tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65029018610437862222023-11-16T09:31:19.573-08:00Nomad ElectronicsJay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-2057262804562472222012-02-10T22:44:00.001-08:002012-02-10T22:44:04.961-08:00Google Video Chat disables other capture applications<p>Since I recently stumbled back into video capture work for a client, I thought I should bring to light an annoyance with Google Video Chat that caused several moments of consternation.</p> <p>Google Video Chat installs fake Direct Show video capture drivers (Google Camera Adapter 0 and Google Camera Adapter 1). Although these drivers are registered with DirectShow as functioning capture devices in the category <b>CLSID_VideoInputDeviceCategory </b>they are in fact not available to applications other than Google Video Chat and return errors when they are instantiated using normal DirectShow conventions. Since many programs (including the one I’m in the process of writing!) weren't written to handle the case of a registered , but non-functioning capture device, they fail in various ways, not to mention the general confusion of having a bunch of non-functioning entries in device selection lists within the program.</p> <p>Since this problem has been known for over a year now but has not been corrected, should one assume that we are witnessing an attempt by Google to undermine the functionality of alternative video capture applications for their own benefit? Evil or not evil, you decide!</p> <p>The simple fix which would be trivial for Google to implement is to not register the Google Camera Adapter in the <strong>CLSID_VideoInputDeviceCategory </strong>category.</p> <p>References:</p> <p>DirectShow App Mess: Google Video Chat vs. Skype <br /><a href="http://alax.info/blog/1233#more-1233"><u>http://alax.info/blog/1233#more-1233</u></a></p> <p>Hardware/Software issues <br /><a href="http://luizgustavo.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/hardware-and-software-issues/"><u>http://luizgustavo.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/hardware-and-software-issues/</u></a></p> <p>Google camera adapter causing problems with other programs <br /><a href="https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!searchin/chat/%22google$20camera$20adapter%22/chat/MygYu9bo_hw/xfCcgy1p2zMJ"><u>https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!searchin/chat/%22google$20camera$20adapter%22/chat/MygYu9bo_hw/xfCcgy1p2zMJ</u></a></p> <p>GOOGLE CHAT CAMERA BLOCKS MY REGULAR CAMERA <br /><a href="https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!searchin/chat/"google$20camera$20adapter"/chat/mIXdZWBGOKw/oewf2rIZ1TQJ"><u>https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!searchin/chat/"google$20camera$20adapter"/chat/mIXdZWBGOKw/oewf2rIZ1TQJ</u></a></p> <p>Google Camera Adapter shows up as a source when it is not <br /><a href="http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/Development/microsoft.public.win32.programmer.directx.video/2009-10/msg00026.html"><u>http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/Development/microsoft.public.win32.programmer.directx.video/2009-10/msg00026.html</u></a></p> <p>How to uninstall "Google Camera Adapter 0" and "Google Camera Adapter 1"? <br /><a href="https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!searchin/chat/%22google$20camera$20adapter%22/chat/5C-JcQjQA7Y/TcHusD0iX3sJ"><u>https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!searchin/chat/"google$20camera$20adapter"/chat/5C-JcQjQA7Y/TcHusD0iX3sJ</u></a></p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-3555556900538990292010-05-26T09:13:00.001-07:002010-05-26T09:15:10.478-07:00Problem with 800x480 resolution on the HTC HD2 (Pocket Stars PDA Version 6.1)<p>Some customers have reported a problem when running Pocket Stars PDA on the HTC HD2.  The toolbar at the bottom of the screen is displayed with the wrong height and buttons at the right edge are cut off.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUT2obUNzlHj24PO3ol4zAciLA2zr72rBIPgHJ2hqkkQKvDtGX6gzUs5-UP7ofvkUdJ-C4RqTn8R2kFJii-wugZ-L8V2MwIkE8DAmSYfUHeSTKlVQK8YFb-ANVRZ__ag0w-ENxKHzuIt5r/s1600-h/Screen05%20(2)%5B3%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Screen05 (2)" border="0" alt="Screen05 (2)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a1R72vh1vBUTGa85X7Hbnbgt9Qukd0CtWteNWrOW-abb4-vDgb9F5iMI_BAO2eZx2nYH1CchoeONfs2hC4EhBbIXyLjq7HtxCCuwKQ0Kv0LkH0t2YrCrxKmZmxoconjC9x9rFfSLaX-t//?imgmax=800" width="292" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>The toolbar should look like:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GELU60L4tJ0GhqYJQlqqJd8FEnYN-iBUiUoVAuJI37LQxvBjnV3cJXjbOLyXRY5n3xVSa0cFgqgcyx2d2bhIGb-rOh-c9Bo76TDC3hYF_jmpobnfiNxMrCeRbNy-Wx0uULOHah0CJs4E/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BJuCUKBkw08/S_1Ik4nZRdI/AAAAAAAAAY8/6ROzQ1nzpRg/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="292" height="47" /></a> </p> <p>Here’s what I know thus far about the problem:</p> <p>1.Pocket Stars runs fine with the WM6.5 800x480 emulator. </p> <p>2. The problem seems to only appear on certain versions of Windows Mobile.  The HD2 worked fine with WM6.0, but WM6.3 and WM6.5 exhibit the problem. </p> <p>3. On the HD2 with WM6.5 which shows the problem, LOGPIXELSX = LOGPIXELSY = 192, while SM_CYMENU = 19.  The value of 19 must be incorrect, and I'm curious what value was returned on WM6.0?</p> <p>4. It looks as though the toolbar height may be set to the value of SM_CYMENU, which has long been known to return bogus values.  See: <br /><a href="http://www.eggheadcafe.com/forumarchives/pocketpcdeveloper/oct2005/post24149231.asp">http://www.eggheadcafe.com/forumarchives/pocketpcdeveloper/oct2005/post24149231.asp</a></p> <p>5. I've verified I'm selecting the correct Toolbar resource which is created for 192 DPI.</p> <p>6. Don't know if it matters, but the toolbar has both a Menu and a listbox in addition to 6 buttons. </p> <p>7. Currently building the application  with the WM5 SDK, MFC, and VS2008.  HiRes aware.</p> <p>Since I don’t own one of these devices, I’m a bit slow figuring out the fix, but will hopefully get it resolved within a few days.</p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-31493174626317615552010-01-22T09:04:00.001-08:002010-01-22T09:04:33.434-08:00Owner Information page missing on some HTC Devices?<p>Some HTC devices such as the Touch Diamond 2 don’t display the Start >> Settings >> Owner Information page by default, giving rise to the question: “How the heck do I register Pocket Stars”.</p> <p><img src="http://pocketpc-live.com/images/2009/10/pocketpc_owner_info.png" width="237" height="316" /></p> <p> <br />Fortunately, there’s a simple solution.  Just open your contacts list:</p> <p><img title="HTC_HD2_Owner_Information_02" alt="HTC_HD2_Owner_Information_02" src="http://www.jayceooi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HTC_HD2_Owner_Information_02.png" width="480" height="148" /></p> <p>Edit the “Me” entry:</p> <p><img title="HTC_HD2_Owner_Information_03" alt="HTC_HD2_Owner_Information_03" src="http://www.jayceooi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HTC_HD2_Owner_Information_03.png" width="480" height="302" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.htc.com/sea/faqs.aspx?p_id=297&cat=90&id=119574" target="_blank">Here’s</a> the official HTC description.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And if you still want to use the old version of the Owner Information page, <a href="http://www.resco.net/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=28676" target="_blank">here</a> are some alternative methods to display the old page by either editing the registry or just by disabling TouchFlo.</p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-77111549016258768162009-11-25T06:15:00.001-08:002010-01-22T09:19:05.240-08:00Pocket Stars PDA for older devices (prior to WM 5)<p>Throughout the long history of Pocket Stars PDA, each new version has been compatible with all prior versions of the Windows Mobile operating system. Due to a change in the tools used to produce the latest versions of Pocket Stars PDA (I’m looking at you Visual Studio 2008), this level of backward compatibility has ended with the latest release of Pocket Stars PDA Version 6.0. Going forward, Pocket Stars PDA will only be updated to support Windows Mobile phones Version 5.0 and above. Confused yet?</p><p>Only use the following files if your device runs one of the following operating systems:</p><ul><li>Pocket PC 2000 </li><li>Pocket PC 2002 </li><li>Pocket PC 2003 </li></ul><p>You can look at the version of the operating system your device uses at Start.Settings.System.About.</p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Pocket Stars PDA Version 5.5.0</span></strong> for older devices</p><blockquote><p><a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/PocketStarsPDA.5.5.0/PocketStars.ppc30_arm.cab" target="_blank">PocketStars.ppc30_arm.CAB</a> (run this file directly on your PDA)
<a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/PocketStarsPDA.5.5.0/PocketStars.ppc30_arm.exe" target="_blank">PocketStars.ppc30_arm.EXE</a> (run on PC with ActiveSync connection to PDA)
<a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/PocketStarsPDA.5.5.0/PocketStarsOTA.exe" target="_blank">PocketStarsOTA.exe</a> (Over the Air, run this file directly on your PDA)</p></blockquote>Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-84313711840803347132009-04-03T13:10:00.001-07:002009-04-03T21:46:50.341-07:00Pocket Stars 5.8.0.0 Beta<p>Well it’s been a long time coming but I’m finally ready to start beta testing a new version of Pocket Stars for PC and PDA (but not SP).  While this is largely a “fit and finish” release, fixing a few longstanding bugs, and cleaning up the UI, I did add one major new feature: comets.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mm5eyCHUyDi1pgleSj_4NvStRRZWSSeqpqQ0dtrq3wKqyXm7kqcr8BIfe9UCrQ9o7oYF7Y6_yzwGVXR04-OHz4_lsCG8u3rDgZAKsn1k3WQNif91_DqikRiXxlRqIPVEQGhCvV6e1Bdx/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlqNfnipDRRFqH-Mim4IuuIzRrNeJP6vHquWdr_hPfXb7hAcB8cA82rBnR0s8qnRZvvP_q17J4W6OOSQBnKa7TE4CVBTNR0BiChYTNR_m1kSPHHTE781d2bUbsXnRfVdOCIIgxqG5eIO9//?imgmax=800" width="601" height="404" /></a> </p> <p>In 3D view, you can see the real-time Alt/Az of the comet, a section of the path, and the absolute (“M-abs”) and apparent (“M-app”) magnitudes.  Comet elements are downloaded dynamically from <a href="http://www.cfa.harvard.edu" target="_blank">Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics</a>.  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AoL3x4L6eN0h2FVmTgKQtrLVFy2RSo_QvCwBtIVITe5kLGByoiNYKmddLU2-isDX5TMJ3Z8YaBa21DmwLw0fBFg8K38Z-DV-tAHdvkDtigvv5Mu-USotE_HzeCakxePY5vpdFW5cDqmV/s1600-h/Comets%5B6%5D.gif"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Comets" border="0" alt="Comets" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVBHzTqfKQ7A80_5Fhe7Lzj32ldkuU9BNhZGau7Z8plgMHJq6W0Xc2kYIDX97Q0r8Kkk0uSK11ceKmDIsru_n8EjEBQ1HLQ_IYT7FIUgxQYdDLuDWJDJcjrQUoKorLUxi3kOzbehnwjoD//?imgmax=800" width="300" height="397" /></a> </p> <p>To display comets follow these steps:</p> <ul> <li>Download and install the beta from a link below </li> <li>On the Objects page, press the Download button next to the Comets checkbox </li> <li>Select the minimum magnitude of comets to be displayed </li> </ul> <p>I also added momentum to the chart when scrolling with a stylus and cleaned up the display somewhat.  If you do test this beta, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send feedback (<a href="mailto:jaybo@nomadelectronics.com">jaybo@nomadelectronics.com</a>) on any problems or issues you encounter. Email that everything is AOK helps too.</p> <p><strong><font size="4">Download PDA Version, Beta 5.8.0.0</font></strong></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/beta/PocketStars.ppc30_arm.cab" target="_blank">PocketStars.ppc30_arm.CAB</a>   (run this file directly on your PDA) <br /><a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/beta/PocketStars.ppc30_arm.exe" target="_blank">PocketStars.ppc30_arm.EXE</a>   (run on PC with ActiveSync connection to PDA) <br /><a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/beta/PocketStarsOTA.exe" target="_blank">PocketStarsOTA.exe</a>     (Over the Air, run this file directly on your PDA)</p> </blockquote> <p><strong><font size="4">Download PC Version, Beta 5.8.0.0</font></strong></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/beta/PocketStars.msi" target="_blank">PocketStars.msi</a> </p> </blockquote> <p><strong><font size="4">Tested using the following systems:</font></strong></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>PocketPC <br /></strong>iPaq 1910, WinCE 4.20 <br />iPaq hx4700, WinCE 5.1 <br />Sprint VX6800, WinCE 6.0</p> <p><strong>PC <br /></strong>Win2K <br />XP <br />Vista <br />Win7</p></blockquote> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-15036285623995857122008-12-20T00:06:00.001-08:002008-12-20T00:07:13.500-08:00Leap Second added 1 January 2009<p>The <strong>Earth Orientation Center of IERS</strong> has <a href="http://hpiers.obspm.fr/iers/bul/bulc/bulletinc.dat" target="_blank">announced</a> the addition of another <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_seconds" target="_blank">leap second</a> on January 1, 2009.</p> <pre><font size="1"> UTC TIME STEP
on the 1st of January 2009
A positive leap second will be introduced at the end of December 2008.
The sequence of dates of the UTC second markers will be:
2008 December 31, 23h 59m 59s
2008 December 31, 23h 59m 60s
2009 January 1, 0h 0m 0s
The difference between UTC and the International Atomic Time TAI is:
from 2006 January 1, 0h UTC, to 2009 January 1 0h UTC : UTC-TAI = - 33s
from 2009 January 1, 0h UTC, until further notice : UTC-TAI = - 34s</font>
</pre>
<p><strong>Pocket Stars </strong>has an internal table which is used to set the number of leap seconds in effect as well as a table containing the values for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeltaT" target="_blank">deltaT</a>.  Because of this change, Pocket Stars results will be off by one second until the next release is issued with the internal table updated.</p>
<p>A little used and mostly untested feature of Pocket Stars is that you can override the default, internal values of DeltaT and also of Leap Seconds.  To override the default values of deltaT, create a text file named “DeltaT”.  To override Leap Seconds, create a file named “<strong>LeapSeconds</strong>”.  Place either or both of these files in the Pocket Stars install directory in the format shown below.  Whatever you put in these files will override the default tables in Pocket Stars.    The first column is the Julian date, and the second column is either deltaT or is the value for leap seconds.  No commas or comments allowed.</p>
<h3>Custom DeltaT file example</h3>
<p><font face="Courier New" size="1">2415020.5000000 -2.7000
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2416846.5000000  3.9200
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2418672.5000000 10.3840
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2420498.5000000 17.1870
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2422324.5000000 21.4070
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2424151.5000000 23.6340
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2425977.5000000 24.0210
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2427803.5000000 23.9070
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2429629.5000000 24.3470
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2431456.5000000 26.8100
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2433282.5000000 29.0700
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2435108.5000000 30.9640
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2436934.5000000 33.1500
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2438761.5000000 35.7380
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2440587.5000000 40.1820
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2442413.5000000 45.4770
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2444239.5000000 50.5400
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2446066.5000000 54.3430
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2447892.5000000 56.8550
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2449718.5000000 60.7850
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2451544.5000000 63.83
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2453371.5000000 64.63
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">2453736.5000000 64.8547
<br />2455197.5000000 65.0</font>   </p>
<p>Here’s the equivalent data structure within Pocket Stars showing the corresponding calendar dates:</p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Courier New"><font size="1"><span class="kwrd">double</span> DeltaT[][2] = {
<br /><span class="rem">     // Julian           Year          DeltaT</span>
<br />     2415020.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1900.0000,*/</span>   -2.7000,
<br />     2416846.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1905.0000,*/</span>    3.9200,
<br />     2418672.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1910.0000,*/</span>   10.3840,
<br />     2420498.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1915.0000,*/</span>   17.1870,
<br />     2422324.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1920.0000,*/</span>   21.4070,
<br />     2424151.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1925.0000,*/</span>   23.6340,
<br />     2425977.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1930.0000,*/</span>   24.0210,
<br />     2427803.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1935.0000,*/</span>   23.9070,
<br />     2429629.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1940.0000,*/</span>   24.3470,
<br />     2431456.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1945.0000,*/</span>   26.8100,
<br />     2433282.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1950.0000,*/</span>   29.0700,
<br />     2435108.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1955.0000,*/</span>   30.9640,
<br />     2436934.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1960.0000,*/</span>   33.1500,
<br />     2438761.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1965.0000,*/</span>   35.7380,
<br />     2440587.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1970.0000,*/</span>   40.1820,
<br />     2442413.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1975.0000,*/</span>   45.4770,
<br />     2444239.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1980.0000,*/</span>   50.5400,
<br />     2446066.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1985.0000,*/</span>   54.3430,
<br />     2447892.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1990.0000,*/</span>   56.8550,
<br />     2449718.5000000, <span class="rem">/*1995.0000,*/</span>   60.7850,
<br />     2451544.5000000, <span class="rem">/*2000.0000,*/</span>   63.83,      <br />     2453371.5000000, <span class="rem">/*2005.0000,*/</span>   64.63,      <br />     2453736.5000000, <span class="rem">/*2006.0000,*/</span>   64.85478,   <br />     2455197.5000000, <span class="rem">/*2010.0000,*/</span>   65.0,       <br />};</font>
<br /></font></font></p>
<h3>Custom LeapSeconds file example</h3>
<p>with the added change for Jan 1, 2009: </p>
<p><font face="Courier New" size="1">2441317.5 10.0
<br />2441499.5 11.0
<br />2441683.5 12.0
<br />2442048.5 13.0
<br />2442413.5 14.0
<br />2442778.5 15.0
<br />2443144.5 16.0
<br />2443509.5 17.0
<br />2443874.5 18.0
<br />2444239.5 19.0
<br />2444786.5 20.0
<br />2445151.5 21.0
<br />2445516.5 22.0
<br />2446247.5 23.0
<br />2447161.5 24.0
<br />2447892.5 25.0
<br />2448257.5 26.0
<br />2448804.5 27.0
<br />2449169.5 28.0
<br />2449534.5 29.0
<br />2450083.5 30.0
<br />2450630.5 31.0
<br />2451179.5 32.0
<br />2453736.5 33.0
<br />2454832.5 34.0</font>
<br /></p>
<p>Here’s the equivalent internal table in Pocket Stars showing the dates:</p>
<p>// Leap Second table
<br /><font face="Courier New" size="1">double LeapSeconds [][2] = {
<br />    // Date                     TAI-UTC
<br /></font><font face="Courier New" size="1">    /*1972 JAN  1 */ 2441317.5,  10.0,  <br />    /*1972 JUL  1 */ 2441499.5,  11.0,
<br />    /*1973 JAN  1 */ 2441683.5,  12.0,
<br />    /*1974 JAN  1 */ 2442048.5,  13.0,
<br />    /*1975 JAN  1 */ 2442413.5,  14.0,
<br />    /*1976 JAN  1 */ 2442778.5,  15.0,
<br />    /*1977 JAN  1 */ 2443144.5,  16.0,
<br />    /*1978 JAN  1 */ 2443509.5,  17.0,
<br />    /*1979 JAN  1 */ 2443874.5,  18.0,
<br />    /*1980 JAN  1 */ 2444239.5,  19.0,
<br />    /*1981 JUL  1 */ 2444786.5,  20.0,
<br />    /*1982 JUL  1 */ 2445151.5,  21.0,
<br />    /*1983 JUL  1 */ 2445516.5,  22.0,
<br />    /*1985 JUL  1 */ 2446247.5,  23.0,
<br />    /*1988 JAN  1 */ 2447161.5,  24.0,
<br />    /*1990 JAN  1 */ 2447892.5,  25.0,
<br />    /*1991 JAN  1 */ 2448257.5,  26.0,
<br />    /*1992 JUL  1 */ 2448804.5,  27.0,
<br />    /*1993 JUL  1 */ 2449169.5,  28.0,
<br />    /*1994 JUL  1 */ 2449534.5,  29.0,
<br />    /*1996 JAN  1 */ 2450083.5,  30.0,
<br />    /*1997 JUL  1 */ 2450630.5,  31.0,
<br />    /*1999 JAN  1 */ 2451179.5,  32.0,
<br />    /*2006 JAN  1 */ 2453736.5,  33.0,          <br />    /*2009 JAN  1 */ 2454832.5,  34.0,  // to be added in the next release         <br />};</font></p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-557222996816459322008-11-18T22:03:00.001-08:002008-11-18T22:03:38.462-08:00320x320 Display Resolution Bug on Pocket Stars PDA Version 5.5.0.0<p>A number of customers have pointed out that the Pocket Stars PDA has a bug with the new 320x320 resolution devices.  The problem is caused by the introduction of a new DPI value for these displays.  An example is shown, below.  Notice that the toolbar at the bottom of the display is truncated on the right.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6B4_3N5kI6YBWgyMV-zPnEOL6kt5xiVU3pG7o26DXORCCadg1zVCg31n9DYMgVECydvgJE6hE2G6-4Vjr5vAHMKrX1wePLw4ZDulLjFPL1bXA0m30P4B_3F9kohqkeo8Sk6MOIffSGFQ/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img title="image" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DP4FcMrVbyz7qVO61ncu8Ndo3lN62WUQ7Ttfx3gbR34saTMaoNGsTKbg3QooZBcJjj9jj8681MeI7vRFo8VB-K07zXnwbK1WhOF-X2vyd6bBPrh-kc0vZOa6mHr14ZwuT9QM9vKMRa4r//?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Prior to the introduction of 320x320 displays, all PDA devices were either 96DPI or 192DPI as shown by the following table.  I’m guessing that quite a few other released programs aren’t  to happy either, dealing with a new DPI value at this late stage in the evolution of the platform.</p> <p><img title="WM6 Resolution Table" height="247" alt="WM6 Resolution Table" src="http://blogs.msdn.com/photos/melsam/images/1791094/original.aspx" width="651" /></p> <p>If you’re experiencing this problem, you can download a beta version with the problem fixed at: <a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/PDAMenuFix/PocketStars.zip">www.nomadelectronics.com/anonymous/PDAMenuFix/PocketStars.zip</a>.  Let me know if it works and I’ll get this fix into the next official release.</p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-75596269821407424072008-04-02T10:16:00.001-07:002008-04-02T10:26:42.918-07:00DeepZoom.com<p>To learn about Microsoft's new Silverlight 2.0 technology, I've set up an experimental website at <a href="http://www.deepzoom.com">www.deepzoom.com</a>.  </p> <p>Silverlight 2.0 is a cross-browser (IE/Firefox/Safari), cross-platform, and cross-device plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.  Learn more at <a title="http://silverlight.net/" href="http://silverlight.net/">http://silverlight.net/</a>.</p> <p>DeepZoom is part of Silverlight 2.0 which lets you create zoomable images of relatively huge dimension (check out this link for 16kx16k USGS Urban Area imagery of Denver: <a title="http://www.cadmaps.com/gisblog/?p=32" href="http://www.cadmaps.com/gisblog/?p=32">http://www.cadmaps.com/gisblog/?p=32</a>).   </p> <p>In the example below, I've created a set of nautical charts covering all of Puget Sound.  Scrolling, panning, and zooming give an experience similar to Google Earth or Microsoft Virtual Earth.  Even though you're accessing a huge dataset, the tiles are broken into small chunks, giving quite reasonable performance when zooming and panning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R_PBfkjP_gI/AAAAAAAAAOs/FVbTDUZbg9s/image%5B6%5D.png"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="569" alt="image" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R_PBhUjP_hI/AAAAAAAAAO0/9vNdjVDD_YY/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png" width="617" border="0" /></a></p> <p>To access the site, you'll need to install the beta of Silverlight 2.0 (4MB download), and then press F5 to refresh the browser.</p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-4024388003148075192008-01-10T15:02:00.001-08:002008-01-10T15:02:44.374-08:00Compass Correction and B-737s in the Arctic<p>I love getting notes from users containing unexpected uses for <a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com" target="_blank">Pocket Stars</a>.  Here are a couple of recent ones.</p> <h2>Compass Correction</h2> <p><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px" height="230" src="http://www.panbo.com/CapeCompass_20lr_small.jpg" width="260" align="right" /></p> <blockquote> <p><em>Hi, just a note to say thanks for Pocket Stars.</em></p> <p><em>I am a deck officer on ferries from Dover to Calais and we are still waiting for our 2008 nautical almanac, so I used Pocket Stars to calculate the azimuth of Venus this week. (We use the azimuth to do a daily check of the compass error).</em></p> <p><em>My fellow officers were impressed.  </em><em>I hope that you get some more sales.</em></p> <p><em>Regards,  </em><em>Martin</em> </p> </blockquote> <p>Here the capability of selecting <em><strong>ANY</strong></em> celestial object and then displaying the continuously updated altitude and azimuth is used for compass correction.</p> <h2>Astrocompass in the Arctic<em><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px" height="164" src="http://celestaire.com/catalog/astrocomp.jpg" width="150" align="right" /></em></h2> <blockquote> <p><em>On a separate note. I use your product for using with an astrocompass. We fly B-737s in the high arctic in the area of magnetic unreliability, the product is extremely helpful when attempting to identify a star/planet and then determining the LHA, declination for astrocompass input.</em></p> <p><em>- Captain L.S.G.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Just when you're about to throw up your hands, convinced that your life is veering out of control, somebody comes along to say your product is helping to steer 737s!</p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-91545048708549171632008-01-10T11:05:00.001-08:002008-01-10T11:06:42.222-08:00GPS Configuration Utility for Smartphones<p>Up until now, Microsoft hasn't provided a means to use the the <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2006/06/07/620387.aspx" target="_blank">GPS Intermediate Driver</a> on Windows Mobile Smartphones.  The utility has been included in most recent Pocket PCs, but for reasons unknown, a version hasn't been published for Smartphones.</p> <p>Therefore, even though Pocket Stars SP was designed with the ability to use GPS input for setting the current user location, the capability hasn't really been usable without manual registry hacking.</p> <p><img style="margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px" src="http://content.modaco.net/gpsidsp.png" /></p> <p>The latest Mobile 6 Standard SDK now includes the necessary configuration utility, but I don't know if it is included with  any shipping devices.  But it sounds like you can download and install it on any device with a built-in GPS.  Download from <a href="http://www.modaco.com/content/Smartphone-Standard-News/263776/Finally-the-Microsoft-utility-for-configuring-GPSID-on-Smartphone/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>I don't currently have a Smartphone with a built-in GPS, so please let me know if install this utility and then use Pocket Stars SP correctly acquires the GPS location. </p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-14289353136014296172007-12-05T12:38:00.001-08:002007-12-05T21:15:37.704-08:00Google Maps vs. Windows Live Search on Pocket PC<p>Here's a short comparison of Google Maps and Windows Live Search running on a just purchased Sprint PPC-6800 (HTC Mogul). This may end up turning into a what's wrong with Microsoft rant, but I'll try and control myself.</p><p>When you start Google Maps, you get... a map:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b5Ju9RfGI/AAAAAAAAALo/UNofFDjMFTo/image%5B73%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b5Ke9RfHI/AAAAAAAAALw/lIOkZtiD70c/image_thumb%5B39%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>It's immediately apparent how to search, zoom, and scroll. Ah, we're in business. </p><p>When you start Microsoft Live Search you get... an option to look at gas prices.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b5K-9RfII/AAAAAAAAAL4/pAbMXeeHalA/image%5B74%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b5Le9RfJI/AAAAAAAAAMA/vBgN4yscFyE/image_thumb%5B40%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>The whole focus in Live Search shifts from dealing with maps to looking for content and then mapping the results. Notice the "Speak" button down at the bottom left. This prominant placement gives some indication of Microsoft's presumed plans to make speech input central to the Windows Mobile experience. More on this crucial feature later. </p><p>It's unforutunate that Live's search textbox isn't a dropdown to provide a history of previous searches.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b5L-9RfKI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ihR1OSPMdYM/image%5B75%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 25px 0px 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b5Mu9RfLI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/a9sd7zFkQGA/image_thumb%5B41%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p>Just figuring out how to run Live Search is a bit of a challenge. On the Today screen (home screen) for the Mogul, there's a search window labeled "Live Search", which will let you get at maps, but these are web based static Virtual Earth images and has no interaction with the Pocket PC application "Windows Live Search". And make sure you don't run "Windows Live" which brings up Hotmail and Messenger. You need to select "Live Search" from Start.Programs. Ah, Microsoft branding at work!</p><table cellspacing="4" cellpadding="4" width="620" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><h3><strong>Google Maps</strong></h3></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></td><td valign="top" width="257"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><h3><strong>Windows Live Search</strong></h3></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><strong></strong><h2>Download Size</h2></td><td valign="top" width="257"></td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256">487KB</td><td valign="top" width="257">712KB</td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><strong><h2>Version</h2></strong></td><td valign="top" width="257"></td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Ee9ReeI/AAAAAAAAAGo/LHevX0C_6HU/image%5B71%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Eu9RefI/AAAAAAAAAGw/QDLdqg9a1oE/image_thumb%5B37%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="257"><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2E-9RegI/AAAAAAAAAG4/zHfxlyAK4qk/image%5B72%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2FO9RehI/AAAAAAAAAHA/k-eNjanc0UQ/image_thumb%5B38%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><strong><h2>Load time</h2></strong></td><td valign="top" width="257"></td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256">3 seconds</td><td valign="top" width="257">2 seconds to Gas Price option,
then 2 seconds to map.</td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><strong><h2>Map Comparisons</h2></strong></td><td valign="top" width="257"></td><td valign="top" width="89"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><a href="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Fu9ReiI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Coq9JzraE9Q/image%5B23%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2F-9RejI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/hHmp5RJ1aWU/image_thumb%5B13%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="257"><a href="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2GO9RekI/AAAAAAAAAHY/xNkbsSHfQQ0/image%5B27%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Ge9RelI/AAAAAAAAAHg/28Vuoq2G79o/image_thumb%5B15%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="89">Overall, I find Google's color scheme is more pleasing but this is subject to the vagaries of display and backlighting.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2G-9RemI/AAAAAAAAAHo/WK8i78kN_GA/image%5B66%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2HO9RenI/AAAAAAAAAHw/6IKs47z_dbo/image_thumb%5B34%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="257"><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2He9ReoI/AAAAAAAAAH4/93Nj8eYS9yQ/image%5B65%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Hu9RepI/AAAAAAAAAIA/8p9d3wFhhW8/image_thumb%5B33%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="89"><p>Google displays less content but gives freeway off-ramps and some bus routes.</p><p>Live shows one way streets.</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2H-9ReqI/AAAAAAAAAII/rbBmCvNxL3I/image%5B49%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2IO9RerI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/TIfvINCebps/image_thumb%5B25%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="257"><a href="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Iu9ResI/AAAAAAAAAIY/GEDvXlXA0cA/image%5B48%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2I-9RetI/AAAAAAAAAIg/wnfD47yM65U/image_thumb%5B24%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="89">Pretty darn close.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Je9ReuI/AAAAAAAAAIo/3tf1mVePshY/image%5B50%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2J-9RevI/AAAAAAAAAIw/TSv3mLf1oac/image_thumb%5B26%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="257"><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Ke9RewI/AAAAAAAAAI4/X7mOBUmOSPs/image%5B47%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2K-9RexI/AAAAAAAAAJA/diZi0IVVHEo/image_thumb%5B23%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="89">Google's high contrast character highlighting makes the street names much easier to read.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="256"><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Le9ReyI/AAAAAAAAAJI/ljv3EzFn0w8/image%5B51%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2L-9RezI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/aJ3THv9nB4Y/image_thumb%5B27%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="257"><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Me9Re0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/dmxiTWLoR9M/image%5B46%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="324" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2M-9Re1I/AAAAAAAAAJg/WMNlh8fD0OM/image_thumb%5B22%5D" width="244" border="0" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="89">Live Search has better detail when fully zoomed in for this particular location.</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Performance</h2><p>Actual performance when scrolling and zooming is pretty comparable. Google generally seems a bit snappier at serving map tiles, but this slight prejudice could just be a carry over from other Google products.</p><p>While scrolling may be comparable, I find that the lack of dedicated on-screen Zoom buttons in Live Search to be a major drawback. Instead, to zoom in you need to click the center of the 4-way scroll button, and then switch to a different button to zoom in or out. </p><p>Although the Mogul has a thumbwheel, neither application makes use of this for zooming. Doh!</p><h2>Searching</h2><p>Down to the crux issue. How well can you search. A couple scenarios:</p><h3>1. Great sushi place, Nishino's.</h3><p>In Google Maps, on the front page, hit "Search", type in "Nishino's" and you get this sequence:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2NO9Re2I/AAAAAAAAAJo/X8SD08J33_E/clip_image001%5B4%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 15px 0px 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image001" src="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Ne9Re3I/AAAAAAAAAJw/e5SZPHa6TeU/clip_image001_thumb%5B1%5D" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2N-9Re4I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/0vwJLARR9nQ/clip_image002%5B4%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 15px 0px 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2OO9Re5I/AAAAAAAAAKA/NJl4raFw8rM/clip_image002_thumb%5B1%5D" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Oe9Re6I/AAAAAAAAAKI/VBVCi1FVwcg/clip_image003%5B3%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 10px 0px 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image003" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2O-9Re7I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Qy7-lfwhNfM/clip_image003_thumb" width="184" border="0" /></a></p><p>So the sequence is: Search >> Confirm Search results >> Tap for options giving address, reviews, phone, website.</p><p>In Live Search, <strong><em>press the "Speak" button</em></strong> and say "Nishino's" and (after two attempts at correct voice recognition) you get this sequence:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2PO9Re8I/AAAAAAAAAKY/gMvPVrvR8pw/clip_image001%5B5%5D%5B3%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 15px 0px 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image001[5]" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2PO9Re9I/AAAAAAAAAKg/upaj5NICmQA/clip_image001%5B5%5D_thumb%5B1%5D" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Pe9Re-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/B2sp27SokhQ/clip_image002%5B5%5D%5B3%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px 15px 0px 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image002[5]" src="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Pu9Re_I/AAAAAAAAAKw/KUPwmyimx-Y/clip_image002%5B5%5D_thumb%5B1%5D" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2P-9RfAI/AAAAAAAAAK4/GylMystBTXg/clip_image003%5B4%5D%5B4%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image003[4]" src="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2QO9RfBI/AAAAAAAAALA/BqMWH9BkQD4/clip_image003%5B4%5D_thumb%5B2%5D" width="184" border="0" /></a></p><p>What? No web link? No reviews? Why are the directions, SMS, Save options at the bottom of the screen duplicated in the menu?</p><h3>2. The Seattle institution Ivar's Restaurant.</h3><p>In Google Maps, with Seattle in view, search for "Ivar's". You get:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Qe9RfCI/AAAAAAAAALI/N8xyNdCHHyA/clip_image001%5B7%5D%5B2%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image001[7]" src="http://lh6.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Qu9RfDI/AAAAAAAAALQ/vhAt5Zohefg/clip_image001%5B7%5D_thumb" width="184" border="0" /></a></p><p>So the current location isn't honored for some searches. Searching for "Ivar's Seattle", gives the much more reasonable result:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2RO9RfEI/AAAAAAAAALY/0H63q0pvAQ4/clip_image002%5B7%5D%5B2%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="clip_image002[7]" src="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1b2Re9RfFI/AAAAAAAAALg/MJbH93MGSXw/clip_image002%5B7%5D_thumb" width="184" border="0" /></a></p><p>In "Live Search", with Seattle in view, press the Speak button and say "Ivar's" (or just type in "Ivar's"). You get:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.google.com/jayborseth/R1cF0-9RfMI/AAAAAAAAAMY/9pzIe2VvPGM/image%5B78%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1cF1u9RfNI/AAAAAAAAAMg/7QYS7pc7c0A/image_thumb%5B42%5D" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.google.com/jayborseth/R1cF2O9RfOI/AAAAAAAAAMo/-rDUZHv_3Uc/image%5B81%5D"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="image" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1cF2u9RfPI/AAAAAAAAAMw/GM7F0qfCsYc/image_thumb%5B43%5D" width="184" border="0" /></a></p><p>Note that Live Search keeps track of your current location and gives both commercial and residential listings. </p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>The lack of on-screen zoom buttons makes Live Search a non-starter for me. It's just too frustrating to use a multi-key sequence for zooming. </p><p>Google's use of tapping on the pushpins to give additional details is really nice. You don't lose context of where you are in the application, whereas Live Search brings up a series of cascading search result dialogs that loop back on one another.</p><p>I didn't test Google's "My Location" feature which uses cell towers to triangulate your position, since it doesn't seem to be working in my location. All attempts result in: "Your current location is currently unavailable."</p><p>Using speech input for search terms is only partly successful in Live Search. While I'm often surprised at the quality of the recognition, you still need to switch over to using the stylus or keyboard to accept the search results, make additional menu choices, and interact with the map. Speech input works great in an application like <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/voicecommand/default.mspx" target="_blank">Voice Commander</a> since you can select a contact and make a call while driving without needing to touch the keyboard or look at the display. In Live Search, speech input saves you from typing search terms, but this benefit isn't offset by the complexity of switching between speech, keyboard, and stylus input modes.</p><p>So, Google Maps is the winner for this round.</p>Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-55402920115602228932007-12-03T13:18:00.001-08:002007-12-03T19:56:22.751-08:00Silverlight Firestarter<div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cdfb4606-cd84-48b6-bcec-9e3c3199a66a" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Silverlight" rel="tag">Silverlight</a></div> <p>2007.11.29.  Attended the Silverlight 1.0 Firestarter in Redmond.  The biggest news to me was an off the cuff comment by one of the presenters that the Silverlight 2.0 download size would "be about 4MB".  He also presented a roadmap slide taken from WPF showing 3D as a feature, but wouldn't commit to its availability in Silverlight 2.0.   Mix08 was the implied release venue.</p> <p>Overall, the event seemed a bit subdued.  The conference room was only about 1/2 full, the audience and presenters not too enthusiastic.  I couldn't tell if this was due to the realization that the javascript based Silverlight 1.0 is soon to be upstaged by c#/DLR/CLR Silverlight 2.0, or if people were just skeptical of Microsoft's strategy overall. </p> <p>The popfly demos were the coolest (we're already getting weary of orbiting images which seem to be central to most other current Silverlight demos).  I hadn't realized previously that a mashup block can have multiple inputs and multiple outputs. <a href="http://www.popfly.com">www.popfly.com</a></p> <p>Another favorite example is this <a href="http://www.windowsvista.si/main.htm?lang=1033" target="_blank">Vista simulator</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1TP3e9ReWI/AAAAAAAAAFo/mM3Le3qQHJE/clip_image001%5B8%5D"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="607" alt="clip_image001" src="http://lh3.google.com/jayborseth/R1TP5e9ReXI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Ec0Ok8ePCow/clip_image001_thumb%5B5%5D" width="523" border="0" /></a></p> Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6502901861043786222.post-52124325594668306882007-11-28T23:16:00.001-08:002007-12-05T12:43:20.313-08:00Pocket Stars<p>Pocket Stars is COOL a fun, fast, high accuracy star chart, astronomy reference, celestial navigation tool, and guide to the heavens. </p><p>Pocket Stars is available in three versions. The <a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/PocketPC/PocketStars/default.aspx"><strong>PDA</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/PC/PocketStars/default.aspx"><strong>PC</strong></a> versions are available in English. </p><p><img alt="Languages" src="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/Smartphone/PocketStars/images/AllLanguages.gif" /> </p><p>Pocket Stars <a href="http://www.nomadelectronics.com/Smartphone/PocketStars/default.aspx"><strong>SP</strong></a> version can dynamically change menus, dialogs, star names, and constellations to any of the following languages: </p><ul><li>Chinese </li><li>English </li><li>French </li><li>German </li><li>Italian </li><li>Spanish </li><li>Russian </li></ul>Jay Borsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10510061188489004441noreply@blogger.com1