Free stuff map

[Kaspi]

Hi guys, I've been traveling a lot lately and when I come to a new place, I'm looking for essential things like Wi-Fi, parking, toilets, drinking water, etc. (I haven't got a boat yet, just a backpack and a tent, sometimes a rented car.)

I thought it would be nice to have someone or something to ask where such things and be found every time and since I'm a programmer guy, a solution that almost immediately came to my mind was an application. A map of free stuff, where anyone could look for stuff and add stuff they discover. People could share such information about places they've been to with each other.

So I've created an app like that. Well it took me a few weeks in fact.

Since almost all of you guys are travelers, I would like to ask you for your help. If you have spare time and if you don't mind a bit of volunteering, it would be very kind of you, read further.

First off, the app is very new. It may (and likely does) contain bugs. I'd like to hunt down as many of them as possible, please let me know if you encounter any. Second, it's only me who's used the app so far, I'm happy with how it works now, but your imagination about perfect user interface may be different. When using the app, you might miss a button here and a description there, etc. If you do, don't hesitate to tell me.

You can give me your hints either in this topic or using any other ways I mentioned in the app.

Finally, I'd love your help with adding places to the map. There's all sorts of categories of places you can add. From free Wi-Fi to free camping to beach showers to skateparks. In the means of yachting, I could only think of wave breakers - places where you could safely anchor your boat free of charge. I'm sure you guys can figure out more ideas for categories - again, don't hesitate to tell me and I'll certainly consider adding them.

I am personally hoping to become a sailor soon, perhaps within one year. I genuenly believe such an application would be helpful for me, so hopefully it could be helpful for others too.

If you've got spare time and want to help me to make this app really handy, let's get on it.

For Android click here.

For iOS (coming soon, use the next link in your iPhone or iPad).

For browsers (desktops, laptops & mobile) click here.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Tony Cross]

Keeping the app updated will be a challenge. I'm not sure what country/region the app covers, but I suspect it's just the UK?

A lot of the information you plan to impart is already included in decent pilots of the area, though keeping those up to date is a challenge too.

I wish you well with your project.

PS. You'll probably get shot at for mentioning 'floaty things' in the lounge. The Scuttlebutt or Liveaboard fora might be a better bet......

 

[Sandyman]

Like the idea but you are going to need thousands & thousands of people inputting & updating on a daily basis to make it viable.

 

[Kaspi]

Keeping the app updated will be a challenge. I'm not sure what country/region the app covers, but I suspect it's just the UK?

A lot of the information you plan to impart is already included in decent pilots of the area, though keeping those up to date is a challenge too.

I wish you well with your project.

PS. You'll probably get shot at for mentioning 'floaty things' in the lounge. The Scuttlebutt or Liveaboard fora might be a better bet......

Thank you.

There are no limits in the means of area, you can add anything anywhere in the world.

I thought this is a good section to post this in. If the moderators can think of a more accurate section, feel free to move the thread please.

There's quite a bit of moral text that should encourage at least some people to keep the information up to date. Other members can also suggest changes to existing information, we'll see how it works.

 

[KevB]

Good luck with the app, I'll give it a try but doesn't google maps already do all that stuff and more?

 

[[70521]]

Sounds a bit like Facebook.

 

[BrendanS]

Good luck with the app, I'll give it a try but doesn't google maps already do all that stuff and more?

Yep, they have Local Guides, where you can add and keep up to date all sorts of local stuff
https://www.google.com/local/guides/

 

[Kaspi]

I'm a local guide on Google Maps as well, it works similar, but you can't add certain sorts of things, like camping, drinking water, wave breakers. You can add businesses and institutions mostly. Google is not very interested in keeping track of things they can't make money on, obviously.

 

[Kaspi]

Or playgrounds for kids, outside gyms, sports courts... you can't add such things to GMap as local guide afaik. But you can add these things in this app.

 

[ronsurf]

Good luck with the app, Kaspi, it sounds like a good idea. If I can make a suggestion that all the submitted data has a time limit - 1 month? A year maybe, before the person that originally submitted the data is asked if it's still relevant/free. I've used sites which rely on publicly submitted data and it's frustrating when it's out of date.

 

[Tony Cross]

Also the CAptain's Mate app that is used by Cruising Association (CA) members is able to contain all this info and a whole lot more. CAptain's Mate is worldwide already simply because the CA has a worldwide membership. The data is entirely maintained by CA members submitting reports - mainly through the app but they are all also available from the CA website (using the same database AFAIK).

 

[Carmel2]

Also the CAptain's Mate app that is used by Cruising Association (CA) members is able to contain all this info and a whole lot more. CAptain's Mate is worldwide already simply because the CA has a worldwide membership. The data is entirely maintained by CA members submitting reports - mainly through the app but they are all also available from the CA website (using the same database AFAIK).

With the CA one you have to pay an annual fee, if I am not mistaken.

 

[PhilipF]

Like the idea but you are going to need thousands & thousands of people inputting & updating on a daily basis to make it viable.

They do this with Maps.Me Not only is it well updated (do it yourself should you not agree) but it has the massive advantage of not requiring an internet connection to use. The maps being downloaded to your app from ones own network. One of my most recent use of it was in Norway. I'm never ceased to be amazed by the amount of map detail it can pack into my app :encouragement:

 

[Tony Cross]

With the CA one you have to pay an annual fee, if I am not mistaken.

You have to be a CA member.

 

[Kaspi]

Good luck with the app, Kaspi, it sounds like a good idea. If I can make a suggestion that all the submitted data has a time limit - 1 month? A year maybe, before the person that originally submitted the data is asked if it's still relevant/free. I've used sites which rely on publicly submitted data and it's frustrating when it's out of date.

Keeping the data up to date is a focus of Free Stuff Map. Anyone can suggest a change to existing information, which the original author is notified about. So if you come to a place where is supposed to be a free Wi-Fi and the password is different than is said in the app, you can tell it to the original "Explorer", who can update the information. If the original author doesn't care, then there's me, who can change it (and hopefully there'll be more "admins" in the future).

At least from the beginning, I would prefer to go the way of immediate publishing of newly added places. Because it motivates the person who's just added a place to add more, as they can see their contribution on the map straight away. We definitely need to motivate people to add more places, at least from the beginning. There's a forum site behind the app, similar to this one, where users can discuss how the application works and any information that it contains. We shall see how this system works for now, we can change it anytime.

On the other side, information that this app provides doesn't change very often. If you add e.g. a wave breaker, a playground, an outside gym, or a free car parking - these things just don't disappear or change very often. Anyway the first person who finds out the information is wrong can suggest a change to it, which will be reviewed by an admin if not the original author.

I'm glad that you find the idea good and I'm interested in keeping it as good as is possible for me. This is the kind of feedback I need, thank you.

 

[viago]

good idea kaspi.

i know where there's a lovely free tennis court.

buggered if i'm telling you though, i'll never get on it.

 

[Capt. Clueless]

I know of plenty of car parks, where you can urinate for free on the stair cases. Saves 20/30p. A real bonus.

 

[Kaspi]

Alright guys, thanks. Whoever doesn't want to add places to the map in their own name, I can do it instead. (But did you know you gain score for adding places?)

For each place, a photo, category and latitude/longitude is required. It is recommended to also add an English description (important info or tips) and you can add the same description in the locally spoken language. Please see the enclosed image.



A photo is mandatory because an image is a thousand words and can help the others to decide whether they want to go there or not better than if they see just a pointer on the map. I know it's a bit of hassle, nobody of us has image of all these places we can remember, but for the future visitors, it's much better. If you haven't got a photo with you, try searching images.google.com and you might get lucky. If you don't, don't worry. You might go by the place in future, so might remember to take one.

Please think for the future through. Whenever you encounter a place with something free, do post it either here or into the map directly.

Currently, we've got these categories (and we can add more anytime):

• Drinking Water
• Wi-Fi (don't forget the password if ther is any)
• Car Parking
• Camper Van Parking
• Wave Breaker
• Skatepark
• Playground
• Sports Court
• Beach Shower
• Toilet
• Camping
• Electricity Socket
• USB Charge
• Outdoor Gym

Thank you guys.

 

[Kaspi]

Here's what it looks on the map like afterwards:

 

[DaveS]

Alright guys, thanks. Whoever doesn't want to add places to the map in their own name, I can do it instead. (But did you know you gain score for adding places?)

For each place, a photo, category and latitude/longitude is required. It is recommended to also add an English description (important info or tips) and you can add the same description in the locally spoken language. Please see the enclosed image.

View attachment 60107

A photo is mandatory because an image is a thousand words and can help the others to decide whether they want to go there or not better than if they see just a pointer on the map. I know it's a bit of hassle, nobody of us has image of all these places we can remember, but for the future visitors, it's much better. If you haven't got a photo with you, try searching images.google.com and you might get lucky. If you don't, don't worry. You might go by the place in future, so might remember to take one.

Please think for the future through. Whenever you encounter a place with something free, do post it either here or into the map directly.

Currently, we've got these categories (and we can add more anytime):

• Drinking Water
• Wi-Fi (don't forget the password if ther is any)
• Car Parking
• Camper Van Parking
• Wave Breaker
• Skatepark
• Playground
• Sports Court
• Beach Shower
• Toilet
• Camping
• Electricity Socket
• USB Charge
• Outdoor Gym

Thank you guys.

Two points.

1. What guarantee of longevity has this site got? I ask because I spent quite a bit of time putting data into an anchorages / log book site created by a fellow forumee which, after a few years, without warning ceased to exist.

2. Terminology: what is a Wave Breaker?