Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?
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@Jack-van-Tilburg said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
There are still a number of things on the Roadmap that will greatly improve the Planner and the Forum.
Completely agree with that, but I feel like the app shall be on par to be the most advanced and feature rich nav app in the market now. After that the planner (and forum) can be brought up to equivalent level of the app. But that are just our two views.
@StefanHummelink said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
I feel like the app shall be on par to be the most advanced and feature rich nav app in the market now
should not be too difficult to look at all features of TomTom and Garmin and see if Next has a decent way of doing the same (or better)?
@StefanHummelink said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
I sure feel that the app needs more TLC than the planner at this moment.
As a new product, it may still contain bugs, and killing these should be the priority.
As for further development: exploiting the unique ability of integrating an advanced routeplanner with a capable navigation tool should leave the competition far behind.
With that I do NOT mean bringing the routeplanner to the phone. (I can't imagine preparing a route on a 6 inch screen while having a 23 inch PC available) but ensuring that all features of the next app are reflected in the routeplanner and vice versa.
Hence, in my humble opinion, there should probably not be "and now we will tackle the routeplanner and leave next aside for a while" approach.
Many improvements in the routeplanner will/should also influence the nav app and vice versa, thus developments should be synchronized.
It is not difficult, it is easy, it's a hobby
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@StefanHummelink said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
I feel like the app shall be on par to be the most advanced and feature rich nav app in the market now
should not be too difficult to look at all features of TomTom and Garmin and see if Next has a decent way of doing the same (or better)?
@StefanHummelink said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
I sure feel that the app needs more TLC than the planner at this moment.
As a new product, it may still contain bugs, and killing these should be the priority.
As for further development: exploiting the unique ability of integrating an advanced routeplanner with a capable navigation tool should leave the competition far behind.
With that I do NOT mean bringing the routeplanner to the phone. (I can't imagine preparing a route on a 6 inch screen while having a 23 inch PC available) but ensuring that all features of the next app are reflected in the routeplanner and vice versa.
Hence, in my humble opinion, there should probably not be "and now we will tackle the routeplanner and leave next aside for a while" approach.
Many improvements in the routeplanner will/should also influence the nav app and vice versa, thus developments should be synchronized.
@Drabslab said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
Many improvements in the routeplanner will/should also influence the nav app and vice versa, thus developments should be synchronized.
I very much agree with you!
And I said it before; There are still a number of things on the Roadmap that will greatly improve the Planner and the Forum.
And that is ultimately also very important for users of Navigation, and the consolidation with Navigation. -
@Drabslab said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
Many improvements in the routeplanner will/should also influence the nav app and vice versa, thus developments should be synchronized.
I very much agree with you!
And I said it before; There are still a number of things on the Roadmap that will greatly improve the Planner and the Forum.
And that is ultimately also very important for users of Navigation, and the consolidation with Navigation.@Jack-van-Tilburg said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
There are still a number of things on the Roadmap
yes, but that is another thing: if you don't plan to stick to a published roadmap, then do not publish one
It is not difficult, it is easy, it's a hobby
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@Jack-van-Tilburg said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
There are still a number of things on the Roadmap
yes, but that is another thing: if you don't plan to stick to a published roadmap, then do not publish one
This post is deleted! -
@Jack-van-Tilburg said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
There are still a number of things on the Roadmap
yes, but that is another thing: if you don't plan to stick to a published roadmap, then do not publish one
@Drabslab, they do plan to stick to the roadmap, but sometimes plans change
If they had stuck to the roadmap, we would still not have track navigation for example. Part of the roadmap is constant refining things according to the input from the betatesters. We would not have such a great app if they would only stick to the roadmap. I for one am very glad they don't stick frantically to the roadmap.I am just an enthusiastic MRA user, and hope you will be one too!
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebar to the saddle.
Streetpilot 2610/Zumo 660/Zumo 395/ CAT S52 + MRA app -
You can save your routes as GPX 1.1 (route,track,POI)
GPX 1.1 is the standard exchange format.But at the same time it makes me curious how many people use a backup of their routes.
I don’t@Jack-van-Tilburg Thank you very much.
I already have them like that, in GPX format. And in ITN format. But what I want is a file format that MRA knows how to read in order to import a route with all its characteristics: color, symbol and time of the waypoints.
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Hi @Maicro I'm afraid everything you ask is not possible. All the characters and colors are typical MRA features.
The only thing you can do is to download the GPX route (1.1).
In that case you will have a copy of your route, track and POI's.But why are you afraid of losing data in MRA? I have been using MRA since 2016 and have never lost data.
You only lose data if you delete routes yourself.
MRA does not have backup servers available at this time (yet). So they cannot restore deleted data.@Albert-van-den-Elsen Thank you very much.
I already have the routes saved as GPX and ITN.
In the computer world everything is possible. A bug, an attack,... In the world of finance everything is possible. A company comes to participate in MRA, forces a capital increase, takes over MRA and imposes new conditions on the old users that make it impossible to continue. And all this has already been seen.
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This is an interesting thought...
Since we are able in Navigation to download routes for offline use, we can be sure there actually IS a file type or portable database definition that contains ALL the info that goes into routes like it is in the routeplanner... I have been browsing my android filesystem but cannot find the folder that quickly. Could be that it is stored in database form, I don't know. But I think it is not difficult task to adapt the import/export function of the website to be able to use that filetype. I can imagine however that MRA does not like to disclose the exact file specification. In that case, sorry guys!But like @Jack-van-Tilburg, do not feel the need to store backups of my routes. I almost never reuse them.
@Con-Hennekens Thank you very much.
That's exactly what I'm looking for.
I see that around here you fellows are very confident in the stability of computing. And, my experience has made me realize that there are few things more unstable than computers.
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@Con-Hennekens but the downloaded route does not appear to include everything he wants. Does not appear to include the icons (hamburger, fuel etc) or defined wait times.
@Doug-Robinson Exactly.
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However, it cannot be restored on an individual level. (my assumption)
Assumption correct
We run multiple backups but those are for all server / database storage and are only used on global level. Restoring individually is painstaking and not required.We do wish to change deletion in the future to the exact way you do that now yourself
Deleting items would then result in them being moved to another folder which removed the items after x days But that is for the future!@Corjan-Meijerink Thank you very much.
Suggestion. You should consider creating a swap file compatible with all the options offered by MRA. I am passionate about MRA. The scheduler has a versatility and simplicity that borders on perfection. The only thing missing is that small detail that allows us to make individualized backups for each user with all the potential that MRA offers. I have suffered many problems due to data loss. And I always say that there will never be enough backups of information. I know programming students who make a hobby out of crashing servers. Recently Spain suffered a very serious computer attack with the theft of countless data of the population. The world is not perfect, and all measures will be insufficient to guarantee information.
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@Con-Hennekens said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
do not feel the need to store backups of my routes. I almost never reuse them.
Nobody ever needs a backup "until... "
and if you have ever been sitting in a data centre at 3 o'clock in the morning after a server crash wondering where that bl--dy data has gone, and how you are going to avoid being fired ... then you understand exactly what "until... " means.
I find it a real shortcoming that MRA does not have a convenient feature to download all routes in a folder in e.g. GPX1.1. I do understand that they want to keep their own data model a secret (that is their intellectual property) but a bulk download in a commonly used format, even one that contains less info than the MRA data model, should be possible.
@Drabslab FINALLY SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS ME!
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@Drabslab, they do plan to stick to the roadmap, but sometimes plans change
If they had stuck to the roadmap, we would still not have track navigation for example. Part of the roadmap is constant refining things according to the input from the betatesters. We would not have such a great app if they would only stick to the roadmap. I for one am very glad they don't stick frantically to the roadmap.@Con-Hennekens said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
they do plan to stick to the roadmap, but sometimes plans change
So they don't stick to the roadmap
If plans change (and they always do) then the first thing to do is update the roadmap so you never deviate from it.
Anything else is amateuristic ...
but I have to be careful.
Michel last year challenged me to a cage fight for criticising MRA and he looks a quite strong guy (and recent pictures of Corjan make me scared as well
and the most important thing: they seem to be making great software, don't they?
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@Corjan-Meijerink Thank you very much.
Suggestion. You should consider creating a swap file compatible with all the options offered by MRA. I am passionate about MRA. The scheduler has a versatility and simplicity that borders on perfection. The only thing missing is that small detail that allows us to make individualized backups for each user with all the potential that MRA offers. I have suffered many problems due to data loss. And I always say that there will never be enough backups of information. I know programming students who make a hobby out of crashing servers. Recently Spain suffered a very serious computer attack with the theft of countless data of the population. The world is not perfect, and all measures will be insufficient to guarantee information.
@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
You should consider creating a swap file compatible with all the options offered by MRA.
I don't know.
Such swapfile:
- would only have value within the MRA system as it would require software fully compatible with MRA to be able to read it?
- would be an excellent source of info for "the competition", and we need MRA to stay healthy and prosperous.
I would already be vry happy with a mass download in gpx format which is an open standard that, when all goes wrong, can be read by many programs.
It is not difficult, it is easy, it's a hobby
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You can save your routes as GPX 1.1 (route,track,POI)
GPX 1.1 is the standard exchange format.But at the same time it makes me curious how many people use a backup of their routes.
I don’t@Jack-van-Tilburg said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
You can save your routes as GPX 1.1 (route,track,POI)
GPX 1.1 is the standard exchange format.But at the same time it makes me curious how many people use a backup of their routes.
I don’tHello.
Thank you. I save them in GPX format, version 1.0 -for compatibility with old Garmin-, and in ITN format -for being the TomTom format-.
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@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
You should consider creating a swap file compatible with all the options offered by MRA.
I don't know.
Such swapfile:
- would only have value within the MRA system as it would require software fully compatible with MRA to be able to read it?
- would be an excellent source of info for "the competition", and we need MRA to stay healthy and prosperous.
I would already be vry happy with a mass download in gpx format which is an open standard that, when all goes wrong, can be read by many programs.
@Drabslab said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
You should consider creating a swap file compatible with all the options offered by MRA.
I don't know.
Such swapfile:
- would only have value within the MRA system as it would require software fully compatible with MRA to be able to read it?
- would be an excellent source of info for "the competition", and we need MRA to stay healthy and prosperous.
I would already be vry happy with a mass download in gpx format which is an open standard that, when all goes wrong, can be read by many programs.
ITN are simply the geographic coordinates of the waypoints.
GPS are XML tags that define the waypoints, the route, the track. And, of all these points, their characteristics, such as name, color, icon,... And even complementary information such as geographic altitude, ambient temperature or heart rate.
All of them in ASCII text perfectly understandable with a simple notepad. And neither TomTom nor Garmin have gone bankrupt because of it.
I do not think that a simple format of labels, which could read MRA - we are only talking about name, description, color and set waypoint icon - could pose a danger.
I am even convinced that altruistic programmers would quickly create GPX, ITN or KML converters so that MRA could import these routes. Can anyone imagine what could be done to seamlessly transfer routes from Wikiloc to MRA?
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@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
Can anyone imagine what could be done to seamlessly transfer routes from Wikiloc to MRA?
just download them from wikiloc (in gpx format) and upload them to MRA routeplanner.
Or do i understand you wrongly?
@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
GPS are XML tags that define the waypoints,
I guess you mean GPX?
And yes, we all know that but the GPX standard has not changed since 2004 while companies like e.g. MRA may want to include data that is not in that standard. I know this can be done with XML extensions.
By default, such extensions are not part of the GPX standard and may therefore be unreadable (or then tags will be simply ignored) by other software but the one that created those extensions.
It is not difficult, it is easy, it's a hobby
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@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
Can anyone imagine what could be done to seamlessly transfer routes from Wikiloc to MRA?
just download them from wikiloc (in gpx format) and upload them to MRA routeplanner.
Or do i understand you wrongly?
@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
GPS are XML tags that define the waypoints,
I guess you mean GPX?
And yes, we all know that but the GPX standard has not changed since 2004 while companies like e.g. MRA may want to include data that is not in that standard. I know this can be done with XML extensions.
By default, such extensions are not part of the GPX standard and may therefore be unreadable (or then tags will be simply ignored) by other software but the one that created those extensions.
@Drabslab said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
just download them from wikiloc (in gpx format) and upload them to MRA routeplanner.
Or do i understand you wrongly?I am sorry. I speak English very poorly. I meant to imply a rhetorical question. An unanswered question. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you very much for your interest. What I wanted to imply is the advantage for users to have a MRA file system that allows us to exchange routes by file exchange.
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@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
Can anyone imagine what could be done to seamlessly transfer routes from Wikiloc to MRA?
just download them from wikiloc (in gpx format) and upload them to MRA routeplanner.
Or do i understand you wrongly?
@Maicro said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
GPS are XML tags that define the waypoints,
I guess you mean GPX?
And yes, we all know that but the GPX standard has not changed since 2004 while companies like e.g. MRA may want to include data that is not in that standard. I know this can be done with XML extensions.
By default, such extensions are not part of the GPX standard and may therefore be unreadable (or then tags will be simply ignored) by other software but the one that created those extensions.
@Drabslab said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
I guess you mean GPX?
And yes, we all know that but the GPX standard has not changed since 2004 while companies like e.g. MRA may want to include data that is not in that standard. I know this can be done with XML extensions.
By default, such extensions are not part of the GPX standard and may therefore be unreadable (or then tags will be simply ignored) by other software but the one that created those extensions.Sorry again and thank you very much.
I wanted to give the following idea. If MRA allows to create a file -with readable ASCII code or not- to export and import routes, you could:
-Create a custom library locally to save routes.
-Can share routes, by email or messaging programs like WhatsApp or Telegram, directly.It is a proposal, nothing more.
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@Drabslab said in Is there a file format that is fully compatible with MRA?:
I guess you mean GPX?
And yes, we all know that but the GPX standard has not changed since 2004 while companies like e.g. MRA may want to include data that is not in that standard. I know this can be done with XML extensions.
By default, such extensions are not part of the GPX standard and may therefore be unreadable (or then tags will be simply ignored) by other software but the one that created those extensions.Sorry again and thank you very much.
I wanted to give the following idea. If MRA allows to create a file -with readable ASCII code or not- to export and import routes, you could:
-Create a custom library locally to save routes.
-Can share routes, by email or messaging programs like WhatsApp or Telegram, directly.It is a proposal, nothing more.
@Maicro thanks for the proposal!
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Hi @Maicro I'm afraid everything you ask is not possible. All the characters and colors are typical MRA features.
The only thing you can do is to download the GPX route (1.1).
In that case you will have a copy of your route, track and POI's.But why are you afraid of losing data in MRA? I have been using MRA since 2016 and have never lost data.
You only lose data if you delete routes yourself.
MRA does not have backup servers available at this time (yet). So they cannot restore deleted data.I can understand Maicro's question.
Accidents or desasters do happen. Either of technical nature or others. Using something as a service makes one dependent on the provider of this service that they will not lose the data, and with the data all the work that has been put into it.
And one is dependent on the provider continuing the service. Webservices get discontinued more often then you might know. Even with the big players (Google etc) you are never certain.
So having a method the pull out all the data you have in a platform, is reassuring..
Regards,
Hans
