Graphomania

Rochester had a warm day for the first time since I arrived last week.  It reminds me that spring time is on the way and hopefully will be here soon.  As soon as the snow starts melting and I know it’s time to start making plans for the spring and summer months.  This year I’ve decided that I’m going to keep better records of my outdoor pursuits using my GPS along with writing and taking photos, then using my WordPress setup to merge all this data into something useful.

Nothing is more heartbreaking then to come across something amazing out in the wilderness and not being able to find it again because you lack the information necessary.  Back in the days of my youth, I came across many fascinating discoveries while out hiking and exploring.  Sadly this was long before GPS devices or the Internet were developed, so most of what I came across will have to wait for someone else to find and hopefully brag about.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a note-taking obsession that has only gotten worse since the digital era arrived.  After I purchased my first GPS in 1998, my data and note-taking obsession exploded.  I tried to merge notes with geographical data with limited success.  Today, it’s a reality that will likely reach its full potential in the coming months.  Ideally, I’d love to assemble a database that covers every data-loggable aspect of my life, but don’t know where to begin, and also questioning how useful a database of this magnitude could be once completed.  Google is on their way to doing this, I believe in hopes of databasing and storing everyone’s information, and while I’m excited about the limitless possibilities, I question the safety and security as well as Google’s intentions in regards to their use of this information.

My next project will likely be an online database of my GPS data; hopefully as part of my WordPress installation.