Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Adding a text status line
The graphical interface for setting one's position on the Google map has a new feature: it is now possible to add a line of text which will show up in the balloon over the placement icon.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Geo-Centric Display now in Public Testing
A first version of the geo-centric display is now ready for testing by selected users: http://creativetech.inn.leedsmet.ac.uk/_Track/.
Before a user can register there, an "invitation code" is required. Please send me an email or post a comment below if you are interested in getting such a code. The current policy is to allow only a few users on the system, as things are still in motion: the database might be changed, and there can be no guarantee given that the system will always and continuously work.
In order to let a few users test the system, two databases had been merged into one, making the administration easier.
There has no documentation yet been prepared. It is hoped that the operation (logging in, setting the position) is straight-forward and self-explanatory.
One issue to remember when registring: right after registration another login page appears, which is already "pre-filled" with username and temporary password. You NEED to change the password, otherwise the login will not work.
The position can be set by moving the red icon to the desired location. A info ballon callout appears then over the new location, with a button to store this location. The user can choose to hide the position, by not checking the "show location public" box. A query to the database from the public URL will then not show the icon on the map.
Currently the system only stores the last position and does not store tracks or history.
Before a user can register there, an "invitation code" is required. Please send me an email or post a comment below if you are interested in getting such a code. The current policy is to allow only a few users on the system, as things are still in motion: the database might be changed, and there can be no guarantee given that the system will always and continuously work.
In order to let a few users test the system, two databases had been merged into one, making the administration easier.
There has no documentation yet been prepared. It is hoped that the operation (logging in, setting the position) is straight-forward and self-explanatory.
One issue to remember when registring: right after registration another login page appears, which is already "pre-filled" with username and temporary password. You NEED to change the password, otherwise the login will not work.
The position can be set by moving the red icon to the desired location. A info ballon callout appears then over the new location, with a button to store this location. The user can choose to hide the position, by not checking the "show location public" box. A query to the database from the public URL will then not show the icon on the map.
Currently the system only stores the last position and does not store tracks or history.
Past Work
At Leeds Met we have been working on geo-centric interfaces since not so long. Last summer (August 2007) we have developed a small software tool for adding EXIF location data into a JPG image ("geo-tagging"). There are a few issues with this software, and it is due for some maintenance.
Further, we have set up a web site during the 2008 Carnegie Great Student Run here in Leeds to track the position of a few runners live through their mobile phones. Based on this project, we are extending the functionality to improve performance and enable the development of more complex applications.
Further, we have set up a web site during the 2008 Carnegie Great Student Run here in Leeds to track the position of a few runners live through their mobile phones. Based on this project, we are extending the functionality to improve performance and enable the development of more complex applications.
Start of this Blog
This blog was set up for documenting the Leeds Met efforts in developing applications with geo-centric interfaces.
A geo-centric interface provides the user with the means of using location as a context for information. Often such interfaces are based on maps, but also could employ other means.
While the basic functionality of such interfaces, namely navigation and location-based search, is becoming "mainstream", there are many disciplines which are not yet benefiting from the possibilities such interfaces offer.
At the Leeds Met Centre for Creative Technology, we are working towards the development of applications in various domains which utilise the power of such geocentric interfaces. In this blog, we will document the progress, post new ideas, and report achievements.
A geo-centric interface provides the user with the means of using location as a context for information. Often such interfaces are based on maps, but also could employ other means.
While the basic functionality of such interfaces, namely navigation and location-based search, is becoming "mainstream", there are many disciplines which are not yet benefiting from the possibilities such interfaces offer.
At the Leeds Met Centre for Creative Technology, we are working towards the development of applications in various domains which utilise the power of such geocentric interfaces. In this blog, we will document the progress, post new ideas, and report achievements.
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