ADCA member map

[Dahdo]

I was browsing the PDCA web page and was really impressed with some of the features they provide for members, including an interactive map with links to member profiles and farm web pages. See here: tinyurl.com/n3uru74

It got me to wondering what a map of the nearly 1,500 ADCA members would look like. So....using the list on the ADCA web page I put together a quick member map. To protect privacy, it only shows location to the nearest town and does not include emails or phone numbers (even though that info is on the web page). If you click on a marker, it gives the name of the breeder. (when you click on it, it will warn that it is a "big map", go ahead and click "view map")

mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zDMXqu2kWYMU.kneLxvdpxcP4

I think something like the PDCA member map would be an easy way for prospective buyers to find breeders nearby and learn more about their stock and practices. Would any of you ADCA members like to see something like this on our web page?

[lakeportfarms]

Dave, that's really impressive and quite a bit of work for you, nothing "quick" about that. I think it's a great idea and hope to see that feature on the ADCA site. Thank you!

There are actually a number of things I like about the PDCA site, and it would be nice to be able to bring some of them into the ADCA website.  And give us back our ability to upload pictures ourselves!...lol

[Dahdo]

It really wasn't bad. I had to do some reformatting of the PDF file, but the Google Map Engine is pretty slick. It would be even easier for the ADCA webmaster,having access to the original member file.

and YES--uploading our own pictures would be a start. The whole web page really needs an overhaul, but that's another topic ;/

[Dahdo]

Gene, my map doesn't have much information, so it's mostly just useful as an illustration of the concept. I did to it to see how hard it would be and to see how ADCA members are distributed across the country. My hope was to gauge how much interest there would be in having this for ADCA members, and possibly propose the idea to the ADCA board of directors. I had been thinking about to for a while, but finally got motivated by a post of yours recently asking about breeders of a specific type of Dexter on the west coast. I would see that as a possible use for such a map if breeders could describe the type of cattle they produce in their profile.

What do you think? Would you support the idea? Any other ideas on information the map might contain?

[zephyrhillsusan]

That's a super amazing map! A LOT of work! Wow! I think it would be great to have one on the ADCA website. It's a great visual and much easier to use than scrolling through the list of members looking for the state you want. It also helps you see what other regions might actually have breeders closer to you than those in your own region. I've often thought that the way the list is arranged by region might work well for us members, but is confusing for searchers.

I have only one problem with the map--can't find us in Chickamauga, GA! I can only find Dalton.

[Dahdo]

Susan, I looked at the ADCA member list and did not see you (or anyone) listed in Chickmuaga, GA. Is that your mailing address? If so, you may need to make sure the registrar has your correct address. I did not have street addresses for this map--I just used the city and state listed on the ADCA site. But....just for you...I added a pin for Zephyrhill Farm in Chickamauga. So, you are officially "on the map"!

[zephyrhillsusan]

Thanks, Dave! I appreciate it! I checked the list, and I imagine the reason we aren't on it is that I forgot to pay the membership dues. I meant to when there was a thread going around about it, but I forgot. But it's done now, thanks to PayPal, so hopefully we'll be back on the list officially next month.

[Dahdo]

I paid mine just a week or two ago.... Also after that thread Susan. Why were Gene and I were still on the list? Good question.

[kansasdexters]

The reason that you were still on the list is that the Member List link on the ADCA website is current through December 31, 2013. So if you paid your 2013 dues (anytime in 2013), you are on that list.

The new list (for the 2014 members with dues paid) hasn't been updated and posted because of the technical difficulties the registrar has been having with the database since mid-February. I noticed that the online pedigree was updated today, so it looks like progress is being made towards resolving the ADCA computer program/database issues.

[LizMO]

I love the map! You can really see where the Dexters are concentrated. That is a great concept. It would be wonderful to have something like this on the offical ADCA site.

LizMo

[dexterlady]

I must agree with everyone else Dave...I think this would be great for the ADCA members....Yes, yes, yes, we need this done!

[Dahdo]

Thanks Patti, hopefully they get it straightened out soon. Still not sure why Susan was not on the list, but oh well.

[ssimons]

I wonder if I'm the only one who can't get the map to load? I'm using an iPad and it starts to load then dumps me back to my wallpaper page, and I have to log in all over again. Does the iPad have enough "room" to load the entire map? I'm not very tech savvy, so it might be the  "nut behind the wheel" as it were. Any ideas?

[zephyrhillsusan]

It's not you--it's the iPad because the same thing just now happened to me when I tried to load it on mine. Probably because it's such a big file. It might help if you take it closer to your wireless router. I was trying to load issues of Nat'l Geographic for my Grandkids, and it kept timing out on my iPad until I took it into the study where the router is. Or it could be that it's just too big and you need to open it on your computer. It worked fine for me there.

[ssrdex]

It crashes the iPhone as well, but sight-unseen it sounds like a good tool to have or to be able to point someone else to on a computer. Thanks Dave