Open Source Map applications for antiX

[Member PPC]

Since I want my ft10 transformation pack to have parity with the features that something as common as an android device offers, I began looking into something that now most computers hardly use because they have a fully working GPS on their pocket: a Map application.

I discovered gnome-maps – it’s a great GUI for using OpenStreetMaps – but the version that is available in the Debian repository (even for antiX 21- Debian 11) is many years old. As far as I searched the only way to install the latest version on antiX is via flatpak. The problem with the version that is in the repository is that it lacks the ability to recognize address. You can plot you way only between 2 points that you select on the map – that is not very practical if you do not know where you want to go is, right?

I tried several Map applications, including Marble (that can, among other very useful things, access OpenStreetMaps, but I could not find a way to make it display turn by turn directions), and even software that allowed you to download maps by country to use off-line. Unfortunately none of those allowed me to enter the address of the place I want to go and see turn by turn directions.

As far as I can tell, currently either you install gnome-maps from flatpak – that I did not test- or (faster, and much less resource intensive on your hard drive space) use https://www.openstreetmap.org in your default browser. The site is fast and runs great even on old hardware and not so fast internet connections. Load the site, click the arrow to get the itinerary between 2 points, enter the addresses and you get everything you need, including turn by turn instructions almost instantly. The only drawback it, since it’s a website, it requires you to be on-line to use it…

P.

Edit; My suggestion to add OpenStreetMaps to your menu would be creating, on your home folder this file (adapted from the Gnome maps) and call it “maps.desktop” :

[Desktop Entry]
Name[af]=Padkaart
Name[an]=Mapas
Name[ar]=الخرائط
Name[as]=মানচিত্ৰ
Name[bg]=Карти
Name[bs]=Karte
Name[ca]=Mapes
Name[ca@valencia]=Mapes
Name[cs]=Mapy
Name[da]=Kort
Name[de]=Karten
Name[el]=Χάρτες
Name[en_GB]=Maps
Name[eo]=Mapoj
Name[es]=Mapas
Name[et]=Kaardid
Name[eu]=Mapak
Name[fa]=نقشه‌ها
Name[fi]=Kartat
Name[fr]=Cartes
Name[fur]=Mapis
Name[ga]=Léarscáileanna
Name[gd]=Mapaichean
Name[gl]=Mapas
Name[id]=Peta
Name[is]=Landakort
Name[it]=Mappe
Name[ja]=地図
Name[kk]=Карталар
Name[kn]=ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ಸ್
Name[ko]=지도
Name[lt]=Žemėlapiai
Name[lv]=Kartes
Name[ml]=ഭൂപടങ്ങള്‍
Name[nb]=Kart
Name[ne]=मानचित्र
Name[nl]=Kaarten
Name[oc]=Mapas
Name[pa]=ਨਕਸ਼ਾ
Name[pl]=Mapy
Name[pt]=Mapas
Name[pt_BR]=Mapas
Name[ru]=Карты
Name[ro]=Hărți
Name[sk]=Mapy
Name[sl]=Zemljevidi
Name[sr]=Карте
Name[sr@latin]=Karte
Name[sv]=Kartor
Name[te]=పటాలు
Name[tg]=Харитаҳо
Name[tr]=Haritalar
Name[uk]=Карти
Name[vi]=Bản đồ
Name[zh_CN]=地图
Name[zh_HK]=地圖
Name[zh_TW]=地圖
Name=Maps
Exec=desktop-defaults-run -b https://www.openstreetmap.org
Icon=/usr/share/icons/papirus-antix/48x48/apps/maps.png
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true
Categories=Utility;
Keywords[af]=Maps;Padkaart;Kaart;Ligging;
Keywords[an]=Mapas;
Keywords[ar]=خرائط;
Keywords[as]=মানচিত্ৰ;
Keywords[bg]=карти;глобус;атлас;maps;
Keywords[bs]=Karte;
Keywords[ca]=mapes;
Keywords[ca@valencia]=mapes;
Keywords[cs]=mapa;mapy;
Keywords[da]=Kort;
Keywords[de]=Karten;
Keywords[el]=Χάρτες;Maps;
Keywords[en_GB]=Maps;
Keywords[eo]=Mapoj;
Keywords[es]=Mapas;
Keywords[et]=Kaardid;Kaart;
Keywords[eu]=Mapak;
Keywords[fa]=نقشه;نقشه‌ها;Maps;
Keywords[fi]=Maps;Kartta;Kartat;Reitit;Reitti;
Keywords[fr]=Cartes;
Keywords[fur]=Mapis;
Keywords[ga]=Léarscáileanna;
Keywords[gd]=Maps;mapaichean;
Keywords[gl]=Mapas;
Keywords[id]=Peta;
Keywords[is]=Landakort;
Keywords[it]=Mappe;
Keywords[ja]=Maps;地図;マップ;
Keywords[kk]=Maps;Карталар;
Keywords[kn]=ನಕ್ಷೆಗಳು;
Keywords[ko]=Maps;지도;맵;
Keywords[lt]=Žemėlapiai;
Keywords[lv]=Kartes;
Keywords[ml]=Maps;
Keywords[nb]=Kart;
Keywords[ne]=मानचित्र;
Keywords[nl]=Maps;Kaart;Kaarten;
Keywords[oc]=Mapas;
Keywords[pa]=ਨਕਸ਼ਾ;
Keywords[pl]=Mapy;Mapa;Satelita;Satelitarna;Położenie;Lokalizacja;Współrzędne;Geografia;Geograficzne;GPS;Ulica;Miasto;Województwo;Kraj;Państwo;Dojazd;Gdzie jestem;Jak dojechać;Jak dojadę;Trasa;Trasy;Wycieczka;Wycieczki;Planowanie;Autobusy;Tramwaje;Pociągi;Metro;Promy;OpenStreetMap;OpenTripPlanner;Foursquare;Meldowanie;Zamelduj się;
Keywords[pt]=Mapas;
Keywords[pt_BR]=Mapas;
Keywords[ru]=Карты;
Keywords[ro]=Maps;Hărți;
Keywords[sk]=Mapy;
Keywords[sl]=Zemljevidi;karta;karte;maps;
Keywords[sr]=Maps;карте;мапе;карта;мапа;karte;mape;karta;mapa;
Keywords[sr@latin]=Maps;karte;mape;karta;mapa;karte;mape;karta;mapa;
Keywords[sv]=Kartor;
Keywords[te]=పటాలు;
Keywords[tg]=Харитаҳо;
Keywords[tr]=Haritalar;Maps;
Keywords[uk]=Карти;
Keywords[vi]=Maps;Bản đồ;Ban do;
Keywords[zh_CN]=Maps;地图;
Keywords[zh_HK]=Maps;地圖;
Keywords[zh_TW]=Maps;地圖;
Keywords=Maps;

Make sure that you saved the “maps.desktop” file in your user’s home folder and, to add this to your menu run this command, on the terminal:
sudo cp '~/maps.desktop' /usr/share/applications

Update your menu (or restart antiX) and you’ll have a “maps” entry, that instantly starts openstreetmaps on your default browser (for example, in the case of firefox, if it’s already open, a new tab will come up, displaying openstreetmaps

• This topic was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by PPC.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by PPC.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by PPC.

[Member ile]

Helpful

Up

0

::

Hello PPC
with willingness to use an online resource before you go
trial the TomTom “Route Planner”
online at mydrive.tomtom. (?)

[Member ModdIt]

Helpful

Up

0

::

Hi Ile, Tomtom is not an open source application as well as commercial.
Should a user wish to read the privacy policy, Tomtom wants to set
cookys before access.

I will never use them as they have partnered with VW, a disgusting company.
Remember Lies and unneccesarily breaking environmental laws with regard to diesel engines.
Reason make even more profits while receiving Taxpayers money as subventions..

[Member olsztyn]

Helpful

Up

0

::

PPC wrote:

I discovered gnome-maps – it’s a great GUI for using OpenStreetMaps – but the version that is available in the Debian repository (even for antiX 21- Debian 11) is many years old. As far as I searched the only way to install the latest version on antiX is via flatpak. The problem with the version that is in the repository is that it lacks the ability to recognize address. You can plot you way only between 2 points that you select on the map – that is not very practical if you do not know where you want to go is, right?

I have tested gnome maps on antiX 21 and my results are the following:
– Appears to install fine from standard repositories excepts menu item not created. Starts from terminal just fine.
– Version is 3.38, which appears to be quite recent as far as I could tell so far.
– Appears to work fine including address recognition in search and that seems to work correctly. Route between origin and destination appears to be plotted correctly.
– Does not seem to be capable of offline maps. No downloads, so needs internet connection.
– As important for antiX – no elogind or libelogind0 installed, although many dependencies…

If it was Android I would recommend Mapy.cz, a great offline mapping and navigation based on Open Maps. Developed in Czech Republic… Unfortunately no Linux version.

Live antiX Boot Options (Previously posted by Xecure):
https://antixlinuxfan.miraheze.org/wiki/Table_of_antiX_Boot_Parameters

[Member PPC]

Helpful

Up

0

::

@olsztyn – after your report I retested gnome-maps, and now it correctly detects addresses! could it be that the api that it uses to access openstreetmaps and plot routes was down? Now even in antiX 19, it works just fine (still it lacks support for off-line maps, but still, it’s a nice way to access maps).

Edit: never mind – I retested with some new places here in Portugal and gnome-maps can’t find them, but openstreetmaps.org finds them instantly and plots the route- at least in antiX 19, I can say that gnome-maps does not even compare, in terms of real practical use with the web page… I’ll try to retest, later, in antiX 21 just because gnome-maps is a bit lighter than running a firefox…

P.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by PPC.

[Member olsztyn]

Helpful

Up

0

::

PPC wrote:

I’ll try to retest, later, in antiX 21 just because gnome-maps is a bit lighter than running a firefox…

Which version is being installed in antiX 19? Under antiX 21 I do not seem to have issues so far. And indeed, running an app like this beats browser hands down. Just too bad it does not support offline maps, which Mapy.cz app under Android supports very nicely, allows to download maps of any country.

I checked also Marble, which you mentioned as an option but the immense number of dependencies to be installed just turned me off, Particularly it tries to install libelogind0,
banned recently from antiX by anticapitalista. Installing such banned stuff is a no-no to me…

As I am also interested in map apps, I tested also FoxtrotGPS but map rendering was extremely slow, comparing to gnome-maps, which is fast and smooth on old laptop.
If anyone knows however of some map app capable of downloading offline maps that would be the real thing…

Live antiX Boot Options (Previously posted by Xecure):
https://antixlinuxfan.miraheze.org/wiki/Table_of_antiX_Boot_Parameters

[Member ModdIt]

Helpful

Up

0

::

Edit: Sorry. After some time testing trials and problems .. offroadosm definitely not ready for real usage.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by ModdIt.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by ModdIt.

[Member PPC]

Helpful

Up

0

::

I stand corrected- the gnome-maps available for antiX 19 – that’s version 3.30.3.1-0+deb10u1 (from 2017) sometimes fails to detect addresses. The version available for antiX 21 – version 3.38 is from 2019 and it seems to work perfectly (I tested a couple of addresses). Even in my single core old netbook, now with antiX 21 gnome-maps performs very well…
The current version, available in flathub is 4+…

P.

[Forum Admin anticapitalista]

Helpful

Up

0

::

I managed to build gnome-maps 41.4 for antiX-21.
Want to try it?

I’ll see if I can also port it to antiX-19

Does it work ok without pulseaudio?

Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.

antiX with runit - leaner and meaner.

[Member PPC]

Helpful

Up

0

::

@anticapitalista – sure! Where can I download it? 🙂

[Forum Admin anticapitalista]

Helpful

Up

0

::

Here is a 64bit version for antiX-21. Note it is totally untested.

https://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/Testing/

Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.

antiX with runit - leaner and meaner.

[Member PPC]

Helpful

Up

0

::

@anticapitalista – I tested a couple of addresses – it seems to work flawlessly – still very fast, even in a not so fast wifi connection on a my single core netbook. It uses less than 50mb of RAM, so ideal for people with devices low on RAM!
Many thanks!

PS: Let me test it for a bit longer, and maybe wait for others to provide feedback, but, if the package continues working this well, you can update the version on the antiX 21 repository to this one.

As far as I know, gnome-maps does not make sound – so I can’t testify to it working with pulseaudio or not- it does not provide directions out loud, like GPS applications in mobile devices (at least not as far as I know…)- it seems to me more old school and let users map their way before hitting the road (like it was some 10 years ago, when people did not carry a GPS/tracking device in their pockets…

P.

[Member madibi]

Helpful

Up

0

::

My experience

The install is ok
No sound – as far as I can see

System: antix 21 – ft 10 – Nvidia drivers

Pc ram consumption (according to conky):
idle after boot: 188 M
after start of maps: 273 M
after path search: 343 M
idle after all above operations: 202 M (!!! – memory leak)

The program is very fast and quite accurate.
I tried some test in Europe and the results were good. Another very severe test (the suk of Marrakech) was not as good as the previous, in any case it was more than enough.

This program is not thought to be used on mobile phones or tablet, where google maps or Waze are good enough. On low powered pc or laptop this is really the alternative that I should suggest as #1.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by madibi.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by madibi.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by madibi.

[Member olsztyn]

Helpful

Up

0

::

anticapitalista wrote:

I managed to build gnome-maps 41.4 for antiX-21.

Appears to work fine on my end too. So far no issues that I can see. antiX 21 Runit.
On memory use I have similar results as @ madibi. Slight memory leak appears to be there (about 10-12M) in my case too but not sure if this is attributed specifically to gnome-maps or something else installed alongside. I noticed in general that symptom in similar programs. E.g. Google Earth appears to exhibit much greater amount of memory leak, depending on length of use and diversity of locations.

My take on gnome-maps: It would be great to have this latest in antiX. The best I could find for Linux among this type of software. Fast rendering, relatively lean and fits antiX well. Too bad no support for offline…

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by olsztyn.

Live antiX Boot Options (Previously posted by Xecure):
https://antixlinuxfan.miraheze.org/wiki/Table_of_antiX_Boot_Parameters

[Member ModdIt]

Helpful

Up

0

::

Below link may be helpful, seems at the time of the post Jonas Danielsson was one of the maintainers for gnome maps
Quote is from the blog post:

JD Wrote: I managed to get a freeze exception to include a new feature in Maps for 3.18. It is now possible to use local, offline, tiles by using the –local command line option.
What you need are image map tiles, organized in a standard way in a directory. Then you can point Maps towards that directory and have local tiles usable offline.
See https://jonasdn.blogspot.com/2015/09/using-offline-local-tiles-with-gnome.html

[Author]

Posts