TrailRunner is cutting of graph edges
29/01/10 18:57 Filed in: Conceptual
Problem: As depicted in the screenshot, TrailRunner sometimes cuts off parts of a chart.
Background: To analyze a workout, the most interesting part of the chart is the area your workout did spend the most time in. If your GPS signal was weak and produced a noise peak, this single error would decrease the vertical resolution of your graph and therefore would make it unusable. For this reason TrailRunner cuts off the chart for everything that lies outside of approximately 90% of your data points.
Does TrailRunner support the Polar XXX monitor?
29/01/10 18:48 Filed in: Import
Problem: TrailRunner is not able to directly import Polar Workout data from the monitor.
Solutions: Using thrid party helper applications, TrailRunner may read data files created by these application. Known solutions are:
- With 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.
- Any other application that can export GPX and TCX files from Polar devices can be used too, as TrailRunner can import these file formats.
> Supported Devices
Unsupported watches are: Polar RS300X
PS: Please let me know if you found a working solution.
Solutions: Using thrid party helper applications, TrailRunner may read data files created by these application. Known solutions are:
- With 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.
- Any other application that can export GPX and TCX files from Polar devices can be used too, as TrailRunner can import these file formats.
> Supported Devices
Unsupported watches are: Polar RS300X
PS: Please let me know if you found a working solution.
Application Data cannot be found
22/01/10 16:30 Filed in: Conceptual
Problem: After renaming the application the old application data cannot be found.
Background: TrailRunner stores your personal application data in
[yourhome]/Library/Application Support/[applicationName]
If you rename the application the application Name will point to a different folder, therefore missing your registration file and diary.
Solution: Copy all files you require into the new directory.
Background: TrailRunner stores your personal application data in
[yourhome]/Library/Application Support/[applicationName]
If you rename the application the application Name will point to a different folder, therefore missing your registration file and diary.
Solution: Copy all files you require into the new directory.
Diary: Display speed over distance instead of pace over distance
18/01/10 11:24 Filed in: Diary
Problem: Is it possible to display the average speed in km/h or mph instead of pace?
Solution: An activity is always assigned to a diary. And a diary can be of a sport type like running, biking, etc.
If you change your default diary to the sport type biking, it would affect the display for all entries within this diary.
TrailRunner > Preferences > Personal > Diaries: Select the diary and then change the type in the table Popup.
Solution: An activity is always assigned to a diary. And a diary can be of a sport type like running, biking, etc.
If you change your default diary to the sport type biking, it would affect the display for all entries within this diary.
TrailRunner > Preferences > Personal > Diaries: Select the diary and then change the type in the table Popup.
Share diary and document between different Macs
17/01/10 11:31 Filed in: Diary
Problem: You have a Mac at home and one at work. You would like to synchronize your TrailRunner diary with these two computers.
Solution: TrailRunner supports DropBox. You can put the TrailRunner documents into your dropbox and the data gets synchronized between all linked computers.
> www.dropbox.com
> Technote on how to install and use DropBox
Solution: TrailRunner supports DropBox. You can put the TrailRunner documents into your dropbox and the data gets synchronized between all linked computers.
> www.dropbox.com
> Technote on how to install and use DropBox
Why is TrailRunner donation-ware with a fixed donation amount?
15/01/10 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.
How can I backup my files
15/01/10 14:11 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 activities, workouts, routes, tracks and way-points?
15/01/10 14:11 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:
Explanation: Take a look at the TrailRunner QuickGuide. The differences are obvious after you have read it:
> QuickGuide
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:
Explanation: Take a look at the TrailRunner QuickGuide. The differences are obvious after you have read it:
> QuickGuide
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.
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.
> TrailRunner Help Book
> 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.
> TrailRunner Help Book
> 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.
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".
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.
