Route Gadget

[LostOldTimer]

Just used Routgadget looking at October Odyssey maps / routes / animations, and looks very interesting, and easy to compare routes, analyse where you went wrong / lost time etc...
Does anyone know what maps/events are on there? Is there an index?
Could we get all/most events to use it?

[redkite]

Interesting point.

My understanding is that each club has to put the necessary software on their website so they can load the maps up. It is not an easy process and some scripting appears to be necessary. I have tried a couple of times and still not quite got it working.

Agree it would be really great if this could be done centrally and each club just had to post up the maps after the event. Perhaps someon elike Paul Frost will know if this is feasible.

It is a really great toy.

OS copyright? Not sure if this is an issue either?

[sgb]

OS copyright? Not sure if this is an issue either?

Unfortunately so... a most o-maps use Ordnance Survey base maps, which means that a licence is needed to put data online. This is expensive and so the relatively few maps created using aerial surveys can be put online without restriction. A few clubs do have licences, however :) .

Which means that you won't be able to look at the courses from the Oxford City race online, unfortunately, as that uses an OS base map. Tho' you won't even be able to look at your own courses if you don't enter soon: standard entry closes tomorrow night!

SGB

[Paul Frost]

RouteGadget does need to be installed on a web server, however I have not had problems doing so. I know some people have but am not sure why. If you want to try there is more information on the EckO website about its use and installation.

The OS problem can be solved by paying a license fee for the use of maps on the web. Rob Lines of Southdowns investigated this with the OS and they then issue a number that you must show on the page. This can be done in RouteGadget by adding a line to the bottom of the ‘map.txt’ file. (PM me for more details). Look at this page for an example. Not all O maps are based on OS data, PG plots are very common, so check before use.

I am looking at adding a RouteGadget installation to the new SOA website that I am developing, but there are a few things to think about.

1. A club may prefer to host the facility on their own web site, as visitors may see other things of interest when they go to plot their route.
2. Some clubs do not have the technical skills or hosting options to install RouteGadget.
3. Someone has to upload the files required after the event. This needs to be done at the same time as the results go up, as once people have looked at their results they will probably not look again. In my experience you need to catch people whilst it’s fresh in their mind.

There is no doubt in my mind that RouteGadget is a good teaching/learning aid and a good source of entertainment at times (watching the strange routes people have taken). I would like to see more use of it in the future and would encourage people to look at what it offers.
http://www.routegadget.net