One of the software projects that I was able to get features successfully added to in its earlier days through simple direct user engagement with the developers, is one that I also think really needs to have an open source counterpart, without any of the data collection and with decentralized, Nostr protocol based storage of user data.
The app is What3Words, and it has revolutionized the way users can leverage GPS navigation, and the sharing of location information, down to 10 sq ft accuracy, anywhere on the planet, including lists of points that each have a field for X number of characters for labelling.
What3Words divides the surface of the globe into roughly 55 billion 10’x10’ squares, and rather than designating them with a sixteen digit GEOREF coordinate set, simplifies the matter of memorizing/sharing a location by assigning a three word identifier to each box, preceded by four forward slashes.
Once a location is selected on the interactive map, it can be navigated to with conventional navigation apps like Apple Maps or Google Maps with a simple “Navigate” button. The app also instantly recognizes any three word combination preceded by four forward slashes as a potential W3W location, and tries to resolve it to a known three word location in the database. What this means is that any location, even those without civic or rural addresses, can be tagged with even a neatly handwritten or other type of sign, and if a user scans it, the app will zoom onto the location and be able to share that location with others via electronic messaging of any kind, or SMS. It is for this reason that emergency services and even some higher end vehicle manufacturers have started to integrate What3Words into their dispatching programs and vehicle dashboards.
Such accurate location information that bypasses the need for active GPS dilution of precision correction, allows users to share easily remembered locations of assets, cold drop locations, targeting info and drone delivery locations with other users in a cool new way.
Have a hot fishing spot on the edge of a river that you want to share with your son? Send him the three words. Have a list of points that directs your friend along a specific route through the bush to safely get to a good hunting blind? Drop and save points as you go or project a series of points from the comfort of your desk, save the list of points, label each point as you wish, and share the list.
I can see a great opportunity for integrating this location information sharing scheme with apps like #bitchat and over LoRa mesh networks.
As someone who does a lot of work in the bush and in places without addresses, this app has really revolutionized the way I direct crews and equipment. The great thing is that in addition to saving each point as a three word identifier, it saves the standard sixteen digit coordinates, which can be longhand copied and pasted into any GPS mapping software for linear and area measurements.
I wonder if the What3Words project is on @jack ‘s radar. I see endless possibilities for creating something similar in open source.
Here’s a sample location if anyone wants to test out the app on the web or via the iOS/Android app with a simple copy/paste:
///bigger.chairs.fever
Have fun
