“What3words”positioning system” do you find it useful ?

Pilatus

Member
Location
cotswolds
I have just spent some time on the internet trying to get the Email address for a Steve Spencer (Operations Director) for Thames Water, as I want an answer as to why they do not use "What3words". Plan B I have sent a message to "Murphys" who have a contract with Thames Water for repairing leaks I have asked if they use What3words for pinpointing water leaks,doubt whether I will hear back from them but at least I feel better for trying.:rolleyes:;)
Forgot to say I am semi retired, so I am lucky enough to sometimes have time to waste on chasing up seemingly frivolous matters as above.!!!
 
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steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I find the What3words positioning system app very useful, so just wondering what other TFF members think of it.
I reported a water leak on the side of a public road to Thames Water this morning, when I asked if they used What3words,the person said “no that’s only available to the emergency services”!!!!!, I politely said that was complete rubbish as What3words is freely available to the general public.
I really do find it hard to believe such a large utility company as Thames Water don’t use What3words, as it is just the system for giving a water leak position :banghead: :banghead::scratchhead:.

Tried with both tehe local Council and also STW, so it seems a common issue!
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I have just spent some time on the internet trying to get the Email address for a Steve Spencer (Operations Director) for Thames Water, as I want an answer as to why they do not use "What3words". Plan B I have sent a message to "Murphys" who have a contract with Thames Water for repairing leaks I have asked if they use What3words for pinpointing water leaks,doubt whether I will hear back from them but at least I feel better for trying.:rolleyes:;)
Forgot to say I am semi retired, so I am lucky enough to sometimes have time to waste on chasing up seemingly frivolous matters as above.!!!

Up and at 'em fella! There are some Windmills worth attacking...
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I was a little skeptical at first as i have always used grid references. (my Coast Guard role). However we used it to rescue a family stuck in the mud in the dark. They had no idea where they were. Infact the location they gave us was approx 2 miles from where they actually are.
A good feature of it is it will direct the emergency services right to you like a sat nav. Perfect for farming in fields and valleys etc!

I can use OS GR and in fact have a simple app on my phone for my own benefit. However, try giving a GR to emergency services or local authority.... forget it!
 

DaveGrohl

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cumbria
Although the app is very useful I get frustrated at how unintuitive it is. It's good they now have the option to take a picture but it doesn't integrate the picture with the app as far as I can tell. You have to go into the w3w album in your photo library, but lo and behold it has no location info in the details for that picture, unlike if I'd just taken a picture without opening the app. Most bafling. I'm prob doing something wrong but hence my comment about it being frustrating to use.
 

Robt

Member
Location
Suffolk
It was developed by a friend of mine uni mate. Mercedes have apparently bought a large share of it to use on their sat navs going forward (or sell it to google!) He has done very very well off the back of it! Fair play as its such a simple yet great idea
 

snarling bee

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Bedfordshire
We have a laminated sheet in all the tractors with the W3W location of all the significant gateways etc. Could be a lifesaver in an emergency.
We did pick the easiest spelling option for each location, (there is probably 16/25 squares that would be accurate enough for each)
 

Netherfield

Member
Location
West Yorkshire
I really looked into W3W when it first appeared on the scene, I honestly thought it would take over mapping, the few times I tried to make use of it I had to give up, most just weren't interested.
 

JCMaloney

Member
Location
LE9 2JG
Its a brilliant app.
A lovely farmer from these parts sends me a what3words takes me to the field gate.
Folk can record finds using it and it is embedded in the meta data of all PAS records.
And I own a small part of the company!! :) :)
 

Filthyfarmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Hertfordshire
Also have 3WordPhoto

Local PCSO in charge of fly tipping likes using this one.


 
Maybe farming folks should use it routinely for standard things and then you'd have it to hand for emergencies

Postcodes are hopeless.

Examples:

1. Load sheep at position word.word.word (a gateway) but approach from the top of the valley road so you are facing the rightway word.word.word

2. Tip lime on concrete pad at word.word.word . Note this is tipped at the end closest to the road etc etc

3. The only place a land ambulance can get to is word.word.word . The flattest point for helimed landing is word.word.word . Do not come to main farm address


You don’t even need to use that much text.

I just send one saying “gate” and immediately another saying “tip site.


It’s made my job a lot easier. I am going to get caught out one day though I’m sure. I’ll send a tip site location and since I saw it last somebody will have dug a trench!
 

DaveGrohl

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cumbria
Also have 3WordPhoto

Local PCSO in charge of fly tipping likes using this one.


No sign of this in Google Play store.
 

robs1

Member
Our buying group uses it for chemical drop off points, you supply the three words and the driver uses it to leave the chems in the correct shed, great idea works well
 

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