Having Problem with NOAA Chart Download Sites

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Pat Anderson

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OK, all is good getting to the pages that precede choosing the charts:

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm

But when I click the button "Proceed to NOAA RNC (BSB) Downloads," all I get is a blank page...

I assume it has to be some security setting in my browser, I turned off "block popups," did not solve the problem. Same thing is happening on Mac as Windoze computer, and Firefox and Internet Explorer...except IE says "Page cannot be displayed" instead of just showing a blank page. Same result on both raster and ENC (BSB) download pages.

Is this just me or is the NOAA Chart Server not working?
 
Pat Anderson":2qtxe9c4 said:
OK, But when I click the button "Proceed to NOAA RNC (BSB) Downloads," all I get is a blank page...

Is this just me or is the NOAA Chart Server not working?
Click to expand...

It's a bad link at NOAA, nephew. Have some coffee, relax and come back in three days.

Don
 
Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author
 
I guess I'm glad they are not in charge of the space program...it used to work fine for me, I downloaded quite a few charts maybe a year ago.

dogon dory":3tjfzsid said:
The NOAA site is pretty buggy. Our tax dollars at work. Just like the downloads, the stress test is free.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author
 
Thanks, Larry.

MapTech's method of delivery is not as universal as NOAA's, which just zips up the actual charts - MapTech sends you a Windoze executable to install the charts. Guess I can install on the PC, burn a CD with the actual chart files and then copy to the MacBook - I want to play a little with MacENC (which reads both ENCs and raster charts).
Larry H":2nnrqqy2 said:
Maptech has a free chart viewer and free chart downloads.
Click to expand...
 
Pat - assuming you have a newer Intel based Mac - for not too much $'s you can buy and install parallel and also run Windoze on the mac (in a separate window under OX10). This is a bit nicer than running bootcamp which requires a re-boot to run Windoze. I run Windoze on my mac only rarely but use it for a few scientific programs that are not available for the Mac. Windoze is just as good (and just as bad) running under OS10 as it is running on a regular PC.
 
WARNING!! OFF-TOPIC RANT!!

Thanks, Roger, I do have the Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook, so Windoze would be an option. I have read about Parallels, but just don't want Windoze within striking distance of this little jewel. OSX it is for me. NeoOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Nvu, CyberDuck, Seashore, Inkscape, Audacity, HandBrake, ISOlator, Burn, Skype, iChat, iTunes, really nifty little Widgets, I'm loving it. So far have spent exactly zero on software. No extended boots (boots to OSX in under 30 seconds), no "failure to initialize," no slow program startup, no "program not responding" errors, no constant disk churning when I'm not using it, no hour glass, no dicey installs/uninstalls, no hangs on shut down, NONE of that stuff any more. The lack of a daily security update is kind of nice too. When my PCs die, as they surely will, they are going to be replaced with Mac desktops.

Honestly, the Emerpor has no clothes...


rogerbum":1b53bw0z said:
Pat - assuming you have a newer Intel based Mac - for not too much $'s you can buy and install parallel and also run Windoze on the mac (in a separate window under OX10). This is a bit nicer than running bootcamp which requires a re-boot to run Windoze. I run Windoze on my mac only rarely but use it for a few scientific programs that are not available for the Mac. Windoze is just as good (and just as bad) running under OS10 as it is running on a regular PC.
Click to expand...
 
Larry H wrote:
And here is a link to the free charts:

http://www.freeboatingcharts.com/

They also sell chart navigator programs.
Click to expand...
Can these charts be printed with any commonly available drawing aids (CoralDraw, Designer, Paintbrush, or?). I don't have a Maptech system but would like to print the charts on a large plotter if possible.

Steve
 
Steve,

These charts are in the Maptech/BSB3 file format.

I don't remember if the free viewer can print, but after downloading the free viewer and some charts I found a deal at Cap't Jacks to buy a DVD with a functional chart navigation program and ALL of the US marine charts and US rivers charts.

The program I purchased can print, but only from the program.

For the price, I think this is a deal. It was $19.95 + shipping.
That is about the price of one paper chart.

Here is a link:
http://www.capjack.com/index.cfm?page=USBoatingCharts

I think for the price, its easier than downloading, and you can plug a USB GPS chip into the computer and actually navigate.
 
Maptech (on the page linked above) has the Offshore navigator lite, plus all of the charts, including those of the Corp of Engineers for the rivers on a single DVD for $49--it was $39 about a year ago.

I figured that it was worth the hassel for a few bucks to have the charts on DVD, then you can down load either needed charts, or keep the entire series on the computer in folder or on an auxillary hard drive. You can also down load the most recent chats and this reader will read them.

I found this much easier and far less time consuming than trying to download, even with a cable connection. These charts are printable, and will take GPS input, planning, routes etc. The Charts are exactly like those which come with the chart book when you buy it....for a lot more money.
 
Bob,

I just re-clicked on that link and the current price is $19.95!!

The program only works on Windows XP and 2000 however, so perhaps its a clearance sale. No mention if it will work on Vista.

It does save a lot of download time!!
 
Thanks guys, I'll take a look at it tomorrow. Would still like to print them in addition -- don't trust a 'puter farther than I can throw it after in salt air for a few weeks (thinking Alaska...).
 
Hey Pat,

We use MacENC (the free version) with our MacBook Pro. Got the raster and ENC charts off the NOAA site. I only use it for planning, but it sure beats the paper charts (which we also have in chartbook form) for being able to zoom in. Click - drag - click, and you have a distance and bearing. Easy.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Wow, at $19 the DVD still has the charts for the US!. I suspect that if this Maptech program does not work on Vista, none of the current chart programs will (which may well be a problem from what I have heard--and the reason I purchased a couple new computers with XP just before Vista came out--with the option to upgrade to Vista).

The charts will also still work on Mac's--on whatever electronic chart reading program you have.
 
Steve, we took a computer down to Mexico and the South Pacific. Can't get more humid than that. Same computer went to Alaska (which was a lot less humid.) Sprinkled salt water on the keyboard, an act of stupidity. Gave it to one of the kids and it finally quit after ~5 years. Had the same luck with each of the succeeding two computers. They become outmoded (computer programs and displays improve,) long before the environment gets to them.

Used our latest computer along the Pacific coast for 2 years now.

By the way, they've all been Toshibas.

Boris
 
We ran a Vic Commodore on a boat for 4 years and absolutely no problems (that was about 25 years ago. We had a no name lap top (acer components mostly) and it survived 35,000 miles artic circle to equator and below. After 4 years the "W" gave out--I was running DOS at that time, so I junked it, but all of the rest was OK. So I don't worry about computers on boats--but I do try and keep the salt water off them...
 
thataway":qznq8i9i said:
I suspect that if this Maptech program does not work on Vista, none of the current chart programs will (which may well be a problem from what I have heard--and the reason I purchased a couple new computers with XP just before Vista came out--with the option to upgrade to Vista).
Click to expand...

Programs written for Vista will not be backwardly-compatible with XP and prior versions of Mickey$oft OSes but Vista should run all programs that can run on XP.

Warren
 
An example of the problem is posted on the Nobeltec web site:
"Windows Vista™: Jeppesen products will not be supported during the initial release of the Vista OS. We will be doing everything we can to ensure our products are supported on this new platform as quickly as possible while maintaining focus on the quality and safety of our products."

Jeppesen is buying up marine navigation systems: Nobeltec, C map etc.

There are complaints of driver for GPS incompatability with VISTA.

Another good piece of news: Panbo (Bel Ellison's web site) noted that NDI is selling their rights to the Canadian Charts back to Canadian Hydrographic Service.
 
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