it for the moment, but I'll probably think of more questions right after I click that "Submit" button!

Thanks.

Chev

That is one beautiful map, Chev. I've said it before, but I gotta say it again--this is a board of all the talents.

That is one beautiful map, Chev. I've said it before, but I gotta say it again--this is a board of all the talents.

Thanks Bluesman. Your comments are very much appreciated.

If anybody out there wants a copy I'll stick it on the forum as a zip file (I think I can do that can't I?)

Think I'll go and make an avatar now

Chev

Your map is awesome! Just thought I would say something!