Friday, November 19, 2010

Track Me...

I think I have this worked out. HTML, Map API's and development isn't quite my thing. But I can usually stumble through.

I've added a new page: Track Me!

You will notice it in the links above: Home, Ride Ideas, Track Me! Just below the blog title/picture.

I hope I have it set up correctly to show a map. And track pins when I have activated my SPOT unit.

We will be riding up to the Tail of the Dragon tomorrow. Let's see if you can come along for the adventure. Please realize there will not be any movement on that map until Nov 20 about 8:00 AM EST.

Let me know how it works out!

21 comments:

  1. I see a map! :)
    I'll check tomorrow if I can and see if any pins show up

    Oh, and have a great ride!!

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  2. You IT wizz........., hope you had a good ride or do have a good ride.....

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  3. I'll check it out tomorrow morning. Right now, it shows a world map centered on Mongolia. Time for a real serious adventure?

    Richard

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  4. Can I click and drag you around the world?

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  5. Wow, it looks like a pin cushion.

    It looks like it worked.

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  6. Looks like it works pretty good. No dropouts. Where are you carrying the unit? We've tried these in the far north and the satellite coverage was a little spotty i.e. sometimes the "I'm okay" messages didn't get through. Also the tracking didn't work well if it was carried in an inside jacket
    pocket (trying to keep the unit warm so the battery last longer).

    Richard

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  7. Hi All! Thank you very much for checking in. It did seem to work, but not quite flawlessly. I know that it was having difficulty transmitting on Cherohala Skyway simply because the red lights were blinking. I assumed the batteries needed replacing...but it started working again later. I can also see there were some problems on the Dragon, as I know I did not run it within the 10 minute interval the track seems to show. :)

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  8. Hi bluekat!

    Thanks for checking in. It was a good ride. Colder for longer then expected, but the riding buddies were great. Hope you had a good weekend too!

    -Lori

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  9. Hi Raftnn,

    Far from an IT wizz. Know how to get myself into trouble very well. And pretty good at getting out, or finding someone that can. Good ride. Never ridden Cherohala in the dark...was glad it wasn't the Dragon. But the Dragon wasn't crowded and it was an easy ride. Hope you had a good weekend!

    -Lori

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  10. Hi RichardM!

    Does that mean that Mongolia is the center of the world? Hunh! Good to know! :)

    Real. Serious. Adventure. Would be nice, but using the SPOT since I have paid for the service. And remembering how the thing works. LOL

    Hope your weekend was good and you were able to get out, bike or otherwise.

    -Lori

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  11. Hi Nikos,

    If only it were that easy!! :)

    Hope you were able to enjoy the weekend. Don't know if you are in the UK...but I'm sure the weather is a little wet and cold right now.

    -Lori

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  12. Hi Keith,

    Pin cushion indeed! Wish I could figure out how to get more then 50 to show at one time. I can see how it might be done in some code, but not sure if I know how to use that code. :)

    Were you able to get out and ride more?

    -Lori

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  13. Hi Richard!

    I concur. I think it worked pretty well. But I do think there were some dropouts given the red blinking lights at times. I thought the batteries might be giving out since I was getting towards they end of their useful life...but it started working later without problems.

    I currently put it in the "map window" in my tank bag. It sits horizontally for maximum exposure. Here in the southern latitudes I haven't had any problems. I have tried running with it in the pelican case and it was spotty coverage (HA!) with that plastic in the way. I have thought about just mounting it on top of the pelican case at some time as I don't always use the tank bag.

    I have had issues where "I'm OK" messages didn't get through too. Even as recently as the Florida trip. I don't know if it was the canopy over the gas pumps or what. I was beginning to blame it on the "used" unit they replaced mine with after the recall. So I am not completely confident with it either in that respect.

    But all of the literature and best use practices I have read indicate that carrying it in a pocket will drastically reduce usability. They recommend placing the unit flat, directly facing the sky. Not the greatest thing for hiking, tho.

    -Lori

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  14. Not being able to carry it in a pocket also reduces the utility if you get separated from your bike.

    Richard

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  15. Lori

    The weather was coldish but dry this weekend in England so took the K75 out for a short trip to Manchester (free parking for bikes!). Snow is forecast for this week.

    Could you mount the unit on a hat or helmet - then we could monitor you tying up your shoe laces!

    N

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  16. Aw, I missed the map fun. Hopefully I'll catch it next time you use it. Imagine you messing with maps for fun...

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  17. Those trackers are way cool! Once I get my act together I'd like to get one of them for some of my longer trips. This is my first visit to your blog - I dig it! Keep it up.

    Tom
    Hawktane.com

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  18. Hi Richard,

    You are correct. It makes it more difficult if you become separated from the bike. It think other, serious, complications could arise in many forms preventing access in so many ways. Let's hope those don't occur either! :)

    I see there are many distributors in Fairbanks (and Alaska). Do you know of many people that have them and use them? Do you know if there have been any rescues/extractions with it up there?

    -Lori

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  19. Hi Nikos,

    So glad the weather was favorable for you to get out and ride. What is there to do in Manchester, for the free parking? LOL. Is it worth it, in other words?

    Hat or helmet would also allow you to monitor much baser activites...and that ain't gonna happen! hehe

    -Lori

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  20. Hi Rob,

    At least you can still see the track. So you know the grueling ride. :)

    Believe it or not, I do still enjoy playing with maps. (My weakness as I believe it is still yours.) Since I usually get to work with newer imagery on the interweb then I do at work. HA!

    -Lori

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  21. Hi Tom (Hawktane),

    (Love the website name!) Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate your interest and sharing.

    As the rider, I don't get to enjoy the SPOT unit while actually on the ride. But it sure does help the hubby out knowing that he has a pretty good handle on my whereabouts at any given glance.

    I do highly recommend it for the peace of mind it gives family on those longer trips.

    Good luck! Thanks for visiting!

    -Lori

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