Thomas1962
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2010/2011/2012/2013: Madrid -Salvador -Primitivo 2014: EPW 2015: Amsterdam - SdC
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Thanks for this. I've noticed maps.me was getting more and more commercialised. I'll give Organic maps a try out.Many pilgrims use the app 'Maps.me' (with tracks added) to find their way on their camino's. For a few reasons there is another app which looks and works like maps.me, but has some extra advantages: Organic Maps.
'Organic Maps' is like a copy of Maps.me. It was split from Maps.me and further developed by the founder of Maps.me. The current Maps.me users will immediately notice this, organic maps looks nearly the same as Maps.me and Organic Maps also uses the same maps of OpenStreetMap. In addition, it is an 'open source' program that is further developed by many volunteers around the world.
It is completely free, without advertisements and without registration. Another advantage is that the developers want a maximum privacy for the users, there are no 'trackers' in it and no other data is taken from your phone.
Another thing which can be important to some people: it is not clear who the current owner is of Maps.me, but it is probably (partly) a Russian company.
Especially for people who are using the "accomodation files" of the "Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob" (NGSJ, the Dutch confraternity of Saint James) it can be usefull to switch.
A few months ago also the code of Maps.me was changed which makes the information which is inside the free files with information of all albergues nearly impossible to read properly any more. You also cannot mail, phone or go to a website directly from the app. Because of all this, the NGSJ recommends from now on to use Organic maps instead of Map.me.
The files from the NGSJ can be found on their downloadpage: www.santiago.nl/downloads. On top you will also find a manual how to use them in a smartphone.
If you switch to Organis Maps, I will be happy to read your experiences.
I have recently just returned from my 2nd Camino where I predominantly used Map.me/Camino ninja!Many pilgrims use the app 'Maps.me' (with tracks added) to find their way on their camino's. For a few reasons there is another app which looks and works like maps.me, but has some extra advantages: Organic Maps.
'Organic Maps' is like a copy of Maps.me. It was split from Maps.me and further developed by the founder of Maps.me. The current Maps.me users will immediately notice this, organic maps looks nearly the same as Maps.me and Organic Maps also uses the same maps of OpenStreetMap. In addition, it is an 'open source' program that is further developed by many volunteers around the world.
It is completely free, without advertisements and without registration. Another advantage is that the developers want a maximum privacy for the users, there are no 'trackers' in it and no other data is taken from your phone.
Another thing which can be important to some people: it is not clear who the current owner is of Maps.me, but it is probably (partly) a Russian company.
Especially for people who are using the "accomodation files" of the "Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob" (NGSJ, the Dutch confraternity of Saint James) it can be usefull to switch.
A few months ago also the code of Maps.me was changed which makes the information which is inside the free files with information of all albergues nearly impossible to read properly any more. You also cannot mail, phone or go to a website directly from the app. Because of all this, the NGSJ recommends from now on to use Organic maps instead of Map.me.
The files from the NGSJ can be found on their downloadpage: www.santiago.nl/downloads. On top you will also find a manual how to use them in a smartphone.
If you switch to Organis Maps, I will be happy to read your experiences.
Have imported some bookmarks and tracks from maps.me - any idea how you delete tracks you no longer need?Many pilgrims use the app 'Maps.me' (with tracks added) to find their way on their camino's. For a few reasons there is another app which looks and works like maps.me, but has some extra advantages: Organic Maps.
'Organic Maps' is like a copy of Maps.me. It was split from Maps.me and further developed by the founder of Maps.me. The current Maps.me users will immediately notice this, organic maps looks nearly the same as Maps.me and Organic Maps also uses the same maps of OpenStreetMap. In addition, it is an 'open source' program that is further developed by many volunteers around the world.
It is completely free, without advertisements and without registration. Another advantage is that the developers want a maximum privacy for the users, there are no 'trackers' in it and no other data is taken from your phone.
Another thing which can be important to some people: it is not clear who the current owner is of Maps.me, but it is probably (partly) a Russian company.
Especially for people who are using the "accomodation files" of the "Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob" (NGSJ, the Dutch confraternity of Saint James) it can be usefull to switch.
A few months ago also the code of Maps.me was changed which makes the information which is inside the free files with information of all albergues nearly impossible to read properly any more. You also cannot mail, phone or go to a website directly from the app. Because of all this, the NGSJ recommends from now on to use Organic maps instead of Map.me.
The files from the NGSJ can be found on their downloadpage: www.santiago.nl/downloads. On top you will also find a manual how to use them in a smartphone.
If you switch to Organis Maps, I will be happy to read your experiences.
The product appears to be owned by MAPS.ME (CYPRUS) Limited (https://maps.me/terms/) which is a listed company on the Cyprus business register (here).Another thing which can be important to some people: it is not clear who the current owner is of Maps.me, but it is probably (partly) a Russian company.
It seems like maps.me is now owned by the Daegu Limited company which is a part of Parity.com Group the founders of the company are Victor Mangazeev and Alex Grebnev - two good, solid Swiss names. The headquarters is in Switzerland.The product appears to be owned by MAPS.ME (CYPRUS) Limited (https://maps.me/terms/) which is a listed company on the Cyprus business register (here).
A quick Wikipedia search will lead the ownership trail to a Swiss company, Convexity Holdings AG. That could lead you anywhere, and doesn't disclose where the finance for MAPS.ME was sourced. Of course, that might have included finance sourced from Russia, but that would be speculation, nothing more.
Even if the Maps.me product might once have been owned by a Russian company, the current ownership lines are through Cyprus and Switzerland.
Have been playing with Organic Maps on and off now and it seems promising but still has a way to go.Have imported some bookmarks and tracks from maps.me - any idea how you delete tracks you no longer need?
Hi Jeff, it seems like it depends what you want to delete. Bookmarks indeed you can delete one by one. If you would like to specific tracks (like one in the 'all spanish caminos' from the Dutch Confraternity) it seems like you cannot. Or maybe you found out already a way to do it... ;-)Have been playing with Organic Maps on and off now and it seems promising but still has a way to go.
It appears there is not yet a means to remove saved tracks - I contacted the company last night and got a very swift reply from Alexander the lead developer.
Watch this space as they say.
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There were other sources that led me to writing about the Russian connection.The product appears to be owned by MAPS.ME (CYPRUS) Limited (https://maps.me/terms/) which is a listed company on the Cyprus business register (here).
A quick Wikipedia search will lead the ownership trail to a Swiss company, Convexity Holdings AG. That could lead you anywhere, and doesn't disclose where the finance for MAPS.ME was sourced. Of course, that might have included finance sourced from Russia, but that would be speculation, nothing more.
Even if the Maps.me product might once have been owned by a Russian company, the current ownership lines are through Cyprus and Switzerland.
You do not need a map to do the Camino! But if you want to understand where you and how many more kilometres you have to go for the day then it can be somewhat beneficial. You are not moving that fast that you risk getting lost and the trail is well marked. As for where to sleep, doing an internet search is just as useful if not moreso. In the end, carrying a small Camino map or guide is practical. Some websites have list of albergues and hotels that you can download.Many pilgrims use the app 'Maps.me' (with tracks added) to find their way on their camino's. For a few reasons there is another app which looks and works like maps.me, but has some extra advantages: Organic Maps.
'Organic Maps' is like a copy of Maps.me. It was split from Maps.me and further developed by the founder of Maps.me. The current Maps.me users will immediately notice this, organic maps looks nearly the same as Maps.me and Organic Maps also uses the same maps of OpenStreetMap. In addition, it is an 'open source' program that is further developed by many volunteers around the world.
It is completely free, without advertisements and without registration. Another advantage is that the developers want a maximum privacy for the users, there are no 'trackers' in it and no other data is taken from your phone.
Especially for people who are using the "accomodation files" of the "Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob" (NGSJ, the Dutch confraternity of Saint James) it can be usefull to switch.
A few months ago also the code of Maps.me was changed which makes the information which is inside the free files with information of all albergues nearly impossible to read properly any more. You also cannot mail, phone or go to a website directly from the app. Because of all this, the NGSJ recommends from now on to use Organic maps instead of Map.me.
The files from the NGSJ can be found on their downloadpage: www.santiago.nl/downloads. On top you will also find a manual how to use them in a smartphone.
If you switch to Organis Maps, I will be happy to read your experiences.
"You do not need a map to do the Camino!"You do not need a map to do the Camino! But if you want to understand where you and how many more kilometres you have to go for the day then it can be somewhat beneficial. You are not moving that fast that you risk getting lost and the trail is well marked. As for where to sleep, doing an internet search is just as useful if not moreso. In the end, carrying a small Camino map or guide is practical. Some websites have list of albergues and hotels that you can download.
The sort of statement made by someone who has never missed a flecha. Those of us that have appreciate having some additional help.You are not moving that fast that you risk getting lost and the trail is well marked.
That may be true for the Frances and Portuguese but not all routes are as well marked. And as for those camino routes through France or even the Via Francigena having some sort of map app (or actual maps) is extremely helpful if not vital! I was very glad to have maps.me and the downloaded routes on to it while walk in France this summer- it helped me find shops, bars, campsites, accommodation - never mind keeping me on the right track in places were waymarking was limited or non-existent.You do not need a map to do the Camino! But if you want to understand where you and how many more kilometres you have to go for the day then it can be somewhat beneficial. You are not moving that fast that you risk getting lost and the trail is well marked. As for where to sleep, doing an internet search is just as useful if not moreso. In the end, carrying a small Camino map or guide is practical. Some websites have list of albergues and hotels that you can download.
I am aware of two places on Francés in región Estella that are not. One five-way intersection had the flecha post in a ditch and half of the many times I passed it, a car was parked in front of it. Another post was many meters past the intersection it should have been at. There was also a hotel in one city that painted a yellow arrow to redirect pilgrims to their hotel. And a correct arrow that was ON a hotel's advertisement making me think that it was a deception and I should go straight instead of turning.That may be true for the Frances and Portuguese but not all routes are as well marked.
Maybe that's so for the Francès. But there are many other caminos and not all of them are well-travelled ant trails.You do not need a map to do the Camino!
I have found an on-line map very useful when navigating through large towns and cities where I've found it hard to follow the marked route.You do not need a map to do the Camino! But if you want to understand where you and how many more kilometres you have to go for the day then it can be somewhat beneficial. You are not moving that fast that you risk getting lost and the trail is well marked. As for where to sleep, doing an internet search is just as useful if not moreso. In the end, carrying a small Camino map or guide is practical. Some websites have list of albergues and hotels that you can download.
I smile when I see posts like this. For a start, I never go on the camino thinking that I need to collect data about the habits of my fellow pilgrims so that I can make some grand statements about their behaviour later. If I do keep notes, these are far from being even a sample, let alone a census, like the minutiae of what apps they are using. So I admire the persistence of someone who realized this would be useful to know and has stuck to the task of collecting such things.I am on the Portuguese and everyone here is using mapy.cz
It’s brilliant, the Camino is marked on it already (I don’t understand about downloading routes from kml files) and I’ve checked my home town in UK and it’s very detailed. WORKS OFFLINE WITH GPS which is brilliant. The Ninja app is no longer on the App Store due I think to the passing of the creator. Buen Camino!
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