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From: Evan Dallas <evand_at_pensionresourcegroup.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Topo USA 5.0
Date: Fri, 13 May 2005 10:07:59 -0700
Steve Cramer <cramersec_at_charter.net> wrote:

 >>>>Has anybody used this program?
[snips]
And in case you're wondering, there's nothing about this is the docs,
and no tech support number I could find.<<<<

Steve -- I'm not sure how to answer your question, but there is a number 
where you can reach tech support via 800 962 1643.  As I recall, the way 
it works is you leave them a message then they call you back (which for 
me is preferable to waiting on hold for half an hour or more).  You can 
also try their web site (http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/), 
where they have a support page with semi-decent info.  I had problems 
installing their 3-D overlay (although I'm only using version 4.0) and 
ended up communicating with them via email, but eventually got my 
questions answered. 

By the way, I've found their maps of inland waters pretty useful for 
kayaking (although not as good as a chart, but lots cheaper!), where I 
zoom in on the area I want to print, then print it on their waterproof 
paper.  The waterproof paper is great!  It feels mostly like plastic, 
except that you can easily print on it and it is nearly impossible to 
tear.  So I'll print out a map for the area I'm paddling and just slip 
it under the bungy cords -- no waterproof case or anything.

Evan Dallas
Woodinville, Washington
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From: Steve Cramer <cramersec_at_charter.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Topo USA 5.0
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 12:07:50 -0400
Thanks for the tips on Topo USA 5.0, which, BTW, is not the same as 
"National Geographic Topo!" [their punctuation]

The answer to my question, which I figured out after muddling around a 
while is, to create a set of directions for navigating through a bunch 
of islands with no features,

In the Route screen
1. Define a Start, with the Start button.
2. Define a Finish, with the Finish button.
3. Do not bother adding Vias in between Start and Finish. Instead, mark 
every point where your course changes as a Stop. Real intuitive, huh? 
Oh, and don't come back and "Add" a stop later, you have to "Insert" it.
4. Directions will now list the changes in course correctly...except 
that while the map is cluttered with (1-0)Stop_1, (2-0)Stop, etc, the 
directions give only a terse "From: Stop, To: Arrive at Stop."

If you want to have the stops marked on the map with coordinates, you 
right click on the Stop and go 2 menus deep to Add Mapnote - Coordinate 
Mapnote. If they are too close together, they will end up on top of each 
other.

Anyway, it seems to mostly give me what I want now.

-- 
Steve Cramer
Athens, GA
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