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Development News

2007-04-14

As expected, work on the site has been minimal and sporadic.

I have made several back-end decisions. For one, I plan to use the php object generator to jump start the database access. For a while, I was playing around with the idea of utilizing ruby-on-rails, but then realized that I am just not that cool. Also, I already know PHP and while I would like the become more familiar with rails - that would just delay the project further.

In addition, some work has been done on the design. For example, I have drawn icons that will represent the Discover, Locate and Share areas:

 

2007-02-02

Starting on version 2.

I have started creating the updated version on dev.trailb.com. All the details are not figured out yet, but I do have the following in mind:

• Work toward allowing others from the outdoor community to share.
• New interface based around three areas:
  • Discover - e.g. search through the stories of others.
  • Locate - a map approach to visually find that path near you.
  • Share - upload your own logs, photos and maps.
• For now logs will be divided into:
  • Hike (day, overnight, backpack)
  • Bike (mountain, road)
  • Snow (x-country, downhill)
  • H20 (lake, river, ocean)
  • Gear (food, equipment, tips)
  • I know that not all the bases are covered, but they can be expanded upon request.
• Updated styles with simpler being better.

As with any project, it is important to have a clear timeline. However, between my day job and hiking on the weekends, it is may be hard to update the site in a timely manner. Right now, I can only predict the following (it will probably be wrong):

May/June 2007 - Release 2.0

By spring I want to complete the system to a point where I can easily upload my own logs, photos and maps. This will be just in time for prime hiking season. I expect that there will still be many bugs that I will need to work out, but at least I can start inserting some data.

August 2007 - Release 2.1

By min-summer I would like to open it up for family/friends to use.

November 2007 - Release 2.2

The elusive beta. Access will be given to a limited number of "guests" for load testing.

January 2008 - Public Access Launch

All of this will lead up to a full access launch by the beginning of next year. Unlike the earlier stages, the public will be able to sign up for their own accounts.

2007-01-13

What the heck is this all about?

I first had the inspiration for trailB back in fall of 2000. During a dreary backpacking trip in southern Washington, I found that my guidebook was much outdated. Many of the trails had changed since the book was published and all of the recommended hikes were now waist-deep mud. It was then, that I met some locals who's intimate knowledge of the area turned the whole trip around. Unlike the book, They knew about the changes and the good places to hike during the rain.

The idea behind trailB is to create an online community where outdoor enthusiasts can post their knowledge and adventures. In this way, people can share information, locate new adventures and maybe even discover a path less traveled...

So what happened?

Well, so far not a lot.

In 2000 I was just starting college and my studies took priority. I continued to log my own adventures, but did not really post many to the internet. Then in 2005, after graduation, I decided to hike the hike the 2600mile Pacific Crest Trail. During the hike I kept daily logs which were posted to the website (version 1) about every two weeks. The response was great and it refueled my interest in trailB.