Re: Navigational & other sailing software for Linux?

Akita :

> Does anybody has any experience with Linux software for sailing?

I don't know of any specifically marine navigation software for Unix. You
might try gpsdrive, but I doubt it will be satisfactory. The fundamental
problem is to find free maps*: most maps are distributed in closed or
encrypted formats, requiring NDAs from the software writers, which is
incompatible with open-source development (the only exception I know of is
the american charts, available from
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm). As long as we are
stuck with these formats, there is not much point in writing a navigation
system.

Old post, but i figure it's worth adding to.

- PolarView is a marine navigation software available as a native application for Linux, works on Ubuntu/RedHat and a number of smaller distros including some "embedded" platforms (i386 though)

- It supports both free charts (NOAA) and non-free (S63, most world chart agencies), also GRIB weather, tides, live navigation, AIS and a barrel of monkeys

It lives here - www.polarnavy.com