latitude and longitude designation and collection data

[Curtis Clark]

On Fri, 29 Sep 1995, Doug Yanega wrote:
> I've been keeping my eyes peeled for something that would do the trick, but
> so far have heard nothing more than rumors, or half-baked solutions. The
> objective, and the ideal method of obtaining it seem easy enough to
> formulate: start with a very detailed geographic map, with both roads AND
> topographic information, and then apply software which tells you exactly
> what the latitude, longitude, and altitude are at the point of the cursor,
> and lets you measure distances along roads. This *must* be feasible with

Unfortunately for this idea, latitude and longitude are not rectilinear
on most map projections.  This is not as much of a problem on "close-up"
maps (I can never emember whether those are "large-scale" or "small-scale"),
but affects even them as you get closer to the poles.  Such a system would
also fall victim to bad maps; this would be especially bothersome if
two different maps were used for the same area.  Not that the idea isn't a
good one, but the barriers are more than just getting the right equipment
and software.

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Curtis Clark        http://www.sci.csupomona.edu/biology/clark/clark.htm
Biological Sciences Department                     Voice: (909) 869-4062
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona    FAX:   (909) 869-4396
Pomona CA 91768-4032                               jcclark at csupomona.edu
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