Going well

Wow, coming along nice now. I added the hyperlink thing, DMS to DegDec and back again conversions (a BIG one, most other sites that do GPS force you to enter one or the other – even though I store everything in DegDec, the user can enter and view either way). I also fixed a problem with photo’s not updating correctly (was getting added ok, but the name was being blanked out on update of the loc if the user didn’t update the photo), and some general clean up. It’s getting really close to “done”, at least for V1.0 of the web site.

Oh, and I also added lists. There’s two now, Columbia and the Iraqi thing. The cool thing is, the table they display in shows the name, map, loc/lat and… the picture, which is kinda neat looking.

One of the big web-things I need to do is enter and use locations. Some of the mods I’m working on now (DMS/DegDec) are related to just using the site and figuring out better ways to do things. LOTS of DB’s of locs use DMS, like the Iraqi thing, so it’s much easier to be able to enter either way. I think I’m going to finish that list up, which should help me understand what else I need to do to make the web site usable (like, if you click on a country other than “USA” have it auto-select “not-usa” in the city list, stuff like that, that makes the site nicer to use).

At this point, assuming I don’t find any major issues with the web site while using it, I’m probably going to finish entering the data and then move on to the other apps.

The first will be updating the MFC application. It was talking to the old ASP/VBScript AE site ok, so moving it to the new shouldn’t be that hard.

After that, I’ll be doing the VB sample app. And then trying to use both in the field on a laptop and wireless (If I can FIND wireless access in Columbia, damit). Enter in data, get a feel for how someone in the field would both enter data and do the loc aware stuff (finally!)

After I’m done with that, on the PocketPC and Palm.

The big question now is, when do I start publishing the web site? I could do it now, but I realize it’s important for this stuff to be there and “real” before I get users, or else I could end pissing people off and never get them back 

I think, once I’ve got a bunch more data entered, and the MFC and VB apps have tested in the field for a bit, that will be the point to do it. Probably try to hit a few GPS forums and get some interest. After I get a few people on it, I can put the Iraqi list as a article on Fark – if I phrase it right it should get posted, and that alone should drive a BUNCH of traffic to the site (maybe too much). While most will just play with the list (a good enough test in and of itself), a % will be into GPS and might start using the tech.

Anyway, I’m pretty happy with how things are moving now. I’m starting to actually get a feeling of finishing a piece FINALLY, after like 1.5 years. That’s one thing that’s been really hard on this project - that it’s just so damn big and I never feel like I’m getting anywhere (and will never finish). That gets frustrating after a while :P