General Suggestions: Reviews, Bug, Suggestions

[Hank]

At the onset let me say that RTP seems to be an outstanding app. One of the best I have seen since 1984. Yeah, I know...age creeps on. I added a 'review' of RTP today AFTER I searched all over trying to find the REVIEW site. My guess is posting instructions to get there would provide a big boost into more reviews. 

1. Start by clicking on "App Store..." under the Apple menu.
2. At the top of the page click on "Purchases"
3. Click on RTP in your Purchases
4. Near the bottom of the page click on "Write a Review"
5. You're on your way

I got this info from Applecare after looking for hours. I thought you had to go thru Safari to get there. This is much simpler.

1. When I enter a place address it doesn't zoom in on that location. My guess is the place is near the center of the screen with 3-400 miles to the left and right.
2. Adding time zones would be nice although not my top priority.
3. The apparent average speed is close to 62 mph. That seems high. I pull a trailer and I use 50 mph to include stops for lunch. Allow me the option under Preferences to set a speed that I feel is accurate.
4. Also under Preferences allow me to set a daily start time, like 9:00 am.
5. Again in Preferences allow routes could be chosen under: 1. quickest 2. shortest or 3. scenic.
6. Allow moving a route by way of drag & drop to pickup a scenic location would be nice.

General comments:

1. Bill, you're attention to comments and suggestions is OUTSTANDING!! I wish you well.
2. I hesitate to mention this; however, please be careful in attempting to add everyone's suggestion. RTP could become so complicated that it becomes user unfriendly. I've read all of the comments and some seem to be out to lunch. Example locate restaurants, hotels, stop-overs along the way, elevations of locations (unbelievable database). Naturally bug fixes are priority. 
3. Thanks for your efforts in producing RTP.

Hank

[Modesitt Software]

Hi Hank,

My replies are below.

On May 4, 2014, at 4:17 PM, Hank <hsw...@gmail.com> wrote:

At the onset let me say that RTP seems to be an outstanding app. One of the best I have seen since 1984. Yeah, I know...age creeps on. I added a 'review' of RTP today AFTER I searched all over trying to find the REVIEW site. My guess is posting instructions to get there would provide a big boost into more reviews. 

1. Start by clicking on "App Store..." under the Apple menu.
2. At the top of the page click on "Purchases"
3. Click on RTP in your Purchases
4. Near the bottom of the page click on "Write a Review"
5. You're on your way

I got this info from Applecare after looking for hours. I thought you had to go thru Safari to get there. This is much simpler.

A review is always appreciated!  Thank you for providing the method to add a review.  

1. When I enter a place address it doesn't zoom in on that location. My guess is the place is near the center of the screen with 3-400 miles to the left and right.

Where are you entering the address?  When creating a new pin?  At the “Search” text field at the top of the window?  Elsewhere?

2. Adding time zones would be nice although not my top priority.

Adding time zones to where?  Do you mean take them into consideration when creating a route?  If so, do you know if Apple Maps does?

3. The apparent average speed is close to 62 mph. That seems high. I pull a trailer and I use 50 mph to include stops for lunch. Allow me the option under Preferences to set a speed that I feel is accurate.

Sorry, not sure where you get the 62 MPH.  When routing?  If so, that’s solely an Apple setting.  Can you change the speed with Apple Maps? 

4. Also under Preferences allow me to set a daily start time, like 9:00 am.

Do you mean as the default start time in the Pin Date pin?  Or routes?  

5. Again in Preferences allow routes could be chosen under: 1. quickest 2. shortest or 3. scenic.

I wish that were possible!  Can you change these values with Apple Maps? (I think you may now see what I ask that question.  RTP can only do what Apple Maps can do.  No more).

6. Allow moving a route by way of drag & drop to pickup a scenic location would be nice.

I wish!  For most or all of these suggestions you need to go here: <https://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html>.  Once Apple incorporates them into Apple Maps, they can become a part of RTP.

General comments:

1. Bill, you're attention to comments and suggestions is OUTSTANDING!! I wish you well.

Thanks for the kind words.

2. I hesitate to mention this; however, please be careful in attempting to add everyone's suggestion. RTP could become so complicated that it becomes user unfriendly. I've read all of the comments and some seem to be out to lunch. Example locate restaurants, hotels, stop-overs along the way, elevations of locations (unbelievable database). Naturally bug fixes are priority. 

I try, but please comment if you feel any suggestion is not necessary or worthy.  

  

3. Thanks for your efforts in producing RTP.

You’re welcome, and thanks for your feedback.

Sincerely,

Bill

[Henry Swats]

Here's my quick response:

On Sun, May 4, 2014 at 7:58 PM, Modesitt Software <modesitt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Hank,

My replies are below.

On May 4, 2014, at 4:17 PM, Hank <hsw...@gmail.com> wrote:

At the onset let me say that RTP seems to be an outstanding app. One of the best I have seen since 1984. Yeah, I know...age creeps on. I added a 'review' of RTP today AFTER I searched all over trying to find the REVIEW site. My guess is posting instructions to get there would provide a big boost into more reviews. 

1. Start by clicking on "App Store..." under the Apple menu.
2. At the top of the page click on "Purchases"
3. Click on RTP in your Purchases
4. Near the bottom of the page click on "Write a Review"
5. You're on your way

I got this info from Applecare after looking for hours. I thought you had to go thru Safari to get there. This is much simpler.

A review is always appreciated!  Thank you for providing the method to add a review.  

1. When I enter a place address it doesn't zoom in on that location. My guess is the place is near the center of the screen with 3-400 miles to the left and right.

Where are you entering the address?  When creating a new pin?  At the “Search” text field at the top of the window?  Elsewhere?

​First I was trying to locate a place, then click on that place to place a pin.​

​I tested this on Apple's Map by entering an former street address in Nashville in the place at the top right corner of Maps. Result was immediate picture of that address with a 2-3 block radius on the screen.

​I tested this on RTP by entering the same street address ​in the center left space. Result was Nashville in the center with a 150 mile radius. Big difference. 

​I further tested this by having a pin placed earlier at "Home". When I was several states away on the screen, I put my "Home" address in the window and it popped up on the screen with a 100 ft radius as expected. The pin was named "Home" and that showed a pin with the Home name.

 

2. Adding time zones would be nice although not my top priority.

Adding time zones to where?  Do you mean take them into consideration when creating a route?  If so, do you know if Apple Maps does?

​In Maps I opened at LA Home (CST).

 

I entered an address in Atlanta (EST). Screen zoomed to that address with 100 ft radius.

​I clicked on directions. Screen zoomed out to show entire route; however, there were no mention of any time zones. Only the time estimated for the trip was shown.​

3. The apparent average speed is close to 62 mph. That seems high. I pull a trailer and I use 50 mph to include stops for lunch. Allow me the option under Preferences to set a speed that I feel is accurate.

Sorry, not sure where you get the 62 MPH.  When routing?  If so, that’s solely an Apple setting.  Can you change the speed with Apple Maps? 

​In maps (using the above example of 512 miles in 8 hr 18 min) the average speed is approx. 62 mph. Same was true for my trip I did this weekend. So Apple Maps uses the 62 mph--not your call.​

4. Also under Preferences allow me to set a daily start time, like 9:00 am.

Do you mean as the default start time in the Pin Date pin?  Or routes?  

​Example: I made a trip this weekend that covers when and where we are going between May 23, 2014 and Apr​ 1, 2015 that covers 3700 miles. There's 16 stops on this trip. I start to leave at approx. 9:00a every departure location. I'd like that to be the default. On this trip there were two interim stops (these pins were used to direct my route thru certain towns) in which the departure stops did not use the 9:00a time. I picked about an hr at each stop for sight seeing and continued the trip to that day's stop. 

5. Again in Preferences allow routes could be chosen under: 1. quickest 2. shortest or 3. scenic.

I wish that were possible!  Can you change these values with Apple Maps? (I think you may now see what I ask that question.  RTP can only do what Apple Maps can do.  No more).

6. Allow moving a route by way of drag & drop to pickup a scenic location would be nice.

​

​This comment covers 5 & 6 above: ​

One can pick a "

​suggested​

alternate" route on Maps but they are always longer or more time required. This suggestion might be more effort on your part than it's worth. On the other hand Google Maps allows this so maybe it's not as difficult as I think it is.​ 

 

I wish!  For most or all of these suggestions you need to go here: <https://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html>.  Once Apple incorporates them into Apple Maps, they can become a part of RTP.

​I'm beginning to understand that you're using Apple's Map and I need to try it there to see if it can be done...live and learn. The first item seems to be something of a bug though.

 

​

General comments:

1. Bill, you're attention to comments and suggestions is OUTSTANDING!! I wish you well.

Thanks for the kind words.

2. I hesitate to mention this; however, please be careful in attempting to add everyone's suggestion. RTP could become so complicated that it becomes user unfriendly. I've read all of the comments and some seem to be out to lunch. Example locate restaurants, hotels, stop-overs along the way, elevations of locations (unbelievable database). Naturally bug fixes are priority. 

I try, but please comment if you feel any suggestion is not necessary or worthy.  

  

3. Thanks for your efforts in producing RTP.

You’re welcome, and thanks for your feedback.

Sincerely,

Bill

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[Dave Price]

I agree with Hank that this needs to be addressed. It's not really a bug, but when using the Search field in the Toolbar, the behavior is much different in RTP than it is in Apple Maps. Two differences:

1) As Hank says, Apple Maps zooms in much closer so it is more obvious where the found area is;

2) Apple Maps plops a pin at the found location.

This is the same issue I posted about on April 30 in the 'Search' topic.

I think people expect the RTP Search field should behave the same way the Search field behaves in Apple Maps.

By default, zoom in and place a Route pin on the map. Also ask the user, 'A Route pin has been placed. Do you want to keep it or change it to a Point of Interest pin (not included in the route)?  Responses are:  Keep Route Pin (default)  /  Change to POI pin  /  Remove pin.

I know this seems a bit awkward once someone is familiar with RTP, but it really does make it easier for the newcomer.

Hank -- What do you think?

Dave

[Dave Price]

Hey Hank -- Your RTP review has been posted on the Mac App Store. Well-written.

Back in the early 1960's my parents had a 26-foot Airstream. Their Wally Byam number was 10616, but they're long gone. I still have one of their Wally Byam berets. My brother and I had a great time at the rallies. It was at those rallies that I was introduced to the Honda 50. People used them to get around the rally. Once I tried one I was hooked. I bought one new (they were $215) but when I brought it home my father made me take it back to the store. Long story short... I've owned many motorcycles and worked for several years as a District Manager for the importer of Bultaco motorcycles. I used to put 1,000 miles/week on my company van. Wish I had a MacBook Air and Road Trip Planner back in those days!

Bill -- You might want to talk to Hank about how to advertise in some of Airstream club publications. Airstreamers with Macs would love RTP if they only knew about it.

Dave 

[Modesitt Software]

Hi Hank,


On May 5, 2014, at 8:15 AM, Henry Swats <hsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> • When I enter a place address it doesn't zoom in on that location. My guess is the place is near the center of the screen with 3-400 miles to the left and right.

> Where are you entering the address? When creating a new pin? At the “Search” text field at the top of the window? Elsewhere?

> ​First I was trying to locate a place, then click on that place to place a pin.​
> ​I tested this on Apple's Map by entering an former street address in Nashville in the place at the top right corner of Maps. Result was immediate picture of that address with a 2-3 block radius on the screen.
> ​I tested this on RTP by entering the same street address ​in the center left space. Result was Nashville in the center with a 150 mile radius. Big difference.
> ​I further tested this by having a pin placed earlier at "Home". When I was several states away on the screen, I put my "Home" address in the window and it popped up on the screen with a 100 ft radius as expected. The pin was named "Home" and that showed a pin with the Home name.

That helps a lot. You didn’t explicitly state which is better, but it sounds as if the zoomed in version is more desirable. I’ll see what I can do.





> • Adding time zones would be nice although not my top priority.

> Adding time zones to where? Do you mean take them into consideration when creating a route? If so, do you know if Apple Maps does?
>
> ​In Maps I opened at LA Home (CST).
>
> I entered an address in Atlanta (EST). Screen zoomed to that address with 100 ft radius.
>
> ​I clicked on directions. Screen zoomed out to show entire route; however, there were no mention of any time zones. Only the time estimated for the trip was shown.​

Correct. If Apple Maps doesn’t mention time zone, then RTP won’t either since RTP obtains its data from Apple Maps. However, it is something I looked into awhile back. In order to accomplish this, RTP would have to query a server somewhere with your waypoints, ask for the various time zones, and wait for the data to be returned. Once the data has been received, compare it to your start and end points. Then calculate the time difference and add it to the estimated drive time. Very complex and that’s probably why Apple doesn’t include it. But maybe they will in the future, and if they do, so will RTP.




> • Also under Preferences allow me to set a daily start time, like 9:00 am.

> Do you mean as the default start time in the Pin Date pin? Or routes?
> ​Example: I made a trip this weekend that covers when and where we are going between May 23, 2014 and Apr​ 1, 2015 that covers 3700 miles. There's 16 stops on this trip. I start to leave at approx. 9:00a every departure location. I'd like that to be the default. On this trip there were two interim stops (these pins were used to direct my route thru certain towns) in which the departure stops did not use the 9:00a time. I picked about an hr at each stop for sight seeing and continued the trip to that day's stop.

I’ll look into this.



Thanks,
Bill

[Modesitt Software]

Another option is to remove the search field altogether. it’s superfluous and seems to confuse.
-Bill

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[Modesitt Software]

I sometimes notice this Airstream blog: <http://blog.richcharpentier.com>.  I notice mostly because it tends to reference an inferior campground location app from a company called Allstays.  Instead it should reference the highly-regarded The Ultimate US Public Campground Project for iPhone <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ultimate-us-public-campground/id698323700?mt=8> and the Macintosh <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ultimate-public-campground/id737369000?mt=12>.  OK, that was a shameless plug.  

-Bill

[David Price]

I had thought of that. But I think if you could have the behavior mimic Apple Maps, people would find RTP much easier to become productive. It takes awhile to learn that clicking on the tiny PLUS SIGN button in the Route Pins panel is how it's done. Also, the user has to learn whether to click the PLUS SIGN button in the Route Pins panel or in the POI Pins panel.

Dave

[David Price]

Have you offered him a review copy? Along with a feature comparison chart with big green checkmarks in the Modessit column and red NO words in the Allstays column. 

PR was my career. You have to do these things for the writers... sometimes they overlook A LOT.

Dave

[Modesitt Software]

No, but good idea.  I don’t do PR well.  I’m an introverted software engineer.  ;)

Thanks,

Bill

[Henry Swats]

Ref posted comment to Mac App Store, you're more than welcome and thanks for the recommendation.

As to finding a campground, I have used RV Park Reviews: 

http://www.rvparkreviews.com. 

After using this app for several years, I evolved into a fairly well method of finding 'good' campgrounds. I think that people planning a trip have some basic ideas about where to stop (say within 100 miles). Follow below:

• Go to RV Park Review web site.
• Select a state and RVPark will show you the majority of the campgrounds in that state by indicated red droplet flags. 
• Fill in criteria of those things that are important to you. Example: 50 amp, WiFi, sewer, Cable TV, etc. Some can be left blank.
• Now you zoom into that area of a state 
• Pick a town close to the center of your area. 
  
• RVPark will return a list of campgrounds that meet your criteria.
• Scanning down the campground list you can see Latest Review, followed by numbers 1-10 with 10 the best.
• Select a few you think you'll like and look at the details of the campground, map location, and web site.

This really zero's in on places you probably wouldn't see without the RVPark input. Be sure to read the reviews. There's things like "noisy next to the Interstate, railroad, etc; bad roads; unfriendly owners; etc." can be the difference in your stay. Don't overlook 1 or 2 low ratings without reading them. No playground might not interest you but important to families.

Secondly, try to get a copy of Big Rigs RV catalog. http://www.big-rigs-rv.com

Even if you have a trailer, it's also a pretty good source of information. Last year's copy is fine.

H

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