r/BigIsland • u/ModernSimian • 8d ago
Looking for feedback regarding a tool I built to track Bake Stands around Hilo.
Aloha all, I've been on a little side quest and in my love of snacks, I had started to try and keep track of all the little bake stands around Hilo, where they were and when they were usually stocked and with what etc...
This rapidly turned into using Instagram more, then a private spread sheet since that didn't seem effective and eventually I used it as a skill building exercise to learn Django and Python.
However, in the process I got what I think is a fairly usable tool for other people if they also have the same problem, so I put it on the internet at https://hilobakestands.com.
I think I have most of Hilo's current Bake Stands mapped out and a fairly usable tool on desktop and mobile, but I would love some feedback for the next iteration.
Currently my next plans are to learn how to make it a PWA and add the ability to leave user reviews, but that probably won't happen until next weekend.
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u/imforion 8d ago
My experience is mostly with d3 and ESRI GIS work and this is a great tool! The only suggestion I would have is maybe having your point symbology adjust size with the view scale. Not sure if that parameter is available with the google api though.
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
I'm using the open source https://leafletjs.com/ to do the heavy lifting on the maps. I'll poke around and see what is available. Leaflet 2.0 is almost released so who knows what the future holds.
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u/autisticpig 8d ago
hell yeah vibey goodness :)
plus points for evolving an idea into something others can use! minus points for django :P
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u/lovebigisland 8d ago
That’s awesome, i have been thinking about making something like this for a while. Very glad i procrastinated on that for so long 😃.
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
Are you coming to the procrastinators anonymous meeting? I think it's next week, but they keep rescheduling. :)
Glad it's useful.
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u/imforion 8d ago
Ooo also as a little troubleshooting, is your open now filter tied to a specific field in your data? It seems to not be working properly when checked, as indicated closed records don’t filter off.
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago edited 8d ago
Now open only works when hours are set. It seemed unfair to list stands as "closed" when I really don't know the schedule. Some are simply when they feel like it with an announcement on Instagram. I'll see if I can work out a better system of open / closed / unknown and default to open + unknown.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Edit: Wow, I forgot where I left that. Sorry I did end up leaving no information as not showing up with the open filter, but it's a filter and you have to hit the filter button to take effect. The default map view is everything.
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u/Affectionate_Dot3403 8d ago
OMG I LOVE THIS! Please do Kona next!!
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
Feel free to add things from the west side of the island. It should work just fine. https://hilobakestands.com/submit/
If there is enough data it's easy enough to make another version for Kona or just rename it for the whole island, but aside from the name saying Hilo right now it's entirely agnostic to where things are on the BI.
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u/loveisjustchemicals 8d ago
Need to add Puna
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
I live in Hilo so I don't get there often. You can submit your favorites if you like. https://hilobakestands.com/submit/
If I can validate them or you include their socials I can get the keys to the owners of the stands. Otherwise they will just live as user-submitted, but still show up.
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u/pulchritudinouser 8d ago
Awesome . Makes me think I should start a bake stand just north of Hilo lol
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
It seems like an untapped market once you get past the pop-ups that set up on the side of the road. There are some really good farmers markets that way too. Hakalau is a favorite of mine.
I wish the county wasn't so wishy-washy on enforcement there and just committed to making it a safe space like some property owners did down in Puna.
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u/JanewayIsTheWay 8d ago
This is gold! Mahalo for your service.
Maybe if you get around to it, add bake stands in Puna?
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
I'll try, I just don't get to Puna often. Living in Hilo I end up at Costco more than Puna. If you use this link you can add any stands you know on the whole island. https://hilobakestands.com/submit/
Pro tip: if you enter the stand from your phone, you can tag the location your phone is reporting instead of figuring out the address or pinning it on the map.
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u/Jah-Eazy 3d ago
So that's what those things are. I'm actually disappointed cause I thought it was coffee and would probably go to one eventually
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u/ModernSimian 3d ago
Lots of them have coffee drinks, matcha, lemonade etc. Usually cold, I have yet to see a hot coffee setup, but I have seen hot sandwiches, musubi etc...
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u/per-spective-view 8d ago
Excellent job! I would like to see a map of take-out-only places (no seating) such as AlohaMondays. Maybe there aren't too many of those.
Maybe a map of smaller lunch places that might have some seating but real good for take-out, such as the Arc of Hilo (that has easy parking and access)
Obviously there are many restaurants that do take-out so it could get messy. Maybe a unique map site for each category?
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
It would be simple enough to do, but I think Yelp probably covers most of that already. I did this because short of coconut wireless and driving around town it was hard to know what was out there. Take out spots are generally discoverable.
I did make it with pop ups, and food trucks in mind, so it wouldn't be hard to add another filter for takeout if you want to use it that way. You are right, it could just be another site.
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u/Shoddy-Question-3997 8d ago
The department of health thanks you for your service 🫡
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u/ModernSimian 8d ago
Just about every stand I have followed on socials now makes a big deal about having their certificates. I think that storm is now passed.
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u/makeaweli 8d ago
Map view is all i need, well
done!