O Map

[Big Jon]

New error this time:

"Unable to display MapService
[ERR0924] Requested image is too big and cannot be created."

Must be a great computer programme to generate random error messages!

[EddieH]

I scarcely live in a remote area, yet no courier using SatNav can ever find me because my postcode is centred on a dead end the other side of thousands of pigs.

[Big Jon]

I scarcely live in a remote area, yet no courier using SatNav can ever find me because my postcode is centred on a dead end the other side of thousands of pigs.

I rest my case for Grid References!

[Red Adder]

Of course if you use GRs then OS can steam in demanding a copyright fee.

[Big Jon]

Of course if you use GRs then OS can steam in demanding a copyright fee.

No they can't - Grid References are public information - a court case decided this back in ?'70's or 80's?

Anyway Post codes are often charged for - some shysters and spivs will take any chance to try to price gouge for information.

PS - Just checked post code for my house on Bing Maps - it is centred on a building 400m away - and over 1300m driving distance. Maybe this is adequate for some orienteers sense of accuracy - but not mine!

[andypat]

I scarcely live in a remote area, yet no courier using SatNav can ever find me because my postcode is centred on a dead end the other side of thousands of pigs.

Thought you lived a bit further north than Hadrian's Wall Eddie?

[Paul Frost]

why not use a grid reference? - they are useable with a map (grid already printed on it), we are a maps based sport so everyone should be able to read a map...

But not everyone has a printed map of the area showing OS grid refs.
I would guess that in this day and age the metric lat/lon is the most usable reference number to use. Every smartphone, tablet, computer and has access to loads of applications that can plot positions on a map with those numbers, also car GPS units.
To be the most user friendly it would be best for event websites to offer all three:
Grid ref: NN712594
Lat/Lon: 56.71N 4.10W
Postcode: PH16 5PA
Plus a clickable link to Google and/or Bing maps.

I don't like linking to streetmap as it's a very cluttered interface, slow to use and loads of adverts (3 using Flash). But it does have a very useful coordinates conversion option.

[Clive Coles]

why not use a grid reference?

I did try guys to disuade Mike Hamilton from designing some BOF search mechanisms around post code rather than grid reference. But I lost that battle. He would not change the solution or even allow a grid reference argument as an alternative.

Mike believed at the time that we needed to provide something for the sat-nav users. Grid references, whilst being understood by orienteers, are not so well understood by the public at large. He accepted that a post code does not always get you to where you need to be.

So we are where we are. The data structures and search facilities were designed to satisfy that need. I don't see there is any will within BOF to go back and revisit that position.

Event organisers therefore need to sign carefully from the building whose post code is registered if you want sat-nav folk to find your event.

[Red Adder]

This shows Mike's lack of understanding of the sport as for 40 years people had been very successful in finding their way to events - and given things like the internet and OS get-a-map-for-free finding it even easier whereas post codes are assigned to building(s) not forests and moors and so can start out as being far less accurate ways of finding events evn though you can tap them in your Sat-Nav.

[Clive Coles]

The post code recorded for the CSC regional qualifyer at Thetford Warren last weekend was in fact in Santon Downham ~ some two miles from the parking area on a road that few folk travelling to the event would have used. That just happened to be the nearest house.

I wonder if there are any sat-navers still looking for a start kite

[Adrian]

The details for every event should include the grid ref and the postcode. A helpful and simple policy. Keep the info on a spreadsheet.

[madmike]

The details for every event should include the grid ref and the postcode. A helpful and simple policy. Keep the info on a spreadsheet.

And the Lat Long, which would be better for places like casa di Eddie!

[Big Jon]

"He accepted that a post code does not always get you to where you need to be."

So whats the ****ing point of using it if it can't show us where to go?

[oo_wrong_way]

Is there any excuse not to quote all three when you can chuck a grid reference (or postcode) into http://www.nearby.org.uk/coord.cgi ?

[Clive Coles]

Is there any excuse not to quote all three

Sadly there is an excuse ~ the BOF system was not "designed" to support all three.

The event record does store post code and grid reference ~ it does not store Lat Long coordinates,

BOF designed their search based facility on just the post code. It does not search by Grid reference or Lat Long coordinates. So like it or lump it that how it is.

None of us seem to like it but unless there is a change of will at BOF and a further allocation of resource, time, effort and money to pay the software consultants the situation will not change. Any further revisions to the BOF Fixtures system is very very low priority. I am told they are moving on to other projects ~ I know not where.

So sorry guys ~ if you want people to search on the BOF facilities which support a post code search you have to provide one in the registration record. If the post code is not recorded the search will not list the event.