Website / Blog / Google Maps - hmmm

[Jonny_H]

As you can tell - I'm on the wind down at work!

We've got our website set up and running - been on the go for 18 months now and works really well and seems popular ( www.freewebs.com/jksailing ).

Following the success of the SSB installation (see my previous post) I've been investigating ways to update our website via email when at sea. It seems its not possible on Freewebs, but I have set up a Sailblog account which works with Sailmail very well and should allow us to update our blog when at sea (I will put a link to this from our main website when its up and running and then just update the main website when we have wifi).

However, I was hoping to use something like Google Maps / Google Earth to allow people to track where we are. The Sailblogs email I send from Sailmail contains our position at the time of sending, and for a fee Sailblogs can plot this on a map for you. Sounds perfect, but I hoped to be able to do this for free using Google maps or something. Now I have found how to create your own Map with Google maps and how to add places to it manually, but is there anyway to automatically update you Google Maps position via an email?

I have seen some cruisers who have their daily position plotted automatically ... can this be done for free or do I need to pay for the Sailblogs update (in which case I won't bother!).

Any suggestions?

Jonny

 

[sr04]

Would it be possible to upload GPS tracks to something like every trail

 

[Eeyore]

Alex Whitworth used a programme similar to what you are looking for on his www.berrimilla.com site.

I think it was available for free at http://www.gpstm.com/ but I may be wrong!

 

[whipper_snapper]

Look here: http://www.pangolin.co.nz/yotreps/index.php

and maybe here:

http://www.pangolin.co.nz/yotreps/reporter_list.php

There is a simple tick-box in your airmail software to make a report.

 

[Jonny_H]

Perfect - thanks guys!

Jonny

 

[roly_voya]

Do you have a leaving date yet? I set off from Glasson 5 years ago but so far only mde it as far a Milford Haven so averaging about 50 miles per year!!! Thats the trouble with refits they can get never ending. Have you seen anything of Touchwood two, havent heard from them in a while?

 

[Jonny_H]

Haven't notice Touchwood. We were only in Glasson for two weeks to haul out (Fleetwood doesn't have a big enough crane!), back in Fleetwood now doing the final bits (ha ha - famous last words - what I meant to say was the final items on the CURRENT to do list!). I put a list of the 'jobs' to date on the website the other week - makes sobering reading! (See 'The Boat' page of our website).

Last day at work is 18th July - so leaving asap after that - 19th with any luck!!

If we stop by Milford Haven I'll give you a call!

Jonny

 

[roly_voya]

Yes drop in, the boat is now on a mooring just before Milford haven which has plenty of spare capacity for hitchickers or there are loads of anchorages but tripping bouys are advisable. Milford is a delightfull place to unwind and relax for a week or so fter getting eveything together but be careful there are a number of boats around that just dropped in for a bit several years ago!
Touchwood was always based at Fleetwood for the summer and up at the Blackpool & fleetwood club for the winters.

 

[Jonny_H]

I used to be a Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club member - I raced on Shamoo, Beat and Run, Amoress, Sir Jasper etc. Don't recall Touchwood but there were loads of boats down there on the mud berths!

Do you remember Grey Seal (beautiful wooden sloop) - that winters in Glasson and is based in Fleetwood / B&FYC - still going - still looking amazing!

Jonny

 

[Carolwildbird]

Ahhhh ! I'm getting feelings of my youth (I'm a lancastrian)-- My brother was a founder member of Glasson sailing club - originally an osprey sailor, but converted to bluewater, sailed round the world in his own- built boat, and then built another- launched at glasson about 6 (?) years ago.

Are you local to there Jonny?

 

[Jonny_H]

Well, sort of! I grew up by the River Wyre (down river from Fleetwood) and lived there until I was 18 when I moved away to uni and work. I now live up in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but we keep the boat in Fleetwood while we've been refitting her - marina fees are good and its close to my parent's house for Sunday dinner on the way home /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Always enjoy coming down the M6 on a Friday evening and seeing the 'Welcome to Lancashire - the Red Rose County' sign!!

Jonny

 

[sr04]

Carol, there is a few of us GSC members lurking on these forii. Theres some webcams on the website if you feel homesick GSC