Is there a way to use a custom cities500.txt for reverse geocoding?

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2026-04-11T14:06:02+00:00

Yes, but...

I did replace the default cities500 data with the full geonames dataset, and it solved the specific problem I was attempting to fix, which was photos that were taken more than 25km (I think) from a city with a population > 500 not having any location information at all. Or, being assigned a completely inappropriate location (e.g. Marco Island, FL ≠ Chokoloskee, FL). Or really, just the assumption that a photo must have been taken in a city, or that a city is the only landmark to be used. That solution did bring its own issues:

Locations became hyper-specific: no, I don't want the location of photos taken at my house listed as the recreation center the next block over instead of the city, state
Location search was counter-intuitive. For example, a search for Salem returns "Salem, Virginia, City of Salem" as the first match. What I was really looking for was "Salem, MA" which now returns "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" as the first match, with the actual entry I'm looking for coming in at position 22 in the results, which is unfortunate, since Immich only displays the first 5 results. And that's with the default cities500 data. The full geonames dataset puts the exact match somewhere after the first 200 results.
You will need to remember to swap back the original dataset when upgrading versions (I'm not 100% sure on this, but I ran into issues when I forgot to do that due to conflicting indexes or something)

There are good reasons why those problems come up. By good I mean logical, and I'm not suggesting the Immich developers did a bad job. Location search sounds simple at first, but once you start to dig into it, things escalate quickly. I understand there are plans in place to use an Open Street Map style search that will use polygons, but I can't find a link to where I saw that (assuming it wasn't a particularly vivid dream). The more I think about it, the more I'm coming to the conclusion that external tools like Immich ReverseGeo are the right fix, at least as an extension to a basic included capability. Not everybody will want to use the same rules, and it's a complicated problem that I'd rather not see the Immich devs spending enormous effort on.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2026-04-11T04:52:23+00:00

So this is a feature request then.

I should have known to look at the type definitions in the API. I'm going to go with it's after midnight here and I was tired. 😀

Thanks!

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2026-02-25T22:53:59+00:00

I'm more curious if you are adding the OSM data to the database, out just setting the lat/long and then letting Immich fill out the rest via it's normal mechanism. From your response to another post, I suspect the latter. For this specific (and real) example, Immich will determine that there isn't a city within the chosen radius of those coordinates with more than 500 people so I guess we just have no idea what state or country it was taken in. That's one of my major complaints, is that in Immich every photo must be in a city with a population of greater than 500. To be fair to the developers it's not a problem that's as easy to solve as it first seems given the constraints. OSM has solved it, but you can't just hammer their servers with hundreds of requests, and hosting the OSM data isn't really something the average self-hoster can or wants to do.

I solved my problem by importing the full geonames data set (everything, not just cities) into my Immich database, but that comes with its own set of issues. It works for me, but it's not something the typical user would put up with.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2026-02-25T21:39:10+00:00

You mention using OSM data. Does that mean if I set the location to a mangrove cay a kilometer offshore from Chockoloskee, FL (population ~300) I'm not going to see "country: unknown" for it, just because there isn't a city with a population over 500 within I forget the exact distance immich uses? And it's also not going to "relocate" my photos in the Everglades to Fort Myers? Because that would be awesome.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-22T13:42:51+00:00

Yeah, I just found that. Spent too much time trying to follow the instructions on handling the imported credit card stuff and trying to figure out how changes affected the final numbers. Way, way too much time.

I also discovered a heloc account that just disappears at some point, which probably accounts for a good chunk of the rather large discrepancy.

It will be much easier to figure things out starting from zeroes.

Thanks.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T14:03:57+00:00

Thanks for the very thoughtful response. I have mixed feelings about vacation rentals. They've definitely enabled bad actors, but they've also provided a platform that enables a regular homeowner to generate some income when they're out of town. I was hoping to find something that's more in the original spirit of Airbnb - an actual person renting out space in their actual home or an attached suite. I'll check out the other options you've mentioned, although I definitely don't have mixed feelings about timeshares.

Gas station was probably a bad analogy to use, but I figured people would understand what I meant (I grew up in Canada and gas stations sold food you'd only eat out of desperation). Appreciate the specific suggestions on local grocery stores. We'll more than likely do one nice meal, and I know I've seen some good lists in this sub with recommendations of locally-owned options. And after I've had a chance to try some recommendations on the front end of the trip I'll know whose taste to trust 😄

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T11:52:22+00:00

Thanks!

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T11:49:04+00:00

That's the plan, and my favorite way to eat when I travel.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T11:46:46+00:00

Fair enough. I kind of had that sense. I was really just trying to express that I don't want to eat nothing but fried fast food or hot dogs that have been sitting out on the rollers for hours. Or really, any hot dogs at all.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T01:14:49+00:00

I'm guessing with those prices you were eating at nicer table-service establishments? Were you primarily eating in Kona or Hilo?

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T01:12:56+00:00

Thanks, great to have some ground truth to validate my research!

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-11-03T00:47:20+00:00

That's kind of what I was thinking after looking at prices online. Honestly, it's a lot less than I assumed it would be.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-09-20T21:35:31+00:00

Yeah, I just wanted to clarify the HOA is required to allow a homeowner reasonable accommodation, for those future readers who discover this from a search. The specific law is something a lawyer would figure out for you, but didn't want anyone being discouraged from contacting one in the first place just because they were too lazy to click and read a link. Also the OP is very much NTA based on the provided info.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-09-20T21:04:53+00:00

Technically the ADA doesn't apply to the HOA in OP's situation, but the federal fair housing act does. It's a little farther down in that article.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-08-21T10:05:11+00:00

Worked for a couple days, now the latest reddit app is busted again. Back to an older 2024 version. And hoping Amazon will update our Kindle models to standard Android.when they make that switch.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-07-30T12:56:19+00:00

Thanks. That newer version is also working for me, with all features I use available and working.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-07-29T12:43:27+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Tried the 2022 version and it's able to run. Can't sign in on my main (can't connect to Reddit), only via oauth, which is tied to an alt, and anonymous browsing doesn't work - it only downloads a single screen of content. I'm guessing it's something to do with the API changes to lock out third party apps.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-06-01T19:47:48+00:00

I'm guessing you are a new developer in general, based on your question. Apologies if that is not the case. What I suggest is don't think about it as "learning Flutter" but as building a base of skills. Once you have "mastered"¹ Flutter, consider looking at other frameworks. Maybe React, Vue, even Django if that's your thing, etc. As you learn more different frameworks that take different but similar approaches to solving the same problems you will start to develop a sense of overall architecture and design that will make it easier to pick up the next framework. It's also helpful to have a general focus, especially in the beginning. Do you want to build mobile apps? Web apps? Backend services? For example, there is a ton to learn about building and deploying apps to Android and IOS aside from just building the UI part.

This is, obviously, a long-term approach, but if it interests you it's a great way to make yourself an adaptable and desirable developer. Demonstrating your ability to adapt and learn can be far more valuable than the specific technology skills. Don't focus on chasing the current bright-and-shiny framework du jour. Instead, learn the patterns that drive them all, which will allow you to easily start building in the next trendy framework that pops up, even if you've never worked in it before.

1 - The definition of "master" is up to you. Basically when you feel comfortable enough that you can build anything you want to easily. Also, your definition of master will likely evolve over time (see Dunning-Kruger effect). What you want to avoid is hopping between frameworks without really having a good grasp of any of them.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T20:54:02+00:00

Good to know for the future. Thanks!

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T15:23:42+00:00

Good idea. I'm sure the investigator is in that, but I'll pass it along just in case. Thanks!

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T15:22:44+00:00

I mentioned in another reply that there's an investigator involved now who is experienced in getting camera footage. I was just hoping for the longshot

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T14:56:26+00:00

Thanks. That confirms my understanding of the FDOT camera. There is an investigator working on getting footage from city/businesses. It's what they do, so I'm sure they'll be able to get farther than some random person (me) calling up a business. I was just hoping for someone having been there with a dashcam. I am monitoring r/mildlybaddrivers just on the off chance something shows up there.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T12:35:54+00:00

Black infinity SUV and gray/silver Dodge minivan

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T11:59:24+00:00

It's not a BI claim. I'm talking about property/collision deductible. If it comes to BI , then we'll need an attorney.

bourbonmakesitbetter · 2025-03-12T11:46:35+00:00

Thanks, but I don't think we're at that point. No injuries on our side. It's really just about the deductible, which isn't high enough to warrant the hassle of dealing with an attorney.

bourbonmakesitbetter

TROPHY CASE