What's the resolution of the workout data graph?
27/04/09 22:39 Filed in: Import
Problem: When I view my workout data in other applications like garmin training center, the data points for heart-rate and speed are much more noisy detailed than in TrailRunner. Additionally the TrailRunner graph seems not to start at the left edge of the chart but appears to be indented. Furthermore a TrailRunner graph line sometimes is being drawn as a straight line without any intermediate data points, although there should be some.
Background: Other applications display the raw data of a device. This makes the graph unreadable. The philosophy of TrailRunner instead is to display the overall trend and development of your workout session.
Approach: TrailRunner has an auto split feature where the workout is being sliced into fixed distance intervals. For each interval the statistical median value is being calculated and one data point reflecting this value is then being used as a representative. As the location of the representative can be somewhere in-between the first interval, the graph might appear to be indented. Furthermore if representatives in adjacent intervals fall onto a straight line, only the edges representatives are being drawn and the connection line depicts the trend development.
Details: The auto split feature uses the following distance intervals. By the time of this writing it’s 250 m for workouts shorter than 10 km, then 500m up to 20 km, 1000 m up to 50 km and 10000 m from there on. A route with 42 km would then have 5 intervals.
Example: Below the identical workout in Garmin Training Center (upper image) and TrailRunner (lower image)
It’s rather obvious that the speed Graph in Garmin Training Center is full of noise and false signals. TrailRunner filters this out and gives you the statistical trend (blue line) for each interval (white circle within each interval separated by a white vertical line)
The thinner line around the blue line depicts the value range, so you still can make up that within the interval there was a great spread of values, but most of the time you stayed near the value depicted by the thick line.
BTW please note that the Garmin speed graph is upside down, so slower is a value near the top and faster is a value near the end. TrailRunner uses a the natural, mirrored display approach, where “better” is on top.
Background: Other applications display the raw data of a device. This makes the graph unreadable. The philosophy of TrailRunner instead is to display the overall trend and development of your workout session.
Approach: TrailRunner has an auto split feature where the workout is being sliced into fixed distance intervals. For each interval the statistical median value is being calculated and one data point reflecting this value is then being used as a representative. As the location of the representative can be somewhere in-between the first interval, the graph might appear to be indented. Furthermore if representatives in adjacent intervals fall onto a straight line, only the edges representatives are being drawn and the connection line depicts the trend development.
Details: The auto split feature uses the following distance intervals. By the time of this writing it’s 250 m for workouts shorter than 10 km, then 500m up to 20 km, 1000 m up to 50 km and 10000 m from there on. A route with 42 km would then have 5 intervals.
Example: Below the identical workout in Garmin Training Center (upper image) and TrailRunner (lower image)
It’s rather obvious that the speed Graph in Garmin Training Center is full of noise and false signals. TrailRunner filters this out and gives you the statistical trend (blue line) for each interval (white circle within each interval separated by a white vertical line)
The thinner line around the blue line depicts the value range, so you still can make up that within the interval there was a great spread of values, but most of the time you stayed near the value depicted by the thick line.
BTW please note that the Garmin speed graph is upside down, so slower is a value near the top and faster is a value near the end. TrailRunner uses a the natural, mirrored display approach, where “better” is on top.
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Why is TrailRunner donation-ware with a fixed donation amount?
27/04/09 22:39 Filed in: Conceptual
TrailRunner is no commercial grade software. Instead it's my spare time killer and I develop TrailRunner for the fun of myself and all users that like it. As I can not base my living on the earnings from this project I have to put the majority of my work power into a regular job. So due to this limitation of resources, I can't give any guarantees on a flawless functionality or a short term reaction on any questions or bug reports -- although I do my best and I am passionate about it.
If TrailRunner was ShareWare you would actually buy something from me, meaning we both would have a contract and would bind us to a license agreement. This would also have implications on what you’d expect from me, based on what you are accustomed with when you buy regular commercial products. So distributing TrailRunner as a ShareWare would require me to give you some contractual guarantees, which I can't. So I am not trying to play the big guy where I am small.
For all these reasons, TrailRunner is donation-ware (wikipedia explanation) or support-me-if-you-like-ware, even with a fixed amount. I think the amount for the token of esteem is really worth it. But if it's too much for you, just continue to use TrailRunner as there is no functional limitation for unregistered users.
That's my point of view regarding fairness. If you find this unfair, please drop me a line.
If TrailRunner was ShareWare you would actually buy something from me, meaning we both would have a contract and would bind us to a license agreement. This would also have implications on what you’d expect from me, based on what you are accustomed with when you buy regular commercial products. So distributing TrailRunner as a ShareWare would require me to give you some contractual guarantees, which I can't. So I am not trying to play the big guy where I am small.
For all these reasons, TrailRunner is donation-ware (wikipedia explanation) or support-me-if-you-like-ware, even with a fixed amount. I think the amount for the token of esteem is really worth it. But if it's too much for you, just continue to use TrailRunner as there is no functional limitation for unregistered users.
That's my point of view regarding fairness. If you find this unfair, please drop me a line.
What's the difference between a route and a workout?
22/03/09 22:43 Filed in: Conceptual
Problem: You have used other applications that import tracks and these never use vocabulary like route and workout. Why is TrailRunner not using the same terms? And by the way, what is the difference between a track, a route and a workout?
Background: TrailRunner is more or less two applications in one: on the one hand a route planning application managing a personal network of tracks and on the other hand a journal for your sport activities. For your better understanding, please read the following article:
> Differences between a track, a route and a workout
Background: TrailRunner is more or less two applications in one: on the one hand a route planning application managing a personal network of tracks and on the other hand a journal for your sport activities. For your better understanding, please read the following article:
> Differences between a track, a route and a workout
Existe-t-il un tutoriel en français?
01/03/09 18:49 Filed in: Conceptual
Non, mais essayez la traduction automatique:
QuickGuide Introduction courte.
Utilisez TrailRunner avec Nike+iPod.
Utilisez TrailRunner avec ForeRunner.
> Tutoriel en anglais
Mise à jour: Jean-Daniel a écrit un cours d'instruction au sujet d'utiliser TrailRunner avec un ForeRunner:
> Garmin : les suites d'une intégration Mac OS
QuickGuide Introduction courte.
Utilisez TrailRunner avec Nike+iPod.
Utilisez TrailRunner avec ForeRunner.
> Tutoriel en anglais
Mise à jour: Jean-Daniel a écrit un cours d'instruction au sujet d'utiliser TrailRunner avec un ForeRunner:
> Garmin : les suites d'une intégration Mac OS
Garmin Training Center shows a different distance as TrailRunner does
30/01/09 16:16 Filed in: Import
Problem: The ForeRunner device displays a distance for a workout. Garmin Training Center displays the same distance but TrailRunner displays a different distance.
Background: Your ForeRunner records geographical data points during the workout. At the same time your ForeRunner internally sums up the distance for the workout. It could sometimes happen that if you sum up the distances between each data points the result will be different to what the ForeRunner has summed up during the workout.
Reason: If you have intelligent recording enabled on your ForeRunner and the GPS signal quality isn't too good, the device will alter the recorded geographical course after it knows better. Problem is that at the same time the overall distance should also be adjusted, which is not the case.
Status: TrailRunner takes only the geographical information from the workout and takes this as the base. If your ForeRunner has internally stored a different distance, TrailRunner assumes this as an error in the ForeRunner device as it delivers contradictory information.
Background: Your ForeRunner records geographical data points during the workout. At the same time your ForeRunner internally sums up the distance for the workout. It could sometimes happen that if you sum up the distances between each data points the result will be different to what the ForeRunner has summed up during the workout.
Reason: If you have intelligent recording enabled on your ForeRunner and the GPS signal quality isn't too good, the device will alter the recorded geographical course after it knows better. Problem is that at the same time the overall distance should also be adjusted, which is not the case.
Status: TrailRunner takes only the geographical information from the workout and takes this as the base. If your ForeRunner has internally stored a different distance, TrailRunner assumes this as an error in the ForeRunner device as it delivers contradictory information.
Why is map loading so slow or blurred?
29/01/09 22:42 Filed in: Technology
Problem: Maps somtimes load very slow. Other applications like Google Earth load the maps much faster.
Reason: TrailRunner loads maps from internet services that provide free maps. If the loading process is slow, the map service is slow and TrailRunner can't get anything faster. Another reason are "fair use" agreements for commercial web services. This means that as long as you get maps in a fair amount and frequency, the commercial service won't put you on a black-list. For that reason TrailRunner throttles the keyhole imagery service.
Solution: TrailRunner caches maps. If you have once loaded map fragments from a service, it's unlikely you will need to load the same fragments again. The longer you use TrailRunner, the faster it will become.
Tip: In case the map material on the web service was updated, as it is frequently the case with openstreetmap.org, you can use the File > Consolidate > Reload background maps command to reload what’s currently visible or you can remove the GeoTiles folder in your Application Support/TrailRunner folder.
Reason: TrailRunner loads maps from internet services that provide free maps. If the loading process is slow, the map service is slow and TrailRunner can't get anything faster. Another reason are "fair use" agreements for commercial web services. This means that as long as you get maps in a fair amount and frequency, the commercial service won't put you on a black-list. For that reason TrailRunner throttles the keyhole imagery service.
Solution: TrailRunner caches maps. If you have once loaded map fragments from a service, it's unlikely you will need to load the same fragments again. The longer you use TrailRunner, the faster it will become.
Tip: In case the map material on the web service was updated, as it is frequently the case with openstreetmap.org, you can use the File > Consolidate > Reload background maps command to reload what’s currently visible or you can remove the GeoTiles folder in your Application Support/TrailRunner folder.
I prefer using speed units instead of pace units
28/12/08 00:22 Filed in: Conceptual
Problem: Runners prefer the unit for speed called pace, It’s minutes per kilometer or minutes per mile. Bikers and other prefer the normal unit like km/h or mph. In many location within the application TrailRunner displays the pace unit. But there you would like to see the speed unit instead.
Solution: Open the Application Preferences > General tab and change the default unit to your preferred unit.
Solution: Open the Application Preferences > General tab and change the default unit to your preferred unit.
How can I backup my files
27/12/08 12:06 Filed in: Diary
Problem: TrailRunner stores a document ending with the .trail extension but this document does not contain my diary information. How can I backup my diary?
Solution: The diary is located in your user home directory under Library/Application Support/TrailRunner. Backup your Home folder including the Library folder to get a full backup of your personal data.
Sidenote: If you want to sync your diary between several Macs, you need to set up a tool that is able to keep the two Library/Application Support/TrailRunner directories synchronized.
Solution: The diary is located in your user home directory under Library/Application Support/TrailRunner. Backup your Home folder including the Library folder to get a full backup of your personal data.
Sidenote: If you want to sync your diary between several Macs, you need to set up a tool that is able to keep the two Library/Application Support/TrailRunner directories synchronized.
What's the difference between routes, tracks and way-points?
02/10/08 09:15 Filed in: Conceptual
Tracks describe connections between two locations. Each track has a start and an end way-point where other tracks could be connected to.
Routes are a sequence of several tracks. You plan routes by adding tracks to its course. The distance of the route is the sum of the distances of all tracks consumed by the route.
Example: The route to my grandmas house is beautiful, I follow several tracks that go through woods and fields. At one way-point, two tracks are crossing where the other goes down to the valley. I have recorded the course with my GPS device for that you might try the same route one day. The recording is either a single track or a sequence of way-points. The problem with the latter is that the recording then misses any intermediate locations between two way-points. Therefore I send you the single track recording. You can import this into your TrailRunner document and merge the course with your existing tracks. TrailRunner will then split the track at locations where existing tracks overlap and at the same time update the routes course to use the resulting tracks.
Routes are a sequence of several tracks. You plan routes by adding tracks to its course. The distance of the route is the sum of the distances of all tracks consumed by the route.
Example: The route to my grandmas house is beautiful, I follow several tracks that go through woods and fields. At one way-point, two tracks are crossing where the other goes down to the valley. I have recorded the course with my GPS device for that you might try the same route one day. The recording is either a single track or a sequence of way-points. The problem with the latter is that the recording then misses any intermediate locations between two way-points. Therefore I send you the single track recording. You can import this into your TrailRunner document and merge the course with your existing tracks. TrailRunner will then split the track at locations where existing tracks overlap and at the same time update the routes course to use the resulting tracks.
Does TrailRunner support the Polar XXX monitor?
15/09/08 22:53 Filed in: Import
Problem: TrailRunner is not able to directly import Polar Workout data from the monitor.
Solution: With the helper application TrackRecord you can download workouts for some SonicLink Polar devices but Infrared is not supported. If you can manage to download HRM files with e.g. a windows emulator and Polar software you can import the file into TrailRunner. But it requires that you have worn a foot-pod during the workout as TrailRunner relies on the distance information to display a workout chart and merge the workout data with the course of a route.
> Supported Devices
Solution: With the helper application TrackRecord you can download workouts for some SonicLink Polar devices but Infrared is not supported. If you can manage to download HRM files with e.g. a windows emulator and Polar software you can import the file into TrailRunner. But it requires that you have worn a foot-pod during the workout as TrailRunner relies on the distance information to display a workout chart and merge the workout data with the course of a route.
> Supported Devices
Why do maps sometimes switch to satellite and roads?
06/09/08 15:48 Filed in: Maps
Problem: You have chosen a map source type like Terrain but when you zoom in or out the maps automatically switch to another theme.
Background: Not all map sources are available at all resolutions. So if the resolutions range for a map source is exceeded, TrailRunner will display the best logical match it can find. For high resolutions this is satellite and for low resolutions this is roads.
Note: TrailRunner displays a small warning at the bottom of the main window to inform you about the adaptive source change.
Background: Not all map sources are available at all resolutions. So if the resolutions range for a map source is exceeded, TrailRunner will display the best logical match it can find. For high resolutions this is satellite and for low resolutions this is roads.
Note: TrailRunner displays a small warning at the bottom of the main window to inform you about the adaptive source change.
How can I export my diary
24/08/08 12:04 Filed in: Diary
Problem: While Trailrunner already has some statistical graphs built in, you sometimes still want to create your own graphs like e.g "calories burnt per kilometer".
Solution: Select the diary entries in TrailRunner and use Edit > Copy to paste the data into an external spreadsheet application like NeoOffice or Excel. To select all etries in TrailRunner, use Command-A.
Tip: If you import your data into NeoOffice, follow these step to make NeoOffice use one column for each diary column.
Copy the diary entries
Open NeoOffice and select a new spreadsheet.
Press Command-P to paste the history in.
In the popup that appears, verify the Separator options - the settings should be “separated by tab".
Solution: Select the diary entries in TrailRunner and use Edit > Copy to paste the data into an external spreadsheet application like NeoOffice or Excel. To select all etries in TrailRunner, use Command-A.
Tip: If you import your data into NeoOffice, follow these step to make NeoOffice use one column for each diary column.
Copy the diary entries
Open NeoOffice and select a new spreadsheet.
Press Command-P to paste the history in.
In the popup that appears, verify the Separator options - the settings should be “separated by tab".
What's the difference between the main document window and the diary?
13/08/08 09:00 Filed in: Conceptual
Problem: I expect that when I import new workouts into the main document, the main document should behave like a journal. But on the other hand there’s the diary where I can enter additional information on workouts. Why are these two separated?
Explanation: Unlike pure journaling applications, TrailRunner has two modes. The route planning mode and the diary mode. These two modes are separated into the main window (with the primary focus on building a network of tracks to plan routes within) and the diary (with the main focus of archiving the raw data of recorded workouts). Even though seperated, TrailRunner still displays workout information for a selected route in the main window (if a related workout can be found in the diary).
Advice: When you import new workouts, make up your mind, if the workout course contains track segments you would like to add to your network of tracks. If so, use one of the merge options. If you (just) want to archive your workout in the diary, check the add diary option.
Tip: Unlike the main document, your diary is stored in a central location on your Mac. As you can have more than just one document, each of your documents could cover a different networks of tracks. For example you would like to have one document for your neighborhood and more for each location you where on holidays.
Additionaly, if you delete a route from the main document, it would not delete any workouts in the diary and vice versa. Both are a separate thing even though they might be related to each other.
Explanation: Unlike pure journaling applications, TrailRunner has two modes. The route planning mode and the diary mode. These two modes are separated into the main window (with the primary focus on building a network of tracks to plan routes within) and the diary (with the main focus of archiving the raw data of recorded workouts). Even though seperated, TrailRunner still displays workout information for a selected route in the main window (if a related workout can be found in the diary).
Advice: When you import new workouts, make up your mind, if the workout course contains track segments you would like to add to your network of tracks. If so, use one of the merge options. If you (just) want to archive your workout in the diary, check the add diary option.
Tip: Unlike the main document, your diary is stored in a central location on your Mac. As you can have more than just one document, each of your documents could cover a different networks of tracks. For example you would like to have one document for your neighborhood and more for each location you where on holidays.
Additionaly, if you delete a route from the main document, it would not delete any workouts in the diary and vice versa. Both are a separate thing even though they might be related to each other.
How can I manually publish my weblog
08/07/08 19:53 Filed in: Diary
Problem: TrailRunner can publish your weblog to either a .Mac or FTP account. Both options might not work for you.
Solution: To manually copy your weblog to another server, follow these steps:
- Press the Preview Button in the Publish pane.
Safari will open and will show you the preview.
- Remove the /weblog.html part of the url displayed in the address bar.
- Press the return key while the cursor is still in the address bar.
Finder will open a new window with the exported files.
- Manually copy these to your server.
Solution: To manually copy your weblog to another server, follow these steps:
- Press the Preview Button in the Publish pane.
Safari will open and will show you the preview.
- Remove the /weblog.html part of the url displayed in the address bar.
- Press the return key while the cursor is still in the address bar.
Finder will open a new window with the exported files.
- Manually copy these to your server.
Does TrailRunner run on Mac OS 10.4 or even on Windows XP?
23/02/08 09:19 Filed in: Technology
Sorry, TrailRunner is a pristine Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard delicacy. But if you are (yet) unsure if you should upgrade — you're not the first user switching because of TrailRunner… So feel welcome to the colorful world of Apple Computer
> Get a Mac ;-)
> Get a Mac ;-)
How can I adjust the pace for a route
09/02/08 15:20 Filed in: Editor
Problem: You have a route and you only want to adjust the pace. The checkpoints should then reflect the new pace.
Solution: Select the route and open the info pane. Enter the new average speed.
Tip: The info pane also displays an arrival time. It's based on the duration (by speed and distance) and the current time. This is helpful if you want to finish a route before sunset and you need to know when you should start.
Solution: Select the route and open the info pane. Enter the new average speed.
Tip: The info pane also displays an arrival time. It's based on the duration (by speed and distance) and the current time. This is helpful if you want to finish a route before sunset and you need to know when you should start.
Why is there a discrepancy between the diary workout values and the map?
24/09/07 23:47 Filed in: Import
Problem: When you import a route. you can merge the course into the map and add a diary entry. When you choose to merge the course into the map the course of the route will be aligned to existing tracks. This means that the route will be modified and some values like elevation data or the exact course might become different to the raw data from the GPS. The diary entry instead stores the raw data. If you later compare them, they might differ slightly.
Solution: Please keep in mind that workouts are meant to be stored in the diary and not in the map. The map is the base for planning future routes and by merging route courses into the map you complete your network of tracks more and more. In the long run, workout information like heart-rate and speed isn't of any interest in the map. But in the diary, it naturally is.
Tip: If for some reason you really want to archive workouts and routes in the map, then you should import the courses in one piece and select TrailRunner > Preferences > Advanced > Store workout data in the map. This will not alter the course of a recorded route (but also will not add crossings or remove redundant tracks) and will keep the workout data persistent in the map.
Solution: Please keep in mind that workouts are meant to be stored in the diary and not in the map. The map is the base for planning future routes and by merging route courses into the map you complete your network of tracks more and more. In the long run, workout information like heart-rate and speed isn't of any interest in the map. But in the diary, it naturally is.
Tip: If for some reason you really want to archive workouts and routes in the map, then you should import the courses in one piece and select TrailRunner > Preferences > Advanced > Store workout data in the map. This will not alter the course of a recorded route (but also will not add crossings or remove redundant tracks) and will keep the workout data persistent in the map.
Mobileme Publishing is not working for me
10/09/07 00:27 Filed in: Diary
Problem: TrailRunner asks your keychain for a Mobileme authentication. The keychain itself uses your Mobileme system preferences information. If your keychain is not set up properly, TrailRunner is not able to access your .Mac account. This might be due to a problem with your keychain.
Solution: Read the following support article on how to fix any keychain problems:
> Using keychains with .Mac, troubleshooting keychain issues
Problem: You published your weblog to Mobileme, but the changes are not visible.
Solution: It might take a while until Apple has copied your new website content from your iDisk onto your webspace. Please wait a couple of minutes and then reload your webpage.
Solution: Read the following support article on how to fix any keychain problems:
> Using keychains with .Mac, troubleshooting keychain issues
Problem: You published your weblog to Mobileme, but the changes are not visible.
Solution: It might take a while until Apple has copied your new website content from your iDisk onto your webspace. Please wait a couple of minutes and then reload your webpage.
What features does the running log have?
22/11/06 22:08 Filed in: Diary
The TrailRunner diary has a chart view and customizable columns for the log entries. Read the blogpost for a feature overview.
