*** TECHNICAL INFO *** Maps -- All maps in this system are generated by Mapbox (www.mapbox.com) Interactive / non-static maps: Mapbox GL JS API Static Maps (thumbnails): Mapbox Static Images API Data Storage -- When a GPX/KML file is uploaded to our system, a homemade PHP script scans the file for validity, then iterates through the waypoints and track/route segments, extracting coordinates, elevation and timestamps. All data is stored in plain text in a MySQL database table. The originally uploaded file is retained, but not used again. Data Retrieval -- All trail data displayed throughout the system is extracted from MySQL database tables. I created a test to determine if it's faster to read from a database, or to re-scan the GPX/KML files each time the data is requested. MySQL won the race every time. Thumbnails -- You likely won't notice, but the thumbnails (with the green tracks) are generated using slimmed down versions of the full track. Mapbox's Static Images API has a maximum query length. First, the coordinate point array is run through a small script to delete every other array element until the array containes less than 1,000 coordinate points. Then, the array is converted to a Google Maps Encoded Polyline, then URL encoded and passed to Mapbox's Static Image API. When the image is returned, it's saved on our server. GPX File Downloads -- When a user downloads the GPX file for a trail, an internal script dynamically creates the file from the database each time the download is requested. The script builds the GPX file in compliance with the GPS Exchange Format XML schema, and adds some Wild West Jeeps stuff. *** CHANGELOG *** 08/24/2020: - Added custom dynamic GPX file generation script for downloads - Added waypoints to trail page map 08/22/2020: - New landing page, user experience and design improvements, new ratings & resources pages 04/26/2020: - Added support for uploading GPX files containing a route , rather than a track 11/14/2019: - Waypoints are now extracted and stored for use later 11/04/2019: T - elevation and timetamps are now extracted and stored for use later 11/03/2019: - All tracks are now placed into regions: Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada. Tonopah-ish is the latitudinal divider 10/28/2019: - New trail information page when a track is clicked on from the main map