POI Mega File - pushpin collections for truckers, RVers, and other travelers

Lee, if you wish the POI Mega File to replace the default template of Streets & Trips, you can do that, too. Just rename the POI Mega file to New North America Map.stt, and then replace the default S&T template in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Streets & Trips\Templates\, or a similar folder where the template is located on your computer.

POI Mega File Update

No, thank you, Larry!

In less than 3 months, the POI MegaFile has been downloaded over 1,600 times. That's over 500 times per month.

The file can be freely downloaded by anyone. The most up-to-date version is always available on the first page on this topic, right on the bottom of the first post (under the video clip).

Larry:

FYI, I recently made a large number of corrections and additions to the RideToEat.com database and it would be great if you could refresh the Mega File with the new RTE data.

I am not sure which format is most useful to you, but if you go to Downloads | Ride To Eat I am sure there is something there that will work for you.

Thanks!

Thanks Steve! I will be sure to update with the new RTE info for the next version.

I also noticed that the DiscoveryOwners site has updated Sam's Clubs and Rest Area info so I've got some work to do :-)

By the way, I ate at a couple of your RTE locations while I was in FL. Good choices for places to eat.

Btw, what's the procedure for updating the POI Mega File once you have copied it to the New North American Map template? Do you suck it into that template, or will that result in duplicates? Or, do you suck it into a fresh map and then once again overwrite the template?

Thanks!

Regards, Chris

I think Phantom62's latest post in the thread about how to make it the default template has a solution that would work the best for me.

How to set the "default" file in Microsoft Streets and Trips

If you used that suggestion, when a new version becomes available just download the POI Megafile, load it into a new map, then save it with the same name as the previous .EST file in order to overwrite it. Use the icon on the desktop to open it whenever that's what you want to start with.

...ken...

Hey, Ken! Thanks for the reply and suggestion. The reason I was asking, though, is because I've also grabbed a number of other POIs off of the POI Factory, so if I start with an empty map I have to reinstall all of the POIs again, not just the Mega File. So, I was wondering if there was another way, or if S&T would sort out what's new and only import those? I guess not, though, eh?

Thanks, again, for the suggestion...

Regards, Chris

P.S. I went to U of R way back in the mid-70's (yes, kiddies, I'm a dinosaur!), so I have a fondness for Regina even though I haven't been there for years.

The POI Megafile is a way to give users a huge headstart in creating a personalized map template with all the collections that you care about.

As you start using the file you may delete a few collections that do not interest you and add new collections that suit your interests. Over time you will have a 'custom POI megafile' that works for you.

Those users savvy enough to use the Import Data Wizard don't neccessarily need to download the new POI Megafile - just update your version with the new collections.

The best place to see what is new is here: DiscoveryOwners. Choose "text only" from the dropdown list and the recently updated files are listed right at the top.

Steve owns the extensive Ride to Eat POI collection and he has an update available on his website: Downloads | Ride To Eat

Tip: when assigning columns in the import process - choose lat/longs over addresses for pushpin placement. Assign address column as <other data> otherwise S&T will geocode using address and not lat/long.

Doesn't the data import automatically default to use Lat/Lon if the wizard thinks those columns are fully populated? I can't see where the user interface offers any control over that... am I missing something?

BTW, I just added another file format to the download page. It's a Streets and Trips optimized TSV file with the headers named properly for the import wizard, and the address data combined into one field so it doesn't take up so much vertical space in the balloon. You can see it halfway down the Ride To Eat download page.

Larry, et. al.

I find it easier to hide all the pushpins on the old megafile, and then use the Export GPX function to "capture" my route. Then update [open] the megafile, and do a Import GPX function to bring my route into the updated megafile.

If you have added pushpins [they should be at the top of the list], go ahead and unhide them and the GPX file will include them also. The only thing needed after that is adding back the pushpin graphics to the added pushpins as the GPX file doesn't bring those across.

Whatever works best for the individual.

Tom

Tom, you are THE man! That's *exactly* what I was looking for... some way to avoid having to individually reimport a dozen push pin sets. Although it took awhile for the computer to churn through the data, both exporting and then reimporting them, it was sure a heck of alot easier than doing it manually one set at a time.

Bravo for you, dude!

Regards,

Chris

February update

Larry writes:
Thanks Larry! Both, the .zip, and now also the .est file (no need to un-zip), are available on page 1.

I've also recently modified the last field ("RTE Review") so that it is no longer just a generic link back to the RTE website, but a hard link back to an anchor tag for that specific entry. That modification has also been applied to the S&T2007 and S&T2010 files. All are available on the Ride To Eat download page. Hopefully it will be integrated into the next POI Mega file update as well.

I've undertaken a rather massive ongoing effort to enhance the RTE data. I've capped it at 1000 entries for now. To keep it there, when a new entry is received I delete an old unreviewed entry. I also update address/phone/website data as new entries and entry updates are received. I have street address on about 3/4ths of the entries now. As always, 100% of the entries have Lat/Lon data.

In under a month I've gone from less than a quarter of my entries including reviews, to over half. The last half is going to be the hardest though... Once the data is 100% made up of fully reviewed locations, I'll remove the cap and let the dataset grow again. In the meantime the data is evolving rapidly, so if you're planning to use it on a trip or something you may want to download it again to freshen your copy before departing.

Enjoy!

Thanks Steve for your on going efforts and commitment to this awesome collection of recommmended eateries.

I will most certainly include the latest and greatest version of the RTE data in the March release of the POI Megafile however those who want it now can just grab it from your website easy enough.