OS Get-A-Map restricted - now for the wealthy only

[SheffieldLass]

Anyone else discovered that the OS Get A Map service is no longer possible to access if you are on Windows XP?

I've just emailed OS to express my disgust. Walking may be free for the poor, but it seems that the poor have been excluded from checking maps online before we go out.

[poschiavanus]

Bing Maps (Microsoft's mapping service) provide OS maps which are at least as useful as Get-a-Map. You may also be able to use Where's my Path (providing not too many people have the same day).

Or contribute to OpenStreetMap: created for exactly this sort of reason. Although it needs a lot of work in Vale of Pickering & NY Moors.

Another useful alternative is to use Mapyx Quo: software works on XP, and you can buy single OS Landranger map tiles for about £1 for offline use too. The 25,000 map tiles are somewhat more expensive.

Posch

[bran goesgoch]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

Anyone else discovered that the OS Get A Map service is no longer possible to access if you are on Windows XP?

I've just emailed OS to express my disgust. Walking may be free for the poor, but it seems that the poor have been excluded from checking maps online before we go out.

Hi SheffieldLass, I wasn't aware that the OS "Get a Map" facility had been withdrawn for XP users, but not to worry, check out this web site Walkhighlands: Scotland walks and accommodation All you need to do is register with them and you will have full access to the whole of GB and might I add at 1:25k OS maps. There are many other benefits to be had as well which includes a very active forum where loads of info can be acquired. I use it when I need to plot a route when I'm in work (don't tell my boss). At home I prefer to use Memory Map. Best of luck with it.

Bran

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

Anyone else discovered that the OS Get A Map service is no longer possible to access if you are on Windows XP?

I've just emailed OS to express my disgust. Walking may be free for the poor, but it seems that the poor have been excluded from checking maps online before we go out.

Really?

I'm on a macbook at the moment so I can't check, but I've just had a look at the get-a-map website, and the system requirements that it says are required suggests that access should be possible with XP - you just need to be able to run "Microsoft Silverlight".
It might be that your "XP" PC can't run Silverlight, but unfortunately websites and programs will be designed with modern systems in mind. Some websites also try and run alternative versions for people with less up to date PCs, but this can't always be expected for something that is free to access (because it is an additional cost with no return).

At least there seem to be alternatives available.

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Really?

I'm on a macbook at the moment so I can't check, but I've just had a look at the get-a-map website, and the system requirements that it says are required suggests that access should be possible with XP - you just need to be able to run "Microsoft Silverlight".
It might be that your "XP" PC can't run Silverlight, but unfortunately websites and programs will be designed with modern systems in mind. Some websites also try and run alternative versions for people with less up to date PCs, but this can't always be expected for something that is free to access (because it is an additional cost with no return).

At least there seem to be alternatives available.

The trouble is that Microsoft Silverlight cannot be used by XP operating system, it has been designed that way by Microsoft, deliberately, I imagine, to force people onto their newer operating systems.

But glad that there are these other options. I've already book marked them

Also glad that MAGIC and Nature on the Map are still accessible. I actually went on to Get a Map to try to get the all figure co-ordinates for spot on location for Old Maps, though not sure whether it had that facility. I was trying to find out whether a bit of bog that I've found is a remnant of a bigger bog that got planted on last century and has got more or less lost or whether it is a new one forming .... MAGIC luckily gives the coordinates in a number of formats, where ever you click the map. And if you are wondering, there was no real indication on the old maps that a bog was there ...

[poschiavanus]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

The trouble is that Microsoft Silverlight cannot be used by XP operating system, it has been designed that way by Microsoft, deliberately, I imagine, to force people onto their newer operating systems.

I use Silverlight with XP w/o problems. I have XP Professional with SP 3 installed. I know a lot of people aren't keen on having to install something just for viewing maps.

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

I use Silverlight with XP w/o problems. I have XP Professional with SP 3 installed. I know a lot of people aren't keen on having to install something just for viewing maps.

You are right , I've checked again, and it was hidden with Server 2003 on their list, supposedly SP2 or 3 is OK, but as mine was XP SP1 but upgraded to SP3, and Firefox is the latest, not sure why it doesn't like mine ...

Also found the older version of Get a Map which is
Get-a-map from Ordnance Survey
So I can avoid the more recent one, at least for a while.

But it looks as if with the new Get a map you can't print them off, but have to register and pay £1.99 for an A4, or subscribe at £19.99 for a year. But as I can't try it, not sure if you can still print off the little one.
http://www.magazine.ordnancesurveyle...s-getamap.html

[Hawk Roosting]

If I could be sure it's legal and doesn't breach copyright then I would suggest:

• go to streetmap.co.uk
• use the gazeteer to find where it is you want to go
• by default, the map loaded will be OS 1:50,000 (Landranger scale)
• zoom to 1:25,000 (Explorer/Pathfinder/Outdoor Leisure scale) if required
• click on large map size
• hit F11 (if using firefox) for full screen
• once the map has loaded, hit ctrl+prt scr to copy to the clipboard
• open an image editing programme of your choice
• right-click and paste the image from the clipboard
• crop/print/save as required
• return to your browser and drag the map in streetmap to a new position if required
• repeat as above until you have all the maps you require

But, as I say, I don't know if this is legal and doesn't breach copyright so obviously I couldn't possibly recommend this method.

[tcvarlh]

Wheresthepath can be useful too
h