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kylekai Posts: 82
10/2/2012
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I am an iPhone developer and have recently published an app called BoonDocking: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/boondocking/id561352659?mt=8
It shows a lot of boondocking locations throughout the US. I was thinking of doing the same for Anza Borrego Desert State Park. The BoonDocking app uses GPX data, which is what Garmin and other GPS devices use. The locations could be camping, hiking, old mines, anything of interest. The map would be either the Google or Apple map, depending on the OS you're using, and generally the map is cached so even if you're offline, you could still see the map (or most of it).
If I developed an AB app, I'd probably sell it for 99 cents and donate most of the money to ? This website? The AB Foundation? Something like that.
Anone have any opinions on this? If I went ahead, I thought I'd create a website of some sort where I could gather info on locations of interest and create the necessary GPX file. Thoughts? Good or bad idea?
Thanks for your time!
-Bill
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
10/3/2012
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Hey Bill
Sounds like a great idea. Especially the idea of caching the maps for use in the backcountry.
Appreciate the offer but I would say donate the money to the ABF since they do a lot to preserve the park.
I use the google ads to pay for my hosting so would prefer the money go tho the ABF 
Let me know if you decide to pursue the ABDSP app and I will advertise it on this site,
Best,
Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 10/3/2012</em>
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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kylekai Posts: 82
10/3/2012
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Hi Bob,
Thanks for the interest. I thought about this more, and my suggestion, if you're interested, is for this site to model it after the boondocking site: boondocking.org
People can enter a location, like this: http://www.boondocking.org/poi/POIAdd.shtml
The locations (somehow) get loaded to a database, and if you're so inclined, this web site could show the locations on a Google map.
You could make the data downloadable as it's done here: http://www.boondocking.org/poi/index.shtml
If it's a GPX file, then many GPS devices could import it. I would use the GPX file for the iPhone app.
I think it'd be a great app, so if you're inclined to collect and distribute the data, I'll make the app! I don't see this as a money maker at all; I'd sell it for 99 cents, Apple takes their 30%, I have to pay to get icons and other artwork made, and maybe in a year there might be a profit I could send to the ABF. But I think the biggest benefit would be to anyone who explores the park and owns an iPhone or iPad.
Let me know what you think about all that.
Thanks,
Bill
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kylekai Posts: 82
10/3/2012
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One more thing. If you collect the data, and someone knows where they are on a Google map, here's how to get coordinates using Google Maps:
<http://www.poi-factory.com/node/9323>
That's from the POIFactory web site, a wealth of GPX files: http://www.poi-factory.com
No, that's not a factory for Hawaiian poi, it's an acronym for Points Of Interest. 
edited by kylekai on 10/3/2012 (can't seem to get the URLs right).
<em>edited by kylekai on 10/3/2012</em>
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kylekai Posts: 82
11/25/2012
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I have another idea, and would like some feedback. This one is solely to help the park. Suppose you're driving down the road and you see a road hazard. What do you do? Who do you call? Or suppose you're driving around in the backcountry, and you see a group of people illegally camped, littering the landscape. What do you do?
I am toying with the idea of writing an app that allows anyone with an iPhone to report these and other incidents with a few taps on their iPhone. With the app I tentatively call "Anza Borrego Reporter" you would choose from selections such as "Road Hazard" or "Illegal Activity" or "Environmental Damage" or even something like "Sheep Sighting." Then you'd add more info, take a picture, and all this info would be either posted to a web site, or sent as an email message to a responsible party for them to act upon.
Those are just some basic ideas. But at the same time I don't want to unnecessarily burden an already over-burdened understaffed park with more information than they may want to deal with. But I would develop this app for the park because I love this park and want to do something to help it.
Anyone have any thoughts on what I've posted so far? Thanks!
-Bill
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
11/25/2012
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kylekai wrote:
I have another idea, and would like some feedback. This one is solely to help the park. Suppose you're driving down the road and you see a road hazard. What do you do? Who do you call? Or suppose you're driving around in the backcountry, and you see a group of people illegally camped, littering the landscape. What do you do?
I am toying with the idea of writing an app that allows anyone with an iPhone to report these and other incidents with a few taps on their iPhone. With the app I tentatively call "Anza Borrego Reporter" you would choose from selections such as "Road Hazard" or "Illegal Activity" or "Environmental Damage" or even something like "Sheep Sighting." Then you'd add more info, take a picture, and all this info would be either posted to a web site, or sent as an email message to a responsible party for them to act upon.
Those are just some basic ideas. But at the same time I don't want to unnecessarily burden an already over-burdened understaffed park with more information than they may want to deal with. But I would develop this app for the park because I love this park and want to do something to help it.
Anyone have any thoughts on what I've posted so far? Thanks!
-Bill
Kinda like Waze for the desert? That would be great. Tom
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anutami Posts: 491
11/26/2012
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I still like calling the rangers and talking to someone, but taking a picture and sending it would provide proof and gps coordinates. It is pretty crazy how many areas of the park you get cell coverage!
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
11/26/2012
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I think that is a good idea.
Rangers are stretched pretty thin and this may help.
Bob
kylekai wrote:
I have another idea, and would like some feedback. This one is solely to help the park. Suppose you're driving down the road and you see a road hazard. What do you do? Who do you call? Or suppose you're driving around in the backcountry, and you see a group of people illegally camped, littering the landscape. What do you do?
I am toying with the idea of writing an app that allows anyone with an iPhone to report these and other incidents with a few taps on their iPhone. With the app I tentatively call "Anza Borrego Reporter" you would choose from selections such as "Road Hazard" or "Illegal Activity" or "Environmental Damage" or even something like "Sheep Sighting." Then you'd add more info, take a picture, and all this info would be either posted to a web site, or sent as an email message to a responsible party for them to act upon.
Those are just some basic ideas. But at the same time I don't want to unnecessarily burden an already over-burdened understaffed park with more information than they may want to deal with. But I would develop this app for the park because I love this park and want to do something to help it.
Anyone have any thoughts on what I've posted so far? Thanks!
-Bill
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
11/26/2012
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Except Carrizo Gorge . For AT&T anyway.
Nolan wrote:
I still like calling the rangers and talking to someone, but taking a picture and sending it would provide proof and gps coordinates. It is pretty crazy how many areas of the park you get cell coverage!
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kylekai Posts: 82
12/5/2012
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Looks like the state parks are already working in this direction with their Park Observation Program:
http://calparks.org/monitor/
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