GooPs Real-time GPS Tracking and Navigation for Google Earth -Version 2.5.13 Released

**davidhite** · 03-05-2007, 12:26 PM

Hi N1klas,

Is there anything in the .tmp file?

GooPs first copies the file to a temporary name, and then renames it to the correct name. This is to reduce the chance of Google Earth accessing the file at the same time as it is being uploaded.

Originally Posted by N1klas

I have some problems with the FTP-upload.
GooPs just uploads a .tmp-file. Not my choosen filename.
Why is that?

Hi b-o,

Google Maps doesn't support the same kml syntax that Google Earth does. For now you can just ignore the error message. I may try to fix it in a later release.

GooPs first copies the file to a temporary name "goopsftp.tmp", and then renames it to the correct name. This is to reduce the chance of Google Earth accessing the file at the same time as it is being uploaded.
goopsftp.tmp will remain if you lose your connection before GooPs can rename the file.

I don't know what the "ú¤" file is. Is there anything in it?

The updates might be getting turned off if GooPs encounters an error it can't handle, this shouldn't happen. Do the updates start again if you turn them off and back on again in the "Periodic Save" dialog?

GPSgate can be used to split the serial port so you can use multiple apps.

I believe there are some apps out there that will try to connect to any available wireless network, but I'm not familiar with any in particular.

Originally Posted by bes51659

Thanks David for help already received. I have version 1.9.3.

What I want for now, is to be able to find my car when stolen. My carputer is always on when motor is running.

I cannot read *.kml files from my ftp (like yourself) but after renaming the file I got visual on http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=http:...wing/Mulle.txt and also GE works with that file. (As you can see on the trace my reception is not perfect. The GPS sensor is rock steady on my balkony rail :-))

(Edit->The file also contains syntax errors according to google maps)

Q1 ) I have problems getting the ftp client in GooPs to write to my ftp site. I also get two additional files named: "ú¤" and "goopsftp.tmp". What files are that, and for what reason might the update be turned off?

Q2 ) I have not found any Navigation sw to my likeing yet, but when I do I need the GPS sensor to talk to GooPs and that Nav system. Is that a problem? Do I need to buy http://franson.com/gpsgate/ or alike?

Q3) Another problem probably more suited for another thread is that I do not know how to make my carputer scan for and automatically connect to free WiFi access points. And when I am not in the car neider is my phone with GPRS/3G. Maybe my car needs its own cell phone....

Thanks for great effort and support!

**bes51659** · 03-05-2007, 03:02 PM

Thanks for your reply David

Ok, I ignore error message in google maps for now.

Ok, I will probably have to buy a GPSGate when I install NAV system,

The "ú¤" is also a kml file in contents. Maybe this is due to ftp connection problem?

I now have a brand new problem that maybe is related. Or not, since I did not see it before I tried to install
- device emulator 2.0,
- emulator image for mobile 5.0
- Virtual machine network services
in order to install TomTom eventually (did not get that far)

I've deinstalled the lot now.

One more change was that I put GooPs in winXP autostart for a while. (just trying not to forget anything)

Problem is that GooPs cannot be restored. Only show in taskbar. "About test" dialogue works.

And I cannot work around it to try and save to file locally for instance. I have dechecked the "start GE". I've tried to have GE running when starting but no change.

Q) Is there a registry I can delete to get a brand new start? regedit ..... ?

I saw that you had a script/batch in an earlier post for copy onto ftp. Thought I'd try that but did not get that far. I have not seen any pattern in the ftp file transfer problem. I get one file, and then no file for over an hour.

**N1klas** · 03-05-2007, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by davidhite

Hi N1klas,

Is there anything in the .tmp file?

GooPs first copies the file to a temporary name, and then renames it to the correct name. This is to reduce the chance of Google Earth accessing the file at the same time as it is being uploaded.

Yes. If i manualy renames the file to kml it workes in google earth and so on.
No rename occurs on my FTP. Get som "unexpected end" or something. Can check my FTP-log later.

I have another problem. GooPs stops to update my location on the gps-computer sometimes and gives me "Acquiring signal" even if i have a fix.

**davidhite** · 03-07-2007, 12:36 PM

GooPs version 1.9.4 Release Notes

New Adjustable Cursor Size.
3D cursor size can now be adjusted to your preference.

Selectable AutoView Rotate perspective.
The view perspective to the cursor can now be fixed at any angle (instead of just rear).
"Free" mode allows you to set the perspective to any angle via the Google Earth navigation controls.

New PointMarker feature draws a circle of a specific radius on the ground at every point
on the track.
This can be useful for applications where coverage of a specific area/width needs to be recorded and
analyzed (e.g. field coverage or search and rescue). This feature can be very resource intensive.

Track Point compression is now selectable.
Up until now, GooPs has always compressed track points (thrown away redundant
points). GooPs now gives you the ability to keep all track points
received from the GPS (It may be helpful to turn off compression when using PointMarkers).

RotateMinimum works again.

Baud Rate can now be set to 1200

Fixed problem with FTP client filename
This was broken if the file had no directory path. It now works with no directory path.

I just released a fix for the FTP file rename problem.

I need to look into the "Acquiring signal" problem. Can you tell me any more about it? How do you get it going again?

Originally Posted by N1klas

Yes. If i manualy renames the file to kml it workes in google earth and so on.
No rename occurs on my FTP. Get som "unexpected end" or something. Can check my FTP-log later.

I have another problem. GooPs stops to update my location on the gps-computer sometimes and gives me "Acquiring signal" even if i have a fix.

**bes51659** · 03-07-2007, 06:17 PM

Hi David

I've downloaded 1.9.4

I am not sure, but the system might be working. It might just be me missunderstanding function :-)

I get a kml file when I start GooPs, but it does not get updated. Is this because I am not moving? Same behaviour if I save locally or onto ftp.

I am not sure that I've set it up correctly. Do I need to press "record"? I don't see any change. Autotrack is checked but not "autoview". (I recon that has only got to do with GE)

What is the "GooPs.trk" file that is saved locally? Do I need to care?

What about the history? There seems to be a lot of "old" data in the kml (txt) file. (see link below)

For tracking purposes the only thing I want is last trip or on-going trip with date and time, and I want it to happen automatically. And I want it to show on http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=http:...rack/Mulle.txt

Cheers, Bengt-Olof

**davidhite** · 03-07-2007, 07:23 PM

Hi B-O,

I'm not sure if it will update if you are not moving. I think it should update every 10 seconds or so even if you don't move. You can try unchecking "Compress" in the Options dialog to see if that causes more updates. You can also turn on demo mode, that will update for sure.

The GooPs.trk file is just the track data that is saved when you exit GooPs.
You don't need to press "Record" or anything else.

To get rid of the "Old" data press the "Clear Track" button on the main GooPs window.

Originally Posted by bes51659

Hi David

I've downloaded 1.9.4

I am not sure, but the system might be working. It might just be me missunderstanding function :-)

I get a kml file when I start GooPs, but it does not get updated. Is this because I am not moving? Same behaviour if I save locally or onto ftp.

I am not sure that I've set it up correctly. Do I need to press "record"? I don't see any change. Autotrack is checked but not "autoview". (I recon that has only got to do with GE)

What is the "GooPs.trk" file that is saved locally? Do I need to care?

What about the history? There seems to be a lot of "old" data in the kml (txt) file. (see link below)

For tracking purposes the only thing I want is last trip or on-going trip with date and time, and I want it to happen automatically. And I want it to show on http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=http:...rack/Mulle.txt

Cheers, Bengt-Olof

**holmanm** · 03-07-2007, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by davidhite

GooPs version 1.9.4 Release Notes

David,

Thank you for fixing the autorotate minimum and for adding the pointer size option, the default size was a little bigger than I liked. This program is absolutely awesome.

Quick note about the ftp. When I am connected to my WiFi the ftp uploads fine, but when I tether through my phone using Cingular GPRS it won't upload. I can add, replace and delete files on the ftp site using WSFTP. If you have any ideas I am open for suggestions. If not don't worry about it, remote tracking is not as important as the in-car capabilities. I had been using Delorme Street Atlas and kept hoping with each release that they would make the pointer stationary in the center of the screen and the map move around it (like my old SkyMap program used to do). I haven't even opened Street Atlas again since I started using GooPS.

One last thing. I monitor several forums about tweaking, modifying and improving the electronic gadgets that I have, and of all the people who initiate a project and allow other people to use/beta test it, you are definitely the most polite, thorough and responsive person I have ever encountered.

Thank you,
Mike H

**spaceskater** · 03-08-2007, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by holmanm

One last thing. I monitor several forums about tweaking, modifying and improving the electronic gadgets that I have, and of all the people who initiate a project and allow other people to use/beta test it, you are definitely the most polite, thorough and responsive person I have ever encountered.

I second that! I've been in this thread since day one and I am so thankful! thanks David! I have been using goops since the beginning and still do, all your hard work and updates-upgrades are VERY appreciated.

BTW I believe that the program definitely has commercial value, I believe that if you can find the right market you can get a lot back. Of course you can continue to to offer it free here in our GREAT forum

**davidhite** · 03-08-2007, 10:40 AM

Thanks for you kind comments Mike,

I would appreciate your help in getting the FTP upload to work with your GPRS setup.

I should probably add a debug option to log the ftp traffic.

Try setting the GooPs track length to zero. That will make for a much smaller update.

Try turning off the firewall for your GPRS connection.

Do you know if wsftp is using passive or active mode? GooPs uses passive mode which should work in most situations.
Does the windows ftp client work?

Originally Posted by holmanm

David,

Thank you for fixing the autorotate minimum and for adding the pointer size option, the default size was a little bigger than I liked. This program is absolutely awesome.

Quick note about the ftp. When I am connected to my WiFi the ftp uploads fine, but when I tether through my phone using Cingular GPRS it won't upload. I can add, replace and delete files on the ftp site using WSFTP. If you have any ideas I am open for suggestions. If not don't worry about it, remote tracking is not as important as the in-car capabilities. I had been using Delorme Street Atlas and kept hoping with each release that they would make the pointer stationary in the center of the screen and the map move around it (like my old SkyMap program used to do). I haven't even opened Street Atlas again since I started using GooPS.

One last thing. I monitor several forums about tweaking, modifying and improving the electronic gadgets that I have, and of all the people who initiate a project and allow other people to use/beta test it, you are definitely the most polite, thorough and responsive person I have ever encountered.

Thank you,
Mike H

**bes51659** · 03-08-2007, 06:53 PM

Hi David

Demo mode will update the file via ftp-client, so I guess that the "problem" is that the kml-file does not get updated if GPS sensor does not move. I have not put my computer in my car yet, but I expect this to be working when I do.

One request. Could GooPs be configured to clear kml file at boot when ftp'ing the first new position and not append it?

Thanks David

Related topic:
I've found an article about howto configure winXP SP2 to connect automatically to free hotspots. I've started a thread about it as my 802.11 device cannot be operated by MS network configuration sw. I want to find one that does to get that functionality.

Automatic connection to unknown Wifi net