Windows Mobile Geocaching by Schwarttzy

[+Schwarttzy]

I would like to announce that I have begun the process of building an app to run on the Windows Mobile Phones so like the iGeocacher we too can have a visually pleasing app that works. I know I'm not the first but I want to build my own because I think I can do better. I'm using microsoft's Visual Studio 2008 and working off there Windows Mobile 6.1 Profession SDK and using the web references for Virtual Earth / Bing Map. There sure is one heck of a learning curve for this stuff, since I have no degree in Computer Programing, but this isn't the first think I coded, I completely setup, customized, and build my website http://schwarttzy.com/. The App I currently have made could be used for geocaching if you don't mind entering the Latitude and Longitude, but for now I will just list the things to do below.

 

What I have complete/have working

GPS functionality

Map images displays with some control options

pushpins at a hand entered location

Line trace between two locations

 

The To Do list-

movable map with finger swiping

Since the only way to legally to get info is to download html, I have to parse the html file for data

create log in parser

search parser

cach info parser

log cach parser (add info that you visited the geocach)

create Facebook integration

 

Features (Unique to this app)-

Filters by cache size (I'm not a fan of micro caches)

quick stop/start button (for power saving)

Facebook integration

and more as You or I think of it

 

Anyways I would like to hear your guy's thought and idea's of things to do, and if you like complain too.

 

Later,

Schwarttzy.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Schwarttzy

[+oldmower]

I would be interested in this app. I have a Samsung black jack II. I dont know who to make gps work without paying for it. Also In bright light I cant read screen. And its not waterproof. So I guess it would be ok for using on ones near paved rds and parking lots.

[+Schwarttzy]

WOW, just got the email

 

Eric,

 

Currently we are not accepting new applications for use of our API. When that changes we will announce it in our forums.

 

Just as a reminder depending on how you do it "dissect your website" may violate our terms of use.

http://www.geocaching.com/about/termsofuse.aspx

 

 

Thank you,

 

Michael

Groundspeak - The Language of Location

www.geocaching.com

www.Waymarking.com

www.Wherigo.com

 

So I'm going to have to figure out a work around, at worst I will integrate my app into a web-browser.

 

After reading the Terms Of Use I think he is referring to the "use any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means to access the Site" part which I have no intent, Also there is no mention of Creating Application on there Terms Of Use.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Schwarttzy

[Motorcycle_Mama]

You might want to check out this thread regarding Groundspeak's policy about their API.

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=164191

 

Michael was stating company policy. And that policy likely will not change anytime soon.

[+Schwarttzy]

You might want to check out this thread regarding Groundspeak's policy about their API.

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=164191

 

Michael was stating company policy. And that policy likely will not change anytime soon.

 

Thanks for that URL, I hadn't found any info on that, And Sorry Michael for my comment on how I'm disappointed.

 

With that said I and reading the Terms Of Use, the only way that is legal for me to do this is to physically download the .html on to the device and go from there.

[+Schwarttzy]

Wow so this is moving faster than I thought, I can successfully get search results, and all of a caches data, now I just got to scan the data for the information in the app.

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Wow so this is moving faster than I thought, I can successfully get search results, and all of a caches data, now I just got to scan the data for the information in the app.

 

Be careful. The bolded part might run afoul of the TOS against scraping and spidering.

[+Schwarttzy]

Be careful. The bolded part might run afoul of the TOS against scraping and spidering.

 

Ya I know, I sent an email for written consent. If I get denied, I'm just not going to share my program with anyone because there is no way to prove it's my app on the website and not my Web Browser, but I will be posting photo's to make everyone jealous (obviously staged non working ones).

Edited November 12, 2009 by Schwarttzy

[+StarBrand]

Be careful. The bolded part might run afoul of the TOS against scraping and spidering.

 

Ya I know, I sent an email for written consent. If I get denied, I'm just not going to share my program with anyone because there is no way to prove it's my app on the website and not my Web Browser, but I will be posting photo's to make everyone jealous (obviously staged non working ones).

Even if your just doing it for yourself - it still likely violates the TOU.

[+Schwarttzy]

YESSSS

 

Eric,

If your program has the user enter the GC code they want to look at and it downloads the information for the cache that should be ok. However, if it goes in and pulls a list from the site and then grabs all the caches on the list then that is automated and considered scraping. A person would great a search and then look at a cache then another one and so on. This is how it works. to pull more than the one the user wants or to pre-download them you are moving into the scraping area. Just have the person tell you the GC# they want to look at and then pull that one page from the site and its the same as a person does.

 

WOoot, so long as I don't down load a bunch of caches at once, it is legal!

 

... I wounder if that means I can download search results since I'm not actually getting the caches data.

Edited November 13, 2009 by Schwarttzy

[Keystone]

Based on your posture towards the website's terms of use, as demonstrated in your replies, I am closing your forum thread. Don't start another one on this subject without Groundspeak's permission. Thank you.