Review: TSL open source rest area locating application

Hello!

I didn't see where anybody else had written a review for this, so here are my thoughts on it:

TSL or Truck Stop Linux is an free open source collection of points of interest that has an abundance of rest areas, truck stops, and other locations such as trailer wash-out and oil change locations. This works on a computer, and not a phone. The best feature about this, I think, is the rest areas. The truck stop companies all have their own phone apps, and when I want to find a truck stop I have simply used one of those.

Rest areas: 5 stars:
I think this is really where this app shines the most. Rest areas are often in pairs on the highway and the points of interest in this are also in pairs where applicable. That might seem like a small detail to some, but I can appreciate the attention to detail. Also has locations on toll roads.
Truck stops: 2.5 stars:
I think I would prefer to use an up to date app from one of the providers, but I would have put 1.5 stars if not for that all of the different brands(TA, Loves, Pilot, etc) are all viewable at the same time. When I'm not quite sure which truck stop I'm headed to, a single view is very convenient.
Compatibility with Google Earth: 1 star:
I couldn't get this working with Google Earth and those instructions were not provided. Might not even be possible. I prefer Google Earth, but that's just me.
Cost and modifiability: Free: 4 stars:
This is all open source software, and the files are easy to modify. The points of interest show up against Open Street Map, which can also be updated by anybody. I added a point of interest to the Love's profile just to see if something new would show up on the map and it did just as I expected. The bulk of the points of interest are contained in some form of an xml file. That this is free and there is so much here is in and of itself quite impressive. I am a big fan of open source software.
Export capability: x stars:
The files appear to be exportable to a csv file for use with truck-based navigation systems, for those who still use those. I didn't test this functionality so I cannot rate it.
Computer compatibility: 3.5 stars:
The fact that I can use this on my 16 inch laptop instead of a 6 inch phone screen is so great.
Other compatibility: 2 stars:
The points of interest directly interface in an application called Marble, but I could not get it to work in the newest 2.x series. I found that using version 1.8.3 seems to work best, which is what is recommended on the project website. This was tried on Windows 7, but does not appear to work on my Mac.

Overall, 2.5 stars:
This application is better for the things that it does that aren't capable elsewhere, such as being open source and being able to be used on a computer. This makes it unique, but in most other areas it falls short. The one true shining star is the rest areas. But since those don't change too often that isn't hard to get wrong as long as all the points are correct. (which they appear to be)

In all, TSL is pretty rough around the edges but this could be a very useful and perhaps even a great resource for anybody who relies on locations over the road.

 

I can tell you right now (because I'm not opening it) my son did something 'similar' with HIS pc, and linux / kali overtook his win/chrome config on his pc.

BUYERS BEWARE.

 

Hello there G13Tomcat!

I apologize if I was not clear in my earlier message, but I wanted to clarify. What you are describing is a potential if installing an OS. You mentioned Kali, that is an entire operating system. This is just a desktop globe application. All it does is put an Earth on your computer that you can spin and add points of interest to with flat markup files.

I would like to add an addendum to my earlier message though. After having more time to use this, I have gotten quite used to having the interstate weigh station points displayed even though I am not always looking for them. Its a nice feature.

Again, just to be clear, this is not a whole operating system. It is just one small application.