GoogleEarth GPSR Tracking - Page 2

njwashor · 06-15-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SLAZ

don't you need a constant internet connection for google earth to work in your car? If not let me know.

Not if you build a cache, although you may need to log in at GE startup...

RPM_VR4 · 06-15-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SLAZ

don't you need a constant internet connection for google earth to work in your car? If not let me know.

Short answer: Yes! Get one through your cell phone! It's cheap!

Long answer: No. GE will work fine without internet other than a startup prompt and not being able to download the images. If you can build up a 2GB cache of all the areas you travel (by panning over them at multiple zoom levels and waiting for it to download 100% while you do have a connection), then you don't really need a connection in the car.

briefnotion · 06-16-2006, 03:24 AM

Load the data into the cache memory, images and street info, before traveling by creating a directions path in Google Earth. The "From Here" and "To Here" buttons will do this. Scroll to the bottom of the turn by turn list then click "Route" and then press the play button. Scroll back up and save the entire list as a KML file and with CommTest2, open the Control panel and load that same list with the "Load Guide" button. If your computer supports audio, you should receive these directions while driving. The list can also be called from the menu system.

SLAZ · 06-16-2006, 05:58 AM

Werd... thankx guys... makes sense. Do u guys have a working copy of GE pro?

Any good FTPs?

briefnotion · 06-16-2006, 09:41 PM

A new version of CommTest2 should be available soon, perhaps tomorrow. Many bug fixes to handle invalid data and a few changed static values to allow GE4 to display the icons in proper places.

briefnotion · 06-17-2006, 02:49 PM

0.2.3.1 (June 16, 2006)
Improved the way CommTest2 holds focus. Focus is released when sub windows are active and when screen release is on. Focus is held so that menus and hot key buttons remain accessable.
Created a few routines to handle invalid data.
Created a few routines handle incomplete data sets.

(While searching the internet I found plenty of NMEA data, but most was in invalid or corrupt formats or only contained partial data sets. So I wrote a few routines to handle this. Worked out well. Even found one file that, appearantly, somebody attached a gpsr to a rocket. Nice to see GE track a device up to 90,000 m into the sky. I think its called "gpsdata_2005" if you want to google it. Remember to turn screen release off.)

CommTest2 Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

RPM_VR4 · 06-17-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SLAZ

Werd... thankx guys... makes sense. Do u guys have a working copy of GE pro?

Any good FTPs?

No, we use the free version. You don't need pro!

PURDooM · 06-17-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SLAZ

don't you need a constant internet connection for google earth to work in your car? If not let me know.

Get a i450 boost mobile phone, you have internet for $6 a month then. Check the link in my sig line.

briefnotion · 06-20-2006, 12:25 AM

Not many changes. Important additions.

0.2.4.0 (June 19, 2006)
A Few more routines to handle invalid data, including reading the NMEA valid data field.
Added a customize camera view settings to the settings panel. I realize different displays require different adjustments, esp small and odd shaped screens.
Now processing GLL sentences.

CommTest2 Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

briefnotion · 06-21-2006, 03:36 PM

0.2.5.0 (June 21, 2006)

Added a display in English or Metric system toggle.
Altitude is displayed in feet if english is enabled.
Renamed the Settings OK button to Save.
The settings and help button will now toggle the settings and help screen. Changes will not be enable if you toggle the settings button closed. You have to click Save or Apply for that.
Disabled Speed Alerts. Cruise Alert and Speed Alert have been concealed because I haven't finished them. Press C to hear what's there.

CommTest2 Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com

briefnotion · 06-23-2006, 07:22 PM

Here is a small set of progams put together to support my geocaching, and work well with CommTest2's menus. They aren't perfect but a few are rich in mini options, well, say is. Enjoy.

http://briefnotion.250free.com/OtherProgs.html

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Saybuild1005.zip - A command line or windowed text to speech app. You can add things like @time@ and @male@ to speech the time or speek switch to a male voice. (Have you tried Vista's new text to speech engine yet. Its awesome.)

Decypherbuild1001.zip -A Ever been stuck in the middle of middle of a cache adventure and not be able to decipher a 3 line hint. I have.

GasPricesEstbuild1000.zip - Gas prices are going up and you need to know how much it will cost to make the drive. GasPricesEst is a small tool to calculate the cost and round trip cost. Very simple.

briefnotion · 06-24-2006, 07:02 PM

Took CommTest2 v 0.2.5.1 out for a walk this morning. Worked beutifully. A few glitches still exist, including a com port close hang, still need to work on that, and strange phenom causing the data being read in but not proccessed. Turned out I hadn't chosen NMEA 2.1 on reconnect. Guides, quick keys, voice readout, ..., everything worked.

Except for one unexplained stain on my day. Without reason or explaination the program seized in mid sentence read. Like the GPSR just said "I give up" and 40960 bytes where written to the log and stopped at a comma. The program failed to quit after several force ends from the task manager so I just shut pulled the plug and rebooted. Blech... big ugly stain on my otherwise wonderfull day. Happy driving.

briefnotion · 06-25-2006, 03:52 PM

It occurred to me that creating menus is not intuitive. Files were included with installation but where never place where everyone could see them. That is why I did some work on the menu system. Not easy but easier than before. If a menu link is not available a window shows a template and a new text file is created. Copy the template into the new text file and make the changes.

Menus can call primarily, other programs or other menus. While driving reach over press Enter and cursor through the selection. Keep your eyes on the road by listening to the selection.

Menus can call other KML files, Google Earth Network Links, as well as other programs. The "Boost mobile? ( http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=75451 )" thread has me thinking that I could put a live geocache placemarks on screen. The link is available at their site. No more downloading before I go. This also seemed interesting "GPS coordinates of police spots (speedtraps) for North America inside ( http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gps/41873-gps-coordinates-police-spots-speedtraps-north-america-inside.html )" The Google Earth Community forums is another good resource, live weather maps and things.

CommTest2 Download Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

0.2.6.0 (June 25, 2006)
Creating new menus is now easier. If a menu is not found a blank text file, with proper names, is created and a template window is opened. Cut, paste, edit and save.
Stopped checking for a new version every time CommTest2 is started. Now settings files will stay the same on future upgrade.

0.2.5.1 (June 22, 2006)
Saving filenames with identifiers. ie - a kml file created from a log file will have log in the title.
The name of the kml is displayed on the main title bar. Google earth shouldn't open if the settings check box is unchecked.

briefnotion · 06-26-2006, 02:12 PM

Objects in the air are now displayed correctly. When playing back NMEA data from a rocket, the camera will follow.

Google Earth will not open now if you choose not to let it. Fixed that bug. Its not easy to see bugs in features not used. This was sort of a big one and should work right now.

CommTest2 Download Link: http://briefnotion.250free.com/

0.2.6.1 (June 26, 2006)
Changed text on KML Path button during setup.
Fixed an error that allowed Commtest2 to try to open GE, even though the options where turned off.
The camera view is now relative to the altitude given by the GPSR coords when path on ground is off.

briefnotion · 06-27-2006, 08:41 PM

0.2.6.2 (June 26, 2006)
The control panel will now display velocity in kilometers per hour instead knots when metric display is selected.
Cruise alerts will now announce velocity in either kilometers per hour or miles per hour instead of knots.
Cruise mute changes is now saved to settings and cruise mute is now displayed in the help screen
Corrected the help screen. Camera lock is L, not C. C is for Cruse Mute.