[aprssig] APRS Search Engine --- Request for Comment

[Dave Baxter]

That site seems unable to handle anything in Europe.  It mangles the
locator/location, and shows no maps.  :-(
 
73.
 
Dave G0WBX.
 


________________________________

	From: Gregory A. Carter [mailto:gcarter at openaprs.net] 
	Sent: 01 July 2008 23:34
	To: aprssig at lists.tapr.org
	Subject: [aprssig] APRS Search Engine --- Request for Comment
	
	
	Hello all,
	
	I've been toying around with the idea of creating an APRS search
engine that acts much the same way as web search engines only for ARPS
data/packets.  I recently created a new site that uses the same backend
as OpenAPRS (which on another note should be far more stable and
reliable than it used to be) that allows you to basically search through
the APRS data using a pretty simple search interface to find position
reports, weather and telemetry.  I plan to implement more search
features for messaging in the near future.  The site is at
http://www.oaprs.net/ and the results point back to the "Info" interface
on OpenAPRS's main site when a station is clicked, though much of the
data is included right in the search results for quick lookups.  The
engine will also search by FCC ULS and display both ULS information
specifically or in addition to position/telemetry/weather reports.  Most
everything is sortable by callsign, speed or age at the moment.
	
	There are some options like measurement units, geocoordinates
display preferences (not quite implimented yet) and default timezone
that can be set and searching can be narrowed by using several options
inline with your query (you can find what I call "quibbles" or search
options under the help link next to the search input box).  I am also
pondering the idea of adding search capabilities for Satellite data and
pass prediction in some sort of searchable format.  The basic idea I had
for this search engine was to be able to "find" stations, whether they
be stations you know the callsign for, stations you may know a partial
callsign for or perhaps stations you just would like to find by the type
of data they are offering to the APRS network.  I am also considering
focusing on adding features that help to debug APRS packets quickly and
easily for users who are learning to get their APRS stations dialed in
and who feel a bit overwhelmed at the idea of hitting findu and trying
to figure out the scripts.
	
	As I am not quite sure of the direction I want to take this, I
wanted to get some input from the experts on how useful this interface
would be and what suggestions for additions, subtractions or other
design modifications/features would make this a powerful tool that would
benefit the APRS community.  I'd love to hear any comments or
constructive criticism that everyone may have to offer either on or off
list, fire away!
	
	Greg
	
	NV6G (previously N7NXS)
	OpenAPRS.Net
	

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