[Geowanking] freeing the postcode database

[Matthew Snape]

I don't know about getting lat/long of postcodes but postcode to
address translation can be achieved with the google api.  For example
the address of postcode "PO4 9LW" can easily be revealed by a search:

"PO4 9LW" southsea

The snippets of the return from the google API can then be parsed to
identify text to the left of the postcode.  Alternatively the first
google result can be downloaded and parsed using similar address
matching.  Due to the fact that websites generate dynamic content for
the majority of postcodes, the chances of finding a match are high. 
One the address of a location is known finding accurate long/lat may
be simpler.

on 8-Aug-05, at 2:50 PM, SteveC wrote:

> As a little side project to openstreetmap I thought it would be
> good to
> nail the postcode database problem:
>
> http://www.freethepostcode.org/
>
> The site will backend to OSM just as soon as I can get the work
> done. I
> think it's useful to have a simple side thing like this. I don't think
> it would be that hard to get a large number of postcodes with a
> (relatively) few core people taking a GPS everywhere.
>
> Comments? Suggestions? Bugs?
>
> I'm happy to open up the site to places other than the UK, and see
> what
> other things we can do specifically to nail the postcode database.
>
> have fun,
>
> SteveC steve at fractalus.com http://www.fractalus.com/steve/
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