Its here! www.assistancelist.com - The FJR Assistance List

[Bungie]

The Assistance List, version 3 is now out of beta and is available for you to sign up!

https://www.assistancelist.com

Version 1: Gypsy started the FJR Assistance List in Feb 2006
Version 2: Bungie took over the FJR Assistance List in Feb of 2009.
Version 3: Bungie launches the AssistanceList.com in Feb 2013!

So, what is new and how does it affect me.

1. The assistance list is no longer manually maintained. You maintain your own data via the website
2. The list is available on demand 24/7. Ready for printing or for downloading the GPX file.
3. It is no longer just the FJR list. It is for any group or organization who wants to have their own list. You decide which groups you want to participate in. Your information is only available to the groups you join. This can greatly expand the the amount of, and reduce distance to, the help you require. If your a member of another forum and want to start a list, just send me an email and I'll add it.
4. You can filter the list for only specific countries, state/provinces or even assistance types. Keeping the size small for printing.
5. Secure, the assistance list uses your email address to send you a 24 hour access code, after that 24 hours, you must generate another access code.
6. The assistance list is Telephony enabled! This means we can send out Text Messages in real time in addition to email when you request assistance.
7. You can access the assistance list at any time from any device. Desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
8. Speaking of Spot Trackers, we've wired up your Spot Tracker directly to the assistance list. Press HELP and we'll contact as many people as you define via email and via text message in addition to any members within a 100 mile radius of your location. That's right, the list is now fully location aware.
9. When we know your location, we even send a google map link to your exact location in both email and text message so responders know exactly where you are.
10. Don't have the list printed or on your GPS. Text our number with your location and we'll contact your Spot Contacts via email/SMS.

DISCLOSURE

The assistance list has been, and will continue to be free. You can use it to participate and generate a list or GPX file and seek help in any way you see fit. Just like always.

However, the telephony component (Text Messages, Voice access which is coming soon!) will carry a $5.00 Cdn charge for each incident request. It doesn't matter if we send out 1 or a 100 SMS Text messages, it is still the same rate. This is to cover the cost of providing that service and to offset the cost of running the website. I seriously doubt anybody will be getting rich off this.

You have a 3 day grace period from the date of sign up to configure and test the website SMS functionality and I will wave the charges. Don't kill me m'kay! It shouldn't take more than a couple of tries to verify it works. After that, add as many 'Spot Contacts' in both email and telephone and your good to go.

 

[kamal]

Excellent job Steve.

Thank you!

Al.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Thanks for all the hard work Steve!

--G

 

[ahchiu]

Great job, Thanks

 

[Bustanut joker]

Thanks Steve.. I hope folks truly realize what kinda time goes into something like this.

i personally know of two members this has helped out when shit went bad.

 

[gixxerjasen]

That is pretty freaking amazing.

Just curious on the need for the SMS capability. There might be some sure, but I can't remember of ever having an SMS account that didn't have an associated email address with it.

 

[Bungie]

Just curious on the need for the SMS capability. There might be some sure, but I can't remember of ever having an SMS account that didn't have an associated email address with it.

Thanks Gix.

2 Reasons,

Were a bunch of cheap, old farts and not everybody has unlimited texting bound to email for notifications. That is a convenience provided by your cell phone provider. Going text direct to a number instead of an email skirts this issue. 2nd reason is that email is 'passive', that is, you only get a notification when you actually check your email. SMS is active, it gets pushed to you greatly increasing the response time.

 

[beemerdons]

Just curious on the need for the SMS capability. There might be some sure, but I can't remember of ever having an SMS account that didn't have an associated email address with it.

Thanks Gix.

2 Reasons,

Were a bunch of cheap, old farts and not everybody has unlimited texting bound to email for notifications. That is a convenience provided by your cell phone provider. Going text direct to a number instead of an email skirts this issue. 2nd reason is that email is 'passive', that is, you only get a notification when you actually check your email. SMS is active, it gets pushed to you greatly increasing the response time.

What is this "texting" thing Steve-O? Papa Chuy is confused by this new term, is this something like looking up a book at the Public Library?

 

[huron52]

Ok... I tried..... Steve can you see what I fouled up.... I know I can't seem to get a location to stick. What else did I miss?

 

[gixxerjasen]

Sorry Bungie, I was talking about the other way around. Sending the alert to an email address that your phone company provides as your text address which is then converted to a text message sent to your phone.

For instance, I'm with Sprint so my number would be something like [10-digit phone number]@messaging.sprintpcs.com Example: [email protected]

Thus, if an alert email goes to that email address(not my real address) it'll show up as a text message on my phone. I'm not aware of any charge for this above and beyond normal text message charges.

I'm only throwing this out to potentially save the stress and cost of setting up your own SMS gateway when the phone providers already have this set up for you. No preference on my end though, just trying to save headaches.

Here's a pretty good list if folks don't know their email address for their sms.

https://sms411.net/how-to-send-email-to-a-phone/

 

[fjrob1300]

Good job Steve .

 

[dcarver]

It couldn't find where I live..

But GREAT idea, hope it takes off for you

 

[dcarver]

Found how to get gps cords from Google maps..

1. go to https://maps.google.com

2. enter your address (do NOT move map)

3. enter this in the url, same page you entered the addie in

javascript:void(prompt('',gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));

4. Bingo!

Edit -

Ah crapola the app won't accept gps coords..

 

[Bungie]

It couldn't find where I live..

One of the trade-offs for doing the google lookup to get long/lat is that it can return a metric shit ton of matching results. I've set it to only return recognized cities which eliminates it returning townships and counties 'n stuff.

aka: Not my fault you live in the sticks ya lucky bastage!

You did the right thing by entering the nearest recognized place. I'm going to have to add that little tidbit to the help. Thanks!

 

[Auburn]

Thanks Bungie!

 

[dcarver]

It couldn't find where I live..

One of the trade-offs for doing the google lookup to get long/lat is that it can return a metric shit ton of matching results. I've set it to only return recognized cities which eliminates it returning townships and counties 'n stuff.

aka: Not my fault you live in the sticks ya lucky bastage!

You did the right thing by entering the nearest recognized place. I'm going to have to add that little tidbit to the help. Thanks!

Coolio - I'll add it back then.

Hey, with a little practice, you might even think of a programming career! :rofl:

 

[Bungie]

Hey, with a little practice, you might even think of a programming career!

Frig that mess. I'm saving up for a hot dog cart!

 

[bluesdog]

...

Ah crapola the app won't accept gps coords..

Yeah, that's annoying. I live on a farm, so if anyone needs assistance they'll have to call me from the nearby town first. Luckily it's less than five minutes away.

 

[Fairlaner]

Nice.....

R