CAP Talk

General Discussion => Membership => Topic started by: MIKE on May 29, 2008, 07:29:40 PM

Title: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: MIKE on May 29, 2008, 07:29:40 PM
http://cap.findlocation.com/

I miss the old Unit Locater... Used to have a map of the USA that you could click on a state and get all the units in that wing.  Find nearest is nice, but I would like to see the old map come back as another option. 
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: mikeylikey on May 29, 2008, 07:33:42 PM
^ Agreed!

Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: RiverAux on May 29, 2008, 08:49:35 PM
I think the current system is just horrible.  I suppose it is ok if all you're interested in is looking for a unit in a very specific location, but if you were interested in say all the units in a state, you couldn't get that info very easily.  Yes, there are some other alternatives for CAP members to get that sort of info, but not the public. 
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: kpetersen on May 29, 2008, 09:01:11 PM
Step 1) Or we just make the sqdn webmasters have sites like these:

http://newg.cap.gov/Squadrons/default.asp
http://www.sdcap.us/squadrons.shtml
http://www.njwg.cap.gov/units/sqloc.html

(Don't feel like searching out all the wings sites)

Step 2) make easier access to the individual wing websites from national's site.

Step 3) this encourages wings to update/improve the sites :)
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: DrDave on May 30, 2008, 12:55:57 AM
Go here for a list of CAP units by state, then alphabetized by city within each state:

level2.cap.gov/documents/Unit_Directory.pdf

I believe it's updated annually.

Dr. Dave
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: SarDragon on May 30, 2008, 01:46:36 AM
Quarterly. This used to be a printed item sent to the units.
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Capt Rivera on May 31, 2008, 01:24:38 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 30, 2008, 01:46:36 AM
Quarterly. This used to be a printed item sent to the units.

I wish it still was sent... Emailed to commanders/members would be fine....

even better would be changing our unit locater feature..... any commercial store locater application can be used... its not hard to find one... there are many.... to see them in action one would just need to go to any national store's website and pick the one that would better fit our needs....

There is NO excuse for this issue not to have been addressed long before this topic began. There is also NO excuse for this not to be one of the next updates to the website.... ::Hint Hint::

Why is this important?

Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: SarDragon on June 01, 2008, 01:50:12 AM
Quote from: RiveraJ on May 31, 2008, 01:24:38 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 30, 2008, 01:46:36 AM
Quarterly. This used to be a printed item sent to the units.
Why is this important?


  • Current & Membership WILL use it...
  • Perspective members WILL use it
  • Other information seekers will use it
  • Members of the media MIGHT use it  ::)

We have new members in my unit who found out about CAP and our unit via the existing online locater, so it must be somewhat functional.

The store locater app sounds like a good deal, but who are you going to get to do it? 1540 "stores" is a pretty big chain, with a much smaller advertising department than someplace like Sears or Penney's. Somehow, I think we have bigger fish to fry right now.
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Tubacap on June 02, 2008, 10:16:33 PM
I wonder if NHQ ever thought about putting out a "Wish List" with specs on what programs/apps/grants they would like and then have the general membership work on them and submit their work for approval.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Capt Rivera on June 03, 2008, 01:35:02 AM
Quote from: Tubacap on June 02, 2008, 10:16:33 PM
I wonder if NHQ ever thought about putting out a "Wish List" with specs on what programs/apps/grants they would like and then have the general membership work on them and submit their work for approval.

Thoughts?

Great idea... i know of people who would jump at the chance to help... people who get paid... well lets just say lots of money to do these things professionally... They might not have the time/desire to be director of CAP/IT but they might love to take a specific project/idea and get it completed...
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Ricochet13 on June 03, 2008, 02:27:35 AM
Have noticed a discrepancy between information provided by the online unit locator and the list of units mailed when a prospective member requests information by mail. 

The list sent to prospective members was out of date and inaccurate when compared to the list generated online.  Trying to bring that to someone's attention. 

The information about units sent by mail actually had information that was more than two years out of date.
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: RiverAux on June 03, 2008, 03:20:05 AM
Your best bet would probably be to contact NHQ public affairs.  Not sure what the source of their information is, but in the past we have had some problems getting changes in meeting times noted in the CAPWATCH database, which is probably where the info is coming from. 
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: hatentx on June 08, 2008, 10:41:09 PM
The crappy thing about the unit locater is that the unit need to update the info.  I am here looking for a unit and the two closes unit websites dont work nor do the phone numbers.  I have to go and get lucky to find where they meet and hope it is the same time as what is on the locater.  Good luck to me
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: JC004 on June 08, 2008, 11:03:20 PM
We should use Google Maps API.
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Camas on June 08, 2008, 11:50:59 PM
Quote from: hatentx on June 08, 2008, 10:41:09 PM
The crappy thing about the unit locater is that the unit need to update the info.

And it's so simple to accomplish. Go to "Organizational Contact" in e-services; update the information and it's a done deal.
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Capt Rivera on June 10, 2008, 04:40:28 AM
Quote from: JC004 on June 08, 2008, 11:03:20 PM
We should use Google Maps API.

I agree
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: JC004 on June 10, 2008, 05:20:04 AM
Quote from: RiveraJ on June 10, 2008, 04:40:28 AM
Quote from: JC004 on June 08, 2008, 11:03:20 PM
We should use Google Maps API.

I agree

I'd be interested in doing it if some others could help too, and National would be interested.
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: mikeylikey on June 10, 2008, 02:50:17 PM
Quote from: JC004 on June 10, 2008, 05:20:04 AM
Quote from: RiveraJ on June 10, 2008, 04:40:28 AM
Quote from: JC004 on June 08, 2008, 11:03:20 PM
We should use Google Maps API.

I agree

I'd be interested in doing it if some others could help too, and National would be interested.

I will help, but I want a Google t-shirt   :D
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: JC004 on June 10, 2008, 07:15:06 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on June 10, 2008, 02:50:17 PM
I will help, but I want a Google t-shirt   :D

you and everyone else. 
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: mikeylikey on June 11, 2008, 05:32:31 AM
Quote from: JC004 on June 10, 2008, 07:15:06 PM
Quote from: mikeylikey on June 10, 2008, 02:50:17 PM
I will help, but I want a Google t-shirt   :D

you and everyone else. 

but.......ME first.  I know where you live, I know what bar you drink at and I know ways of burning things down to make it look like you did it.  So....when can I expect my shirt??   8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: JC004 on June 11, 2008, 05:34:40 AM
I can get you a nice Google pencil... >:D

Anybody know the appropriate people at NHQ for this web stuff?  Maybe we can volunteer to do a Google Maps API system for them?
Title: Re: Unit Locater Feature
Post by: Tim Medeiros on June 11, 2008, 05:13:40 PM
When I suggested a new restricted application for awards my ticket in the help desk was assigned to Ron Meanor, so he might be a good point of contact.