Index

# Can I customize the geocoding algorithm?

The automatic geocoding algorithm comes pre-configured with sensible settings that should suffice for common uses of HoudahGeo.
HoudahGeo copies the below settings into your project documents. The settings may then be adjusted on a per project basis by selecting “Geocode from Tracks & Waypoints” from the “Geocode” menu..
The following should be read only by advanced users.
For special needs, you might however want to fine-tune those settings. Currently this can only be done on the command line in Terminal.app. Please quit HoudahGeo before proceeding.
Available settings are:
- gobbingLimit: Number of minutes by which to extend the search for tracks matching a given photo. This defaults to 5 minutes. A photo is considered to match up with a track if it falls within the track's time span of 5 minutes within the beginning or end of that time span.
- mergingLimit: GPS devices may start new tracks when turned on or after losing GPS signal. Strictly speaking we cannot geocode a photo that falls between two tracks. HoudahGeo however decided to merge two tracks if the time elapsed between the first track's end and the other track's beginning is less than 5 minutes.
- matchingLimit: HoudahGeo determines the location where a photo was taken by matching it up with two track points: one preceding and one following the time the photo was taken. If the closest point's timestamp is more that 10 minutes before or after the photo was taken, HoudahGeo considers there is no match and does not geocode the photo. A value of 0 disables this check.
On the command line you may set one of these preferences by entering a command similar to the following:
`
defaults write com.houdah.HoudahGeo gobbingLimit 5
`
You may revert to the default settings by issuing the following commands:
`
defaults remove com.houdah.HoudahGeo gobbingLimit
defaults remove com.houdah.HoudahGeo mergingLimit
defaults remove com.houdah.HoudahGeo matchingLimit
`