Jim Regan - Site Reviews
Route 360
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The concept of Route 360 is fairly straightforward -- two people (Randy and Kim Kerr) set out from Seattle, Washington to circle the globe in a westerly direction. The reason this particular trip might be of any interest to the rest of us -- other than to fuel envy -- is that the trip is being documented with IPIX "multi-dimensional" imaging technology. (If you're familiar with QTVR, 360 degree horizontal panoramas, simply apply the same principle to every axis, and place yourself in the middle of a viewing sphere - the only thing that IPIX doesn't record is the tripod that the camera is sitting on.)
Naturally, the IPIX images require an IPIX plug-in. (There is a Java-based simulation for those who'd like a test drive, but its jerky movement doesn't do the real thing justice.) Speaking as someone generally reluctant to waste time and hard drive space on non-essential plug-ins, this one is definitely worth both - even if Route 360 is the only site that you ever need it for.
Not only is IPIX a nifty little piece of technology, but unlike too many sites that think it sufficient to simply use a new gadget, the Kerrs have done an exceptional job of choosing subject matter that takes best advantage of IPIX's capabilities. Granted, the very first image -- from a Seattle ferry on a dull day -- is less than breathtaking, but captures of such locations as the interior of a Cappadocian Church, carved from volcanic rock, a ruin in Angkor in the process of being reclaimed by trees, or even the chaos in the authors' home during packing, have an impact and an illusion of intimacy that wouldn't be possible with more conventional methods. (And, of course, the same talent that gives us the best material to justify the download time invested, also gives the sponsor a showcase that makes its product look very good.)
Also impressive -- though it may go completely unnoticed by most visitors -- is the accommodating flexibility of the site's design. (Created and hosted by the couple's other sponsor, Altrec.com -- an outdoor/adventure e-zine and online store.) As it first manifests itself, Route 360 presents two frames -- content above and a narrow navigation frame along the bottom. In this configuration, everything fits horizontally on a 640x480 browser, with just a bit of the IPIX image cut off along the bottom of the upper frame.
If you enable JavaScript, however, you can open the content frame in its own window, bring the IPIX images into full view, and navigate from a pull-down menu in the window's upper right corner. Similarly, while the 'standard' IPIX images fit snugly into a small browser window, visitors with more space can load larger copies of the files and fill a 800x600 screen.
Of course, there is more to the site's content than spherical photography. In addition to the IPIX files, pages for each region visited (the couple has made it to Greece and Turkey to date) also present a brief introduction, some conventional still images, relevant outside links and, "he said/she said" essays -- the 'travel diary' portion of the site. (All these additional features open in their own windows, so you won't have to reload an IPIX image every time you return from a sidetrack.) Other areas of the site include a Bio page, an interactive map and itinerary, and a Gear Checklist of 118 items - just in case you're curious as to what you should pack for your own nine-month circumnavigation.
My main gripe about the site? Not enough images. But as they say in showbiz, "Always leave 'em wanting more."
Route 360 can be found at http://www.altrec.com/experience/route360.
Jim Regan provides 'Today's Links' to the e-Monitor. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.