Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
Finding Accommodations apps Finding Accommodations apps
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree15Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 29 Jan 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: BKI, Sabah
Posts: 359
I use booking.com and Agoda for my accommodation needs.

Booking was my preferred choice as I find the reviews are more genuine but I am going to use Agoda more often now.

Contacting Booking.com customer service is a nightmare.
Each email you send will be replied by some dumbwit who does not even bother to read the email contents and just sends a standard reply. And when you reply to the email from booking they will start all over again.
So frustrating!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 29 Jan 2024
Gecko's Avatar
Slippery when wet
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Spain
Posts: 311
I stopped using Tripadvisor quite a while back. After some very bad experiences travelling in Scotland where the Tripadvisor information was just plain wrong. I learned subsequently just how important their advertising revenue is to them. There's far too many fake reviews on it and paid advertisments masquerading as independent reviews.

In addition I know first hand that Tripadvisor just don't react to complaints about their content. I had a freind who ran a restaurant and he got some awful accusations of food poisoning against his place on Tripadvisor. We tracked down the new user who posted it and it was identified as a local competitor. Tripadvisor were given all the information but did nothing and wouldn't remove the lies posted by the other person. All I'd say is there are much better options out there than Tripadvisor IMHO.
__________________
...on the road to nowhere...

Biking roads by bikers for bikers www.bestbikingroads.com
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 29 Jan 2024
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
The software automatically removes bounced email addresses. The Community lists are checked that there are valid email addresses in them. Given there are 800+ Communities that doesn't happen often. But many people report great success, and I often see excellent replies when replying to "all", and thanks too. Nothing is perfect...
"Sorry, the Community listings are currently closed
We have jast moved the entire website to a new server, and the mailing list system is completely different. So, we have a very significant rebuild of the old system to the new system, and while we expected it could take a couple or three weeks, it's taking much longer. With any luck the Community lists will be back soon.

In an emergency, write me, Grant, directly, and I can write to the Community members directly for you. Be sure to tell me which Community you want to contact - basically, roughly where / what area.

Thanks for your patience while we work through the massive task of moving and adjusting / editing 250,000 files, plus massive databases!

Grant and Susan"

How are things progressing?



PS.

Re Booking.com reviews

Try this one for size: 11 x on the same day by the same illiterate user at 10/10... Someone else left a recent review and complained about the place. Nothing was done...

https://www.booking.com/Share-WP7QPk

https://www.booking.com/Share-WP7QPk
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 30 Jan 2024
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
well if you want free accomodation find gas station that has a yard that simple
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 30 Jan 2024
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
After the initial email I've never received anything from the HU system ... and we'd be happy to put people up and/or show them some of the cool places to ride near us
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 30 Jan 2024
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris View Post
"Sorry, the Community listings are currently closed
We have jast moved the entire website to a new server, and the mailing list system is completely different. So, we have a very significant rebuild of the old system to the new system, and while we expected it could take a couple or three weeks, it's taking much longer. With any luck the Community lists will be back soon.

In an emergency, write me, Grant, directly, and I can write to the Community members directly for you. Be sure to tell me which Community you want to contact - basically, roughly where / what area.

Thanks for your patience while we work through the massive task of moving and adjusting / editing 250,000 files, plus massive databases!

Grant and Susan"

How are things progressing?

Slowly.
I need a volunteer with nothing to do to manually create 700+ communities in the new system, about 6-8 minutes each. Yes that's around 90 hours, which is why it's not yet done.
Again, write me direct to contact a Community and I'll forward.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 31 Jan 2024
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
I'd be happy to do 2-3 hours a week to help out, I have form for this sort of thing. Can it definitely not be automated?
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 31 Jan 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: BKI, Sabah
Posts: 359
Likewise, I don't mind helping out if I can be of assistance.

I will be wrapping up my Sumatra tour next week and flying back home.

Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 2 Feb 2024
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbofurball View Post
I'd be happy to do 2-3 hours a week to help out, I have form for this sort of thing. Can it definitely not be automated?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9w6vx View Post
Likewise, I don't mind helping out if I can be of assistance.

I will be wrapping up my Sumatra tour next week and flying back home.

Thanks guys! I need to look closely at that idea, but I think it might be possible - there are privacy and security considerations here. I'll get back asap in PM and here.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2 Feb 2024
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
Fair enough, my official security clearance is about 10 years out of date so the best I could do these days is sign an NDA and photograph it with my passport or something.
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 7 Feb 2024
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
After a bunch of fruitless exercises, I have come round to the conclusion that this is going to be me. It can't be done without full admin access to the server, and obviously that's a bad idea to give to anyone, especially over a long period of time. There is no way to admin the lists only, which is enormously stupid and frustrating.
Thanks for the offers of help, it's greatly appreciated. I'll keep your offers in mind for future!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 8 Feb 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Accomondation in South America
For me it often works better to talk to people, than using apps.

Google maps shows if there are villages or not.
If there is a village, I ride to the plaza that all villages has in the middle of the town. Park the bike and walk a loop around the plaza: Often there are accomondation there. Else I talk to people and ask. And I very often get help.
There are so much more than what is in apps.

In Europe I camp. Ues google maps and looking for signs.

Also the GPS has both hotels and camping sites that I can search for.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 8 Feb 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: BKI, Sabah
Posts: 359
@grant johnson,

No worries!

Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 8 Feb 2024
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 338
Grant - That's a pity, the offer stands should you ever find a way around it! Still, these days it's better to make an effort to keep people's details secured wherever possible and I'm glad you're taking that seriously
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 8 Feb 2024
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
After a bunch of fruitless exercises, I have come round to the conclusion that this is going to be me. It can't be done without full admin access to the server, and obviously that's a bad idea to give to anyone, especially over a long period of time. There is no way to admin the lists only, which is enormously stupid and frustrating.
Thanks for the offers of help, it's greatly appreciated. I'll keep your offers in mind for future!
Seems like a huge pita to migrate data from server to server.

What about starting again from scratch? Like on the Advrider tentspace thread connected to a Google (my?)maps page.

Invite, via email, previous hosts to complete their up to date details again regarding what they're "offering" (accommodation, coffee, road side assistance etc). The map will grow embrionicly. And has a fighting chance of being up to date. Case in point the Ho Chi Minh City HUBB person I contacted last winter who had moved to a different Vietnamese town more than 10 years previously!



Hence nothing to do with your server and HU hosts do the "work". A trusted volunteer/s could "man"/"woman" it with few security issues.

Humourous annecdote?: My advrider tentspace pin disappeared off the map around the time, during covid, that I edited my contribution that I insisted that anyone I helped had to show me their vaccine certificate before I would help them (because of health concerns for myself).
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Your favorite Apps for travelling and Overlanding Surfy TRAVEL Hints and Tips 6 23 Jun 2023 11:36
Which are useful apps for the road? Warthog Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 2 16 Jul 2020 22:40
phone navigation - are there any real differences between apps chilswelluk Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 2 28 Jul 2019 00:41
Tracker Apps colebatch Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 7 13 Jul 2016 19:14
The top 10 Apps for travelling overland and abroad Surfy TRAVEL Hints and Tips 20 24 Feb 2016 19:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:18.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top