Speed Camera Database to Turn Professional

Aus · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 06, 2005 Posts: 8

Just a thought, if we back pedal a bit, what about tackling the effort involved in updating/maintaining/verifying/hosting/publishing.

I'm sure there would be plenty of ppl willing to help in some way if its the only way to keep this fantastic resource free.

Bigstoo · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject:

if pocketgpsworld registers with paypal as a business account, you are automatically able to receive credit/debit card payments! even if the payer doesnt have a paypal account. just thought you would like to know that ;)

vaioable · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 53

I would not object to paying for the database but would like to see one additon to the file.

A readme of all of the updates contained within the Database.a changes.log. BBC london reported last week that the govenment was now limiting the number of new cameras beeing approved.
So how long before we are paying for the same Database each month and not knowing.
I also would like the ability to pay an annual fee. This surely would be the better option for you as well. Not only do you get a big influx of cash at the start so you can invest this, but as one other reader suggested. When it becomes availabe via "other means" then you have already had the money.
Remember that as soon as you start charging for software it starts appearing on P2P and the like. Fact of life really.

h5djr · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

I currently use Destinator PN. If someone was able to provide a copy of the Speed Camera database that would load and work with Destinator PN without all the fiddling around that has to be done at the moment I would gladly pay £2.00 per download.
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Dave R (h5djr)

TomTom XL + Audi A3 (with navigation)

Darren · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:19 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:20 pm Post subject:

Andycambs · Regular Visitor Joined: Jan 02, 2005 Posts: 68

And for those people who send you the camera data - are they getting a reduction in the download charges for providing the information?

trout · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:29 pm Post subject:

Well it had to come £20 per year seems fair , and my recent experience with AA Speedcare whose cameras are not up to date will keep me with PGWF .
But is this the thin end of the wedge what next sponsered pop ups
for motorway service areas?
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TTXL IQ Routes

jeffcooper · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 04, 2005 Posts: 32

Just a quick point - if you say £2 a month, if you multiply that by 12, and then multiply that by 5000 say (the users of the system?) thats £120,000 in total - I would suspect thats being conservative? - so how much do you have to pay someone to do this work of yours - cause I'll do it for that much or even less!!

PS Since I've added some 4 bit icons, would I get a discount?

james_uk9 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 26

How many times has this been said on these forums by moderators here?

"The Camera database IS and will ALWAYS remain FREE"

I have spent many hours in the past four weeks capturing cameras on my GO and updating you with correct speed info etc!
I was inspired to do this (and probably many other members here) by the fact that the database was free and i wanted to contribute in some way.

You can rest assured that this will cease and POI capture will be removed from my go.

I see this as nothing more than sheer greed, wanting to profit from the work and time of others that was provided free. I give you this much tho, It was a smart move to shaft members just as gps navigation is becoming mainstream and this site stands to make a huge revenue by charging.

It is total hypocrasy to bleat about people selling the database on ebay and then announce you will also be charging for it.

This all smacks of "robbery without violence" to me and I would rather pay tomtom more money than yoursleves are charging, at least they were upfront about their intention to rob people from day 1.
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Garmin XT

andrewh · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject:

It is a sad day. I do not use the speedcamera datasbe often as I only come to the UK a few times a year. I might pay per visit (cheap compared to the channel tunnel :o ) but I think this will be the begining of the end for this site.

Many sites on the internet, especially news, have gone to a paid model and have succeeded or failed, not on the price, but on the perceived extra value they offer. Through my work I subscribe to a high cost but superb news and information site that subscribes to thousands of publications. It really adds value to my work.

As GPS navigation rapidly becomes mainstream there will inevitably be an explosion of added value services on offer. I do not think an "amateur built" speed camera database will have much perceived value in a year or so from now. People will expect full traffic information, with TMC and telematics links to their cars. They will pay an annual fee to one company to talk with their car. Those service providers will then buy the necessary services from third parties.

A paid for speed camera database will be too little on its own.

I really hope I am wrong and that this site thrives and prospers but I think it has to either do much more or stay amateur.

SimonB · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:06 pm Post subject:

James_uk9 - aren't your comments a little harsh.

At the end of the day, people provide assistance is keeping the database upto-date. But that doesn't contribute to the day-to-day running/hosting/hardware/software/bandwidth costs that I know PocketGPS will be incurring.

You would still be contributing if you were to continue using the database - by helping yourself and others.

Be realistic, people selling the database on Ebay is 100% different to what PocketGPS are doing.

Simon
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JonnyW · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 16, 2005 Posts: 39

I must say the POI Capture system is excellent and I use the PGPSW Database with TomTom EVERYTIME I get in the car.

However, one point when relating to the pending charge.

pagla · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 13, 2005 Posts: 19

It is ironic that you have decided to turn "Professional" at the very time when the Government has said it will discourage growth in speed cameras.
So need to update current database will be less than before.

To me your service has ALWAYS been Professional BUT Free
Best of luck in whatever you decide to do

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