The Virtual Trip Tracker

By Jeremy Baumrukhttp://compsci.snc.edu/cs460/baumje

Project Description Demonstration Learning and Development Process Q & A

◦ Please save any questions you may have until the end, thank you!

Overview

My original project description was to develop a web based virtual travel planner for walkers

The following must be included:◦ Administrator sets up a pre-defined route with

tourist stops◦ A function maps a walker’s steps to miles◦ The stops contain current and dynamic

information◦ The system tracks a walker’s location graphically◦ Tracker maintains statistics about steps, miles,

avg mph, ect.

Project Definition

Learn Flash and ActionScript 3.0! Read up on how programs are developed in

Flash◦ Multiple Scenes

New timeline for each scene Large in Size

◦ One timeline – Frame names Frame names allow the use of one timeline Smaller in size = faster load time

Here Is What I Did

Old Design vs. New Design

Old

New

Started by creating a route from Green Bay to Memphis

Found a high-res image of the United States◦ Cut out the whole route◦ Created some more detailed images from a closer

viewpoint◦ Traced the route on the map using Photoshop

What I Did Continued

Created buttons that allow me to zoom in and traverse the route◦ Link to a different frame with a “zoomed” image

of the map◦ Move between frames with buttons and

ActionScript displaying the different images of the map

Created a pop-up box that would be the template for all tourist stops◦ 4 tabs – Description, Pictures, Hotels, Weather◦ Dynamic vs. Static◦ Yahoo! API

What I Did Continued

Programmatically create the ability to input user information◦ Input a name◦ Input steps taken

From these, display statistics aboutthe virtual trip◦ Steps taken today & total steps◦ Miles traveled today & total miles◦ Average steps per day◦ How many days in your trip

What I Did Continued

Allow saving of a user’s information◦ Flash is secure◦ Shared Object – Similar to a browser cookie◦ Pick and choose what I want to store◦ Ability to delete

Finally, draw a new line on the map displaying the user’s current position on the route◦ 2 coordinate arrays – zoomed out/in◦ 2 algorithms which try to accurately display

position

What I Did Continued

Zoomed Out vs. Zoomed In

None… this thing is awesome! In all seriousness though

◦ We had talked about estimating future events Next tourist stop, estimated steps or time, ect

Exceptions

Techniques used◦ Research, research, research!

Flash CS3 ActionScript 3.0 Developing in this environment

◦ Write and Test Code a small portion and test!

Design◦ Started with multiple scenes as explained earlier◦ Switched to 1 scene with 1 timeline

Methodology

Experiments used◦ The environment and motion◦ ActionScript – Button, MovieClip, Frame◦ Different Designs

Methodology Continued

I have the Virtual Trip Tracker posted on my project website◦ http://compsci.snc.edu/cs460/baumje/triptracker.h

tm

Demonstration

Research◦ ActionScript 3.0 is still very new◦ I used two main books for my research

Adobe Flash CS3 Pro Bible - Reinhardt / Dowd Essential ActionScript 3.0 – Moock

◦ Built-in Flash help as well as adobe online docs

Learning Techniques

Some CS concepts I used◦ Design

Size, Speed, Functionality◦ Use of functions◦ Keep a working version

It’s easy to screw up! Revert back

◦ Keep the algorithms simple

Computer Science Concepts

The use of a dynamic mapping system to allow the user to pick route◦ Google Maps◦ Virtual Earth

Combining another language such as Perl or JavaScript to save multiple user profiles on a server

Create a way for walkers to communicate with other walkers and interact with them◦ See their trips◦ Chat room, message board, ect

Extensions

Words for next year’s seniors◦ Don’t get overwhelmed◦ Make a plan◦ Don’t procrastinate◦ Have fun!

Advice

Thank you for listening I will entertain any questions you may have

Thank You