Ok, well all know about GPS tracking and we all want it (ok, I know not EVERYONE), but it seems like every time someone brings out a system, it lasts for a few months and they disappear and/or just quit supporting the project. So with all the frustration gathering, I took it upon my self in probably my first really big coding project and came up with my own GPS Tracking system, utilizing a client and server. The application is configurable and the web pages are secured with logins required. To receive a GPS tracking account
all that is required is that you register with [W3bTracker.com](FREE) and request the service. Make sure you read the FAQ HERE.
The server will be here: W3bTracker - GPS tracking w/ Google Maps.
The demo/sample page is here: W3bTracker
IF YOU'RE USING ROAD RUNNER, CHECK OUT THIS THREAD
EULA - Download HERE - If you're a business for profit or not, or individual for profit, no matter how you pull it... READ!
SUPPORT THIS FREE SERVICE AND SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION HERE 8) THANKS
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FEATURES
Online - Realtime Tracking provided internet access is available.
Offline Data Logging/Tracking for those without internet access, you just upload the log once you do.
Server Side boasts Google Maps with pinpoint markers and info boxes with relevant information (time/date/speed/altitude/etc).
Ability to set guest mode on your account so others may view your routes.
Add your own permanent points to the map.
Use our server as your
mologogo tracking server, with the same features as for the W3bTracker client.
Set your speed parameters in the client, MPH - KPH, the correct speed is uploaded to the server.
AutoStart DataLogging and/or LiveGPSTracking
Backup Current Tracking Logs / Upload Current Logs.
View points for selected dates.
AutoCaching while LiveGPSTracking upon loss of Internet Connection. Uploads cached data upon reconnection.
Local Traffic Overlay if available for your area.
Load KML Overlays onto your map.
Local Traffic Overlay if available for your area.
Set a "Home Location" that your map will autocenter on.
And more to come...
Track your stolen car, let family members and friends follow your route or track your vacation route / roadtrip.
If you're in an Armed Service, use the "Place Perm Mark" feature to let your family know where you're at all the time and update it as you move around.
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The Client - Version 2.2.0.0
LINK
Configure your client
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[1] When first running the program it will ask you for the GPS COMM Port you wish to use. Enter a valid port.
[2] Run the client and enter your User ID (UID), your Username
[3] From the MENU, Set your frequency for Uploading of Data for LiveGPS Tracking (you must have an internet connection) or for Saving Data to the GPSTrackingLog.txt file for Offline Tracking. You may upload later once you have a connection. Set whether or not you want the program to start tracking and/or logging on program start. Set your COMM Port if you'd like to change it. Set the speed type you would like to use. MPH or KPH. Set MINIMIZE on start if you'd like the program to start minimized.
[4] Read the content of the config.ini file... kinda like a README in there.
Point the client to:
Code:
http://w3btracker.com/tracker.php
As of version 2.1.0.4 point the client to:
Code:
http://w3btracker.com/tracker.php
!!!!--------------------[ HOW DO I GET AN ACCOUNT? ]--------------------!!!!
- Register with GoogleMaps and get a Gmap API KEY - HERE. Your website url to give GoogleMaps will be:
http://w3btracker.com
- Register with W3bTracker.com. Include the Gmap API KEY you received from GoogleMaps.
- Once registered, send a message to the staff of W3bTracker.com to requesting a W3bTracker User ID (UID).
- You will NOT be able to view your route until you have a valid UID.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.2.0.0 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
August 12, 2007
2.2.0.0 has been uploaded.
Re-Wrote the program and as the beta testers have said, this is much better. Give it a go and let me know. It is missing the skinning feature, but it will be added back soon. It connects much better, processes more sentences faster with much less cpu usage, etc.
Cheers.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.9 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
July 30, 2007
2.1.0.9 has been uploaded.
Made a change to the GPS Sentence Parsing code, this has resolved the issues some where having not getting any data into the program at all. Also added was the Sats In View, if there are no Connected Sats shown.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.7 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
July 15, 2007
2.1.0.7 has been uploaded.
Ability to upload log to server, from the website, has now been added. A change in the datalog code was required, so this only works with the version 2.1.0.7 and newer of W3bTracker.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.6 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
July 13, 2007
2.1.0.6 has been uploaded.
Auto-Caching while LiveGPSTracking upon loss of Internet Connection. Uploads cached data upon reconnection.
new config.ini file setting: pingimage=http://news.google.com/images/cleardot.gif
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.5 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
July 12, 2007
2.1.0.5 has been uploaded.
Changed the date/time usage/format.
Server changes include a calendar to pick dates of which to view points.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.4 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
2.1.0.4 Has been uploaded.
Using this version, your SERVER URL is
Code:
http://w3btracker.com/tracker.php
The errors mentioned above should be fixed, and the data transmission to the server should be faster and more reliable.
Do NOT use the new tracker url for older versions, or vice versa. IT WON'T work. Nuf Said. lol.
Enjoy and always... let me know how it works, good or bad.
Cheers, and Happy 4th.
Now off to bed I go. I'm working tonight too...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.1 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Added Skinning Capabilities and made a few tweaks.
Setting in the config.ini file to control the visibility of the Title Bar and Menu Bar. Several skins included and you can create your own. Very simple design, but it should merge better into frontends than an ugly windows format.
Also adding the ability to upload previously saved data logs to the server, instead of being able to just upload the current one.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- VERSION 2.1.0.0 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Download here. 1 JULY 2007 12:09 EST
Version 2.1.0.0 - A complete rewrite of the program for the most part.
I'll be updating screenshots in the first post soon. Let me know of any errors you encounter.
NOTICE!!! The config file and the program name have changed.
It's now W3bTracker.exe and config.ini
Most settings are set from the program, the only one that isn't is your baud rate which is set in the ini file. The default is 4800 which is normal, but some newer receivers use 9600. If this is the case with yours, just make the change.
The latest XPort3 is included in the archive as well.
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More Updates, March 9, 2007
Releasing the client to the GP.
Please read the README.TXT included before starting out.
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Version 1.1
Made a small change to the code, and added a
graphic display for connected/disconnected status to the GPS receiver.
Same download link as before - above.
The website has also gone through a slight makeover.
Enjoy
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VERSION 1.2
Added the SAVE GPS DATA TO LOG feature. This requires an additional line in the config file, so please note the change, or just overwrite your old one and update the new one. The STOP TRACKING button with stop both the GPS Tracking and Upload, and the GPS DATA TO LOG function. The AutoStart feature is separate for each Data Upload and GPS Logging.
The GPS DATA TO LOG feature is saved locally for upload to the server at a later time. This is for those without an internet connection. I haven't added the upload feature yet, so please bear with me on that point. It'll be coming
Cheers...
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VERSION 1.3
I realized I forgot to add the status change for the normal web tracking, so that's in there now. I'm still working on the manual upload for saved data logs. Stay tuned.
Later... (I'm going to watch the 300 at noon and I need some zzzss before then. Up for 40 hours when I went to sleep yesterday and now I've been up for about 14 or so.. lol catch yall on da flip side...)
VERSION 1.4 IS UP NOW
Changed the way data was logged for offline tracking. I basically already have everything setup for submitting the offline data, just have to finish a few other things.
VERSION 1.5 IS NOW UP
Fixed the connection status indicator, should be more accurate. Added a second EXE to the download archive. It reads info from the main program's ini file, so keep them together. This EXE will let you upload the saved data log for uploading at a later time. I'm going to start on a rewrite of the program to join everything together and organize the code a bit... let me know of what other issues we're having so we can get them worked out. Cheers...
UPDATE: 12 MARCH 2007 4:40AM EST
Ok, since most people were having issues with the last version which used the MSComm.OCX file, I've used the NETComm.OCX file for this version. If you don't already have it, you'll need to install it. I might just create an installer if this actually works for you all, that way you won't need to worry with installing files or anything. Anywho, this has the rebuilt GUI, added functions/features, etc. Like the offline data log save, upload later feature. You can also backup current copies of the log if desired. So I guess this is version 1.7. Please let me know if this does/doesn't work for you. Like the last, this works for me and all the systems I've tried it on, but we all have different setups... so yeah, let me know.
Cheers, The W3bMa5t3r
The Server Side - Viewing your route
VERSION 1.8
Ok, I've uploaded 1.8 (Still using the NetComm Wrapper for Mscomm). It seems the sentences coming from the receiver and from Xport vary a bit, so in making it work with Xport... I've crippled the ability to read straight from the receiver. I know most of us are using a splitter anyways, so this might not be a big issue, but I will try to make it compatible to using both. Let me know if this actually does work for you now. I've included the latest Xport3 with the program, along with the NetComm installer.
Version 2.0.0.4 Is Available!!!
I've uploaded version 2.0.0.4 You should have sats info when Logging, as well as when Tracking. The NMEA sentence processing seems to be working better, but I'll let you all be the judge of that.
Let me know of what other issues you encounter so I can try to tackle them.
Still using the NetComm OCX and Xport.
Thanks to LostReception with helping me out on this
Speed fixed and Upload / Save to log starts automatically before waiting for the specified amount of time.