Must have missed something about why this is not available? Will it be back and if not is there an alternative. Feel this is a real safety benefit.
Boise Pilot

It is still available via direct link http://glideport.aero/map
I sure hope someone will take it over and continue maintaining and improving it, integrate OGN and ADS-B for a complete integrated tracking. Frankly with all the smart and creative folks we have, I am surprised it is taking so long to find someone to take it over. I will be happy if some of my SSA membership fee will be used to cover it. In fact, this is not just SSA, it is used worldwide, a very valuable tool.

Ramy

On Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 7:45:25 AM UTC-7, Boise Pilot wrote:
> Must have missed something about why this is not available? Will it be back and if not is there an alternative. Feel this is a real safety benefit.
> Boise Pilot

On Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 10:02:34 AM UTC-6, Ramy wrote:
> It is still available via direct link http://glideport.aero/map
> I sure hope someone will take it over and continue maintaining and improving it, integrate OGN and ADS-B for a complete integrated tracking. Frankly with all the smart and creative folks we have, I am surprised it is taking so long to find someone to take it over. I will be happy if some of my SSA membership fee will be used to cover it. In fact, this is not just SSA, it is used worldwide, a very valuable tool.
>
> Ramy
> On Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 7:45:25 AM UTC-7, Boise Pilot wrote:
> > Must have missed something about why this is not available? Will it be back and if not is there an alternative. Feel this is a real safety benefit..
> > Boise Pilot
Ramy
Thank you, yes this info is not only informative but a safety item.
tom

> > I sure hope someone will take it over and continue maintaining and improving it, integrate OGN and ADS-B for a complete integrated tracking. Frankly with all the smart and creative folks we have, I am surprised it is taking so long to find someone to take it over. I will be happy if some of my SSA membership fee will be used to cover it. In fact, this is not just SSA, it is used worldwide, a very valuable tool.
> >
> > Ramy

Well, "smart and creative" when it comes to software development, along with an extensive knowledge of the requirements necessary for the soaring environment is pretty much an accurate description of YOU, Ramy. So, what are you waiting for?

I'll put up the price of a couple of six-packs of Sierra Blanca Cherry Wheat, as I seem to recall from a couple of weeks ago that the Cherry Wheat is your personal preference.

Thanks Mark, although I am not that smart, I would be happy to, as soon as I retire and have some more free time…
Meanwhile I’ll be happy to help with requirement, design, testing etc.

Ramy

On Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 4:21:02 PM UTC-7, Mark Mocho wrote:
> > > I sure hope someone will take it over and continue maintaining and improving it, integrate OGN and ADS-B for a complete integrated tracking. Frankly with all the smart and creative folks we have, I am surprised it is taking so long to find someone to take it over. I will be happy if some of my SSA membership fee will be used to cover it. In fact, this is not just SSA, it is used worldwide, a very valuable tool.
> > >
> > > Ramy
> Well, "smart and creative" when it comes to software development, along with an extensive knowledge of the requirements necessary for the soaring environment is pretty much an accurate description of YOU, Ramy. So, what are you waiting for?
>
> I'll put up the price of a couple of six-packs of Sierra Blanca Cherry Wheat, as I seem to recall from a couple of weeks ago that the Cherry Wheat is your personal preference.

On Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 11:45:47 PM UTC-6, Ramy wrote:
" as soon as I retire and have some more free time… "

Uhh.... OLC shows you have gotten 246 hours of airtime and 22,982 km in 42 flights from six or seven airfields since last October. I'd say you have plenty of free time- you just are too picky about what your priorities are.

On Monday, July 5, 2021 at 8:15:01 AM UTC-5, Mark Mocho wrote:
> On Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 11:45:47 PM UTC-6, Ramy wrote:
> " as soon as I retire and have some more free time… "
> Uhh.... OLC shows you have gotten 246 hours of airtime and 22,982 km in 42 flights from six or seven airfields since last October. I'd say you have plenty of free time- you just are too picky about what your priorities are.
Now, now Mark. Ramy is just "working from his home office", it's just a matter of interpretation. Seriously, Ramy, I've been wondering about that job of yours and why you're not calling it retirement.
Envious,
Herb

Heya;
I was just trying to connect to glideport.aero today and saw this thread.
It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.

The problem is with glideport.aero; their SSL Certificate expired on 1 July 2021 (about the same time this thread started!)

The certificate is a "Let's Encrypt!" site SSL. While free, the downside is you have to renew every 3 or 4 months. The good news is that there are all sorts of automated programs that do the renewal for you automatically if you run a "Let's Encrypt!" enabled SSL website.

I sent a note to the "Contact Us" link on the webpage.

Yeah it is still available when accessing directly.
The problem is that no one maintains it anymore. Hopefully someone will take it over. Some suggested I should do it since I have too much time in my hands, but I don’t have the required technical knowledge.

Ramy

On Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 1:47:20 PM UTC-7, Piet Barber wrote:
> Heya;
> I was just trying to connect to glideport.aero today and saw this thread.
> It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.
>
> The problem is with glideport.aero; their SSL Certificate expired on 1 July 2021 (about the same time this thread started!)
>
> The certificate is a "Let's Encrypt!" site SSL. While free, the downside is you have to renew every 3 or 4 months. The good news is that there are all sorts of automated programs that do the renewal for you automatically if you run a "Let's Encrypt!" enabled SSL website.
>
> I sent a note to the "Contact Us" link on the webpage.

> The problem is that no one maintains it anymore. Hopefully someone will take it over. Some suggested I should do it since I have too much time in my hands, but I don’t have the required technical knowledge.

Who's the previous maintainer?

On Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-4, Piet Barber wrote:
> It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.

Then that's not a glideport.aero problem.

T8

On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 8:15:06 AM UTC-4, tango...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-4, Piet Barber wrote:
> > It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.
> Then that's not a glideport.aero problem.

On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 8:15:06 AM UTC-4, tango...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-4, Piet Barber wrote:
> > It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.
> Then that's not a glideport.aero problem.

Let me clarify my previous post.
Maintaining an up to date SSL on the webserver that runs glideport.areo is definitely a glideport.aero problem. The only way to get into glideport.aero is to tell the browser, "Hey, don't warn me with all that pesky security certificate stuff. It doesn't matter anyway. I want to log in!" That's definitely a glideport.aero problem.

The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:

https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
^^ this doesn't work

https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
^^ because this doesn't work

The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.

Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem. Who used to maintain it?

QQ

It was created and maintained by Pedja Bogdanovich.
I believe the SSA purchased that service from him at the time.
However as of few years ago Pedja is no longer available to maintain it and no one took over as far as I know. Few folks looked into it in the past so don’t know where it is standing. Frank Whitely may know.
The SSLcertificate is only one of the issues, and probably the easiest to resolve.
A bigger issue is with registration and updating profiles on this web site which as far as I know no longer working well so many folks can not register or update their tracker information.
Also there is room for enhancements such as integration with OGN and ADSB.
I don’t have all the technical experience to maintain and enhance this service but am willing to help someone who has the time and technical expertise.

Ramy

On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 6:38:39 AM UTC-7, Piet Barber wrote:
> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 8:15:06 AM UTC-4, tango...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-4, Piet Barber wrote:
> > > It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.
> > Then that's not a glideport.aero problem.
> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 8:15:06 AM UTC-4, tango...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-4, Piet Barber wrote:
> > > It's not "down", but if you try to access it via the SSA website, you'll get a broken page.
> > Then that's not a glideport.aero problem.
> Let me clarify my previous post.
> Maintaining an up to date SSL on the webserver that runs glideport.areo is definitely a glideport.aero problem. The only way to get into glideport.aero is to tell the browser, "Hey, don't warn me with all that pesky security certificate stuff. It doesn't matter anyway. I want to log in!" That's definitely a glideport.aero problem.
>
> The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
>
> https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
> ^^ this doesn't work
>
> https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
> ^^ because this doesn't work
>
> The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
>
> Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem. Who used to maintain it?
>
> QQ

On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
>
> The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
>
> https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
> ^^ this doesn't work
>
> https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
> ^^ because this doesn't work
>
> The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
>
> Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem. Who used to maintain it?
>
> QQ
>

If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
need to connect to it via https?

On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:17:44 PM UTC-4, Moshe Braner wrote:
> On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
> >
> > The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
> >
> > https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
> > ^^ this doesn't work
> >
> > https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
> > ^^ because this doesn't work
> >
> > The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
> >
> > Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem. Who used to maintain it?
> >
> > QQ
> >
> If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
> http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
> need to connect to it via https?

Pedja developed the app and supported/improved it when he was excited about its possibilities. SSA signed a users agreement with Pedja years ago. Pedja has never charged us for this service and in fact pays for the server from his own pocket. Once I stepped down as Tracking Committee Chairman I fell out of touch with Pedja.

The maintenance of the site is involved as Google changes their map protocols from time to time and that causes issues. Also there is the customer support from Pedja and SSA volunteers. It is continuous as various user issues arise. Some of the interactions are very frustrating as some users have minimal technical ability while others spend a lot of time talking about ADSb and other improvements that should be made. It does eat up a large amount of time if you desire to help people get acquainted with their equipment and the possibilities. It can be rewarding.

The system was/is very nice and the phone app had/has great potential. However, the limitations of free use and volunteer labor hinder accountability. The SSA is between the proverbial rock of having a free service yet needing the customer support that a paid service would provide. There are other alternatives but none that offer what Pedja has done at the “free” cost of Pedja’s service.

Lane Bush

On 10/4/2021 1:18 PM, Lane wrote:
> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:17:44 PM UTC-4, Moshe Braner wrote:
>> On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
>>>
>>> The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
>>>
>>> https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
>>> ^^ this doesn't work
>>>
>>> https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
>>> ^^ because this doesn't work
>>>
>>> The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
>>>
>>> Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem. Who used to maintain it?
>>>
>>> QQ
>>>
>> If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
>> http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
>> need to connect to it via https?
>
> Pedja developed the app and supported/improved it when he was excited about its possibilities. SSA signed a users agreement with Pedja years ago. Pedja has never charged us for this service and in fact pays for the server from his own pocket. Once I stepped down as Tracking Committee Chairman I fell out of touch with Pedja.
>
> The maintenance of the site is involved as Google changes their map protocols from time to time and that causes issues. Also there is the customer support from Pedja and SSA volunteers. It is continuous as various user issues arise. Some of the interactions are very frustrating as some users have minimal technical ability while others spend a lot of time talking about ADSb and other improvements that should be made. It does eat up a large amount of time if you desire to help people get acquainted with their equipment and the possibilities. It can be rewarding.
>
> The system was/is very nice and the phone app had/has great potential. However, the limitations of free use and volunteer labor hinder accountability. The SSA is between the proverbial rock of having a free service yet needing the customer support that a paid service would provide. There are other alternatives but none that offer what Pedja has done at the “free” cost of Pedja’s service.
>
> Lane Bush
>

Big thanks to Pedja for what he has done! I hope somebody else picks it
up. Could be a group of people instead of one, to spread the load?

Not sure what you mean the the phone app. Perhaps IGCdroid, which feeds
data in real time into Glideport. It still works, assuming you've
registered with Glideport back when that was possible. It is nice to
have a method for real-time tracking that does not require any extra
hardware: not a satellite communication device, not an OGN tracker nor
OGN ground stations - it only requires a cellphone with data service
(even if it's spotty), and the bandwidth needs are very small. The
developer of the app is hoping to improve it further.

On 10/4/2021 2:57 PM, Moshe Braner wrote:
> On 10/4/2021 1:18 PM, Lane wrote:
>> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:17:44 PM UTC-4, Moshe Braner wrote:
>>> On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's
>>>> causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
>>>>
>>>> https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
>>>> ^^ this doesn't work
>>>>
>>>> https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
>>>>
>>>> ^^ because this doesn't work
>>>>
>>>> The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
>>>>
>>>> Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem.
>>>> Who used to maintain it?
>>>>
>>>> QQ
>>>>
>>> If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
>>> http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
>>> need to connect to it via https?
>>
>> Pedja developed the app and supported/improved it when he was excited
>> about its possibilities. SSA signed a users agreement with Pedja years
>> ago. Pedja has never charged us for this service and in fact pays for
>> the server from his own pocket. Once I stepped down as Tracking
>> Committee Chairman I fell out of touch with Pedja.
>>
>> The maintenance of the site is involved as Google changes their map
>> protocols from time to time and that causes issues. Also there is the
>> customer support from Pedja and SSA volunteers. It is continuous as
>> various user issues arise. Some of the interactions are very
>> frustrating as some users have minimal technical ability while others
>> spend a lot of time talking about ADSb and other improvements that
>> should be made. It does eat up a large amount of time if you desire to
>> help people get acquainted with their equipment and the possibilities.
>> It can be rewarding.
>>
>> The system was/is very nice and the phone app had/has great potential.
>> However, the limitations of free use and volunteer labor hinder
>> accountability. The SSA is between the proverbial rock of having a
>> free service yet needing the customer support that a paid service
>> would provide. There are other alternatives but none that offer what
>> Pedja has done at the “free” cost of Pedja’s service.
>>
>> Lane Bush
>>
>
> Big thanks to Pedja for what he has done!  I hope somebody else picks it
> up.  Could be a group of people instead of one, to spread the load?
>
> Not sure what you mean the the phone app.  Perhaps IGCdroid, which feeds
> data in real time into Glideport.  It still works, assuming you've
> registered with Glideport back when that was possible.  It is nice to
> have a method for real-time tracking that does not require any extra
> hardware: not a satellite communication device, not an OGN tracker nor
> OGN ground stations - it only requires a cellphone with data service
> (even if it's spotty), and the bandwidth needs are very small.  The
> developer of the app is hoping to improve it further.

But then, OTOH, maybe the SSA should stop trying to do its own tracking,
and instead join forces with the OGN (glidernet.org)? Why re-invent the
wheel, or rather, shoulder the burden of maintaining a separate system
with similar functionality?

Dale

Thanks for clarifying. And many thanks to Pedja for providing this service.
Sounds like there are 2 issues:
1- Lack of SSA tracking committee to handle the support side of things. I am willing to volunteer to help with that.
2- lack of technical person to maintain the service as Pedja did. We need someone with the technical skills and time to do the work.

As for OGN, I have yet to see a tracking tool which come anywhere close in functionality and usability to the SSA tracking capability.

Ramy

On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 1:16:47 PM UTC-7, Moshe Braner wrote:
> On 10/4/2021 2:57 PM, Moshe Braner wrote:
> > On 10/4/2021 1:18 PM, Lane wrote:
> >> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:17:44 PM UTC-4, Moshe Braner wrote:
> >>> On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's
> >>>> causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
> >>>>
> >>>> https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
> >>>> ^^ this doesn't work
> >>>>
> >>>> https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
> >>>>
> >>>> ^^ because this doesn't work
> >>>>
> >>>> The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
> >>>>
> >>>> Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem.
> >>>> Who used to maintain it?
> >>>>
> >>>> QQ
> >>>>
> >>> If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
> >>> http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
> >>> need to connect to it via https?
> >>
> >> Pedja developed the app and supported/improved it when he was excited
> >> about its possibilities. SSA signed a users agreement with Pedja years
> >> ago. Pedja has never charged us for this service and in fact pays for
> >> the server from his own pocket. Once I stepped down as Tracking
> >> Committee Chairman I fell out of touch with Pedja.
> >>
> >> The maintenance of the site is involved as Google changes their map
> >> protocols from time to time and that causes issues. Also there is the
> >> customer support from Pedja and SSA volunteers. It is continuous as
> >> various user issues arise. Some of the interactions are very
> >> frustrating as some users have minimal technical ability while others
> >> spend a lot of time talking about ADSb and other improvements that
> >> should be made. It does eat up a large amount of time if you desire to
> >> help people get acquainted with their equipment and the possibilities.
> >> It can be rewarding.
> >>
> >> The system was/is very nice and the phone app had/has great potential.
> >> However, the limitations of free use and volunteer labor hinder
> >> accountability. The SSA is between the proverbial rock of having a
> >> free service yet needing the customer support that a paid service
> >> would provide. There are other alternatives but none that offer what
> >> Pedja has done at the “free” cost of Pedja’s service.
> >>
> >> Lane Bush
> >>
> >
> > Big thanks to Pedja for what he has done! I hope somebody else picks it
> > up. Could be a group of people instead of one, to spread the load?
> >
> > Not sure what you mean the the phone app. Perhaps IGCdroid, which feeds
> > data in real time into Glideport. It still works, assuming you've
> > registered with Glideport back when that was possible. It is nice to
> > have a method for real-time tracking that does not require any extra
> > hardware: not a satellite communication device, not an OGN tracker nor
> > OGN ground stations - it only requires a cellphone with data service
> > (even if it's spotty), and the bandwidth needs are very small. The
> > developer of the app is hoping to improve it further.
> But then, OTOH, maybe the SSA should stop trying to do its own tracking,
> and instead join forces with the OGN (glidernet.org)? Why re-invent the
> wheel, or rather, shoulder the burden of maintaining a separate system
> with similar functionality?

On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 1:48:42 PM UTC-7, Ramy wrote:
> Dale
>
> Thanks for clarifying. And many thanks to Pedja for providing this service.
> Sounds like there are 2 issues:
> 1- Lack of SSA tracking committee to handle the support side of things. I am willing to volunteer to help with that.
> 2- lack of technical person to maintain the service as Pedja did. We need someone with the technical skills and time to do the work.
>
> As for OGN, I have yet to see a tracking tool which come anywhere close in functionality and usability to the SSA tracking capability.
>
> Ramy
> On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 1:16:47 PM UTC-7, Moshe Braner wrote:
> > On 10/4/2021 2:57 PM, Moshe Braner wrote:
> > > On 10/4/2021 1:18 PM, Lane wrote:
> > >> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:17:44 PM UTC-4, Moshe Braner wrote:
> > >>> On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's
> > >>>> causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
> > >>>> ^^ this doesn't work
> > >>>>
> > >>>> https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
> > >>>>
> > >>>> ^^ because this doesn't work
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem..
> > >>>> Who used to maintain it?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> QQ
> > >>>>
> > >>> If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
> > >>> http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
> > >>> need to connect to it via https?
> > >>
> > >> Pedja developed the app and supported/improved it when he was excited
> > >> about its possibilities. SSA signed a users agreement with Pedja years
> > >> ago. Pedja has never charged us for this service and in fact pays for
> > >> the server from his own pocket. Once I stepped down as Tracking
> > >> Committee Chairman I fell out of touch with Pedja.
> > >>
> > >> The maintenance of the site is involved as Google changes their map
> > >> protocols from time to time and that causes issues. Also there is the
> > >> customer support from Pedja and SSA volunteers. It is continuous as
> > >> various user issues arise. Some of the interactions are very
> > >> frustrating as some users have minimal technical ability while others
> > >> spend a lot of time talking about ADSb and other improvements that
> > >> should be made. It does eat up a large amount of time if you desire to
> > >> help people get acquainted with their equipment and the possibilities.
> > >> It can be rewarding.
> > >>
> > >> The system was/is very nice and the phone app had/has great potential.
> > >> However, the limitations of free use and volunteer labor hinder
> > >> accountability. The SSA is between the proverbial rock of having a
> > >> free service yet needing the customer support that a paid service
> > >> would provide. There are other alternatives but none that offer what
> > >> Pedja has done at the “free” cost of Pedja’s service.
> > >>
> > >> Lane Bush
> > >>
> > >
> > > Big thanks to Pedja for what he has done! I hope somebody else picks it
> > > up. Could be a group of people instead of one, to spread the load?
> > >
> > > Not sure what you mean the the phone app. Perhaps IGCdroid, which feeds
> > > data in real time into Glideport. It still works, assuming you've
> > > registered with Glideport back when that was possible. It is nice to
> > > have a method for real-time tracking that does not require any extra
> > > hardware: not a satellite communication device, not an OGN tracker nor
> > > OGN ground stations - it only requires a cellphone with data service
> > > (even if it's spotty), and the bandwidth needs are very small. The
> > > developer of the app is hoping to improve it further.
> > But then, OTOH, maybe the SSA should stop trying to do its own tracking,
> > and instead join forces with the OGN (glidernet.org)? Why re-invent the
> > wheel, or rather, shoulder the burden of maintaining a separate system
> > with similar functionality?

What functionality does glideport.aero have that the rest of the OGN (glidertracker.org for example) not have?

> What functionality does glideport.aero have that the rest of the OGN (glidertracker.org for example) not have?

Because it takes its data from the widespread tracking capabilities of satellite based InReach and/or Spot, there is global coverage fed directly into a widely used information bank. As I understand it, OGN tracking primarily comes from dedicated receivers that are privately funded and receive only the weak PowerFlarm signals. I am currently funding one receiver in the Moriarty area and will soon sponsor another when a suitable host with internet and extra bandwidth is found.

On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11:18:09 AM UTC-6, Lane wrote:
> On Friday, October 1, 2021 at 7:17:44 PM UTC-4, Moshe Braner wrote:
> > On 10/1/2021 9:38 AM, Piet Barber wrote:
> > >
> > > The SSA's just linking to an ssl enabled page, and the SSL is what's causing the SSA's iframe to have that broken icon logo:
> > >
> > > https://members.ssa.org/SailplaneTracker/default.asp?
> > > ^^ this doesn't work
> > >
> > > https://ssa.glideport.aero/app/gp/map.php?p=Country:US&units=imperial&lang=en&nomenu=1
> > > ^^ because this doesn't work
> > >
> > > The last link doesn't work because the SSL certificate is expired.
> > >
> > > Somebody's gotta have root on that webserver to solve this problem. Who used to maintain it?
> > >
> > > QQ
> > >
> > If I just go to glideport.aero it is working fine, although that's via
> > http, and because it still remembers my login. Why does the SSA site
> > need to connect to it via https?
> Pedja developed the app and supported/improved it when he was excited about its possibilities. SSA signed a users agreement with Pedja years ago. Pedja has never charged us for this service and in fact pays for the server from his own pocket. Once I stepped down as Tracking Committee Chairman I fell out of touch with Pedja.
>
> The maintenance of the site is involved as Google changes their map protocols from time to time and that causes issues. Also there is the customer support from Pedja and SSA volunteers. It is continuous as various user issues arise. Some of the interactions are very frustrating as some users have minimal technical ability while others spend a lot of time talking about ADSb and other improvements that should be made. It does eat up a large amount of time if you desire to help people get acquainted with their equipment and the possibilities. It can be rewarding.
>
> The system was/is very nice and the phone app had/has great potential. However, the limitations of free use and volunteer labor hinder accountability. The SSA is between the proverbial rock of having a free service yet needing the customer support that a paid service would provide. There are other alternatives but none that offer what Pedja has done at the “free” cost of Pedja’s service.
>
> Lane Bush
SSA is working the issue. There is project access and account access, but that's about it at the moment. Admin control remains elusive and a coaching session is needed. When the new SSA front end launched, some of the links were broken when members.ssa.org was launched. The tasks still upload and existing users can update, but the e-mail responder is not working. As Piet pointed out, the SSL expired, so the embedded SSA Tracker Page won't load. New tracker info for SSA members from the ssa server are not loading and new direct registrations are not working. The final SSA regional for 2021 is in progress. After that we'll see about breaking/fixing it. Pedja has some significant personal issues that occupy his time when not working. He hasn't logged a flight on OLC since he flew the longest recorded flight ever in Colorado at 1272.59km on 9/2/2019. Others looked at or volunteered to take it on, but nothing materialized and somehow their non-involvement did not get communicated. Hoping to get a coaching session on how it's configured so the obvious issued can be fixed. Further development is another topic. Pedja donated his work to the SSA, SSA pays for the hosting, but there are some things that need to be put in order in that regard.

Frank Whiteley

Mark and everyone else,

If the main benefit of glideport is that it displays Inreach and SPOT locations, then glideport as a website is not needed.

I'm doing the exact same thing, parsing Inreach positions, except I'm uploading to the OGN (as if I were a ground station) so that all consumers of OGN data can see it. https://glidertracker.org/, other OGN websites, they can all see your position.

See https://github.com/DavisChappins/InreachToOGN and fill out the google form to add your information to be tracked. I'm running the script on my pi at home. The google form just sends me an email so I can add the info to user.csv (which the script pulls from).

This is essentially the same thing as glideport's user login except I don't need a web UI, a server, an email configuration, a SSL certificate, and all the other overhead that comes with a website. There are already websites out there that display OGN data much better than glideport and don't look like they were made in 1998. If I could get in contact with the glideport guys (contact info is behind a login and I can't create an account) I could pull over all Inreach info and run everyone's Inreach locations on my pi.

What about SPOT? Same data path and I am working on it.
What about ADS-b locations? I'm testing a script that parses an ADS-b API for gliders and transmits their location to the OGN network. When a glider has FLARM and ADS-b, the FLARM signal has priority until it's out of range then the ADS-b position takes over. This would "expand" the range of OGN in the US significantly.

Also Mark, it's cool that you are sponsoring another OGN receiver. I've assembled a few so far and if you need help with an image let me know. I can provide one that you just plug in the SD card with no configuration at all and it will "just work".

> Also Mark, it's cool that you are sponsoring another OGN receiver. I've assembled a few so far and if you need help with an image let me know. I can provide one that you just plug in the SD card with no configuration at all and it will "just work".

Glad to hear someone is working the issue. Tracking is an awesome use of technology. The Albuquerque Soaring Club is trying to install OGN tracking receivers around the flying area to enhance awareness of pilots' locations, both for general information about their status and to upgrade the information given to the NM State Police (who coordinate Search and Rescue operations). Hopefully, SAR won't be needed, but the information is invaluable in an emergency.

The problem with glidertracker web site, as I mentioned earlier, it is a far cry in functionality and usability and doesn’t come close in usefulness for glider tracking. Every time I am trying to use it I find it an exercise in frustration.

Ramy

On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 7:21:00 PM UTC-7, Mark Mocho wrote:
> > Also Mark, it's cool that you are sponsoring another OGN receiver. I've assembled a few so far and if you need help with an image let me know. I can provide one that you just plug in the SD card with no configuration at all and it will "just work".
> Glad to hear someone is working the issue. Tracking is an awesome use of technology. The Albuquerque Soaring Club is trying to install OGN tracking receivers around the flying area to enhance awareness of pilots' locations, both for general information about their status and to upgrade the information given to the NM State Police (who coordinate Search and Rescue operations). Hopefully, SAR won't be needed, but the information is invaluable in an emergency.

1) My post was not about the website glidertracker.org specifically, it was about me replicating the functionality of glideport (spot/inreach tracking) with no server/website overhead and uploading them to the OGN, to be consumed by any website that subscribes to OGN data. Not just glidertracker. It could be https://live.glidernet.org/ or https://glideandseek.com/ or https://www.gliderradar.com/ or maybe a website you want to create based on OGN data.

2) European data laws prevent the retention of data gathered without "consent" so the OGN does not store any data. glidertracker.org goes back 24hrs but that's it. That's all it was designed for. Further back you have the olc and weglide.

3) What part about using it is frustrating? You zoom in and look at what you want to look at. Just like google maps. Just like ADSBExchange.

4) I fear that people have just read and responded to the first sentence and the last sentence while missing the stuff in the middle. I'll repeat it here: I've created and am running a script that gathers Inreach data (Spot soon) and uploads it to the OGN to be visible on any website that gets OGN data. https://github.com/DavisChappins/InreachToOGN if you want to sign up and be visible. In fact, please sign up to help me test the google forms.