Fugawi Is Carp

[+-Phoenix-]

On a couple of reccomendations I bought Fugawi for my palm, and I would like to set the record straight here.

 

Its utterly crap!

 

Actually lets be fair, its useless, a complete waste of time, and in 20 years of buying and using software, it rates well high on my list of worst purchases, maybe not quite the top, but certainly close!

 

Firsty I loaded this on the laptop and tried playing witht he 3D stuff, which frankly ran like frozen treacle, in fact the whole package is sluggish way past the point of being frustrating!

 

I then loaded in a few hundred waypoints and obliterated the map with comments, and when I tried editing or even deleting all these waypoints I started getting access violation errors, which required me to shut down the program... which incidentally I could only do via the task manager.

Once I got Fugawi running again I got more errors and a splash icon that would not shift from the screen, which eventually forced me to uninstall and reinstall the whole shooting match!.

 

When it finally came to moving files onto my palm I was in for yet more dissapointment, firstly there is an agreement between Fugawi and OS that means you cant save more than 1600km^2 (40km x 40 km) of OS Landranger map in a single file... not a huge problem, secondly, the only way you can load maps onto the Palm is into the main memory, so even if you have a 512Mb memory card, the maximum size of a map is limited to the amount of free memory on the palm, which in my case is about 10Mb, which considering a 1600km^2 colour 50,000:1 map takes up 25Mb, and a BW one takes up 12Mb leaves me pretty pissed off... plus the facty that I have to reserve a huge chunk of my palms memory just to download Fugawi Maps!

 

Once you have the map on the Palm, albeit the less than 10Mb version you can then move it to the memory card, but this has to be done using Fugawis map manager, so no sneaky loading direct to the mem card, because Fugawi wont recognise it!.

 

Now, Ive finally got my less than 10Mb map onto the palm, and try to access it and nothing, its blank, there is sod all there........ frankly, Ive had enough, Im sure there are plenty of people out there who can give me detailed information on how to achieve what I want but they should not have to, I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users, I build and program computers for a living, and if I cant work out how the hell this software is supposed to work then there has got to be something wrong!

 

OK, Im sure there are work arounds for most of these issues, but, I should not have to work around anything, and it looks like I have to work around EVERYTHING!!!

 

Oh... and Fugawis Tech support response.... sorry, we cant help you without a reg code, and once I send a reg code.....NOTHING!

 

DONT BUY FUGAWI, at best it makes an expensive table mat/frisbee, save your money and buy a few more Landranger maps!!!

Edited March 11, 2005 by -Phoenix-

[+Sue and Bernie]

As a keen Palm user, an old IIIxe, your write-up here has, for me, put another nail in the Palm platform.

 

I had Memory Map before I got the Palm. I bought that as a cheap route to paperless caching using GSAK and Cachemate.

 

Naturally, I would love to have a single device that will do all the paperless bit, navigate the car AND display OS maps....so I've been looking around for ages trying to decide whether to go for the Pocket PC (and MM) route or stick with the Palm and it's excellent user friendliness.

 

The latter choice would neccessitate getting Fugawi as the only OS mapping program for the Palms. You have poured water on that option.

 

Drat! Pocket PC is now clearly the front runner for me...

 

...trouble is - which one of the thousands of options!!!!

[+wildlifewriter]

(snip) I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users, I build and program computers for a living, and if I cant work out how the hell this software is supposed to work then there has got to be something wrong!

To be honest, THAT probably makes the experience even worse - because we know how the software ought to behave if it was properly designed, but it doesn't.

 

I have criticised Fugawi's mapping software before, in this forum, and they deserve it. Considering the length of time that the two main packages have been in development, stability is poor and the user interface looks like Class IIIb's first IT project.

 

Having said that, it's worth pointing out that the problems experienced by the OP are NOT caused by or related to PalmOS or hardware - if Fugawi ever released a version for PPC, I'm sure that it would be just as bad - if not worse.

[+-Phoenix-]

I agree, the Palm OS is fine and in fact was superior to anything Ive seen from M$, and in the hands of a competent programmer can produce VERY impressive results, sadly Fugawi dont have competent programmers at their disposal, this is evident by the number of interface blunders in the Windows software.

 

My only critisism on the Palm is the lack of access it gives to the memory... but then again this is a high end user talking, I know how much damage this sort of access can cause in the wrong hands, which is probably why Palm chose to restrict it, and I also know there are software addons that can give me this access.

 

Hopefully it wont be long before someoen realises that there is a gap in the market here, and that Fugawis agreement with OS is not Palm exclusive!

[+Simply B]

I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users

A bold claim indeed - do you have documentary evidence to hush the outraged cries of the remaining 0.01% of computer users, who think they're better at it than you too?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist it.

[+Pharisee]

I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users......

Mmmm...... I would think that 99.99% of computer users would also rate themselves in the top 99.99%.

That means that there are only 0.01% of users that are worse than you.

 

If you really want to impress me, claim to be on the top 0.01%

 

But I warn you.... I'm not easily impressed

[+Team Ullium]

When I first bought Fugawi it was to plan routes for walking in conjunction with my GPSr and to be fair it did this very well...a bit clunky and not all that intuitive but it did everything I wanted it to do.

 

However, when I started geocaching and got around to buying a Palm I hit all the problems you have Phoenix and with just as much frustration!

 

However, if anyone does have workarounds for the map size restriction or any of the other problems...I would be delighted to read them

 

I know there are many IT specialists on this forum...so I would guess it is more than probable some of them will have found a way around most of these Fugawi problems ???

[+wildlifewriter]

I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users......

Mmmm...... I would think that 99.99% of computer users would also rate themselves in the top 99.99%.

That means that there are only 0.01% of users that are worse than you.

 

Unlike the OP, I have persuaded Fugawi to work on a Palm. (eventually)

 

I therefore claim to be in the top 98.2%, overall.

[+Boneychest & Catsuey]

I make no claims..... I AM in the top 100% (along with everyone else).

 

Seriously though, thanks for your opinion on Fugawi - I certainly wont waste my money now.

[NickPick]

I am proud to be in the bottom 100%

 

I was thinking about Fugawi, I still might have to look at the demo, but that doesn't appear to let you see the palm version as a demo.

 

Any Fugawi users with positive experiences care to comment?

Any Fugawi representatives listening?

[+-Phoenix-]

Any Fugawi users with positive experiences care to comment?

The disks prevents coffee stains on my table and the box is handy for putting a DVD in

[+-Phoenix-]

I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users

A bold claim indeed - do you have documentary evidence to hush the outraged cries of the remaining 0.01% of computer users, who think they're better at it than you too?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist it.

 

Actually, Ill go one better, if the outraged contact me I may have a job for them, it pays between £50K and £60K, but they need to Know:

 

C

VB6

VB.NET

VBA (Excell and Access)

VC#

Java

SQL

ADO

GE Fanuc 9030 Ladder

Fanuc (Ladder, C, G-Code, Custom Macro B )

Siemens S5

All the above with Profibus

 

Theres more stuff, but Im prepared to train if you know the above basics, have a 1st class degree in engineering and can drive CATIA, Solidworks and Mechanical Desktop

Edited March 11, 2005 by -Phoenix-

[+The White Family]

if Fugawi ever released a version for PPC

Fugawi does have a version for PPC. Both PPC and Palm versions are included 'free' in the desktop software [1].

 

I wouldn't give Northport too many compliments, but personally I have very few problems with Fugawi, on either desktop or PPC. I find it invaluable and the best of the similar products I've looked at.

 

[1] For the avoidance of doubt, since I know you're using a different version, I refer to Fugawi UK with v1 OS maps.

[+Mad H@ter]

I've been using v1 of Fugawi with a certain degree of success for the the last year or two. I do agree about the poor interface and it does have a tendency to crash if hurried, so I have learned to be patient and ignore the program is not responding warnings. I have found that it works fairly well, at reasonable pace when newly installed, but once a few thousand waypoints are uploaded it becomes very slow particularly when 1st opening or changing maps.

I have not used it on a Palm as I use an iPAQ (PPC). I find it works very well and have no problems uploading data and maps directly to the memory card, must be a Palm thing. The only real gripe I have on the iPAQ version is that you cannot edit waypoints or add them with your own input co-ords. The map size restrictions are something set by OS and I am sure will be the same on all other OS based mapping software. The size restriction happens to be the same area covered by a printed OS Landranger map.

 

So to sum it up I am reasonably happy with Fugawi and particularly its price. Granted there is much room for improvement and I haven't tried the competition yet.

[+wildlifewriter]

if Fugawi ever released a version for PPC

Fugawi does have a version for PPC. Both PPC and Palm versions are included 'free' in the desktop software [1].

I stand corrected.

 

There wasn't one the last time I looked - which admittedly was some time ago.

 

[+The White Family]

I find it works very well [on PPC] and have no problems uploading data and maps directly to the memory card

 

Me too. I currently have the whole SouthEast of England on a 512Mb SD card.

 

The only real gripe I have on the [PDA] version is that you cannot edit waypoints or add them with your own input co-ords.

 

Hear, hear. This is the major missing item of functionality IMO.

[+Mad H@ter]

Me too. I currently have the whole SouthEast of England on a 512Mb SD card.

Wow that took some effort to do that, I've only got around to doing Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties about 100Mb worth.

[+Stuey]

I probably rate in the top 99.99% of computer users

Sorry Pheonix but you are missing the mathematics here.... To claim to be in the top 0.01% of computer users would have been a far more bold claim. To claim to be in the top 99.99% of users means that you are amongst almost every other computer user (apart from the bottom 0.01%).

 

See?

 

By the way, if you had good jBASE skills I'd offer you a job in my development team any time you want

Edited March 11, 2005 by Stuey

[+2202]

I am running both Fugawi South(mk1) and Midlands(mk2) editions without any problems at all. Only a 600 P2, half a gig of memory, decent video card, and plenty of swap space. Team it up with GSAK and all is hunky dory. The waypoints are spot on with the mapping, and the track readout is spot on too, flying into Gatwick the readout was quite illuminating.

And all for £41, moaning minnies I say.

[+The White Family]

I would love to have a single device that will do all the paperless bit, navigate the car AND display OS maps

We have that. Mio168, CoPilot, Fugawi, GPXSonar. All works a treat.

[+Learned Gerbil]

I used Fugawi on a OS 4.1 Palm with 16Mb of memory for a year. Yes, it was a pain moving maps to main memory then to memory card, but I don't know where you got you map sizes from. 256 colour maps seemed much smaller than you describe. Did you click the button to compress the files?

 

On the PC the only problem I have had is if you accidentaly import descriptions and all msorts into the program when thousands of waypoints will gum it up. Otherwise, if you only import what you need, it is a little slow, but the program does what it says on the tin.

 

I recently got a low end PPC as part of a TomTom navigator deal. The PPC version of Fugawi is a million times better than the Palm one. The maps look better and whole thing runs much quicker.

 

Now I use the PPC for Fugawi and TomTom, and because the PPC is a rubbish PDA (seriously, I can't beleive people stick with them as Palms are so much better designed as personal organisers) I use the Palm for the usual PDA functions and of course for Cachemate.

Edited March 11, 2005 by Learned Gerbil

[+McDeHack]

I claim to be the 0.01%. But then I run Memory map on an Ipaq.

P.S. I still have my ZX81 framed and mounted.

[+-Phoenix-]

Just tried it again, a nearly 1600Km^2 map is 23.6Mb in size and does not fit inside 15Mb of space (Ive done some memory management and found some more space!), this is a 'compressed' map, and when I load it into the Palm I get a fatal exception error, Fugawi no longer works and the only solution is to delete Fugawi from the Palm and reinstall it

[+Team Ullium]

Just tried it again, a nearly 1600Km^2 map is 23.6Mb in size and does not fit inside 15Mb of space (Ive done some memory management and found some more space!), this is a 'compressed' map, and when I load it into the Palm I get a fatal exception error, Fugawi no longer works and the only solution is to delete Fugawi from the Palm and reinstall it

I have lost count of the number of times I have been forced to delete Fugawi and re-install it because it froze up my Palm M505...so if there is a solution or a workaround to this map problem I would dearly like to hear it ???

[+Naefearjustbeer]

Just tried it again, a nearly 1600Km^2 map is 23.6Mb in size and does not fit inside 15Mb of space (Ive done some memory management and found some more space!), this is a 'compressed' map, and when I load it into the Palm I get a fatal exception error, Fugawi no longer works and the only solution is to delete Fugawi from the Palm and reinstall it

I have lost count of the number of times I have been forced to delete Fugawi and re-install it because it froze up my Palm M505...so if there is a solution or a workaround to this map problem I would dearly like to hear it ???

Simple get Memory Map

[+-Phoenix-]

Please supply instructions on getting memory map to work on a PALM!

 

....and if the reply has anything to do with getting a PPC Ill be looking your address up!

[+mongoose39uk]

so far as I know memory map will not work on a palm

[+Learned Gerbil]

Just tried it again, a nearly 1600Km^2 map is 23.6Mb in size and does not fit inside 15Mb of space (Ive done some memory management and found some more space!), this is a 'compressed' map, and when I load it into the Palm I get a fatal exception error, Fugawi no longer works and the only solution is to delete Fugawi from the Palm and reinstall it

If your memory is not large enough for maps then have smaller maps. I have never had a problem with the 10Mb maps I can fit in memory on my Palm. Yes, I know these are less than the maximum size that is theoretically possible. But at the end of the day you have to get a Palm with more memory, or accept that Palms are limited in how they use extension card memory.

 

If a lot of your RAM is in use from applications, get something like ZLauncher to free up loads of memory.

[+Team Ullium]

Just tried it again, a nearly 1600Km^2 map is 23.6Mb in size and does not fit inside 15Mb of space (Ive done some memory management and found some more space!), this is a 'compressed' map, and when I load it into the Palm I get a fatal exception error, Fugawi no longer works and the only solution is to delete Fugawi from the Palm and reinstall it

I have lost count of the number of times I have been forced to delete Fugawi and re-install it because it froze up my Palm M505...so if there is a solution or a workaround to this map problem I would dearly like to hear it ???

Simple get Memory Map

I just wish it was as easy as that Naefearjustbeer

 

Considering that Fugawi has better maps ... much much cheaper maps ... and is considerably many times cheaper over all than MemoryMap...for someone on a pension there is no question which one is the winner

 

However, if you are so loaded as to take pity on an old pensioner and would like to donate me a copy ... I would be overwhelmed

Edited March 12, 2005 by Team Ullium