User:Ekorren/Hash Inquiry Tool

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Revision as of 18:27, 24 November 2008 by imported>Ekorren (Another way to query today's coordinates.)
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About

Small Hash Inquiry Tool is an online hashpoint calculator, just like many others. So why another one? Simply because I couldn't find one that did exactly what I wanted. May also be I just didn't search long enough.

I wanted something that:

  • lists available nearby hashpoints, today and upcoming
  • may be called from a bookmark with saved default values
  • calculates approximate distance and direction
  • includes the globalhash
  • does it all at once, and
  • works on my outdated phone's crappy browser if I'm not at home

So, here it is.

Usage

Visit this link and enter your current coordinates and any options applying.

Coordinates are in the D.d format, i.e. like -12.34567.

Options are:

  • Number of points to show: The program calculates up to nine hashpoints per day, namely of the graticule where you are and the eight surrounding. It displays the nearest x of them. Set to zero if you only want to see the fractions and the globalhash.
  • Map link: If selected, a map link is added (no map, just the link).
  • Timezone: Currently unsupported, this might be used to determine which day it is where you are. By now it runs fixed on CET (UTC+1), see Issues:Time zone

The resulting page can be bookmarked and directly called.

Issues

Advance note: This implementation is W30 and -0 compliant.

  • Distance to globalhash: Calculating distance and bearing gets inaccurate on long distances and near to the poles, so if the program says that the globalhash is 8192 km in bearing 256°, you better shouldn't take this as a base for a ballistic flight as you probably will miss the spot. You can be sure that the distance is far too long to make it in time by bicycle, anyway.
  • Time zone issues: If it says it's tuesday while your atomic clock's calendar insists on wednesday (or monday), better trust your own calendar. This is a known issue and usually just means that, for some reason, you're not living on Central European Time. The results will be fine, just what the program calls "today" and "tomorrow" may be a bit different from as you know it. East of appr. E 15° it may happen that coordinates of the running day are no more shown in the evening.
  • There's a nearer one! Well, this can happen. The program only includes the own and the eight adjacent graticules. A point two graticules away may often be nearer than the farest in the surrounding graticules, but the nearest one will be included in the output. Insignificant exceptions apply. Bonus points if you find them.
  • Partly supported locations: If you feed the program specially designed test cases instead of true locations, you may find some where only six different hashpoints appear in the list. This usually doesn't happen with real locations, and it doesn't stop the program from finding the nearest one. Minus points if you call them significant.
  • Unsupported locations: If your position is within of one degree from a pole, it will blow up your browser. This isn't as dangerous as it sounds because it only applies if the respective pole is a latitude 90 point but not if it's some pointy stick like thing or a person from poland.

Maybe later

  • A version that includes timezone support.
  • Formatted output (selectable).
  • Find a name that better suits the program since it isn't really small anymore.
  • Find a way to improve the server installation to get rid of some ridiculous workarounds.
  • Find an online map service that works with my phone