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