Advroutes Web page - want to take it over?

**cooneyr** · 20th July 2010, 07:22

Originally Posted by cooneyr

With a job change a year ago I've not had the time to update the Advroutes website and with our first baby on the way I'm expecting to have even less time. In my mind there is plenty of potential for this page to be expanded and sponsorship obtained, but it will take some effort. At the moment it is just costing me money for the domain name and server space.

So does anybody want to take it over and give it the attention it deserves? I'll provide all the files I have to date, help out as much as I can with info on how I've set it up (though there is probably a better way of doing things). You would have to take over the ownership and associated costs of the domain name and the server space.

If nobody is interested I'll probably pull the site down in the a couple of weeks (domain name costs due). I obviously still have the data and may just put raw GPS files up on a freebe site somewhere. This will mean that if anybody wants to use the data they will need to process it themselves.

Cheers R

Case of Deja-vu I think. I got another invoice for web hosting space on the weekend. I've been busy loading the GPS files up to a new Windows Live Account and I'm going to pull down the site (made complete backup first). Thought I dredge this thread and let you all know what has happened. Obviously our baby has arrived and as predicted time is in even more short supply now let alone dwindling funds.

If anybody is still keen to host the site and take over the doman name let me know as I'm still more than happy to pass on the files. In the mean time the hosting account will be shut down in about 5 days. The domain name is paid for up to the 11/1/2011 so all anybody needs to do at the moment is host the data.

Cheers R

**NordieBoy** · 20th July 2010, 08:04

Pity to see it go but I'm not silly enough to take on another website.

Or maybe I am...

Dammit, you've got me thinking now...

**cooneyr** · 20th July 2010, 12:14

Even if nothing happens with the development of the site for a while it just needs somebody to host it for now.

**cooneyr** · 20th July 2010, 12:41

Lets think about this some more. The cost issues are the hosting cost and the domain name cost. I'm not unhappy about covering the $45 a year for the domain name. The hosting cost is about $200 a year but it seems there are a few people out there who could provide this free. I've given up on my initial desire to try and make the site financial viable through advertising etc (I'll ditch the Get Routed add - agreement fulfilled). This means I'm happy to go cap in hand and have already has an offer.

Re development of the site. I'm tempted to try and simplify it more to reduce time involvement. This could be done by ditching the route descriptions and the route clasifications. Deciding on and implimenting these two are the most time consuming parts. Do they actually add any value? The 50 point, 250 point, KML and route or track file (last two are what is supplied to me/collected) are easy to set up. The links to them are a little bit time consuming but not a big deal.

What is really needed is a upload page that people can submit the track or route file too, the ability to strip out times (so speed cannot be calculated), the ability to run a Bat file (already have this) that calls GPSbable to generate the files, and then subject to moderation, the ability to append to a KML file the data for map overlay including links to the appropriate GPX files. Can anybody help with development of the upload process? The development can be done completely off line in stages as and when you want. First step - create the ability for a file to be uploaded to a "hidden" folder on the site.

I'm also thinking that a seperate moderator/manager for each island would be a good idea. I know bugger all about the NI so if somebody was prepare to look after the north island that would be a big help. I have a number of files for the NI and the likes of Eddieb etc has heaps more. Also I have all the 4wd book files converted and ready to go (have the authors permission). This would be a lot less time consuming when the automated upload system is working.

I dont want to see this website go either and if all that happens at this point is the hosting is covered thats at least brought some time (already had an offer). I really need some help with the upload process development though, but not right now as I'm suppose to be working on getting my registration in August after 10 years working in my field

.

Cheers R

**.chris** · 20th July 2010, 12:51

Hi Ryan,

I can host it, ongoing development I shall have to put into the maybe column.

Are you able to package/send the site to me (chris@pixelle.co.nz)?

I can get it uploaded and ready for the domain move.

Cheers

**rogerh** · 20th July 2010, 19:49

My offer of hosting, and sorting the domain fees still stands. I can do basic management of the site, but I am no programmer, or network admin for that matter.

Just let me know if I can help. Chris, don't pay anything for hosting. All good if you have a server tucked away somewhere, but don't pay anything extra. For this, or any other "private" projects if you need a place.

**cooneyr** · 20th July 2010, 20:25

Well that is 3 offers to host in 12 hours. Much appreciated guys. MarkS offer is in the box seat at the moment and when I started the site he gave me some space then too. I'll give that a nudge first and see if that works out.

**rogerh** · 20th July 2010, 20:38

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Well that is 3 offers to host in 12 hours. Much appreciated guys. MarkS offer is in the box seat at the moment and when I started the site he gave me some space then too. I'll give that a nudge first and see if that works out.

All good. Just don't let the excellent effort that has gone into the site to date go to waste. For any faults and failings it is there and working. It would be a shame to go backwards from that.

**Big Dave** · 22nd July 2010, 16:00

The data is all on google and the site is a front end to it?

**cooneyr** · 22nd July 2010, 18:20

Originally Posted by Big Dave

The data is all on google and the site is a front end to it?

I suspect you know a whole heap more about websites that me but there is a PHP page and a google maps API thingame (whatever that is). I'd still need to run at least one google map's front page i'd have thought. Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers R

**Big Dave** · 22nd July 2010, 19:20

I was thinking if there was a way to keep it going as a Kiwi Rider resource or backing.

will investigate further and report - taa

**Big Dave** · 22nd July 2010, 21:03

Just had a quick glance.

How does the data get entered on the maps - gps files emailed to you?

**cooneyr** · 22nd July 2010, 21:15

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Just had a quick glance.

How does the data get entered on the maps - gps files emailed to you?

Have a look at the code in the NI Map Page or SI Map Page pages. Basically a bunch of KML files overlaid over the google map under the "import map overlay data" comment. I manually update the KML files with low resolution versions of the route data and provide links to the GPX files (most easily managed Garmin GPS date file formats).

The updating of the KML files is the biggest headach i.e. the bit I'd like to automate and would be good to set up so others could upload to the site.

**Big Dave** · 23rd July 2010, 11:24

Yeah - some sort of user registration and group input would be the answer.

Haven't got that sort of functionality on the hosting we're on unfortunately.

Colin knows that shite and have you seen his map cabinet?

**cooneyr** · 23rd July 2010, 13:13

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Yeah - some sort of user registration and group input would be the answer.

Haven't got that sort of functionality on the hosting we're on unfortunately.

Colin knows that shite and have you seen his map cabinet?

Got a link to the map cabinet?

Edit - penny's dropped.