What3words - Am I m...
 

Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop

[Closed] What3words - Am I missing something?

7 Posts
6 Users
0 Reactions
53 Views
Posts: 8399
Free Member
Topic starter
 

This what3words app - does anyone see the point?

1 letter wrong and you are not even close.

Is it me being a luddite or is it a bit of a shit idea?

https://what3words.com/daring.lion.race


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 11:53 am
Posts: 16363
Free Member
 

You are missing the other thread


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 11:58 am
Posts: 6897
Full Member
 

Yeah cos when your mate is either in Altricham or the middle of Ocean it'll take some figuring out. Error detection / correction through operator misuse is far more reliable in W3W than it is with a system of coordinates like with OS GR or lat/long. Stop considering this as a tool solely for experience navigators and emergency services and start considering it from an average smartphone users to find things / each other.


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 11:58 am
Posts: 23296
Free Member
 

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what3words-2/


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 11:59 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

no, its an extra layer on top of lat / long that is run by a company looking to make money. It also doesn't translate well for non-English speakers. Its also not open source so the algorithms for words use / generated aren't peer reviewed.

If you have a data signal to download the app then you should have lat / long and use the built in compass apps.


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 12:00 pm
Posts: 7214
Free Member
 

Is it me being a luddite or is it a bit of a shit idea?

There are cases where it's useful, but they are edge cases. Situations where you have a working smartphone, but no signal and need to communicate your position.

Agree with your general point, it's 99pc useless. (...and if it was useful it's still proprietary.)


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 12:05 pm
Posts: 7214
Free Member
 

They have terrific marketing, though!


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 12:08 pm
Posts: 8399
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Just read the other thread.

I am now happy to consider it a shit idea.

Just use grids.


 
Posted : 16/08/2019 12:11 pm