I suppose it's always a bad thing to start an article off suggesting that you're not going to be able to use this new technology I'm about to tell you about. The reason is because as of December 2007, nearly 95% of drag racers don't have cell phones that can access the Internet. With that said, let me introduce a brighter note about what's coming your way in the not to distant future as more cell phones become Internet enabled.  

If you are not already familiar with what a physical hyperlink is (also known as a hardlink) you might read this article first, but the short answer is that a physical hyperlink is sort of like a normal hyperlink between web pages only physical links start from real world objects and connect to a database via your cell phone. For example, you see a part number on an object and you enter that part number in your cell phone to return information about that object from one or more physical link databases. What you have just done with that action is pull information from the object – it's a powerful concept.

What you are going to learn here is that the same idea applies to any race component or hardware that you want to link from on your race car.

Cell phone based cheat sheet that makes you an expert on every part on your car.

One of the most obvious drag race uses for this technology is your cars electronics, but you could do this for any part or object on your car. The end result is that you want to be able to enter the part number of your electronics box into your cell phone and pull up your tune, adjustments, notes or configuration information.

Here's how you do it.

Pick some device on your car that you want to access information on from your mobile. Go to the top of this page and click on Start Here. Enter your personal notes or information about that object and your done (you could also copy and paste from the manufacturers web site).

The first step in building a link is deciding on the name or part number of the object. These numbers are most often an objects part number but you can make it what ever you want. What I do is I use the object common name or part number and then just put my initials in front of every link for my car. The reason is that if I have an ignition box with a part number of 6AL (I don't really use that one) then everyone will see my notes and info because it is so common, but if my link is ABC6al, no one will find it. This of course is only needed if you want to keep your links private. As a side note, you can tell if anyone has viewed you link because the link counter will increment one time whenever it is accessed. 

Do I have to sign up to use this service?

No. You can use the service right now on either end without signing up. This web site is one of several possible front ends that load your information into the link database and it is completely open to use. The other end of the service is the output or database side you access from your cell phone and you are free to use it also without any registration what so ever.

How do I pull this info up on my cell phone?

The first time you use the service you will need to manually type in hardlink.mobi in your cell phones browser and add it to your favorites. From that point on you can access it with a single click. Once your phone loads the portal page, just enter the part number from anyplace in the world. One of my favorites is Q147, which is the old Sox's and Martin car – very cool. Which, by the way, brings up another use, you can link your NHRA number. I believe it's safe to say that we now have more NHRA / IHRA and NMCA car numbers linked than any other linking site in the world. This allows fans that are seated in the stands to enter your car number in their cell phone and bring up your information, very cool trick! 

The service is free... with minor catch

There are two things you should know about the free service. One is that anyone can edit your data unless you lock it and place it in your account. There is a cost of 38 cents per year to lock a hardlink where only you can edit it. Obviously, if you do want others to be able to edit and contribute to your link than don't lock it.

The second is that advertisements may appear at the bottom of your link, that is unless you have locked it then only your ads (if you want to advertise something) can be seen in the footer.

Do I need to load any special software?

No. BUILDhardlink.com is a text-based linking system, meaning that it does not use barcode scanning technologhy, such as QR Code. Text based linking systems allow you to do in minutes what would otherwise take hours as well as avoid the logistical limitations of scanning objects that are far away. You will not need a camera on your phone, you do not need to load any reader software and you do not have to create a mobi web page for your link - all of which are required to use QR Code. However, both text-based and barcode based hardlinking solutions require that your cell phone is Internet enabled.

.
Try it

If your cell phone has Internet access, you can try the service now. Go Here and just make up a number as your link. In a few seconds you will be able to access your new link from any Internet enabled cell phone world wide. If you don't have a cell phone, use the phone simulator on this web site.

Don't hesitate to drop me a line about anything racing or physical hyperlinking. I answer all email that is not spam. Click on Contact above and use the 'Support' email address – attention John.

About:

BUILDhardlink.com is owned and operated by OracleJane LLC, which has been an innovator and provider of physical hyperlink technologies since 2005. OracleJane is also a winner of the 2008 Spigit Innovation Award for new technology innovation as well as numerous favorable mention in peer review web sites. OracleJane linking solutions are now used world wide in schools, governments and private business. For additional information please contact: