The Spirit of the Camino
For over a thousand years, the Camino has been sustained by the generosity of communities, the dedication of hospitaleros, and the mutual support among pilgrims. These values aren't just our inspiration — they're our commitment.
The Three Elements of a Good App
Its "Bones"
Bones connect and stabilize the body, just as the programming of the app and server connects and stabilizes the app. We program in the open, write not just for but with the community, and ensure that our code is accessible, understandable, and modifiable by anyone who wants to contribute.
Its Heart
The heart of an app are the data and how they are displayed. We ensure that our data is accurate, up-to-date, and presented in a way that is useful and meaningful to pilgrims. Not because we "think" so, but because we actively use the app every day, speak with hundreds of pilgrims on the Ways, and put our egos on the backburner. We don't write for us. We create for the Way.
Its "Soul"
One can not write a Camino App from the cushy comfort of a desk. The soul of the app lies in being an active part of the Camino community. Hospitaler@s know us by name and sight, and we know their needs and worries. We listen more than we speak, and when we speak, we do so by improving our app in the spirit of leaving the Camino better than we found it.
🤝 Community Over Commerce
The Camino thrives on its principles of community, generosity, and mutual support. An app should do the same. We are asking ourselves in every step if what we do helps or harms the Way.
🔓 Open and Transparent
No hidden agendas, no secret algorithms, no data harvesting. Everything we do is open to the community we serve. The source code will be available soon, the database we assemble will be made public by sharing it with the world's biggest Open GIS database, OpenStreetMap. That way, anyone benefits from the work of our volunteers.