[OSM-newbies] MKGMAP for Garmin + tags and legend

[Mark Huizer]

> Then what ?
> 1. where do I save the application file? I tried several possibilities, 
> like my OSM data file or directly on C:\ but no luck.

'the application file'? You mean that tar.gz file? I think saving it wherever you like
> 
> 2. the application's filename is mkgmap-r291.tar.gz . but the DOS 
> command line reads <java -jar mkgmap.jar data.osm> ! what is that 
> <mkgmap.jar> file supposed to be and where is it located ?

gz and tar.gz indicate the file format. tar is an archive, like zip/arj/whatever, commonly used in Unix systems. gz is compression. Obviously the distribution or the author is more Unix than Windows minded. Check for tools that can unpack gz (zlib, gzip, whatever terms might help you in Google) and unpack the tar files. I think there are tools available that to tar.gz as well as zip, rar, arj, whatever

> 3. I also saved a few readymade maps from Computerteddy (such as 
> world.tgz and GMAPSUPP.IMG.gz) and uploaded to my GPS (Garmin GPSmap 
> 60Csx) but nothing new appears on my GPS map page. Is there any setting 
> to change on the Garmin to use these maps as basic layer ? Is there a 
> computer application that allows me to see the maps before uploading to 
> the GPS ?

The file should be uncompressed (the .gz extension) and then put in the \Garmin directory on  your GPS, called GMAPSUPP.IMG (you might consider renaming any gmapsupp.img already there, or you'll have to upload it all over again)

> 4. On a different subject, is there a legend of the OSM map features and 
> a list of all possible tags recognized by mapnik and/or osmarender. 
> (amenities, landuse, leisure, ...)

Search for Map Features on the Wiki, you'll get a page that has quite a list. Not complete, but for the most common things it should be a nice start

Mark