928 Road help list revival is a go! Submission E-mail added:928Assist_at_comcast.net
08-17-2010, 12:27 AM
#20
Race Car
What would you guys think about making this web-based? I am a web programmer by profession, and could come up with a secure web application that could serve our needs. There are lots of neat stuff we can do if it is web-based. Here is what I am thinking:
1. Have a sign-up form that includes the info Mike Frye noted above.
2. For phase one of this directory, Rennlist membership is a must, because identity would be confirmed through a PM to the users Rennlist account. (Other confirmation methods with other boards or clubs could be developed later.)
3. The system would automatically (maybe every six months), send out an email to every registrant asking then if they are still "alive." People who do not respond are culled from the list. (This keeps the list fresh)
4. People who are part of the list can log in and search by state or (my favorite) by zip code proximity.
zip code proximity = if I am broke down Paducah, KY, I can do a search for people on the list within 50 miles, 100 miles or etc miles from zip code 42001
If there is sufficient interest, I can build and have this ready for testing in about two weeks. Let me know what data points to include in the sign-up form.
1. Have a sign-up form that includes the info Mike Frye noted above.
2. For phase one of this directory, Rennlist membership is a must, because identity would be confirmed through a PM to the users Rennlist account. (Other confirmation methods with other boards or clubs could be developed later.)
3. The system would automatically (maybe every six months), send out an email to every registrant asking then if they are still "alive." People who do not respond are culled from the list. (This keeps the list fresh)
4. People who are part of the list can log in and search by state or (my favorite) by zip code proximity.
zip code proximity = if I am broke down Paducah, KY, I can do a search for people on the list within 50 miles, 100 miles or etc miles from zip code 42001
If there is sufficient interest, I can build and have this ready for testing in about two weeks. Let me know what data points to include in the sign-up form.
08-17-2010, 12:38 AM
#21
Rennlist Member
I am in for sure. I can put people up for the night and help wrench
08-17-2010, 01:02 AM
#22
Pretty much useless to say, but anyone passing through Texas will be very well taken care of between Roger and the crew.
Last edited by SeanR; 08-17-2010 at 01:20 AM.
08-17-2010, 01:11 AM
#23
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Diego / Las Vegas
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Great ideas on reviving the list and better yet finding a way to keep it fresh! Im obviously in when the info gets added.
Maybe a thought about good times or okay times to call. For example I could take a call well into 2am with no trouble many days, but Im not a good resource to call if you get stuck at 8am... Some might be tentative to call people after say 9pm or something unless listed?
Maybe a thought about good times or okay times to call. For example I could take a call well into 2am with no trouble many days, but Im not a good resource to call if you get stuck at 8am... Some might be tentative to call people after say 9pm or something unless listed?
08-17-2010, 01:17 AM
#24
Rennlist Member
I like the web based idea a lot as long as it has smart phone browser lookup with low low bit rate overhead for really bad internet over cell phone connections to be able to use.
The zip code thing sounds great to use for the "back end" of the lookup, however when traveling I typically know the nearest city or major town, but rarely the zip code I am in.
All you really need to keep in the database is very very basic contact information to make the list very helpful, but not get into any privacy or abuse situations.
Only Provide City, Name, Phone, and available hours.
If you collect and/or keep anything else, like email or street address, I would have those bits private for administration use only.
The zip code thing sounds great to use for the "back end" of the lookup, however when traveling I typically know the nearest city or major town, but rarely the zip code I am in.
All you really need to keep in the database is very very basic contact information to make the list very helpful, but not get into any privacy or abuse situations.
Only Provide City, Name, Phone, and available hours.
If you collect and/or keep anything else, like email or street address, I would have those bits private for administration use only.
08-17-2010, 01:29 AM
#25
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Washington "Dc"
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Im in Washington DC.
I have access to a Tow Truck (non flatbed), tools, a small garage and can recommend places to stay / eat .
Only porsche specific tools I have (Atm) is the flywheel lock, but I have solo'ed a TB / WP job without blowing up my car, so that makes me better than your average 'n00b'.
My brother otoh is an ASE Master Tech (ya I know means little) but has helped me out in many jams. I also can recommend 2-3 Porsche specific shops that are good and reasonable.
I appreciate being in the 928 community and would be on board to help any members stranded or wrenching in my area.
I have access to a Tow Truck (non flatbed), tools, a small garage and can recommend places to stay / eat .
Only porsche specific tools I have (Atm) is the flywheel lock, but I have solo'ed a TB / WP job without blowing up my car, so that makes me better than your average 'n00b'.
My brother otoh is an ASE Master Tech (ya I know means little) but has helped me out in many jams. I also can recommend 2-3 Porsche specific shops that are good and reasonable.
I appreciate being in the 928 community and would be on board to help any members stranded or wrenching in my area.
08-17-2010, 10:22 AM
#26
Craic Head
Lifetime Rennlist
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I have secured the domain name 928assist.com, and will begin to build the web-based project there. I chose that name because I think it will be easy to remember. If anyone has a suggestion for a better domain name, please let me know.
If so, then you and me have got to talk.
I've written some 'great circle' programs that calculate distances between two locations based on the lat and long of the centroid of the zip, but we'd need a lookup from a db and usually you have to pay for that kind of data, don't you?
Everyone else, once we get some details ironed out I'll update this list with a way to submit info so it doesn't have to be on here and we'll see how it goes.
I'm on the fence about the specific application of this and I think we need a consensus.
I think I'd prefer something simple that can be downloaded and printed out, but is not searchable (online) like an .xls or .pdf that would be downloaded without a password. If someone needs it, it's there for them whether they are a member of Rennlist or 928OC or not.
A searchable database would be nice, but I seriously doubt the work involved in writing and maintaining it would be justified by the actual use anyone would get out of it. How often is someone out of their own area and at the mercy of someone else in a strange area? Maybe a few times a year?
I think of this thing as something you would print out before a road trip and then have with you 'in case'. You might even just print out the ones listed for the region you expect to be in.
While the application described would be great, I'm afraid it would exclude too many people (by requiring a log-in) and might not justify the amount of maintenance it would require.
What does everyone think?
08-17-2010, 10:42 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
I like the idea of ease of use, without exclusivity. I understand exclusivity is used to protect the list and the people on it. I'd guess the people on the list are okay with a little exposure, or the would not offer in the first place.
An example:
When I was in Michigan last week, I decided to stalk Big Dave.... but I couldn't remember where he lived. So I got out my handy 928 Road Help list and found his address. I thought, great!
I found his house, put on my stalking gear (binoculars, mask, whip), then shuffled across his lawn to a tree by the lit window. I was SO saddened to find he must've left his wife for this fine, scantilly clad Brazillian model. Well done, Big Dave!
An example:
When I was in Michigan last week, I decided to stalk Big Dave.... but I couldn't remember where he lived. So I got out my handy 928 Road Help list and found his address. I thought, great!
I found his house, put on my stalking gear (binoculars, mask, whip), then shuffled across his lawn to a tree by the lit window. I was SO saddened to find he must've left his wife for this fine, scantilly clad Brazillian model. Well done, Big Dave!
08-17-2010, 11:22 AM
#29
Craic Head
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
I like the idea of ease of use, without exclusivity. I understand exclusivity is used to protect the list and the people on it. I'd guess the people on the list are okay with a little exposure, or the would not offer in the first place.
An example:
When I was in Michigan last week, I decided to stalk Big Dave.... but I couldn't remember where he lived. So I got out my handy 928 Road Help list and found his address. I thought, great!
I found his house, put on my stalking gear (binoculars, mask, whip), then shuffled across his lawn to a tree by the lit window. I was SO saddened to find he must've left his wife for this fine, scantilly clad Brazillian model. Well done, Big Dave!
An example:
When I was in Michigan last week, I decided to stalk Big Dave.... but I couldn't remember where he lived. So I got out my handy 928 Road Help list and found his address. I thought, great!
I found his house, put on my stalking gear (binoculars, mask, whip), then shuffled across his lawn to a tree by the lit window. I was SO saddened to find he must've left his wife for this fine, scantilly clad Brazillian model. Well done, Big Dave!
08-17-2010, 11:26 AM
#30
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I like the idea of ease of use, without exclusivity. I understand exclusivity is used to protect the list and the people on it. I'd guess the people on the list are okay with a little exposure, or the would not offer in the first place.
An example:
When I was in Michigan last week, I decided to stalk Big Dave.... but I couldn't remember where he lived. So I got out my handy 928 Road Help list and found his address. I thought, great!
I found his house, put on my stalking gear (binoculars, mask, whip), then shuffled across his lawn to a tree by the lit window. I was SO saddened to find he must've left his wife for this fine, scantilly clad Brazillian model. Well done, Big Dave!
An example:
When I was in Michigan last week, I decided to stalk Big Dave.... but I couldn't remember where he lived. So I got out my handy 928 Road Help list and found his address. I thought, great!
I found his house, put on my stalking gear (binoculars, mask, whip), then shuffled across his lawn to a tree by the lit window. I was SO saddened to find he must've left his wife for this fine, scantilly clad Brazillian model. Well done, Big Dave!
My wife's only comment is that the new owners of our old house now have ugly drapes in the front window.