We often get asked questions about GPSS, the software that was included with some of our products for promotional purposes by Sunninghill Systems of the UK. For a more complete FAQ and assistance, please contact or visit the GPSS website at, www.gpss.co.uk

With questions such as what the maps are like etc, how detailed etc. being asked so frequently, we thought its time for a FAQ. So here is a little more info to assist you. Firstly, please allow me to be blunt here. We are not the supplier/manufacturer of this software, so we can't answer all questions, you will have to visit the Authors (Robin) website, www.gpss.co.uk to gain more information than we give here.

Keep in mind this is FREE software, so of course it will not have al the bells and whistles of a voice guided navigation software. If you want Voice Guided Sat Nav software, you will have to pay for it as many hours work from teams of people go into creating the maps, Points Of Interest,  routes etc.   If you do need a true navigation product, I would (of course) recommend our Odyssey Navigator for PCs, Laptops, some PDAs and WinCE.

GPSS is provided FREE for personal use with users just needing to register on the GPSS website. The registration lasts for 6 months and can be renewed every 6 months without charge. Registration simply consists of completing a simple questionnaire. You are able to upgrade the registration by paying a fee and it will enable you to use GPSS on any PC.  The fee at last check was approx A$55 (20 GBP).

So on to the FAQ;

1	What is GPSS anyway?	GPSS is a simple Moving Map application that will show you on a map your location. It does offer some limited guidance capability, but not "Turn left in 200m, then turn right" like a voice Navigation Product, it simply says "You are xxx Klm from Sydney".
2	What is Moving Map?	Moving map is simply that, a map that moves to show your position. This type of application is great as a start into GPS navigation, or are perfect for 4wd, marine/nautical, geocache and trekking activities. If you need voice navigation in and around or between cities etc, then you need a full blown routing navigation package. You will need to purchase these applications, due to the large amount of work involved to create them, and depending on your computing platform (Laptop/PocketPC etc) we have some options available. Please visit our software & maps section for details of what we have available.
3	How much detail is there in the free software?	Much of the mapping is not very detailed, but the author provides the means of adding more detailed maps for these and other countries. Please visit http://members.aol.com/gpssw/mapimage.htm For some assistance with Australian maps, please visit, http://www.gpss.tripoduk.com/ausidown.htm http://www.gpss.tripoduk.com/ozimap.htm
4	What maps are included with the software?	The GPSS mapping on the CD now includes basic starter maps for Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, UK, USA, and Venezuela. Much of the mapping is not detailed, but Robin provides the means of adding more detailed maps for these and other countries. See Q3 above.
5	Are there any Air/Aviation/nautical/marine maps?	No additional maps are included. Please visit www.gpss.co.uk which provides the means of adding maps of any sort for use.
6	How do I add maps?	http://members.aol.com/gpssw/mapimage.htm For some assistance with Australian maps, please visit, http://www.gpss.tripoduk.com/ausidown.htm http://www.gpss.tripoduk.com/ozimap.htm
7	Will GPSS run on a xxxxxxxx?	GPSS will run on just about any PC, from 386/Win3.11 upwards, its just the speed that varies. Robin also has a PocketPC version presently under development.
8	Why do we provide GPSS	We included GPSS for 2 reasons.  The first is to help new users to GPS, nothing worse than wanting a new toy, and not having a program to test or play with, its kind of like a new remote controlled car with no batteries for Christmas.  Secondly, it is for promotional assistance for SunningHill Systems.  We now include a trial version of our own Odyssey Navigator which is a real voice navigation software package with NAVTEQ maps.