[ltp] Serial port for a T40 (usb gps, gps software for linux)

[Elliot F.]

On Fri, 2004-10-01 at 10:59 -0400, William Stein wrote:
> On Wednesday 29 September 2004 02:08 pm, Arno Willig wrote:
> > > On Tue, 2004-09-28 at 21:33, Joan Roig Amorós wrote:
> > > > does anybody have any experience connecting a GPS unit to a T40 running
> > > > linux? of course my T40 has no serial port, so... what is the
> > > > best/cheapest way to add a serial port that will work also with linux?
> > > > serial to USB? PCMCIA to serial (I see that cards  are ~$25 in ebay)?
> > > > or should I wait for Xmas and buy myself a dock?
> 
> I have used GPS extensively with my T40 and T42 for navigation while
> driving in cars on trips.  Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any
> substantial mapping and navigation software for Linux that compares to
> the programs available for Windows (e.g., MS Streets and Trips or
> Street Atlas 2004).  Thus I install those programs under VMware, which
> I'm running under Linux; I then connect the GPS device to VMware.  The
> following remarks address my experience using 
> 
>         VMware 4.5.2 with Win XP, Linux Kernel 2.6.8.1, Debian
>         and both Thinkpad T40 and T42p.
> 
> 1) I was *never* able to get the USB Earthmate GPS that I bought at
> Staples for $120 to work with VMware.  It would either crash vmware or
> the USB device would be detected but not "work".  When I used to boot
> Windows directly (no VMware), the Earthmate USB GPS worked fine.
> 

While it's not Linux software, routis worked/works pretty well under
wine (I use crossover office).  It speaks directions, makes decent
routes, and plays well with linux overall, without the overhead of
vmware.  The problem I had was using the same GPS for two app's at the
same time.  Any recommendations?  Such as a fake device that allows two
programs to read at the same time?

The same place that has routis has a decent usb gps receiver.  They
don't have the same one I have anymore, but it looks like they have a
newer model.  It works pretty well, doesn't require any power other than
usb.  I'm pretty happy with it.

Routis:  http://www.deluoelectronics.com/customer/product.php?
productid=2&cat=0

Routis under wine:  http://julian.coccia.com/article-43.html

USB GPS:  http://www.deluoelectronics.com/customer/product.php?
productid=57&cat=1&page=1

HTH


> 2) I was able to get the Garmin eTrek Vista with a Keyspan
> (P/N:USA-19HS) serial-->USB adapter to work with VMware and either MS
> Streets and Trips or Street Atlas 2004.  I was also able to use some
> (relatively primitive) Linux GPS software.  There was nothing tricky
> here, except to add the Keyspan USB adapter option when compiling the
> linux kernel.
> 
> 3) I was *not* able to get the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS with included
> USB adapter to work with VMware, though it was detected as a USB
> device.  It just didn't work, and I could get no debuging info
> from windows or vmware that were helpful.
> 
> 4) I was able to get the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cs with a serial adapter
> to work, by connecting it to a Keyspan (P/N:USA-19HS) serial-->USB adapter.
> I could then use it from VMware.  
> 
> -- William
>