User:Ekorren/Hash Inquiry Tool

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.

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).

• Google dynamic: The standard variant of google maps, will work in most standard browsers but won't work on many phones.
• Google static: Static maps that should work virtually everywhere. This will take you to a wrapper page where you can switch between different modes and scales.

• Map size: If you choose static maps, you need to set the map size manually that it fits your screen. The dynamic map resizes itself and ignores this option.

• Timezone: Leave blank to let the program guess based on your position (which is usually quite accurate), or set to your difference from UTC resp. UTC+1 during DST. This is only used to determine which day it is at your location so you will really get today's coordinates.

The resulting page can be bookmarked and directly called, as all data is included in the address line.

Issues

Advance note: This implementation is 30W 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 autoguessing: If it says it's tuesday while your atomic clock's calendar insists on wednesday (or monday), better trust your own calendar. If you activate autoguessing (i.e. leave it blank) this may happen during one hour before or after midnight, in very rare cases a bit longer. If this bothers you, you'll need to set your timezone. And still may run into it because of varying daylight savings time.

• There's a nearer one than #8 on the list! Well, this can happen. The program 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 to your location is one of those nine. Of course, there are rare exceptions to every rule. Bonus points if you find them. Double bonus points if you reach one.

• 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

• 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.

Versions

0.2.0 (2008-11-24): First release

0.2.2 (2008-12-01): Support for static map over wrapper page

0.2.3 (2008-12-02): Timezone support, including autoguessing