Chart downloads for UK coastal waters

[john_morris_uk]

We don't seem to be communicating very well...
[ QUOTE ]
I am concerned with the bit of the work that produces charts for sale to the public, and my argument is very simple.

The taxpayer finances this work so it would seem very simple and reasonable that such work is freely available to the taxpayer.



[/ QUOTE ] But the tax payer DOESN'T finance this bit... Once you have managed to understand this, the rest of your argument fails.

In addition, the whole population benefits (in theory) from NHS and Education. I cannot imagine the majority of the country being very happy subsidising what they perceive to be a minority activity.

 

[Barr Avel]

There was an interesting article in the Guardian about his sometime last year:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/mar/09/education.epublic

Marc.

 

[CelebrityScandel]

[ QUOTE ]
I cannot imagine the majority of the country being very happy subsidising what they perceive to be a minority activity.

[/ QUOTE ]
So you will refer us to the evidence that in those countries that do regard hydrographic (and land too) data as being a public good available for free use the general public are unhappy about it?

Oh, sorry, I just noticed, you do say that you are only imagining that they would be so.

 

[oakum]

Interesting article - which if I read correctly informs that moves are afoot to free up data so someone's previous suggestion that "it'll never happen" should maybe read "it could happen"

I'll still give it 2 years

 

[Guest]

As I understand it ... only free when downloaded from web based sources ... as in US HO pubs ... but if hard copy prints etc. - you STILL pay ...

 

[ean_p]

I too would love to visit the HO. I live a long way away too so would to have good notice so as to make arrangments !

 

[Beadle]

Funny you should say that.

The whole impetus of the thread is that the charts are delivered electronically. What they are selling is information, not large sheets of paper.

The initial question referred to downloading files.

I bought a full set of East coast charts from the Thames to the Forth for less than £100.

They were on a CD

However

To ensure a continuing revenue stream there is no way of correcting them so ideally you have to buy a new set every year.

Now all this data exists the only incremental cost is that of producing a CD - a matter of pence or allowing internet access for people to download.

I would even accept the £100 for 50p worth of CD if I were able to update them, or buy an annual update CD at a sensible price.

But I would suggest that it is not reasonable to expect people to pay £100 a year for ever to keep two sets of charts updated.

The mechanism exists to do this at minimal cost - its all electrickery little human input once the process is established - but no - better to keep taking peoples money - why?

Because they can!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Errr well chart corrections ain't just bits'n'bytes you know. Some one has to go out on a boat, conduct a survey, record the results, compare them with previous, note the differences, make the changes on the master chart and then promulgate the corrections. None of which happens for free at the UKHO end.

 

[Guest]

ta ... you beat me to it !

Ok - so the days of etched plates fort chart masters is over and most are now layered computer jobs - but still the work has to be done to compile etc.

The argument about a CD / 50p etc. may be applied in that case to Computer software ? Don't think somehow - author wants to eat as well.

£100 a year for full UK set .. annually ... so that's £8.33 a month .... let's say like many you decide to skip a year as most doesn't change and you keep the real important ones on paper anyway .. so that now drops to just over £4 a month ...

What is the beef ?