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Joined: Aug 31, 2005 Posts: 15311 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject: A Day in The Life of a PocketGPSWorld.com Verifier
Camera verification is an important part of our service and it is this that makes our database stand out from the competition. We're often asked how the system works and who are these mysterious verifiers so just for you DennisN has come out of the shadows to give a little insight into the dark magic that is camera verification.
Firstly, there are over 40 of us, all volunteers, unpaid, doing the work on a part time basis. Because we're not employed by PGPSW, we Verify as an additional part of our lives. Generally, we prefer to be anonymous as it could be difficult if we were to get direct approaches from members. However, all the “Team” and “Moderators” are Verifiers too, so I'm “OUT” and can therefore offer some information...
Good article Dennis, I'm sure everyones efforts are really appreciated by the membership as a whole.
I can see that with only a few verifiers it can be a long and expensive job as you said, unless the cameras are not too far off route. With more verifiers the job would presumably be a lot more manageable.
On that note, if volunteers are required I would be only too happy to assist. Most of my driving is in London, the North and West Home Counties, and Oxfordshire, but I do occasional journeys visting family etc. which could provide extra opportunities.
I realise your article wasn't a recruitment 'drive', but the offers there if anyone wants to take it up. _________________ Mike
TT GO6000 (Europe); iPhone and iPad Pro with iOS TT GO & MyDrive + CamerAlert
Interesting reading DennisN, like the new van, i presume MaFt is going to buy it for you
Quote:
The chances of us seeing an actual mobile camera on site at the time we visit are very tiny - I myself have only once seen a camera van at a site I went to check and I once saw this local community speedwatch group (which is not a mobile camera).
Sorry it's not such a brilliant picture - I didn't fancy the full frontal approach to ask them to pose for the camera!
Why not?
I thought you required all the info possible.
The fuel cost must be heavy for you, even if it is somewhere near your existing routes, diversion off route still can be very expensive.
As you state not counting all the hours added to it.
Quote:
......(Members) asking about ‘their' camera - why hasn't it appeared in the database, why has it disappeared, how are cameras verified, when are they verified, how long does it take to verify?
I'm not surprised you get "rattled" when you read the posts on this subject, while they do all the "ranting" to get free lifetime memberships, you have to find your time and your fuel to keep them happy.
As SpikeyMikey said
Quote:
On that note, if volunteers are required I would be only too happy to assist
.
But my area is limited, at present my travelling is to and from work, with the occassional odd longer journey, but if it is within the East Kent area include me in, with notice of longer trips as and when it's possible. _________________ TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver
Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 104 Location: Gateshead
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:
Hi Dennis,
Very interesting reading, and it gave me a better understanding as to how things are done.
Also i would like to thank you and the others that take on this task for no personel gian, not to mention the amount of time that you's sacrifice, what could be spent with your family's.
Thanks. _________________ Its only easy if you know the answer.
------------------------------------------------------
TomTom 500 version 7.161 Map UK and IE WE
nuvi57LM
We recognise that POI Capture has the potential to pick coordinates that are inaccurate by the amount of time it takes someone to press the relevant icon. Not everybody has POI Capture, so their coordinates depend on how well they can set the cross hairs on the site submission map.
Any DriveSmart users reading this can capture POI's, (camera positions included), i get as near as possible to the camera before pressing the buttons.
As from the DS instruction book -
Quote:
Storing user-defined locations (Points of interest, POIs)
When the vehicle is at a location you wish to store for future alerts press the Up and Down buttons simultaneously. You will need to specify whether this is: an accident blackspot, a GATSO or Truvelo camera, SPECs start or stop point or delete location, by pressing the Up or Down buttons when prompted.
DriveSmart will record the current position into its permanent memory. The 'delete location' feature will over-ride the main database so that
no warning is given at that location in future – this is a useful feature for removing locations which are no longer valid until a corrected version of the main database is issued for download. When POIs are downloaded to your PC, these locations are marked 'delete'.
The list of stored user-defined locations can be erased through the Erase POI function in the settings menu – select 'yes' then press the Mode button to confirm.
I have noticed that some of the camera positions listed (where known) on the map, seem to be off target, sometimes a fair bit.
I know it is good to have a camera marked somewhere in the area we are driving through so as to be aware, but often the spoken warning starts too early for the camera position (annoying) or worse still late - you can get away with it on a Gatso but not so clever on a forward facing Truvelo or mobile van camera.
I think members submitting camera positions should take more care on their co-ordinates, it depends on how well they can set the cross hairs on the site submission map to get an accurate position, but this can keep verifiers wasted time looking for a camera position to a minimum - especially now that we can all read how much time and effort goes into this. _________________ TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver
Last edited by GJF on Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:53 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 10118 Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject:
Nice one Dennis. I did not realise that you took the job seriously enough to have your van decorated like it is. The sighnwriting must have cost a fortune.
Seriously though. Good work mate
Joined: Feb 01, 2006 Posts: 2543 Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject:
Tut tut, all this praise for DennisN. Just think how many more verifications he could have done if he hadn't spent two weeks painting his van and spending about a month one finger typing his 'Best Seller'.
Joined: Nov 15, 2006 Posts: 128 Location: Selby, Yorkshire
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject:
Dennis - You unsung hero!
Great work well done to all the volunteers.
Like other submission before me, I do Approx 55,000 mile/year in the North East area of the UK. If you need assistance you know where To find me. _________________ TVR
Sygic for android in HD
Cameralert - pending
TomTom consigned to the bin, after 6 years loyal service.
Last edited by TVR on Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:37 am; edited 1 time in total
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14902 Location: Keynsham
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:38 pm Post subject:
Lost_Property wrote:
Tut tut, all this praise for DennisN. Just think how many more verifications he could have done if he hadn't spent two weeks painting his van and spending about a month one finger typing his 'Best Seller'.
How true!! And let's not tell them that last week I sent in verifications for half a dozen submissions which were from an ancient list which had already been dealt with by other Verifiers! _________________ Dennis
Joined: Feb 01, 2006 Posts: 2543 Location: Rainham, Kent. England.
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:
Quote:
And let's not tell them that last week I sent in verifications for half a dozen submissions which were from an ancient list which had already been dealt with by other Verifiers!
Joined: 24/06/2003 00:22:12 Posts: 2946 Location: Escaped to the Antipodies! 36.83°S 174.75°E
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:
An interesting insight into the process, thanks DennisN.
I guess it's a bit of a reminder that real people do go and verify the submissions on their own time so it helps if folks provide good comments and accurate position information when they submit!
Keep up the good work! _________________ Gone fishing!
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14902 Location: Keynsham
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject:
Skippy wrote:
An interesting insight into the process, thanks DennisN.
I guess it's a bit of a reminder that real people do go and verify the submissions on their own time so it helps if folks provide good comments and accurate position information when they submit!
Keep up the good work!
I think it's VERY important that people read the first few words I wrote - there are over 40 of us. I'm just the fat old noisy one, the others are also out there giving just as willingly their own time, fuel and wear and tear on their vehicles. _________________ Dennis
This thread is fast becoming the Dennis'N Appreciation Society, and not enough is being said about the 39 others who accually do all the work. So I call for a thread title change to The Dennis And Friends Fellowship Trust. You can all be called DAFFT for short. _________________ Dom
HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot
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