Discussion of creation of version 1 of the forum map of The Great Wall of China

[chinoook]

Ok, one proposal:

We tag the data as follows (and mark by different colours):

- self acquired GPS data
- found on GE
- quoted from known source
- taken form a source of unknown reliability
- unclear source

Doing it this way we can maintain different files (of each data source type) and can combine them when needed.

Classification (dynasty, period, state, ...) will be done seperately later.

What do you think?


-chinoook

[Kim]

I also have quite a few kml and kmz files that I have collected from others. These are not combined with my file. Anyone else wishing to share their files should let me know; I wouldn't post anyone else's work here without their permission.

You already have my GE file and please feel free to use it.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Kim

You already have my GE file and please feel free to use it.

Here is Kim's kmz file from 23 May, 2008.

[chinoook]

Wow! Thanks a lot.

Tons of work, but the project is advancing.

One question: Why do you zip the .kmz-files? They already are (the "z" indicates, it is a zipped kml-file). It should not decrease the file size and makes it more uncomfortable to open, especially for users who don't have an unzip-tool.


-chinoook

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

One question: Why do you zip the .kmz-files? They already are (the "z" indicates, it is a zipped kml-file). It should not decrease the file size and makes it more uncomfortable to open, especially for users who don't have an unzip-tool.


-chinoook

Because the forum software only allows attachments of certain types of files for security reasons. I can modify it to accept kml and kmz files, though. It's really an unnecessary extra step to have to unzip a single, uncompessed kmz file from a zip file.

[chinoook]

I did some GE work on the Han Dynasty Great Wall close to Dunhuang. I choose the way I think we should map the whole Great Wall. It shows the wall where it is clearly visible, it shows beacon towers and possible beacon towers. Added also Yumenguan and Yangguan which are not an integral part of the wall but will always be mentioned if you talk about this part of the wall.

Feel free to look in the surroundings for more wall related remnants ;-).


-chinoook

[chinoook]

Today I found a "Mapquest" called map of the Great Wall as a .kmz-file. I did some GE work (i.e. 102 paths ...) which show the most comprehensive wall I have so far seen on GE. The reliability seems excellent, the real wall on high resolution photos is never more than a few hunderd meters away. With this paths on your GPS device you should be able to find the wall in most regions.
Even the coverage of Hebei is quite good and very interesting information in Liaoning!


-chinoook

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

Today I found a "Mapquest" called map of the Great Wall as a .kmz-file. I did some GE work (i.e. 102 paths ...) which show the most comprehensive wall I have so far seen on GE. The reliability seems excellent, the real wall on high resolution photos is never more than a few hunderd meters away. With this paths on your GPS device you should be able to find the wall in most regions.
Even the coverage of Hebei is quite good and very interesting information in Liaoning!


-chinoook

Well, it's an interesting piece of work! I would like to know more about how it was derived. It does have a lot of good information, but I noticed a few problems after a quick look.

There are many completely missing areas, for example, Badaling area, Huanghuacheng area, the outer wall leading to the north from Jiankou, and the Shanhaiguan area.

There are places where I don't believe there is any Great Wall, although at one time there might have been. For example, Nankou.

And the location is pretty far off in many places, for example, Mutianyu.

Despite these problems, it does have a lot of useful information. I will definitely spend more time examining it.

[chinoook]

Originally Posted by greatwallforum

Well, it's an interesting piece of work! I would like to know more about how it was derived. It does have a lot of good information, but I noticed a few problems after a quick look.

I found it in the GE community by searching for "Great Wall". I don't know anything about it not even what "Mapquest" is.

[quote]There are many completely missing areas, for example, Badaling area, Huanghuacheng area, the outer wall leading to the north from Jiankou, and the Shanhaiguan area.

There are places where I don't believe there is any Great Wall, although at one time there might have been. For example, Nankou.[/qoute]

Could you please give me the exact coordinates?

And the location is pretty far off in many places, for example, Mutianyu.

Despite these problems, it does have a lot of useful information. I will definitely spend more time examining it.

I agree. It seems to be the most comprehensive and in most cases the most accurate wall information. Once added our GE research data we will have en excellent Wall map. And then your and some of my GPS data will be added ...


-chinoook

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

I don't know anything about it not even what "Mapquest" is.

Mapquest is one of the original online mapping websites (www.mapquest.com).

Originally Posted by chinoook

Could you please give me the exact coordinates?

I attached a zip file containing 20 GE paths that are not included in the Mapquest file.