I can't imagine that this hasn't come up in the past, but several searches didn't bring up any relevant results.

As I'm amassing more and more locations that I either found, explored or that someone shared with me - I'm trying to figure out how to organize them in an easily accessible and intuitive manner. Up until now, it's mostly been memory and text files, but I'm looking for a more structured solution. Right now I'm in the process of creating an [unlisted] custom map through Googles My Maps feature and it seems to be doing the trick pretty well. Bing also has a My Maps feature which I have yet to try out. I figured I'd reach out and ask you guys: what are you using to organize/catalog your personal location databases?

Google Maps -- Its handy to be able to pull your location DB down right on your phone/tablet when on the road (and get directions using Google Nav). Also allows you to collaborate with other explorers.

I use Bing Maps, and though it can be annoying sometimes its very helpful. I have around 1000 places marked, from North America and Europe. Its nice to be able to just check a map quickly to see if there is anything in your area no matter where you are. I also add in the "notes" section all the info I find pertinent, the date it opened, the date it closed, stuff like that. There is also a feature to add a link to each point, which I try to do as much as possible. I also use Google Earth because there is a thing where you can look at the aerial view from decades back in some places, like historicaerials.com.

Google Maps.

Easy to maintain, easy to access, share-able if you have someone you trust. It's simple, but it works.

SQL Server + Custom front-end using GMaps.

Posted by z0th Google Maps -- Its handy to be able to pull your location DB down right on your phone/tablet when on the road (and get directions using Google Nav). Also allows you to collaborate with other explorers.

Definitely handy to have it "in the cloud", that's what I like about the Google / Bing route. I was looking into accessing My Places on the phone and there doesn't seem to be a simple intuitive way to do with the official Google Maps app on my iPhone. What app / method do you use to access the locations on your phone?

Posted by EsseXploreR I use Bing Maps, and though it can be annoying sometimes its very helpful. I have around 1000 places marked, from North America and Europe. Its nice to be able to just check a map quickly to see if there is anything in your area no matter where you are. I also add in the "notes" section all the info I find pertinent, the date it opened, the date it closed, stuff like that. There is also a feature to add a link to each point, which I try to do as much as possible. I also use Google Earth because there is a thing where you can look at the aerial view from decades back in some places, like historicaerials.com.

I love Bing maps for their birds eye view feature which is the only reason I'm considering them over Google. I started putting together my DB in Google and also adding stuff into the notes section (one of which is a link to Bings birds eye view of the location).

1000 places? Woah, my DB is only in the tens

Thanks for the tip about historicaerials.com!

Posted by NotBatman Google Maps. Easy to maintain, easy to access, share-able if you have someone you trust. It's simple, but it works.

This is looking more and more like the option I'll ultimately be taking.

Posted by Crypton SQL Server + Custom front-end using GMaps.

Awesome, I would be curious to see the front-end. Care to share? (without disclosing location data of course)

notepad

Awesome, I would be curious to see the front-end. Care to share? (without disclosing location data of course)

It's a bit crude. A couple of related tables for various Maps (ability to upload blueprints as well), draw polylines/polygons, etc. I started on another project, and this was part of it. Now it's a bit abandoned, or at least, frozen.

But yeah, meanwhile, Excel/Notepad.

Posted by Crypton it's a bit abandoned

I see what you did there ;)!

Either way, sounds like a cool project. I was contemplating building some sort of tool for this exact purpose myself, but I don't think I have enough time on my hands.

I've got several databases compiled here and there. Some places are listed in my GPS. Some on a google map, etc.

Mostly I just remember them. I know how to navigate towns and cities based just from the abandonments I remember. It's strange, I just seem to keep them in my head all the time.

If I see a familiar abandonment, I'm more likely to be able to get home than if I just knew the road I was on.

I used Google maps until another explorer found my map on the web even though I had designated it not to be publicly searchable. So I deleted it and now I use nothing.

Posted by Weirdling I've got several databases compiled here and there. Some places are listed in my GPS. Some on a google map, etc. Mostly I just remember them. I know how to navigate towns and cities based just from the abandonments I remember. It's strange, I just seem to keep them in my head all the time. If I see a familiar abandonment, I'm more likely to be able to get home than if I just knew the road I was on.

That's really cool, good for you!

Posted by arntzville I used Google maps until another explorer found my map on the web even though I had designated it not to be publicly searchable. So I deleted it and now I use nothing.

Hm, interesting. How did you figure out that he found it? Any idea on how he found it?

Posted by Abandoned not Forgotten I love Bing maps for their birds eye view feature which is the only reason I'm considering them over Google. I started putting together my DB in Google and also adding stuff into the notes section (one of which is a link to Bings birds eye view of the location). 1000 places? Woah, my DB is only in the tens Thanks for the tip about historicaerials.com!

I've been slowly building it up over the years. Birds eye is the only reason I use bing too. Its cool to see the buildings from that perspective.

I have hundreds of locations all over the US saved in my Tomtom GPS. Anywhere I'm driving, I can bring up a list in order of distance from my current location, or from my destination. I also have it set up so it makes a noise if I drive within a couple of miles of one.

I am currently using an app on my Android phone simply called "GPS Map". It allows you to put "placemarks" and runs on Google Maps. It's amazing!

I just have a folder on my computer desktop labeled "UE Stuff" that has a thousand or so subfolders packed with all of my locations info.

As for a locations database the closest thing I have is using pushpins on Google Earth.

I go by memory for ones I've been to. Places I've heard about or found researching to go to get put on a Google My Map. When I'm out scouting the new places, I follow the link on my phones browser and open it with the Google maps app. I think it's a pretty good system. Open any pin on the map and the phone asks if you want directions or to navigate to that spot.

Google Maps database. Works well enough for me, except there are so many locations, it puts them onto more than one page, so overlaying multiple pages isn't possible (that I know of).

Google My Maps and portable GPS. Not a fan of the multiple page feature Google supplies though.

Posted by Abandoned not Forgotten Hm, interesting. How did you figure out that he found it? Any idea on how he found it?

He sent me a PM about it on another forum asking about one of the locations. I guess it came up in a Google search even though I was 100% positive that I had set it not to do so.