Best use of Windows Azure cloud computing services, sponsored by Microsoft
Yachter Mobile by Robert Coup
Description and content sources
Yachter Mobile (http://yachter-mobile.coup.net.nz/)
When you're yacht racing, the more information on the conditions you have, the better your decisions will be. Yachter brings together open data about the conditions now, on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
The map shows what the wind is like around the harbour by reading from live weather stations, displayed by black arrows proportional to strength & direction. Tap on each station to see the current conditions, as well as a recent history. As you move a GPS track is drawn on-screen.
The buoys used for racing and navigation are displayed so you can get your bearings, and the underwater contours are shown so you can hang out in the shallows when you need to avoid the tide.
The Tides tab shows where we are in the current cycle to give you an idea how strong the currents will be now & in a short time. The latest marine weather forecast is displayed on the Forecast tab.
During mix & mash, a huge number of other ideas and were discussed from sharing GPS traces through to modeling wind and tide flows: but we need co-operation from the local Port & Coastguard.
When sailors start at a new venue they're at a huge disadvantage. The locals have a vast bank of knowledge about the local tides and winds which can take many years to build up, and makes it hard to level the field.
A quick display of what the wind and tide are doing around the course that can be used on the boat has never been available other than to America's Cup teams. I've tried Yachter Mobile, and can't believe how useful it is. This is the sort of app that would make the difference between winning and losing. - Ross Roberts, PCC Sailing Committee
Works great in Chrome & Safari on your desktop, or from your iPhone or iPad - you can even add it as an app to the home screen
CloudMade & OpenStreetMap:
Basemap: Copyright 2010 CloudMade, OpenStreetMap Contributors, CC-BY-SA. "Pale Dawn" cartography by Stamen Design.
Land Information New Zealand:
Tide Predictions: Crown Copyright
Data: http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/tidal-info/tide-tables/index.aspx
License: http://www.linz.govt.nz/about-linz/about-this-website/crown-copyright-and-disclaimer/index.aspx
Bathymetry & Mark locations traced from Nautical charts: Crown Copyright
Data: http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/charts/digital-charts/chart-images/index.aspx
License: http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/charts/digital-charts/chart-images/index.aspx
Marks traced from Nautical charts: Crown Copyright
Data: http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/charts/digital-charts/chart-images/index.aspx
License: http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/charts/digital-charts/chart-images/index.aspx
MetService:
Inshore Marine Forecasts: National Weather Service General Use Information
Data: http://www.metservice.com/publicData/inshoreForecastAuckland_Auckland_Onehunga
Terms: http://www.metservice.com/about/legal-disclaimer (2.3 & 12.1d)
Weather Underground:
Weather station data: Personal, non-commercial use
Data: http://www.wunderground.com/
Terms: http://www.wunderground.com/members/tos.asp#api
Royal NZ Yacht Squadron:
Weather station data: Non-commercial use
Data: http://weather.rnzys.org.nz/RNZYS.htm
Terms: Personal agreement
Developed using:
Google Fusion Tables
Google Maps API
Microsoft Azure Storage & CDN
CloudMade Web Maps Studio
Sencha Touch / ExtJS
Highcharts
Python
GeoDjango
PostgreSQL + PostGIS
Judges’ comments
The sea is a great love of New Zealanders, and this mashup helps yachties navigate it. It combines maps with tides and weather in an elegant package. A number of the judges were boaties and could see this being very useful (more specifically, "I can’t wait to get out and try it this weekend!"). Yachter Mobile uses the Azure storage service and Content Delivery Network.
Yachter Mobile (http://yachter-mobile.coup.net.nz/)
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Best use of Windows Azure cloud computing services
Awarded to the mashup that best makes use of Windows Azure cloud computing services. A $1000 cash prize will go to the winner of this category.