News

Thursday 21st June, 2007

Half a year on from the last update I thought you were all due for an update on what's been going on! Why have I not been adding new features to RouteHiker? Why is the interface still really hard to use? Why has there been no publicity? Well the truth is, i've been working on the new version of RouteHiker! It's twice as vast as the current RouteHiker, but 10 times easier to use, and a lot more fun!

If you didn't already know, RouteHiker will be going commercial very soon. One of the reasons for this is so we can forge partnerships with other companies to bring you more services and features. Don't worry though, i'll be giving all current users of RouteHiker special offers etc, and possibly free stuff!

I don't want to give too much away, but the new RouteHiker will allow you to create your hikes by clicking points on a map, and then be able to accompany you on your hike!

We're only a few months away now, but I hope you'll stick around to see the result. As always, spread the word. This is going to be something special.

Monday 11th December, 2006

Press release #3

I know it seems like ages since we've given you an update, but we really have been busy! Version 2 of the application is well under way and due for release early next year. It has loads of new features such as a shop, GPS tracking, support for cyclists as well as hikers and loads of cool new top secret things :)

The second big piece of news is that Route Hiker is set to become a company in Jan 2007. Route Hiker will have its own HQ in a Staffordshire business park, as well as receive funding and support from business experts.

I hope you'll continue to support the project by contributing your ideas, complaints, bugs and praise, and will check out the new version when it is released. Also, feel free to come and visit us at the HQ in Stafford when we get it!

Get involved. Visit us at

www.routehiker.org.uk

Wednesday 21st June, 2006

Press release #2

Since the launch of Escouts Route Hiker back in April, it has definitely come in leaps and bounds. The number of features has significantly increased, with an average of 4 new users registering everyday.

If you haven’t already heard of Route Hiker, then you are missing out on this innovation in hiking. This free web based program is designed to aid in the creation of routecards for hikers of any type, being in Scouting, Guiding, Duke of Edinburgh or for general use. It boasts a whole load of features, including allowing you to calculate the fields that normally would take a long time to calculate by hand; also, you can create multiple routecards which can be saved and then edited in the future, as well as having printer friendly versions for use on hikes.

For the website owner, we’ve created the API. This free set of tools allows you to connect your website to Route Hiker and use all of facilities. The potential is there to run Route Hiker from your own website. We expect this feature to become more popular in the future as people wish to share routecards etc with their websites visitors.

We’ve also created the directories. The first is the hiking directory, which allows you to search for and browse other users hikes which have been and gone, and if you like the look of them, add them to your account. This is maintained by 5 individuals, who check that each hike is valid, maintaining the quality of the directory.

The second is the forthcoming campsite directory, and is already tipped to become the biggest in the UK currently. It will store details about as many campsites in the UK as we can, whether they are public, private or scout campsites.

Another feature soon to be built is the online help. At the click of a button which is accessible from any page on the site, you can be getting help from any of the Route Hiker team in an instant messaging type environment. They will also be able to see where you are on the site, to help target the problems as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The aim of Route Hiker is to provide the full hiking preparation in one easy to use system; you may see future facilities such as a cost calculator, which calculate the cost of your hike based on transport to the location, campsite fees and food.

The last main feature is the mobile site. This is designed to be accessed from PDAs and mobile devices when you are on a hike. Its aim is to allow you to see your updated ETAs if you are running early or late. It also shows predicted weather information for the upcoming days. Just point your mobile device to http://www.routehiker.org.uk

We are trying to make partnerships with companies from across the UK, who can provide us with a facility, with sponsorship, a donation or even just map data. A recent success with the British Geological Survey (the company who provide the government, public and industry with geological data), we now have a much more advanced magnetic bearing calculator. If you own a company or know a company who could be of benefit to us, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. The companies will also benefit, with the high amount of traffic they receive from our site, as well as the good nature of the partnership.

Get involved. Visit us at

www.routehiker.org.uk

Friday 9th June, 2006

EXCLUSIVE OFFER - We now offer the feature for you to claim credit for any routecards, bag tags and drop cards that Route Hiker produces. By paying a one off fee of £30, we will remove all logos and Route Hiker branding, and replace them with your logo, motto, website address, company name, or whatever you want.

This is a great opportunity for businesses, organisations or even individuals who wish to claim the routecards etc as their own, and there really are no strings attached. It is just the one off fee of £30, and you will have full branding until the day Route Hiker dies. That's a long way off yet..we've only just begun!

What's more our friendly staff will be happy to update logos and text whenever you want and as often as you want. We will work to your needs, and do exactly what suits you.

If you are interested in this special offer, then please don't hesitate to contact us using the contact form http://www.routehiker.org.uk/contact.php, and we will sort out a method of payment and begin the branding process.

For more information, see here - http://www.routehiker.org.uk/about-branding.php

Friday 2nd June, 2006

Following the discussion on the Escouts Forum, the Escouts community decided that Route Hiker should include 2 directories.

The first is called 'The Hiking Directory', and allows anyone who's logged into Route Hiker to browse hikes that other users have created, providing the hike has already taken place. It features a state of the art custom built search algorithm, which allows you to quickly find hikes to suit the criteria you specify. If you like the look of a hike, you can even add it to your account, so you can edit it to your needs, and use it as you wish.

The second directory is called 'The Campsite Directory', and is tipped to be the UKs best campsite directory, as it will store information about both public and scout campsites. It will be based on the same search algorithm as the one the hiking directory uses, allowing you to find your ideal campsite in seconds. It will provide details on the facilities and prices of each site, which are kept uptodate by our new 'Route Hiker Directory Team'.

The hiking directory will go live over the next few days, and the campsite directory within a matter of weeks.

Saturday 13th May, 2006

Now that Route Hiker is pretty much established, it's time to get it known! There's a full list of banners and icons available for you to use on your websites at http://www.escouts.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2640. Alternatively, add a text link to your site. To monitor statistics, you may be interested in the affiliate scheme. Just log in to your account, then go on 'Personal Information' and then 'Manage Affiliate Links'.

We're also after forming partnerships with companies who can provide us with facilities, whether it is hardware, software, resources etc. If you own a company or work in a company which may be able to help, please get in touch! We're also after sponsorship to keep this project free!

The API is the most focused part of development at the moment, with new features being added daily. Check it out at http://www.routehiker.org.uk/api.php. We also want to do case studies of people who have used the API for their websites or desktop applications. Know anyone? Get in touch!

Sunday 23rd April, 2006

Whilst most of the Scout Association was on parade, I took the opportunity to move Route Hiker to a dual Opteron server (first time there's been no-one on the site since it went live!). There was only 20 minutes of downtime, and i've checked that no data was lost in the transfer.

Although i've done some thorough checks, if anyone spots any problems, please let me know ASAP.

Enjoy the new speed and power :)

Thursday 13th April, 2006

It's been a long time coming, but the time is finally here! Yesterday at 10:00PM, Route Hiker officially went live! I hope you enjoy the new features i've implemented over the last week.

Saturday 4th March, 2006

Think you have/know a site which relates to Route Hiker and should go our link page at http://routehiker.escouts.net/links.php? Contact us and let us know!

Friday 17th February, 2006

New features are introduced on Escouts Route Hiker including team creation, pdf routecards, bag tags and edit functions. For the full article and discussion, please visit http://www.escouts.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=14772