Anyone have any recommendations on some open-source software that would work well for online gym route cataloging? I know there are some good pay-for products out there but I'm researching other avenues.
Looking for:
1. interactive gym overview
2. easy administration by routesetters/managers
3. social-media interactive (facebook)
4. gym members comment and/or rating system
5. possible plug-in capability to WordPress
6. MySQL back-end
7. Java enabled (not Flash)
I built one over 8 years ago that is still in use at our two gyms. Back then everyone I talked to from other gyms thought it was overkill. (That was way before FaceBook even existed) I planned to on upgrading it but am now involved in other projects. And again ... it's still running fine so...
Not necessarily open source mostly because... well it's not so easily plug and play either. Someone knowledgable in php and mysql could install it but they'd probably bitch about the extraneous code (originally php4... inelegantly made php5 compatible)
Had some Flash but only the main menu and topo map (it was requested that way)
So that would satisfy 1, 2, 4, 5 (anything is possible), and 6 on your list.
The "RedPoint" system looks pretty neat but I've always preferred the robustness and stability of non MicroSoft stuff. ;-) and it's missing some important features imho.
If you've got someone who's qualified (php,mysql,javascript,html) I'll gladly let them check it out and see if they can make it work for you. Be happy to answer any questions to help them get it up and running.
cheers
That sounds great. Is there someone you can direct me to check it out and see it in production? May be something I would be interested in picking up and running with; making some revisions/updates and add in the social media component. Sounds like the basic structure is there.
Honestly, a system like this for routes wouldn't be much different than what you might find as a plugin function of most CMSs. It would be nice to have something a little more universal (not to mention available) - and something that could serve the bulk of gyms/walls out there as a go-to resource.
Thanks,
Aaron
This really sounds interesting. i would really see such a open source project take off. I am willing to help. I have no programming experience but plenty of experience with functional design / project scoping.
We have route database running using simliar techniques ( http://www.boulderhoelle.at/RoutenDb/index.php )
The guy that runs Mountain Project has a climbing gym and developed software that he provides for free and something that you might want to check out:
I have no experience in this but based on other dealings I assume it is a good start.
RockGymPro is awesome software... but it doesn't do anything for route management. It is more on the customer and business end of things.
Ironic to note that RGP was developed by another "Andy L"... Andy Laakmann.
Ha...mis-read that one.
Thanks, mabu. That seems comparable to what I'm envisioning in terms of functionality though I was imagining a different interface. Is this something you designed?
@Aaron no i am just testing (new) stuff, setup routes and come with new ideas for the interface/functionality. at "Kontakt" you find the programmer's contact details.
We have been using Google Docs with great success. We can easily make graphs of routes by rating or date set or whatever.
Here is a link to view it: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmvzBSjE-Zs1dGduR21RUkFXejBMV3VaQkhyLWxpT1E&hl=en_US&authkey=CN-b3fsN
Thanks - I have used Google Docs for some route DB stuff and it works well. I am hoping to work on some more integration in terms of users being able to track, comment, and rate (star/recommend rating system). Plus more in terms of visible maps, overviews, route descriptions, photos/videos, etc.
I'm going to mock some of these ideas up, build a template, and go from there. The functionality is out there - no reinventing the wheel, it's just a matter of piecing the elements together and making a cool front-end for the user interface (and admin).
@aaron - i've been drooling over the possiblity of this for a while. I really think that it would enhance the membership and allow for a true feedback of the routes/problems
i started putting something together with access and thought that it might be able to be published via sharepoint...
but i think that the real necessitiy would have to make it accessable via iphone / ipad/ droid interfaces so people could rate it real time.
In our system you can use your phone cam to scan route information via qr codes - that's really cool
I am in development on this web/software project now and will keep you posted as we progress. This should prove to be a pretty nice tool for a lot of setters, gym owners/managers and climbers. Lots of cool features that will be unique in comparison to anything else I've found or researched out there. I won't go into it too much until more progress is made.
Thanks to those of you who have mentioned their own systems - that's helped me out.
two other things to think about:
having the ability to recieve/post comments on the route but not make them public.
having the ability to have the client interface not only rate the route but post a "percieved grade"
@offroute
I like it - thanks.
Just wanted to feel some things out for this project. I'd appreciate any feedback. I am at the point where I have developed a plan, have the means to build, and am about to dive headlong into creating a new website which will allow gym owners/managers/routesetters the ability to track routes, maintenance, changes, spinners/fixes, implement route programs, etc. In addition it will provide a front-end for climbers/members to "track" their routes, follow "circuits" for training, etc. As well as a place to comment and discuss about routes. This will be an open web-based site - not a packaged software. It would be free to climbers (/gym members), and home gym users and possibly other not-for-profit walls. For for-profit gyms there would be a very reasonable and nominal charge, either monthly or annually (thinking at or below $39/month). I am still working on the marketing phase - that's part of what I would like comments on. For the Admin side for gyms, the back-end will be very user friendly and each gym will be able to set-up their own route maps, photos, descriptions, etc. The goal is to have a robust graphical interface (rather than just data) that's clear, easy to use, functional, and fun. If it's not fun, no one will care about using it. I have a few other unique features and ideas which we are going to implement as well. Overall, I see this as a worthy project - but I still am concerned as to what the "market" will hold. I'd like to get feedback if anyone thinks this would be a worthwhile tool. Also, besides free, what would be a reasonable price point for gyms? And furthermore, are there any gym owners/routesetters out there right now that would be interested once the thing is launched? Thanks, Aaron
Hey Aaron.
I would definitely be interested in route database software. I tried playing around with some ideas for our gym last year but I am not good with coding. As for pricing, I think you would have to release a beta of the program for a month or two, get feedback, fix bugs, etc. Then depending on interest you can decide a pricing model.
What are your competitors? That is usually a good place to start with to understand the pricing models that they have developed.
I know about RedPoint Manager by http://www.cruxsoftwareltd.com/ but have not personally used it. Are there others? Here is a link to Threshold climbing Gym: http://www.redpointmanager.com/threshhold/menu.aspx
Also think about how the free and the paid versions will differ. Maybe on the free version it is only one wall or so many routes or all of the interactions are disabled. Something where people can test the software and see if it is worthy of an upgrade.
If you have a list of all of the details that you are planning on putting into it it might be worthy to share here to get feedback.
There is no reason why this shouldn't be a major player in all gyms. I was thinking about this and it would be a great training tool if in a gym they had kiosks set-up so that real-time members can select routes that they are working on, select dates they complete/red-point/on-sight/etc, see number of days on certain climbs, see how everyone in the gym has done on that route, see when they plan on re-setting the route so you can work it, etc. It would be a huge benefit to the loyal customers and would set certain gyms apart from each other.
Found the actual sales site for Redpoint: http://www.redpointmanager.net/
Looks like $129/mo for the top-end package.
Check out http://www.thisissetter.com/
A few guys from my gym just launched this site as a way for our members to share their made-up boulder problems. We fill our front bouldering wall with holds so the strong guys can make stuff up CATs style.
In the future they plan to add more features so members can keep scorecards like 8a.nu, as well as features to allow head routesetters to manage the gyms setting.
...And hopefully an iPhone app to make it easier to use while you are actually at the gym.
hi all,
firstly i notice that redpointmanager and cruxsoftware no longer seems to exist or answer any mail.
any progress on the software front @aaron gibson? I'm not sure whether a one-off up front payment wouldn't work a lot better than subscriptions in terms of budgeting for a gym owner. Also in terms of programming, I'm guessing a certain amount of work is required for you to set up the database for each gym, so a larger upfront payment would help you too. You could scale this payment by the amount of users allowed on the system, so then gyms can buy small to start with, then upgrade if it takes off in a bigger way. I mean surely the intention is that once a gym starts using your software, they're not going to want to go back, so a monthly subscription seems like maybe not the right message to be sending out.
Setting-wise, one thing that would be fantastic for any software of this kind would be ensuring it was super-easy to use for the route setting teams, i.e. something like inputting the climbs by area would then print out a pdf of the appropriate tags (possibly with appropriate qr codes too). It should also be able to incorporate circuits, and print out an appropriate display sheet for each new circuit. (I'm limiting my thoughts to bouldering gyms here)
For the gym owner, I would like to be able to have appropriate courses & offers displayed on user interfaces. (For example, a climber who is logging v0-v3 climbs would be encouraged to book on to an appropriate course, or enter a certain competition at the centre). Being able to create specific events for certain customer groups, like comps or league tables. Being able to be able to privately view any comments on specific routes from customers. Also checking on customer feedback on routes by setter.
For the gym customer the interface needs to look good, be super clear and easy to operate, and if possible would be tied in with their membership details - for example membership number. The main value for them is seeing their own progress and grade consolidation/experience growing. Anything that helps keep this at the forefront of their experience is bound to make it more popular. If the gym areas are defined by angles (roof, slab etc.) then users can progress within grade bands by seeing which areas they are weakest in.
I think that this software should be a winner. It just needs to be made super easy to use for everyone.
At my gym we have never had anyone offer us route database software, and we would jump at it in an instant. I would price it with the view that %90 of gyms should eventually be using it.
I'm looking to implement a piece of software like this for a gym with nearly 30,000 individual users, and get it going by January 2012. If anyone can come up with it by then, then drop me a message on this forum :-)
Hi their,
Very interesting post. The fact is that i'm building exactly what you are asking for. I love climbing and building websites. So i came up with ClimbCheck, a piece of software to manage climbing routes.
Route setters have permission to add and change routes.
Climbers can track, comment and rate routes.
The idea is that gyms pay a one time fee for the setup, and probably a yearly support fee. It takes some work to keep the system up-to-date. Expanding the system is also important, like apps and training schedules.
If you want to take a look go to climbcheck.com The site is currently only in Dutch, translations are on the way. But you will get the general idea. To vote on routes you will have to create a account, feel free to, if you can work your way through Dutch.
This is of interest to me. I've been looking at ClimbFind and it's seems as though users can "check in" to routes you've put up by barcoding them. It would be great to be able to use that along with being able to export the info to a database and catalogue your routes. I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure.
I made some progress have stalled out for the time being due to some other things that have come up - so the route management software idea took a backseat for the time being. I still am interested in producing something and believe that there is a viable market - albeit a very specialized one.
I am a bit deterred by the amount of "online time" that might be required by some of the solutions I found. For example, the bar-code/QR code idea is an interesting one but still a bit cumbersome as a climber to have to take snapshots with your cell phone to log a route, view details of a route, comment, etc. I guess it's an okay add-on for some but not really something I'd use.
The key is to make it functional, easy to use/manage, and fun - and not make it too bloated. And certainly NOT expensive. I think most software producers are likely to over-price their product for the market and that would be a big pitfall.
I am going to check out Climb Check
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