Zoot's TideSpy Blog

This went live recently; if you have a webpage of sorts you can embed a tide graph similar to the one on the TideSpy site.

I can't keep doing stuff for free, so it comes with a small Google ad strip at the bottom.

If you're interested in the graph or in other linking information, visit the Webmasters page for details.

We're finally starting to get some interesting traffic, and the number of visitors is steadily going up.

Recently, I came across a nice review on northernfly.com, another at programmableweb.com, a third at killerstartups.com, and then a fourth at aweigh.com - it never rains, but it pours!

And as the title says, the work goes on.  Sometime soon we'll be offering a tide chart service for websites.  With a couple of lines added to a web page, you could have wonderful tide graphics for the place of your choice.  It won't be free, but for a few bucks a month - or if you prefer - a small google ad block, it'll be yours.

We have a couple of test sites running - Surfwatch bed & breakfast (Kaikoura), and also the Mangonui Waterfront Motel.  Check them out if you're interested - or if you want somewhere gorgeous to stay in Kaikoura or Mangonui.

If you're interested in tides for your website and don't want to wait, you can always email me for a demo at linz@techsol.net.nz
 

For those of you who what to see more tides at once, or wish to filter on various conditions, we have added a Tide Planner.

To get there, either right-click a place (blue marker) on the map and choose Tide Planner, or from the places list click on the small calendar icon.

Either way, you'll get a page that allows you to choose which tides (high, low, or the highest/lowest 25%), the time(s) of day, which days of the week, and the months.  There is a result limit of about four months worth of tides.

When you click "Find my tides" you'll get a list of all tides that match the criteria.  Highest or lowest tide heights (if selected) will be shown in blue or green.

We hope you'll find this useful.  Remember if there's anything you want to say, just add a comment to this blog.

In particular, some problems when using certain versions of Internet Explorer.  These included:
1. On the map, changing the default tab with the radio buttons had no effect.
2. In the place index, selecting a new state for the USA had no effect.
3. On the full page place chart, the moons covered the info box, and hovering the mouse over a moon did nothing.

I also added date navigation so you can go back and forward five days at a time.

We added significant functionality to the site today:

There's a new full-page tide graph for one place.  If you like a nice big graph with everything on it, this is the one for you.  There are two main ways to get to it - either right click a blue marker and choose one of the full-page options, or in the Tides panel on the left of the map, there is the same set of options which are used to customise what happens with a click on a blue place marker.

The place index page is also enhanced. Clicking a place name goes to the new full page, and clicking the little globe icon goes to the map.

Underneath the graph on the full page there are instructions on how to drive it, and also a quick feedback form if you want to tell us how we're doing - either good or bad.

Enjoy!

It's called KubeBlog (a name I kinda hate, but don't really care either). I like it because it's dead simple.

It has a few cute features and is missing all the rest, but I can live with that, and furthermore I customise it however I like. This means it'll slowly change at time goes by, maybe for the better.

So here we are with yet another tide data website.  "There are already dozens, what's the point?" you may ask.

From my point-of-view, the dozens of sites out there that provide all sorts of information for boaties, fishers and such, but most are poorly designed, have far too much information making them cluttered and hard to use.  They tend to be unfriendly because they don't remember who you are and your current places and options.

My intention is to rectify that, to make a site that's reliable, useful, clean and simple to use and looks good.  Have I succeeded?  You can tell me by adding your comments.

I'm continually developing the site, and your suggestions would be welcome, to see what people do with the site and what shortcomings you may find.

btw, just use the comments to provide feedback.