People today want spport in navigation everywhere and everytime. Therefore mobile gadgets, supporting navigation are extreamly popular. These devices are called Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs). GPS technology and mobile Geographic Information Servies are combined to allow the development of such devices.
Time, technology and user needs are constantly changing the way we do things, often making them easier and less expensive. When technology becomes affordable, individuals and industries are motivated to use it. When two great technologies are combined, a new innovation is created. Such is the case with GPS and GIS. On their own, GPS and GIS are fabulous inventions, but when combined, they provide results that neither of the products can deliver alone. As has been the case with many inventions, the resultant technology forever changes the way we do things. What was once a simple navigational aid is now a personal, interactive mapping and directional device. Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs) used in automobiles are one of the most popular ‘gadgets” available today, with thousands of street maps and related points of interest packaged with the hardware. This rich mapping resource provides drivers with customized routes. [...]
But are there also some negative effects on that? Some questions arise because of the different handling with PNDs compared with good old paper maps:
- How will the young driver of today be affected by this rather novel way of getting from point A to point B? Will she have folded road maps in her glove compartment?
- Will persons have any concept of direction – east and west – and will he make note of where streets bend, end or change names?
- Is the PND just novel technology or is it really a replacement of the paper map?
- Will GPS technology change traditional travel and our concept of spatial awareness?
- If you take the PND away from a driver, will he be lost?
[Directions Magazine]
Written and submitted from Home, using my 802.11g WiFi network.
