Digits

Posted by @ 6:05 pm on Monday 13th December, 2010.
Categories: Maps

Unlike my finger, Low Stonythwaite was cut off in its prime...

 

On my 1987 paper map.

 

On my printout of my 2004 digital map.

 

My finger's still more-or-less intact and attached. Whatever now remains of Low Stonythwai(te) is at Grid Ref SD2182596915 (ish) if you're interested.

It's been claimed many times that our national mapping agency deliberately puts errors in digital maps in order to "trap" copyright violators, these claims are generally denied. I can't vouch for either side of this debate, but I'd say that if our national mapping agency really is deliberately and knowingly publishing such errors in documents that are supposed to be as accurate as possible, it smacks of misuse of funding which no doubt originally came from the public's purse or wallet. That can't be legal, can it?

3 Responses to “Digits”

  1. Mike says:

    Not only errors, but the map makers often hid their names in contour lines and rock icons.

  2. Kenny says:

    Maybe you've collected an "error" version which will be worth thousands in two hundred years time. Good to know...but I wouldn't start spending now...just in case.

  3. BG! says:

    Originally Posted By Ken
    Maybe you've collected an "error" version...

    That's unlikely, Ken. If you use the Get-a-map online thingamajig to search for said grid ref, it brings up a section of map showing the same "error". Besides, after two hundred years the maps of that time might be so cluttered with wrongness and in-contour graffiti that nobody will know where they are or where they're going.

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