Attention Journalists

[postholer.com]

If you're still deciding on a journal service for your section or thru-hike, take a look at Postholer journals. We've set up this demo for you:
http://postholer.com/journal/demo.html

We are especially proud of our new integrated journal entry/map feature as well as our add/update your journal by email feature.

Postholer is a reliable, feature packed service unequaled by any other trail journaling service, period. We've worked long and hard to make this everything you could need and we're planning more exciting things. The site is free, no ads, no banners and we don't ask for donations. Here are the highlights:

+ Complete add, edit, delete control over your journal
+ Add journal entries/photos by EMail, Pocketmail, Blackberry, whatever!
+ Google trail map of your entrys! View map of journal entrys
+ Embed your journal in your website!
+ Option to make your journal private, does not appear in searches
+ Multiple journal handling that will blow your mind!
+ Download your entire journal in text format
+ Guestbook for your visitors, with your comments
+ Gear List, spreadsheet like
+ Trip Planner, spreadsheet like
+ Training Log, spreadsheet like
+ Photo Manager
+ Slide Show
+ Extended journal information
+ Spell Checker
+ Integrated journal & forum accounts
+ Automatic bookmarks for readers - up to 200 journals
+ RSS support for timely notification of journal updates
+ Journal support forum. We listen!

We hope to see you there!

-postholer

[MOWGLI]

Sweet site! If I hike the JMT with my daughter this summer, I think I'll use your service.

[Newb]

Very nice. I think it might be just the ticket for me to use this year. You have a PC subsection, but no AT Subsection?

[Tha Wookie]

wow.... that integrated map feature is pretty darn cool

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

After playing around some at the site, I have to say you have done a magnificent job. I may move our section hiking journal to the site.

Thanks for giving us a heads up on the demo.

[Lilred]

I second that on the map. The topo feature is way too cool.

[postholer.com]

Thanks for all of your comments!

And thanks to the Whiteblaze staff for tolerating my spam :)

Yes, the site does lack AT information. With an awesome resource like Whiteblaze, duplicating their efforts would seem redundant - if not downright futile.

I do wish the AT had snow sensors though, so I could add a snow conditions page.

-postholer

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

You're not Spam - you're a hiker service - and a good one. :)

[SGT Rock]

Agreed. Your doing a good job.

[Smile]

Impressive Postholer. That mail drop feature is really nice, you've done an excellent job. :)
Are you currently getting all the AT info in there for next year's hiking season?

[postholer.com]

That mail drop feature is really nice...Are you currently getting all the AT info in there for next year's hiking season?

The info on the maps can be updated by anyone. Ideally, everyone would contribute to the maildrop info. Who better to own info on a specific location, someone who lives on the west coast who has never been there or someone who knows the spot well?

That is the basic concept of allowing everyone to update info on the maps, maildrops, photos, trail conditions, water reports, etc.

The reason all the info exists for the PCT is because I was maintaining it all, receiving info from all sources. Same goes for the AT shelters. Tom Dunnigan had all that nice info! If anyone wants to own info on one or more shelters, let me know.

I think the ability to let folks own and update info at their descretion is the better approach. Much more American! :)

-postholer

[Tha Wookie]

is there a cost?

[postholer.com]

is there a cost?

When I use the term "own" I mean "take responsibility for". If you add a location on the map, only you can update that info; therefore, you own it. If folks want you to update that info they can contact you via the map forum or private message.

I "own" all the AT shelter info since I added them all en masse using Tom Dunigan's data. If anyone wants to "own" one or more shelters, let me know and I'll make you the owner of them.

Sorry for the confusion!

-postholer

[Smile]

I think I understand, but what if incorrect information is entered?
Is one person's maildrop info for example, available to all if they choose, or can each person put in their own info for their particular mail drops? :)

[postholer.com]

I think I understand, but what if incorrect information is entered? Is one person's maildrop info for example, available to all if they choose, or can each person put in their own info for their particular mail drops? :)

Yep. Everyone can add their own marker if they choose. Hopefully, folks will contribute to each others marker info instead of having 50 people with 50 markers of the same spot. That's ok for the photos, but for maildrops it would not be useful.

We make the assumption that folks will communicate to some degree and the hiking community is pretty good about that. As mentioned before, if you see info that is incorrect you can contact the owner via private message or the map forum. There are links for both on every marker info page.

It all may be wishful thinking, but it appears to work very well in the wiki world. Of course, abuse will be handled.

BTW, your bird-smile-photo is so cool. Is it real or was it photoshop'd?

-postholer

[Kirby]

From the looks of the site, it seems you are geared more towards PCT and CDT hikers than AT hikers. Coming from a first-time visitor perspective, the website is very in your face, and somewhat confusing if you have not been there before.

Kirby