foliage

[ericmark]

Yes, but, again, if someone were to mis-read or mis-communicate that as 82.645 & -3.330 (just one digit incorrect), it would have become completely useless

But so is what three words, as @morqthana has shown.

 

[JohnW2]

But so is what three words, as @morqthana has shown.

Exactly - but this all started because bernard seemed to imply that postcodes were 'better' than W3W - whereas the truth is that a one-character/digit error can render any of the locator systems useless.

'Redundancy' is obviously one's friend in these situations - so to give three or more different locations is obviously much safer [two is obviously not really enough, and that would apply to bernard';s suggested W3W + postcode, since if the two indicated different locations, one would have no idea of which was correct - with 3 or more,one can exercise 'majority voting' ]

 

[Taylortwocities]

The thought of a changed/dropped/additional character is understandable in latin style alphabets. I did think that it couldn't work in countries that use scripts, eg China. etc. But I was wrong!

Is what3words available in my language?

We’re proud to say that what3words is currently available in 60 languages, with more in progress. Here’s the full list: Afrikaans (Afrikaans) Amharic ...

support.what3words.com

Fascinating. It does work too. The Chinese have built W3W into the Bordrin iV6 EV car.

 

[bernardgreen]

bernard seemed to imply that postcodes were 'better' than W3W

Post codes are more than adequate when reporting a fault and it's location to a call handler at a utility company.

There is no need for 3 metre resolution of the location of the incident.

The syntax of a post code is logical, the first three charators of the text relate directly to the area. LU3 = Luton 3

The syntax of W3W has no such relationship and requires a lookup table to decode the location

 

[JohnW2]

Post codes are more than adequate when reporting a fault and it's location to a call handler at a utility company.

It is if the fault is located in/near a building (i.e. a place to where post is delivered). However, as I suggested at the start, it's of much more limited use in other situations - e.g. in trying to define the location of a tree in the middle of a field.

There is no need for 3 metre resolution of the location of the incident.

Agreed, but some of the overhead lines (and trees) I can see from the top of my house are hundreds of metres from the nearest building with a postcode.

The syntax of a post code is logical, the first three charators of the text relate directly to the area. LU3 = Luton 3 ... The syntax of W3W has no such relationship and requires a lookup table to decode the location

True, but even if one takes the first four characters, that can refer to a pretty large area. The first four of mine are MK18 and, as you can see, that encompasses a large area, extending to borders with four other counties (and postcode areas)...

 

[SUNRAY]

Indeed 2 properties 1Km apart in the same postcode.

However if a bad W3W were included...

 

[JohnW2]

Indeed 2 properties 1Km apart in the same postcode.

Yes, but what if one is in a field in a rural area, miles from any building. How would one then ascertain a postcode, and how useful would it be even if one could find it?

 

[securespark]

And include a what 3 words location too

Ivy.on.fire?

 

[SparkyTris]

Well I attempted to inform the DNO which appears to be UK Power Networks, via their website but gave up when it seemed to be guiding me towards being "responsible" for my information (MPAN number was not optional). I guess this makes some kind of sense to avoid nuisance hoaxing, but I got the impression that they might attempt to bill for a customer callout. I was only visiting a cousin in the area at the time, and I don't want to involve him in possible charges so it now feels like Im in nosy-parker territory if I pursue it. I linked said cousin to this thread
The pole is clearly visible on a public road, the ivy has been there for years, and the linesmen must be aware of it so it must be fine. I was just curious as to what I'm missing.

regarding the W3W argument, very interesting. I was well aware of W3W and I presumed that the whole secret-sauce was indeed that the system was somewhat immune to human error & insignificant typo's.

Maybe there is someone on this forum with the DNO, the area in the photos is in the PE19 code.
T

 

[JohnW2]

Well I attempted to inform the DNO which appears to be UK Power Networks, via their website but gave up when it seemed to be guiding me towards being "responsible" for my information (MPAN number was not optional). I guess this makes some kind of sense to avoid nuisance hoaxing, but I got the impression that they might attempt to bill for a customer callout.

As you say, that's perhaps understandable for an automated system.

If you speak to a human being you could explain what you want to tell them and decline to identify yourself. If you call 105 from any phone, you should get connected to the relevant 'local' DNO. That could be a problem if your normal location (from which you phoned) was not in the same DNO area as the place (near your cousin) where you saw this issue, but I'm sure that they could direct you to the appropriate one (or pass on the information for you).

 

[jj4091]

Did their customer serices not have an e-mail address

 

[JohnW2]

Did their customer serices not have an e-mail address

Like so many companies these days, they semm to hide their e-mail addresses quite well. The nearest to contact information I can find on their website for a situation like the OP's is:

However, a bit more digging around finds these:

[email protected]
[email protected]

 

[morqthana]

Like so many companies these days, they semm to hide their e-mail addresses quite well.

Complain that you're profoundly deaf and cannot use the telephone, and not providing an email address is unlawful discrimination.

 

[SUNRAY]

Like so many companies these days, they semm to hide their e-mail addresses quite well. The nearest to contact information I can find on their website for a situation like the OP's is:
View attachment 379431

However, a bit more digging around finds these:

[email protected]
[email protected]

I'm finding it's usually the other way round where emails or other on-line means are readily available but phone numbers take ages to locate and are frequently changed.

 

[morqthana]

emails as rare as rocking-horse doodah.

Note - web forms are not email.