Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on March 30, 2010, 11:51:38 AM

Title: Fish Wizard
Post by: Rodney on March 30, 2010, 11:51:38 AM
Do you use Fish Wizard (http://www.fishwizard.com)?

If you do, please provide some feedbacks on your experience.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: cutthroat22 on March 30, 2010, 12:13:54 PM
Haven't used it since reformatting computer a month ago.

I am using windows XP with all updates and SP3 as well as fully updated Firefox browser.

First time trying it, nothing loaded.  Pressed refresh and I get the outside of the page but the actual map does not load. 

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An error occurred while processing your request.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: D.Sams on March 30, 2010, 12:15:35 PM
I used it for the first time last week and found the mapping to be quite detailed and the program relatively easy to use.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: colin6101 on March 30, 2010, 01:57:04 PM
Its a great program but the search function has never worked properly for me no matter what browser or computer I have tried it on. It has a large wealth of information in it, it can just be a frustrating program to use sometimes.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: HOOK on March 30, 2010, 02:10:07 PM
I was trying to use it a month ago but none of the lake maps or details of said lakes would show up. Gave up trying because there was some little explanation on the homepage saying there might be issues. Have not tried recently
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: cutthroat22 on March 30, 2010, 02:29:19 PM
Tried again.  It worked very well for about 5 minutes then bit the dust with the same message as the first attempt.

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An error occurred while processing your request.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: skaha on March 30, 2010, 02:44:15 PM
-seems to only want to work for a while then gets buggy.
--if planning a trip and want to do multiple searches it usually crashes.
--with government cutbacks I just see it getting worse.



--end up using private... anglers atlas which is easier to navigate and has ortho prints as well.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: Sterling C on March 30, 2010, 05:26:02 PM
I've been using it for about 5 or 6 years.

The search function used to work but now it no longer does for me. I can still look up the lakes I need to as I know exactly where to zoom in, however, it is very annoying. Also, you now seem to need to be very zoomed in on a lake before you can access information on it. It seems to be very unfriendly to the users it was designed for.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: jimmywits on March 30, 2010, 06:18:45 PM
I find it to be inconsistent and not real user friendly. I have typed in a number of lakes which are not obscure at all and it has come up saying it has no information on them.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: fishnjim on March 30, 2010, 08:32:03 PM
it works well some days and others it is a fight with my computer.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: Duffs on March 30, 2010, 10:06:16 PM
Awesome idea, but old/crappy implementation.  Considering the standards and tools available for rich internet applications, it could use some love to improve ease-of-use and support for other/newer browsers.  Of course, this implies that much of the goverment's online GIS applications need improvement.  I think Fish Wizard is just an extra layer on the general online GIS mapping tool... anyone know someone at the Ministry of Earth, Wind and Fire that can confirm this?
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: DavidD on March 31, 2010, 07:03:49 AM
Never heard about it until now... will it help me catch fish?  ;D
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on March 31, 2010, 10:52:50 AM
I am with the others its glitchy.

So Rod as I know you their is a reason for this poll. Is this information going back to them? If so I really hope they take all these comments ( from both the sites ) and make this user friendly. It sure has the ability to be a great tool for us if it was made user friendly.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: HOOK on March 31, 2010, 11:02:56 AM
the maps never load for me anymore. I just tried again and nothing :( without getting a map of the lake then you cant get any of the information on the lake which is what im after. Elevation and lake size etc. I could really care less about its stocking report LOL
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: Every Day on March 31, 2010, 11:07:58 AM
I use it a a lot especially since moving to the island.
Can't every access the maps and find it glitchy but I love the fish database.
I use it all the time to find out what species of fish are present in what streams/rivers and make my decisions based on what I see.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: eat_sleep_fish on March 31, 2010, 11:10:45 AM
Interface sucks and takes way too long.  I just get the info I need from anglersatlas
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: Rodney on March 31, 2010, 02:20:17 PM
Thanks for the feedbacks so far, most have been great. What I am looking for is specific comments on problems that you have encountered while using Fish Wizard or specific features that you really like on Fish Wizard. Please keep them coming.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 31, 2010, 02:30:56 PM
It used to work when I used IE6, then complained that my version of IE was too old when I upgraded... Dumb coders :(

Haven't really gone back since then...

Might go look again.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: DionJL on March 31, 2010, 03:55:55 PM
It used to work when I used IE6, then complained that my version of IE was too old when I upgraded... Dumb coders :(
Your first problem is you use Internet Explorer. Worst browser around.

Try this (http://www.google.com/chrome)
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: typhoon on March 31, 2010, 04:20:15 PM
Currently using IE7 and don't have these types of problems.
Occasionally when I try to use FW it is not working, and I have to try again later, but when it is functional it consistent.
Title: Re: Fish Wizard
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 31, 2010, 04:27:39 PM
Your first problem is you use Internet Explorer. Worst browser around.

Try this (http://www.google.com/chrome)
When you develop and support for 5K person company that has IE as a standard you use it in your spare time too, to know its quirks. ;)