Batch Post Code Conversion

TheGas · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:39 pm Post subject: Batch Post Code Conversion

I have 500+ post codes to convert into Longitude and Latitude in an Excel document.

I have a program to convert them one by one, but is anyone aware of how these can be done as a batch?

lbendlin · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:30 am Post subject:

what program would that be?
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TheGas · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:40 am Post subject:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?GridConvert?name=CV32%204AT&type=Postcode

MrPloppy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 02, 2005 Posts: 40

That site looks interesting.

The way I might do it is to write a program that will take your postcodes one by one, and put them into the query format you see in your link - you've put in CV32 4AT into the link, it would just be a question on putting your postcodes into the link in the same way. Once this is done, you'd have to read the html that came back, and read the specific bits in the table.

Sounds like an interesting program to write - I would write it myself, but very little time. I might give it a go later though - I'll report back if I get anywhere.

lbendlin · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject:

Nice. You could even write a little proggie that would simply iterate through all possible postcodes and give you the lat/lon back.

Now it's a question how accurate their database is...
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MikeB · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:23 pm Post subject:

Although it is an interesting topic I would like to point out a few things.

1) The website uses a licensed version of the Ordnance Survey's Code-Point software to generate the co-ordinates.

2) I assume that the T&Cs of the site allow you to use the converted data for your own personal use.

3) It would be illegal to distribute the converted data to anyone else.

4) Ordnance Survey are currently reviewing sites like ours and are monitoring this type of "infringement" or their intellectual property.

Obviously this does not prevent theoretical discussions, but please consider the position of this site when doing so.
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TheGas · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:57 pm Post subject:

MikeB

I am confused. You say that converting Post Codes to Lat/Long may be illegal if you distribute the results in a POI format. In that case, everyone who has produced POI's must be guilty as there is no other way of converting them to work on TomTom.

When the new maps are out with FULL postcode interigation, is this also illegal?

Pocketgps · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:30 am Post subject: Re: Batch Post Code Conversion

MrPloppy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 02, 2005 Posts: 40

Ok chaps, I've written it, and the program can be found here:

http://www.smaart.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/PostcodeLocator.exe

Its only 52K, and when you download it, you have to load in your postcode file. This can be as big as you like, but I've only tested it with 4 postcodes (!). The postcode file should just be a text file with each postcode on separate lines.

Once loaded, you click on Go, and the program will connect to the internet and get the lat and long location for each postcode, and put them into a text box. I'm not sure how long this might take, but there is a progress bar which shows how long its taking. When its finished, you should save the information as a CSV file (it will do this for you) and you can then open this up in Excel and play around to your hearts content!!

To note MikeB's comment, I'm unsure as to what limitations I can put on this, because it's merely using technology that's already out there and using it in a way that is meant. Someone could type in 500 postcodes, and get the results, but then again my program will do it a lot quicker..

If you have a play, I'd love any comments, especially how fast it was compared with how many postcodes you've put in. It should be quite robust, but obviously I've not tested it to death.

Please use this for your own personal use.

Thanks.

Paul.

TheGas · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:19 am Post subject:

MrPloppy

Thanks, but when you click on the link, a new box appears for a second then dissappears.

MrPloppy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 02, 2005 Posts: 40

Its downloaded! If you're using Firefox, you have to open up your Downloads bit. It is there somewhere!

TheGas · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

Sorry, I use IE

MikeB · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:46 am Post subject:

MrPloppy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 02, 2005 Posts: 40

I've put a website up for those who want to download this Postcode Locator. It should just work like downloading any other file now. Go here:

http://www.smaart.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/postcode

However, in light of MikeB's comments, I'm not sure if I'll be keeping it there for long. I don't know that the program infringes any copyright law as the information is freely available on the website.

If you'd like me to put limitations on the program, Mike, then fair enough - I certainly don't want to put any undue pressure on yourselves.

Paul.

Nomada · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

Hi MrPloppy

That there is a technology that can be used doesn't justify to use it for that purposes like you cannot use it to break an alarm system, hack another people's computer, etc.

To do that program you used some reverse engineering to gather a data supposed to be in a screen into a file. And that is not allowed at all.

Royal Mail and affiliates sites allow a registered user to gather information in these web sites just a few times every day (11 or 12 in RM).

Partnership contracts with OS for web sites providing Code-Point information clearly specify that data cannot be listed or printed straight from the source and just given as individual points.

Your program is clearly circumventing it.

Just be aware of it.
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