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This free app (no download is required; simply type the address in your smart phone, tablet, or laptop browser) is a great resource for a wealth of information about Ocracoke. (In the spirit of full disclosure, this web app was designed and produced by my son, Stefen Howard, so I admit that I am a tad biased.)
Ocracoke Navigator is a thorough introduction to Ocracoke for first-timers, a handy resource for frequent visitors, and a comprehensive guide to nearly every aspect of Ocracoke Island.
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Ocracoke Navigator includes:
- Two Audio Walking Tours (Around Creek & Down Point, with 21 stops, covering 25 points of interest)
- Interactive Google maps that are categorized, filterable, and searchable
- A listing for every gift shop, gallery & store
- A listing for every point-of-interest
- Ocracoke Island history
- Vintage island photos
- Kayak tour map
- Public service information
- Beach access information
- Ferry information
- And much more, including Arts, Dining, Lodging, and Recreation!
Take a look at Ocracoke Navigator today...and check back often. More information (about local businesses and island history) is being added regularly.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter relates the story of the prohibition-era rum runner Messenger of Peace that brought much pleasure to the residents of Portsmouth. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news062115.htm.
It is a great site. I've enjoyed perusing it. During our recent two week visit to the island I had wanted to use the recorded walking tours. However, I don't have a smart phone. Any chance the app will ever have a downloadable version so we could use a tablet or similar device?
ReplyDeleteOcracoke Navigator works equally well on laptops, tablets, or smart phones. Simply type www.ocracokenavigator.com into your browser address bar...and voila! there you have it. No need to download anything. It works just like any web site. On a smart phone you can add a shortcut icon for quick and easy access (details for adding icons vary for different phones).
DeleteI understand that, but it wouldn't be useable without internet access, therefore the tour wouldn't work without a smartphone, or wireless internet of some kind. That's why I asked about the downloadable files. It would be nice to listen to the actual tour when you were on the street doing the tour. Just a thought... :)
DeleteThanks for the clarification. I will ask Stefen if he has any plans to offer the audio tours as downloadable files.
DeleteThanks for asking him...either way it's a great resource. Have a great day!
DeleteIs the reader asking about a pod cast?? could the audio tour be a pod cast format. Pod cast formats are very popular as the content is listened to at the convenience of the listener-- perhaps the pod cast is the way to go?? hope this helps
DeleteThanks for the feedback! We have decided to make the audio files for the tours downloadable so users without cell-enabled devices can also enjoy them. If you want the images and text as you take the tour, you could load the page for each stop into separate browser tabs and cycle through the gallery images before you leave wi-fi. Just make sure you do it in a browser such as Chrome that will keep the page loaded. Some of the default browsers on devices won't do that. We will make an announcement when the files are available.
DeleteA native app as you describe was one of the options we explored when we were designing this, but we decided to go with a web-based version. But, who knows, maybe in the future...
The mp3 files for the tour are now available for download so you can take the tour on a device without cell service. here is the link:
Deletehttps://www.ocracokenavigator.com/audio-tours-download/
Philip...first of all, Thank You for keeping us "summer visitors" up to date on Ocracoke. Myself and family enjoy visiting your site on a regular basis. Do you happen to know anything about why the local Ocracoke webcams have been off line for several months? I have located several sites that are to "connect" to Oracoke, all show of the show numerous locations on the O.B.s, but none of them have working sites fro Ocracoke. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Thanks for reading our Journal regularly. I do not know anything about the web cams. Maybe another one of our readers does.
DeleteI don't think you are the least bit biased, Philip.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great app.
I will be using it often, so I put it in my bookmarks.
Congratulations to your talented son.
For a current web cam view, type http://www.ocracokevillage.com/Web-Cams.html you should get the web cam view from Ocracoke Harbor Inn. It sometimes may take a few seconds to show up but it has been working for me. I just tried it. (I have it bookmarked!) Philip, thank you for all your wonderful stories and information. Your blog helps to brighten up my day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for info. I tried, my web security will not let it run,
DeleteWhat a wonderful resource! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time and effort to build it.
ReplyDeleteI have been listening to the audio tour even though I am no wheres near OI. Anyway, the mention of Draft horses used by the USLSS to haul all the life saving apparatus to shore to employ .... Draft Horses I say!! Have you done a post about these beasts of burden but for the draft horse pulling the equipment out of storage .... any photos of the draft horses Digby the dog Horse feathers !!I want to hear of the heroic draft horses!!!
ReplyDeleteI will put USLSS draft horses on my mental list of subjects to research. If I gather enough information, I will write a blog post about them.
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