During the 'communications weekend', Andrew found a small program called CanalCalc, which offered to produce timed listing of journeys between specific points on the canal network.
However, it is rather old and its owner SteveT no longer maintains it. nevertheless, the idea seemed interestign, especially as we have already scanned in a number of the mileage charts.
Detailed investigation showed serious flaws in CanalCalc, principally as the locations of points on the network are determined by distances given to the nearest tenth of a mile. Over longer runs, the erros can build up to be significant.
Hence, today, I decided to spend a little time producing at least a prototype edition of an improved version which alloows for greater flexibility and accuracy. It should also allow for places to be given a geographic location - the interesting bit would be to explore the possibilty of a mash-up with Google Maps!
Although we were out this afternoon, a good start has been made with basic structures and functions now in place. Hopefully, tomorrow will provide sufficient time to create a tolerably useful version - perhaps we can add some locations as well. A schematic map would be good as well!
Monday, 28 May 2007
Monday, 21 May 2007
Communications Weekend
Andrew visited us for the weekend with the aim of setting up the remaining aspects of mobile communications, ready for the journey itself.
We will now have four main options:
1. Mobile voice and texts (two new phones so that we can communicate readily between us when on the journey, if we become separated as when passing through flights of locks) Nokia PC Suite allows us to type in a text message using the laptop - easier!
2. Nokia 5200 can inspect mailbox headers and download on demand. replies can be sent but require input using phone keys.
3. The phone can be connected (with USB cable) to the laptop and can act as a modem, which charges connect time on the mobile. Transfer rate comparable with dial-up modem speeds.
4. Laptop can access wi-fi hotspots and we have registered an additional account with Plusnet so that these charges are Pay-As-You-Go via our normal account for broadband.
Hopefully, at least one of these will be generally available for us to keep in touch, update the Blog regularly, upload some photos and to provide any necessary support to TH on the admin system.
We also set up the system for VPN access to TH which then enabled us to set up our General Manager with the ability to access the admin system and email from home (it has only taken about 18 months to fulfil this request!)
We will now have four main options:
1. Mobile voice and texts (two new phones so that we can communicate readily between us when on the journey, if we become separated as when passing through flights of locks) Nokia PC Suite allows us to type in a text message using the laptop - easier!
2. Nokia 5200 can inspect mailbox headers and download on demand. replies can be sent but require input using phone keys.
3. The phone can be connected (with USB cable) to the laptop and can act as a modem, which charges connect time on the mobile. Transfer rate comparable with dial-up modem speeds.
4. Laptop can access wi-fi hotspots and we have registered an additional account with Plusnet so that these charges are Pay-As-You-Go via our normal account for broadband.
Hopefully, at least one of these will be generally available for us to keep in touch, update the Blog regularly, upload some photos and to provide any necessary support to TH on the admin system.
We also set up the system for VPN access to TH which then enabled us to set up our General Manager with the ability to access the admin system and email from home (it has only taken about 18 months to fulfil this request!)
Friday, 18 May 2007
Using email to blogger
With Andrew's assistance we have now established the ability to receive and send emails using a mobile phone connection. However, it is necessary to send via the Kerio mail server as Plus does not accept incoming emails from any old IP address.
This is now a test to see if email blogs appear correctly.
This is now a test to see if email blogs appear correctly.
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Mobile Phone and USB
Purchased a USB cable to connect the Nokia 5200 directly to the laptop, without the need for bluetooth - probably a more reliable method!
Downloaded the Nokia PC Suite and installed - at least the basic functionality seems to work OK
Downloaded the Nokia PC Suite and installed - at least the basic functionality seems to work OK
Friday, 11 May 2007
Mobile phones
Mobile phones arrived today and have begun the process of setting them up - contact numbers, Virgin accounts, etc, etc.
You have to realise that we are both only used to very basic and occasional use of mobiles so we are starting from a rather minimal baseline!
You have to realise that we are both only used to very basic and occasional use of mobiles so we are starting from a rather minimal baseline!
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Progress Report on IT systems
Gradually setting up the laptop and other items to provide us with communications and ability to undertake systems support for Trevanion House during our trip.
The laptop arrived a couple of weeks ago and most of the software has been installed - now being 'tweaked' to give optimum access to main tasks - such as updating this blog.
Yesterday, ordered two mobile phones after much confused consideration - eventually agreed with Andrew on two Nokias - one bottom of the range and the other with Bluetooth etc to enable access via dial-up in the absence of a wi-fi hotspot. These will arrive Friday, ready for the following weekend when Andrew is here to finalise the configuration. Mobiles are on Virgin network.
Up til now we have been minimalist mobile phone users, sharing an ancient 'brick' between the two of us on the occasions when it seemed needed. It seemed better to have a new phone each so that we can be in contact if, for example, one of us is off setting locks. Last summer's experience demonstrated that.
Also, gradually setting up files of info, such as the Boater's Guides from BW - if downloaded before we go (on broadband) it is less expensive! We might then only need an occasional look at emergency stoppages.
Set up files of milege listings in a form that can be downloaded onto a PDA for use whilst navigating - one of the experiments will be to see how useful/usable it is for making hand-held notes (eg times) under these circumstances.
Experimenting with secure Smart Drive plug in to hold lists of passwords - have in any case been getting worried about the vulnerability of the infamous Blue Book which is supposed to hold all of theses - especially after discovering that at least one is going to need resetting since it has been lost!
The laptop arrived a couple of weeks ago and most of the software has been installed - now being 'tweaked' to give optimum access to main tasks - such as updating this blog.
Yesterday, ordered two mobile phones after much confused consideration - eventually agreed with Andrew on two Nokias - one bottom of the range and the other with Bluetooth etc to enable access via dial-up in the absence of a wi-fi hotspot. These will arrive Friday, ready for the following weekend when Andrew is here to finalise the configuration. Mobiles are on Virgin network.
Up til now we have been minimalist mobile phone users, sharing an ancient 'brick' between the two of us on the occasions when it seemed needed. It seemed better to have a new phone each so that we can be in contact if, for example, one of us is off setting locks. Last summer's experience demonstrated that.
Also, gradually setting up files of info, such as the Boater's Guides from BW - if downloaded before we go (on broadband) it is less expensive! We might then only need an occasional look at emergency stoppages.
Set up files of milege listings in a form that can be downloaded onto a PDA for use whilst navigating - one of the experiments will be to see how useful/usable it is for making hand-held notes (eg times) under these circumstances.
Experimenting with secure Smart Drive plug in to hold lists of passwords - have in any case been getting worried about the vulnerability of the infamous Blue Book which is supposed to hold all of theses - especially after discovering that at least one is going to need resetting since it has been lost!
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