Newsletter #25 - December 10, 2009

ActiveCaptain X Goes Beta


In This Issue:

- ActiveCaptain X Goes Beta
- What Are They Saying About Us?
- Stocking Stuffers



ActiveCaptain X Goes Beta
==========================================
The X Preview tab has been up for several months and the feedback we've been getting has been extremely positive. Well, now you can do more than just look. The beta version has been released on the web site. Most aspects are working except for creating and moving a marker. You can update information, add missing items, and write reviews.

Included with this new X is the ability to view and add comments to Hazards. The new yellow/orange Hazard marker is a way to indicate problem areas along waterways. It's a fantastic way to alert you to sections that you need to pay attention to. As you have experience with one of the Hazards you can leave a comment to others to give personal findings about the area. There are a few hundred markers already entered. Here are a couple to check out:

North of the Alligator River Bridge:
http://www.activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=35.9409&lon=-75.9905&t=n&z=14

Heading southbound into Beaufort, NC:
http://www.activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=34.7558&lon=-76.6728&t=n&z=14

Also note that it is easy to create a link to any marker now. Click in the marker to display its balloon. Then select More, and then Permanent link.

The X version has a redesigned user-interface based on feedback from thousands of users. Adding and updating data takes fewer clicks. Pending information is more visible. And we've added advanced search and displays functions. For example, you can now choose to display only marinas that carry diesel and to have ActiveCaptain sort them by price. To help remove clutter when there are lots of markers displayed you can choose to turn off specific local knowledge markers.

You will also notice a new map type: NOAA charts. The ActiveCaptain markers can be displayed directly on NOAA charts allowing you to better judge approaches to marinas and anchorages. Try the X version and let us know what you think. Make sure "Welcome to X beta 0.8" appears on the left side (otherwise you might need to clear your browser cache).



What Are They Saying About Us?
==========================================
We've had several articles appear about ActiveCaptain lately. Capt'n Pauley (aka, Paul Esterle) wrote a great piece in Long Island Boating World:
http://www.liboatingworld.com/archive/2009/11/LIBW/LIBW_16.pdf

For those boaters who have a passion for small boats, Paul wrote another piece about ActiveCaptain in the latest issue of Small Craft Advisor (http://www.smallcraftadvisor.com/).

PassageMaker Magazine did an in-depth interview of Jeff which appeared in their November issue. And the online magazine OceanLines, covered our video of a possible disaster in our engine room:
http://oceanlines.biz/2009/11/the-underway-engine-room-check-why-you-need-it/

Positive coverage like this helps spread the word about ActiveCaptain bringing new users who add their knowledge making the site better for all of us. If you see mention of ActiveCaptain please let us know and make sure to spread the word.



Stocking Stuffers
==========================================
As we sit in the balmy temperatures of Charleston, SC, it's hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. Coming from Maine, Christmas usually means snow and winter coats. When thinking about those gifts for your boating loved ones, make sure to remember some of the items that we introduced you to. Rescue Tape and Clamp Jackets would make the perfect stocking stuffers. If you're looking for something small and inexpensive, a few rolls of red and black Rescue Tape will be loved by any cruiser. They are a dream for doing any electrical work on a boat. And there's nothing better than a bucket of Clamp Jackets. Any engine room junky will love you for them!

Rescue Tape:
http://www.rescuetape.com/buy-rescue-tape

Clamp Jackets:
http://www.clampjacket.com/

Our list of Products We Love also includes some good ideas:
http://www.activecaptain.com/articles/misc/productsTips.php

And check out the ActiveCaptain store if you're looking for VHF radios and accessories or safety equipment:
http://www.activecaptain.com/store/index.php


After a month at the Charleston City Marina we've moved around the corner to the Charleston Maritime Center to explore the city from a different perspective. Check out our location on SPOT and don't hesitate to knock on the side of our boat if you're nearby. We continue to meet so many wonderful ActiveCaptain users and have found this to be one of the best parts of our travels. To find out what Dyna and Dylan are up to check out our blog:
http://takingpaws.blogspot.com

We hope to meet you on the water!

==================================
Karen and Jeffrey Siegel
aCappella
Castine, Maine

www.activecaptain.com
The Interactive Cruising Guidebook

2010-07-21	#35 - My Card, messaging, and more...
2010-06-29	#34 - New ActiveCaptain award...
2010-06-02	#33 - MaxSea Time Zero v1.9 Released
2010-05-18	#32 - ActiveCaptain loves the iPhone/iPad
2010-04-27	#31 - Coastal Explorer Now Available
2010-04-14	#30 - ActiveCaptain Loves Coastal Explorer
2010-03-16	#29 - ActiveCaptain Co-Ops - This is big...
2010-02-23	#28 - ActiveCaptain "X" is now live
2010-02-15	#27 - ActiveCaptain Loves MaxSea/Furuno
2010-01-19	#26 - ActiveCaptain 2010
2009-12-10	#25 - ActiveCaptain X goes beta
2009-11-17	#24 - Quick Lists
2009-10-20	#23 - A fresh look at the iPhone
2009-09-22	#22 - Are we the wave of the future?
2009-08-19	#21 - ActiveCaptain Sets Sail
2009-07-21	#20 - Rescue Tape for 150 Points
2009-07-14	#19 - ActiveCaptain Rocks!
2009-07-01	#18 - ActiveCaptain Gets a Facelift
2009-06-02	#17 - Another ActiveCaptain award!
2009-05-19	#16 - Hats off to you!
2009-05-06	#15 - Twitter, New PodCast, and more
2009-03-17	#14 - Using phones in the Bahamas
2009-03-03	#13 - The best fuel prices
2009-01-28	#12 - SAIL innovation award
2009-01-05	#11 - Power accessories article
2008-12-02	#10 - Bluetooth headsets article
2008-10-28	#9 - The next wave
2008-09-13	#8 - ActiveCaptain Mobile news
2008-06-15	#7 - Mad Mariner
2008-03-12	#6 - ActiveCaptain Mobile
2008-01-21	#5 - Inlets
2007-09-19	#4 - Boat ramps
2007-07-09	#3 - Local knowledge released
2007-04-14	#2 - Global support
2007-02-11	#1 - Anchorages released

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