Shared mapping using Dropbox (or similar)

[duncan b]

I was wondering if anyone had had any experience of mapping (or really drawing in OCAD) an area in collaboration with others using Dropbox/Google Drive/etc. to sync the most up-to-date file to everyone's computers?

Did you end up writing over each others work? Did you just resort to emails instead? Or did it all work out perfectly!?

Would be interested to hear peoples' thoughts.

[NeilC]

We have a shared Google Docs filespace where maps are stored so that planners can access the most current one. Posting of maps into this space is overseen by several mapping coordinators who ensure that the correct versions are made available.

[SteveE]

Although not yet used for sharing Ocad files, the PurplePen files and all associated information (comments, photos etc) regarding JK2014 Day 3 courses were all stored and shared in dropbox between the 3 planners and the controller having access.

Dropbox worked very well with only the occasional conflict. Far better that trying to rely on email and ensuring the most recent file was being sent. Each time the file(s) were updated a new revision was kept (with the date in the file name) and we retained a change log to record what changes had been done (and by who) and what still needed to be considered for action.

We are now moving some POC maps/courses to dropbox for storage and shared access.

[plain lazy]

Gramp use the older and slightly clunkier Yahoo Groups to store all of the (should be) up to date club maps on there. It is controlled by 1 member who gets any updated maps and overwrites them onto the group. (other members have write access to the group but only incase the curator is unavailable)

It's not fool-proof though, if a map is updated for a Summer Series event and isn't emailed to correct person it doesn't always make it to the site.

[graeme]

I have most of the Edinburgh area maps on google drive (shared by INT/ESOC/EUOC). It has worked very well for people to pick up maps for training & small events, but nobody else has ever uploaded an update (maybe once?).

Edinburgh and Livingston are stored as single A0 map files, so people download the whole thing and cut out the bit they want. and I get it in the neck for not providing a legend, title and frame

There's also an issue with flipping between OCAD versions. OCAD is far too expensive to expect everyone to buy each new version.

Last I heard WOC2015 will be adopting the Portuguese system of file sharing

[Big Jon]

Last I heard WOC2015 will be adopting the Portuguese system of file sharing

You mean loading the race map and course onto the web before the race?