Approximate meeting locations

[joefincher]

We are located in Thailand and are considering rewriting our website aathailand.org in WordPress and using the TSML plugin. Thailand addresses are problematic and many will use the functions.php to correct the addresses.

1. When connecting with the app, will the modified addresses be used?
2. When requesting directions from Google Maps will the modified addresses be transmitted?

[joshreisner]

hi @joefincher i've used your website to find meetings in thailand and it was great, thank you

1. no, you will need to let GSO know about the modified addresses
2. yes, the directions handoff is done through latitude and longitude, so people will get directions to the coordinates you specify

have you thought about creating a JSON feed from your existing database to connect to the app? that is another option that might be less hassle. we'd be happy to help

[joefincher]

We could do that but maintenance for Drupal has the locals thrashing since WP maintenance is about 1/3 the price per year. They are all excited about getting a new site, so I will let them thrash about for awhile. Meantime I will look at a JSON feed for the current site. Didn't do it in the past because of the address issue. Need to see if there is an equivalent of functions.php in Drupal

[joshreisner]

i'd be happy to work with you on a table of locations to see which ones will need an 'override' and which ones wont. if it's of interest, perhaps we could start a google sheet of thailand meeting locations?

For example, this meeting https://aathailand.org/node/72 at the Bourbon Street Restaurant looks like it probably does not need an override, since this will work: 9/39 Soi Tana Arcade, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

                                    [lat] => 13.7224203
                                    [lng] => 100.5843917

i think this work might need to get done with either approach.

[joefincher]

Happy to share. Do you have an address that I can plug in to Google Sheets? Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 07:51:56 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: i'd be happy to work with you on a table of locations to see which ones will need an 'override' and which ones wont. if it's of interest, perhaps we could start a google sheet of thailand meeting locations? For example, this meeting https://aathailand.org/node/72 at the Bourbon Street Restaurant looks like it probably does not need an override, since this will work: 9/39 Soi Tana Arcade, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand [lat] => 13.7224203 [lng] => 100.5843917 i think this work might need to get done with either approach. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

something this is what i was thinking: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TSE_S2tuJYeJEPfxG7ZhOF91pqDU4sEguq3iab0T3ls/edit#gid=0

the two i did so far would not need overrides, but i'm guessing i'll get progressively more challenging outside bangkok

let me know if you think this would be useful and i can work with you on it

[joefincher]

So here is something that I have been working with. "x" are the pages I have verified so far. The lat/long pairs are from the map on each page which are geocoded pins in lieu of addresses. Some of the lat/longs will change as I go through the pages and need to tweak them. It's easy to produce a final version when its done. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NuRVGiijPczobjOJb7doMOnwF4M8bMQrhsWjfmTFFFg/edit#gid=1435732710 There is an online test site where it is easy to verify the existing addresses. https://test-aathailand91.pantheonsite.io https://test-aathailand91.pantheonsite.io/ Let me know what you think. Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 08:47:57 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: something this is what i was thinking: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TSE_S2tuJYeJEPfxG7ZhOF91pqDU4sEguq3iab0T3ls/edit#gid=0 the two i did so far would not need overrides, but i'm guessing i'll get progressively more challenging outside bangkok let me know if you think this would be useful and i can work with you on it — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

nice! i requested access to the sheet - if you could check your email you should see a request from me there. alternately you can set it to "Anyone with the link > can view"

[joefincher]

Done Thai AA Meeting Address Verify Records | | | | | | | | | | | Thai AA Meeting Address Verify Records data_export(10) Address Ok,Day,Meeting Start Time,Title,Type,Open/Closed,Meeting Language,Regions,Geolocation o... | | | Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:48:06 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: nice! i requested access to the sheet - if you could check your email you should see a request from me there. alternately you can set it to "Anyone with the link > can view" — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

great this sheet looks like a great start. so i think the next step would be to add a new column with whatever address you currently have. this could be one or more columns, whatever is easiest for you. and if you have a column describing the location, eg Broccoli Cafe then a column for that as well if it exists.

then i will use that info, and well as the latitude / longitude you have already, to see if i can't find an address that works in Google

i think we can use this as a learning experience and might be able to make a tool perhaps to make this process easier for other service groups like yours

[joefincher]

Updated. I am using Drupal Views Data Export so the Location field came out as a full address field. There are more fields available, i just haven't included them Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:07:16 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: great this sheet looks like a great start. so i think the next step would be to add a new column with whatever address you currently have. this could be one or more columns, whatever is easiest for you. and if you have a column describing the location, eg Broccoli Cafe then a column for that as well if it exists. then i will use that info, and well as the latitude / longitude you have already, to see if i can't find an address that works in Google i think we can use this as a learning experience and might be able to make a tool perhaps to make this process easier for other service groups like yours — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joefincher]

I discovered in the Drupal address by putting the name of the location Nakornping Condominium in the first block for the street name that Google maps goes right to the location. Not sure how that will translate to the Wordpress app, but it works wonders in Drupal Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:07:16 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: great this sheet looks like a great start. so i think the next step would be to add a new column with whatever address you currently have. this could be one or more columns, whatever is easiest for you. and if you have a column describing the location, eg Broccoli Cafe then a column for that as well if it exists. then i will use that info, and well as the latitude / longitude you have already, to see if i can't find an address that works in Google i think we can use this as a learning experience and might be able to make a tool perhaps to make this process easier for other service groups like yours — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

not seeing addresses yet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NuRVGiijPczobjOJb7doMOnwF4M8bMQrhsWjfmTFFFg/edit#gid=1435732710 - am i looking in the right place?

yes the wordpress plugin will let you search for points of interest, so building names should work in most cases, especially once it has some other addresses in the system to bias the geocoder to that area

[joefincher]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iqzo7kKy1burs2_PxqxjghWUhNBHRzO2hsCia_s1Ek8/edit?usp=sharing I will publish a new one when I get all the way through the Test site https://test-aathailand91.pantheonsite.io/ | | | | | | | | | | | Welcome To AA Thailand | AA Thailand | | | Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Monday, April 24, 2023 at 09:43:55 AM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: not seeing addresses yet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NuRVGiijPczobjOJb7doMOnwF4M8bMQrhsWjfmTFFFg/edit#gid=1435732710 - am i looking in the right place? yes the wordpress plugin will let you search for points of interest, so building names should work in most cases, especially once it has some other addresses in the system to bias the geocoder to that area — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joefincher]

Hi John I put up the TSML plugin in an old URL of mine and have played with importing data. I will add the latest spreadsheet to the Google Sheets we are sharing. I did a search and replace on time format and it came in smoothly. Still work to be done, but its getting closer. Meetings – Test Bed | | | | Meetings – Test Bed | | | Update tracker aathailand.org | | | | | | | | | | | Update tracker aathailand.org Update 26 April Time,Day,Name,Location,Address,Region,Types,District,Open/Closed,Meeting Language 9:00 AM,Sunda... | | | Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Monday, April 24, 2023 at 09:43:55 AM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: not seeing addresses yet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NuRVGiijPczobjOJb7doMOnwF4M8bMQrhsWjfmTFFFg/edit#gid=1435732710 - am i looking in the right place? yes the wordpress plugin will let you search for points of interest, so building names should work in most cases, especially once it has some other addresses in the system to bias the geocoder to that area — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

awesome

[joefincher]

There are still problems between what Drupal will accept and TSML. Hua Hin Night Group for example. TSML picks up Thai language address info that is not in the spreadsheet. Google Maps decides that it is located on Soi 40 a bit to the north of the actual site. How difficult is it to set lat/long for all meetings sent to the phone app? For the local version of the plugin this would require a very large addition to the theme function.php as described in the Frequently Asked Questions for TSML Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 09:55:28 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: awesome — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

the app doesn't accept coordinates, so it's going to take a little time to work on the problematic addresses. like i said, i'm happy to work with you on them if it's helpful.

for Hua Hin Night Group the address on the site is TLC Building 3rd Floor rear entrance [take elevator or stairs]TLC Language Center83/14 Phetkasem Rd.Hua HinPrachuap Khiri KhanThailand

… and the one I'm getting back from Google is 83, 14 Petchkasem Rd, ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110, Thailand

happily the coordinates returned are only 9 meters away, so im fairly confident people will be able to find the meeting without an override. my recommendation would be to make this one:

location: TLC Language Center
formatted address: 83, 14 Petchkasem Rd, ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110, Thailand
location_notes: TLC Building, 3rd Floor, rear entrance [take elevator or stairs]

i tweaked the original google sheet i sent you to act as a better tool with some app scripting. now you can enter an address in the Address or Point of Interest to Search column and it will auto-generate the gray columns for you:

• address that Google returns
• Google coordinates
• link to a website showing both coordinates on a map
• distance between the two points in meters

any that have large distances we might need to override, but also there could be some other tools we might be able to bring to bear, like the Google Places API

[joefincher]

Nice, I don't use Google Sheets very much. Powerful built in. I assume you know about NAATW Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 09:56:43 AM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: the app doesn't accept coordinates, so it's going to take a little time to work on the problematic addresses. like i said, i'm happy to work with you on them if it's helpful. for Hua Hin Night Group the address on the site is TLC Building 3rd Floor rear entrance [take elevator or stairs]TLC Language Center83/14 Phetkasem Rd.Hua HinPrachuap Khiri KhanThailand … and the one I'm getting back from Google is 83, 14 Petchkasem Rd, ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110, Thailand happily the coordinates returned are only 9 meters away, so im fairly confident people will be able to find the meeting without an override. my recommendation would be to make this one: location: TLC Language Center formatted address: 83, 14 Petchkasem Rd, ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110, Thailand location_notes: TLC Building, 3rd Floor, rear entrance [take elevator or stairs] i tweaked the original google sheet i sent you to act as a better tool with some app scripting. now you can enter an address in the Address or Point of Interest to Search column and it will auto-generate the gray columns for you: - address that Google returns - Google coordinates - link to a website showing both coordinates on a map - distance between the two points in meters any that have large distances we might need to override, but also there could be some other tools we might be able to bring to bear, like the Google Places API — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joefincher]

Is it difficult to change time format - the TSML plugin ignores our 24 hour time column  Additionally both AA Phuket and aathailand.org can upload media for each meeting - a big task?  Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 9:56 AM, Josh ***@***.***> wrote: the app doesn't accept coordinates, so it's going to take a little time to work on the problematic addresses. like i said, i'm happy to work with you on them if it's helpful. for Hua Hin Night Group the address on the site is TLC Building 3rd Floor rear entrance [take elevator or stairs]TLC Language Center83/14 Phetkasem Rd.Hua HinPrachuap Khiri KhanThailand … and the one I'm getting back from Google is 83, 14 Petchkasem Rd, ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110, Thailand happily the coordinates returned are only 9 meters away, so im fairly confident people will be able to find the meeting without an override. my recommendation would be to make this one: location: TLC Language Center formatted address: 83, 14 Petchkasem Rd, ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110, Thailand location_notes: TLC Building, 3rd Floor, rear entrance [take elevator or stairs] i tweaked the original google sheet i sent you to act as a better tool with some app scripting. now you can enter an address in the Address or Point of Interest to Search column and it will auto-generate the gray columns for you: - address that Google returns - Google coordinates - link to a website showing both coordinates on a map - distance between the two points in meters any that have large distances we might need to override, but also there could be some other tools we might be able to bring to bear, like the Google Places API — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

i think you can set your time format in Settings > General, is that what you mean?

regarding media, do you mean image slideshows like these? https://aaphuket.org/aa-meetings/#phuket-town-group i think it could probably be done using a gallery plugin and some edits to the templates/single-meetings.php page - i know of a site that used to do it (monterey) but it looks like they stopped. i think they did single images using the wordpress built-in 'featured image' system

it would be a good feature to help with meeting discovery, we can add it as an issue to our backlog

[joefincher]

Hi Josh, The 24 hour time request was for importing csv since our sites are hard coded for time. I can go through and enter am/pm time for each meeting, but I was looking for a work around. The advice on modifiying the template is welcome. We are building a functional spec for the website builder and can include that. Has anyone themed the plugin for colors, etc? Appreciate you help. Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 08:30:32 PM GMT+7, Josh Reisner ***@***.***> wrote: i think you can set your time format in Settings > General, is that what you mean? regarding media, do you mean image slideshows like these? https://aaphuket.org/aa-meetings/#phuket-town-group i think it could probably be done using a gallery plugin and some edits to the templates/single-meetings.php page - i know of a site that used to do it (monterey) but it looks like they stopped. i think they did single images using the wordpress built-in 'featured image' system it would be a good feature to help with meeting discovery, we can add it as an issue to our backlog — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

hm! i'm able to import a test meeting with HH:MM time, i don't think you will need to edit the times manually. attaching a sample meetings.csv - maybe test and see if that works for you, and if it does, maybe there is some other cause to the mystery

colors and fonts can be tweaked with CSS, here's an example where i change the link color with `#tsml a { color: hotpink; }

[joefincher]

Will look at it - we use 1500 hrs no colon, hrs included  Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, May 2, 2023 at 8:21 AM, Josh ***@***.***> wrote: hm! i'm able to import a test meeting with HH:MM time, i don't think you will need to edit the times manually. attaching a sample meetings.csv - maybe test and see if that works for you, and if it does, maybe there is some other cause to the mystery colors and fonts can be tweaked with CSS, here's an example where i change the link color with `#tsml a { color: hotpink; } — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

ah. that also works for me when testing locally meetings.csv

sorry i didn't see the "hrs" -- i think if you remove just the "hrs" you should be good

[joefincher]

Hi Josh  I have completed a functional specification sufficient to get the new site built. I do not plan to pass the data cleansing (addresses) to the developer. In our discussions you have mentioned, I believe, some things we may need to do to difficult addresses to get them to work. Does any of that require modifications to the TSML plugin? Just want to anticipate change orders to the contract  Regards  Jie Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, May 2, 2023 at 11:55 AM, Josh ***@***.***> wrote: ah. that also works for me when testing locally meetings.csv — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

not that i'm aware. some addresses will need to be overridden, which involves a code change to the theme. some addresses won't, but it will be subjective and may take some time and effort to evaluate

[joefincher]

This would be like the code snippet in the FAQ section then. I will include it in the spec to ensure these guys provide the functions.php file in their custom theme they are so proud of. I will begin work on the remaining addresses after the weekend.  Thanks for your help  Joe Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, May 5, 2023 at 8:05 PM, Josh ***@***.***> wrote: not that i'm aware. some addresses will need to be overridden, which involves a code change to the theme. some addresses won't, but it will be subjective and may take some time and effort to evaluate — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joefincher]

Hi Josh, Have been quiet for awhile. Wrote an SOW for the local developer and he has been silent for awhile. Meanwhile I have been working through my Test Bed version of the TSML plugin nailing down Thai meetings. I have found that Google Plus Codes give us a way to designate locations where addressing doesn't work. Since the plugin accepts them I assume that connection to the phone app will also work. I am experimenting with adding some address info to the meeting name where local streets may be helpful. Hope your Memorial Day holiday has been enjoyable Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com

[joefincher]

Hi Josh, A possible solution to locating difficult Thai addresses would be the use of Google Plus Codes. Would these cause any conflict when linking to the phone app? We are negotiating the spec with our developer. They will have questions about how to implement requirements. Hope you will be available to point us. Regards Joe Fincherwww.uphill-intothewind.com On Friday, May 5, 2023 at 08:10:58 PM GMT+7, Joseph Fincher ***@***.***> wrote: This would be like the code snippet in the FAQ section then. I will include it in the spec to ensure these guys provide the functions.php file in their custom theme they are so proud of. I will begin work on the remaining addresses after the weekend.  Thanks for your help  Joe Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, May 5, 2023 at 8:05 PM, Josh ***@***.***> wrote: not that i'm aware. some addresses will need to be overridden, which involves a code change to the theme. some addresses won't, but it will be subjective and may take some time and effort to evaluate — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joshreisner]

Hi Joe, yes, plus code should work as a last resort if a nearby address is unavailable. As you know, they're not ideal beacause they don't convey much info to the user, so your approach of adding info to the meeting listing will be helpful. Please use the location notes field for this.

As i've mentioned in this thread a number of times, we would like to try to help locate difficult addresses. Please share them with us, thanks.