[OSM-talk] syj: preview of a web site to store routes, need your opinions :)

[David Earl]

Hi,

Something like this was a proposed Google Summer of Code project that 
didn't make it to the final cut, so I'm very pleased to see it.

I got a server error trying to save on my first attempt. Retrying it worked.

How do I get a URL of my route to share with someone? Presumably it is 
just the URL in the address bar after a save, but a "give me a URL" 
button or some such would be handy.

If I'm looking at a route, how do I then start a new one - there's no 
button for that. Ah, I just click "main page", but I think that will not 
be obvious enough.

I think the need to login (or rather, create an account) is EXTREMELY 
offputting. It's the biggest single reason putting people off a website 
in general. I don't see why you need it - can't you store IDs and/or 
names without? (Or even encode the route in a URL). Like bit.ly for example.

Perhaps just offer logins for people who want their stuff kept private, 
but from my POV I'd just like a way to quckly sketch something and hand 
the URL to others. And why do you need my email, other than to make the 
registration process even more complicated? I might like to have the URL 
emailed to me, but I think it would be better to offer that as an option

Do you need a "Save" at all? Why not save it live as they do it, so all 
you have to do is harvest the URL at the point you are ready.

I don't think you need the home page to be .../idx. Just the website 
address is more conventional.

I would use something like this probably more to share a point or points 
than routes. I think you could improve it a lot by allowing separate 
points (and disjoint paths). Having labels and annotations for points (a 
la OpenStreetBugs) would be even nicer.

A much more complicated suggestion: for routes, allow snapping to points 
and ways. Obviously that requires a *lot* more in the works than just 
the map background which you're drawing on.

HTH

David


On 27/07/2010 15:18, arno wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm currently writing a web site to share routes: you draw a route on an
> OpenStreetMap background, and then, you get an url to your paths drawn over an
> osm background. This can be used to show clever bicycle rides, to show your
> last hiking, or any route you want to show.
>
> My work is currently unfinished, but I've set up a public preview in order to
> get some feedback before going on. My aim is to be able to fix possible
> conception errors or anticipate future features early.
>
> The website is currently at this url:
> http://osm-syj.crans.org/
>
> you can see examples of routes here:
> http://osm-syj.crans.org/idx/1
> http://osm-syj.crans.org/idx/3
> http://osm-syj.crans.org/idx/6
>
> So, what do you like in the site, what can be improved ? what are the features
> you miss ? did you find it hard to use ? did you find bugs ? what would you
> want to use it for ? any kind of feedback is welcome !!!
>
> Last but not least, note, that the website is currently only set to get
> feedback: is not for public use yet: it may change, url may also change, and
> I'll delete the database in a few weeks.
>
>
> regards
> arno
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> talk mailing list
> talk at openstreetmap.org
> http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk