GPS

So What is GPS?

Many areas of this website are dedicated to bringing information to the consumer in order for them to make an informed GPS hardware or service purchase, but before we get into that, let's back up a little to learn a bit about why GPS exists and what it means.

GPS, which is short for "Global Positioning System" is an incredibly simple locator system devloped by the United States Department of Defense in the early 1970's. In the early 1980's the US Government announced that it would make GPS technology available to the general public. In 1996 the US Government formed it's first governing body to manage the GPS technology and it's governing infrastructure. This agency has evolved over the last fifteeen years as technologies have improved and new opportunities came in to existence for how GPS can be used to enhance the lives of US citizens, as well as the human population worldwide.

GPS technolgy in and of itself uses some pretty basic navigation principles in conjunction with each other. Essentially any GPS system consists of a receiver and satellite transmitter. By positioning a number of satellites in orbit, around the globe (hence global positioning system) a calculation is made by sending and receiving transmissions between the GPS satellites and GPS receivers.

What should I know about GPS or a Global Positioning System?

There are so many terms, words, technological and moronical phrases used to describe what GPS is and what GPS hardware does, we thought we'd clarify some of the terms used in the GPS industry.

1. GPS - A three character term commonly used in place of three other words which are "Global Positioning System".
2. GPS SATELLITE - Pretty straightforward what this term means. A satellite is a body of mass that is gravitationally attracted to another mass in such a way that keeps it suspended in an orbit (in the case of a gps satellite) around the earth in space. In this case this type of satellite (many GPS satellites exist in orbit) is used for executing GPS functionality. Although technically speaking three GPS satellites can exact a position location, the fact is that the speed of radio transmissions cause a bit of delay, so typically four satellites are considered to be the minimum at which an accurate position can be determined by the GPS receiver.
3. NAVIGATION - One could easily say that 100% of their time spent on earth is in a state of continuous navigation. You navigate out of bed in the morning, you get the idea, rigght?
4. GLOBAL - OK, since the common GPS term, "Global Positioning System" contains this word, I thought we better include it here. Global means, well, uh, worldly....no, wait, around the world, or maybe better yet, perhaps you could say it is a presence around or near a spherical body. Yeah, I like that!
5. RECEIVER - In the world of GPs devices, this is a very generic term used to describe the electronic "gizmo" that actually "takes in" the transmissions of external devices such as satellites.
6. IN-SPACE - Uh, well, this is where satellites are located. Satellites are an integral part of why GPS systems, products, units and devices function.
7. GLOBAL POSITIONING - Effects, relations, reaches that extend to any part or location of the world. Related to the Global definition a few lines above this.
8. HACK - A common term used to describe an intentional, unlawful or unethical entrance into a technology, system or sub-system. Also used as a word to describe a person who is haphazard in their approach to creating something.
9. 1972 - Considered by many to be the year that the first true "global positioning system" was tested.
10. GPS Manufacturer - Not rocket science here, uh, well actually GPS does have some rocket science technology in it. This term is of course used for any person or entity who creates something that is used for a GPS device or system. More on this subject later.
11. SIX - A number. It also happens to be placed in front of the LLL GPS .com, the domain name of this website. (The one your are viewing at this moment.)
12. Information - Ah yes, the moment of truth, let it be told, information about GPS is what we do and why you are reading these materials. Thank you by the way! The goal of creating these Global Positioning materials and the reason why our information about Global Positioning Systems even exists is because we are committed to getting the word out on this wonderful technology that we are so passionate about. Amen.

When I want information about GPS how should I go about getting it?

Well, everyone knows that by typing in "GPS" to any interweb search engine will give you millions, no wait, I mean hundreds of millions of bits of pieces of Global Positioning Information. But let's step back again and we ask what type of GPS information are you looking for? Perhaps we can classify the types of information that consumers and well, folks in general want here:

1. Best GPS - A term associated with someone who wishes to know which GPS has a higher value to them when a relative comparison between two or more GPS services or hardware has been performed.
2. Top Rated GPS - Really, this is alot like the above except that a numerical value is usually compiled to represent where the GPS performs relative to the GPS competition.
3. GPS Manual - Hmmm, someone who enters this search term needs help. They lost or never received instructions on how to use the GPS. Darn!
4. Review GPS - OK, now we are talking, literally. Or at least others are talking about GPS. Read their stories and you have uncovered the secret to improving your quality of life.
5. Cheap GPS - Effects, relations, reaches that extend to any part or location of the world.
6. Bad GPS - Usually a term associated with reviewing a GPS device, hmmm, not a happy camper id the first thing that I might label that consumer.
7. Buy GPS - OK, this is it, the big Kahuna, the music to the GPS sellers ears, if you as the seller get visible when they enter this search engine term, your golden.
8. Tracking GPS - This is a common term used to describe a GPS device that will tell you where it is at any given moment. Want to know where your car is? It has got you covered. Want to know where your kid is? Again, this type of GPS navigation device does that too. There's something about this part of the GPS business that seems a bit shady, like, well, sneaky I guess.
9. GPS Best Seller - OK, now, here we go, this is one of the most important terms used on this website. It doesn;t matter that it's crammed down at the bottom of this page right now. We'll explain later. It is the phrase that all GPS manufacturers and service providers wish their GPS stuff to be. More on this subject later.
10. Garmin - A popular GPS services and hardware supplier. Enter this GPS term and that consumer likely has an interest in what Garmin has or does not have in the Global Positioning Arena.
11. TomTom - Same as above, only insert "TomTom" in the description body.
12. Portable GPS - A GPS device that has the ability to be portable. Usually associated with this term is "handheld" or "batteries" or "waterproof or...., OK, you get the generally idea.
13. Cheap GPS - A GPS device that is either deficient in it's quality or one that has a perception of being inexpensive. We can probably conclude that the shopper who uses this term is more than likely looking for a good value for their money. We'll attempt in the coming days to classify those GPS devices that have a great value. Look for our "cheap GPS" section to come soon.