I think that's a general issue - there's as much danger of vendor lock-in
on web applications as there is on mobile apps. No reason a website has to
let you download your content in an open format and no reason a mobile app
can't use an open format for content.
Sounds like that's a requirement to add to your list when evaluating
possibilities, Lyndsey - as well as offline support, am I able to switch to
another provider by getting my tour content in and out in an open format.
If in the future you decide on a custom app, you could make it a
requirement to support that content format and you don't lose anything from
all the work you've put in now.
In terms of what format - I wonder if Mike would agree with me if I said
JSON export great and XML export probably adequate ;-)
Best regards,
Nick
On 20 January 2016 at 10:22, Mike Ellis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I guess what would concern me about using some of the services mentioned
> is lock-in. Writing and developing tour content is quite an investment in
> time. "Free" is great, but if you're using 100 people hours putting in
> stuff but then can't get it out again things are likely to go pear-shaped
> further down the line when vendor goes bust / stops developing service /
> gets bought by Google / etc.
>
> My gut feel (am I right? maybe I just know the web better than I know
> apps!) is that this content lock-in is probably particularly true of apps,
> and something else worth thinking about? Don't know.
>
> ttfn
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
> _____________________________
>
>
> *Mike Ellis *
>
> Thirty8 Digital: a small but perfectly formed digital agency:
> http://thirty8.co.uk <http://thirty8.co.uk/>
>
> * My book: http://heritageweb.co.uk <http://heritageweb.co.uk/> *
>
>
>
>
> Nick Clarey wrote:
>
>> We haven't got any plans for developing an app as the costs are so
>>> restrictive and the
>>> general consensus seems to be that if your website is dynamic and
>>> responsive enough you
>>> don't really need them.
>>>
>>
>>
>> That's an interesting remark - I think that the prevalence and popularity
>> of apps on mobile suggests otherwise...! I think a great web experience is
>> essential for the desktop, but I really don't think users are gravitating
>> to mobile web applications. Putting aside the offline benefits (which
>> sound
>> like a requirement in this case), I just don't think the browser
>> experience
>> meets what users have grown to expect from their devices.
>>
>> As for restrictive costs, I expect this will continue to drop as more
>> off-the-shelf solutions become available for these sorts of problems.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Nick
>>
>> On 19 January 2016 at 16:25, Beverley Gormley<
>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Hello everyone, I organise the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival and am
>>> also heavily
>>> involved in the organisation of Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival.
>>>
>>> We haven't got any plans for developing an app as the costs are so
>>> restrictive and the
>>> general consensus seems to be that if your website is dynamic and
>>> responsive enough you
>>> don't really need them.
>>>
>>> Our schedule of walks runs to 35 pages of A5 and is printed, however we
>>> also produce a
>>> google map on our website that is easily built using Google MyMap. This
>>> means that the
>>> maps, descriptions, co-ordinates, difficulty levels, facilities etc are
>>> all there for people to see
>>> whether they're on desktop or mobile. The only problem is that the the
>>> details aren't printable.
>>>
>>> If you're sure you want to upload walks to an app, would iFootpath be of
>>> interest?
>>>
>>>
>>> Beverley Gormley
>>> Cultural Events
>>> Heritage Lincolnshire
>>> Tel: 01529 461499
>>>
>>> Heritage Lincolnshire is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a charity.
>>> Find out more about our achievements and special anniversary
>>> programme on our website and keep up to date with our latest news on
>>> Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
>>> www.heritagelincolnshire.org
>>>
>>>
>>> On 19 Jan 2016 at 14:13, Lyndsey Clark wrote:
>>>
>>> Date sent: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 14:13:15 +0000
>>> Send reply to: Museums Computer Group<[log in to unmask]>
>>> From: Lyndsey Clark<[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: ready-made guided walk 'apps'?
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>>
>>>> Has anybody used a ready-made 'create a guided walk' app for a site? Or
>>>>
>>> an online guided walks database?
>>>
>>>> I'm working on a project we're looking to put our walks into a
>>>>
>>> pre-existing 'walk app builder' or a database to share with visitors and
>>> also allow on-going walk-generation by groups of volunteers.
>>>
>>>> We do not want our own bespoke app built because we want to build a
>>>>
>>> growing selection of different walks over the next few years (and we have
>>> very little money).
>>>
>>>> Also, the walks will have to be downloadable as the routes themselves
>>>>
>>> are likely to take people away from 3g signal range.
>>>
>>>> There are many services out there but if anybody has used one could you
>>>>
>>> please let me know how it went before we spend any money.
>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Lyndsey
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lyndsey Clark
>>>> Interpretation - Exhibitions - Engagement projects
>>>> www.ltclark.co.uk
>>>> @ltclarkuk
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>
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--
Nick Clarey
CEO, Airsource Ltd.
Phone: +44-1223-708370
Fax : +44-1223-309814
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