Email alerts for wind conditions.. who would use it!??
 

I see that in my domain hosting I can create a mailing list. This would be something that folks would need to sign up for manually and then they could send an email to the default mailing list and it would blast it out to all members.

As many of us have email capable phones I figure technology can work for us in helping keep riders aware of current conditions....

Would you be up for this? I'd pony up the 9.95$ per year to buy a domain (tampawindalert.com or something) and manage the list.. but only if people would sign up and use it.

anyone?

Id use it but you still run into the same problem of having to have people access it and send out an accurate report of the conditions.... I think you would still need a internet capable phone, so why not just use the site here as it is frequented by most of us? Are you going to be the only one able to send the alerts?

I like the idea, I definitely think you should try to go through with it!

Bryan-

I would use it. I know Steve S. is trying to come up with something as well. Regardless of what it is - if most of the community in Tampa uses it -I am in. I ride mainly with the crew at Sunset Beach and we are always emailing each other the conditions over there. If something similar could be achieved on a wider scale for all the spots around here - I would definitely use it.

Tonh

lets all keep thinking
 

this is a good thread with a lot of good ideas. bryan i liked your idea and would contribute whatever is necessary. however, there is no time limit on this thread so lets continue to banter this around till we come up with a good solution. good job to all!!!!!

I believe what is being sought after here is this -

Enable multiple users to send & recieve wind reports via cell phone.

This might be worth a look. I sure would like to know, who's going to EB when or if it's good. It's a heck of drive just to see.

http://www.tweetfunnel.com/

http://www.diaryofareluctantblogger....izational.html

great idea
 

I am currently working on developing a website with these functions in mind. If you are familiar with Gulfster.com that will give you a good idea as to what im modeling it after. Except instead of being geared toward surfers it will be focused on kiters and wind driven sports in the Tampa Bay area. I am currently working on getting permission to install a live camera at EB that I think would be a huge help! I was going to wait to post about it until I got more developed but this thread seems like the perfect time for your input and suggestions! I look forward to hearing about what you all think and launching the site!

site up next week!
 

Just talked with my friend who is a web designer. We will have the site up by the beginning of next week. The template is going to be very user friendly and I think it will keep everyone from missing sessions or making long trips to the beach only to get skunked! Stay tuned for more info!

A live camera at EB would be awesome. Cams are the way to go, over sensors.

I think this approach is probably the easiest and most flexible/powerful in terms of communicating updates-

http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?t=8676&page=4

It can be accessed by phone via text alerts, the web, and can also be linked to email, twitter, you name it. Easy sign up, etc. as well.


http://www.textmarks.com/WINDY

Through use of the share feature, it can easily be linked to almost anything, including gmail.

http://www.fksa.org/attachment.php?a...3&d=1253792568

i am in!!
 

i joined and will participate. thanks, allen

This ROCKS!!!!

I like the textmarks idea! So far it's working GREAT... we just need more wind! LOL!

My only thought is that textmarks should only be used when needed. Hopefully people don't start sending other messages across, instead of wind reports.

One possible solution for that is to have on Textmark strictly for Current Observations... and another for Possible Hookups and Predictions.

I set one up called "WindyMeet" for the latter.

http://www.textmarks.com/WINDYMEET


Really, you can do just about anything on here and setting one up takes 5 seconds. But I agree, the 'Windy' one should probably be strictly for current observations.

Looks like a good solution, thanks Scott. I will pull down the new forum, unless someone has other ideas for it.

http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=130

Good call man!

Another thought... we could have one called "SUNSET" or "EB" so people could only subscribe to their local wind reports. But probably more trouble than it's worth.

I took the feeds from both of these textmarks and put them in output boxes on the far right of this demo site - http://www.scottfears.com/

Any web designer could do the same for any site to display this output.
That includes forums, etc., with a little effort.

Also, for those of you that have several rss feeds that you pay attention to, the RSS for these marks could be added to your aggregator. That way you wouldn't even have to visit a particular site to see the output.
That's the easiest way, imo.

Tip I put in at the other thread.

---------------

There are 2 ways to stop getting texts from WINDY. You can subscribe and unsubscribe on the web, or by your phone.

1. If you no longer wish to receive alerts and updates, you may unsubscribe from it by sending a text to 41411 with the keyword UNSUBSCRIBE followed by the keyword. (e.g. "unsubscribe windy"). Useful when you are not at home in front of a computer.

To "Turn back ON", send a text message to 41411 with the keyword "SUBSCRIBE" followed by the TextMark keyword (e.g. "subscribe windy").

2. Via computer. Log into the website and choose UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE.

Other useful tips found here. http://www.textmarks.com/info/help/

------------

One things I noticed by accident. You can see all the updates to windy on the website without being logged in. Nice to look at without getting a zillion texts.
However, the timestamp of the post when you are not logged in is a 3 hour difference. Must be a california thing. :)

I.E. A post made at 5pm eastern will display 2pm if you are NOT logged in. Log in, then the correct timestamp is displayed. Wanted to share that in case some people noticed and go, "That report was 3 hours ago, that's no good to me now!"

Try it.

Maybe adding a time stamp to the observation would be a good idea.
I know pilots, military etc. very commonly use a standardized approach to reporting data to avoid confusion. Not to be too anal, but we could do sumtin' like that.

13:24 @ East Beach 18-22knots SSW

Maybe something like that.

Easily could be done. Bob the MSG you typed was only 34 characters. You get a full 100 to use. Lots of room to be descriptive. Don't be shy folks ;)

This is awesome guys, glad we stumbled onto something and we have pulled together to make it work! If I do make it out I will surely update with a text of the conditions and I will more than likely post something here on FKSA as I have the means to do so.....iPhone. Unfortunately, I am headed across to the East Coast this weekend, Jupiter, and taking my gear but forecasts don't look great. Looks like there might be something here Sunday afternoon according to sailflow. Have to get the GF to leave early Sunday so I can make it too East Beach for an evening sesh!!!

I am definately getting the word out at the shop. Super stoked, now if we only had some actual wind to report on, that would be even better.

Man I feel like I am in some kind of nightmare this summer. Last summer, Florida was the placed to be with storms sending wind and waves from all sides. It seemed when one was over, another one was on the way.

Oh well, good time to catch up on other stuff. Again, mad props for finding this technology, and cudos to the guys who set it up.

Didnt read all the posts in this thread but thought I would chime in. Check out the NW Kiteforum www.nwkite.com

This is the kite forum for the oregon/Gorge kiters.

Their array of wind sensors, wind cameras, and forum communication is one to model after on issues like this. Just thought I pass on the info.