TrackMe

This is a quick guide for using TrackMe. This tutorial doesn't cover all TrackMe's functionality. There are many other features that are not covered here. If you have any questions check the Support section

• Description
• Features
• Requirements
• Download
• FAQ
• Quick Start
• How can I view my data
• Storing the data locally for later upload (Offline mode)
• How can I enable Live Tracking
• Exporting the data
• How to use your own server
• Support

Description

GPS tracking tool

This tool retrieves GPS positions from a GPS device attached to a PDA. That information is later used for displaying tracks with Google Earth or Google Maps.

The program uses a server where your data is uploaded. If you don't have an Internet connection or you prefer not to use it, you can store your data locally on your PDA and upload it later when an Internet connection is available or you use ActiveSync. You can use my server (free of charge) for storing your data. TrackMe is already configured to use this server by default.

Features

• Ability to generate KML and GPX files that can be opened with any tool that supports that type of file.
• Realtime tracking with Google Earth or Google Maps.
• You can create and manage your own trips
• No internet connection is needed when using TrackMe (Offline mode)
• Ability to display your current position on your PDA
• Geofence with SMS and email notifications
• You can send your current position by email or sms to other person
• Ability to upload pictures. TrackMe will extract the GPS information/Creation date (if any) from the pictures and it will match it with your existing GPS data
• Search for closest user based on your last uploaded position
• GPS powersave mode available
• You can use your own server instead of my free server
• Stealth mode
• You can force updates with your own custom icon and comments.

Requirements

• Devices running Windows Mobile 5 or 6 (no Windows Mobile for Smartphones)
• Microsoft Compact Framework 3.5 Download from here
• SQL Server Mobile 3.5 Download from here
• Internal or bluetooth GPS.

Download

You can always get the latest version from this link:

Download TrackMe

FAQ

• TrackMe freezes when I click on Start.

  You can try checking this thread, this one and this one. Here also

• Google Earth always shows the latest position

  What you see in Google Earth is what you have EXPORTED. It can be realtime tracking positions or old trips. It depends how you have generated the KML file. If you want to see an old trip in Google Earth, go to Export and select the trip that you are interested in. The KML is just a exported file that contains a subset of the database.

• I get an error that says 'An error message is available for this exception but cannot be displayed because these...'

  You need to install the following package if you want to see the error messages. Microsoft does that for saving space in case you don't need a description of the error messages.

• I get an error that says "File or assembly name 'System.Data.SqlServerCe, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=3BE235DF1C8D2AD3', or one of its dependencies, was not found."

  This occurs if you don't have SQL Server 3.5 installed or you have it but you haven't restarted the PDA since you installed it. If you still have that problem try this post

Quick Start

Once you have downloaded the program, follow these steps for start storing GPS positions

• Click on CONFIG to access the configuration.
• Click on tab REMOTE and enter a username and password. You can specify any name and password. As soon as you start uploading GPS positions, the system will try to create a user with that information. If for any reason the username already exists, you will be notified.

  

• Click OK to save the configuration
• Now that you are on the main screen click on the big arrow on the top right of the screen to start capturing data

  

How I can view my data

At this moment, these are the different ways of seeing your tracks:

• Google Earth (Realtime and prerecorded data)

  In order to show a track with Google Earth you need to generate a KML file. There are 2 ways of generating a KML file from TrackMe. A KML file can be generated when exporting data or when using Live Tracking.

  Configuring Google Earth

  If you don't have the application, you can download it for free from HERE

  Run the application and follow these steps:

  1. Click on the top menu called ADD. Once there select NETWORK LINK

  2. Type the address with the location of the KML file that we mentioned before where says LINK.

  3. If you want realtime tracking, Google Earth should reload this file periodically. You can do that, selecting the tab REFRESH and there specifying how often you want to refresh. Don't forget to check the option FLY TO VIEW ON REFRESH.

  4. Click OK to save the settings.

  The following image shows an example:

  

  Now Google Earth will try to load the file that you have specified. If found, you will see your track there. If you checked the option GENERATE KML FILE in TrackMe and you configured Google Earth to reload the KML file periodically, you should see your track displayed and updated automatically.

  Here you can see some examples

  

• Google Maps (No realtime)

  Go to maps.google.com and type the location of the KML file. Example:

  

• Web Viewer (Realtime and prerecorded data)

  mcross and jcleek from xda-developers' forum developed a nice plugin for TrackMe.

  This plugin will display a google map with the track that you selected. It will use the data stored in the database therefore no KML or GPX files are needed. It works in public and private mode, so for this case you need to enter your username and password for seeing your tracks.

  It comes with several options such as map size, auto refresh, show last location and other options that lets you customize the appearance.

  

  Note: If you are using our free public server, you can use this plugin just by going to http://luisespinosa.com/trackme/index.php and entering your username and password.

Storing the data locally for later upload

In order to display tracks, data needs to be stored on the server. However it's possible that you don't have internet connection on your PDA, or you prefer not to use it at some point. In that case, you can use TrackMe in Offline mode.

In order to use TrackMe in Offline mode, you need to go to the following option in the Configuration:

There you will be able to specify how you want the offline data to be stored. After your trip is finished and you are ready to upload your offline data just go to Tools, and select the option 'Upload Offline data'

How can I enable Live Tracking

• Click on CONFIG to access the configuration.
• Click on LIVE TRACKING. Once you are there, check the option GENERATE KML FILE. This option will generate a KML file (these are the files used by Google Earth and Google Maps) every time new positions are uploaded . You don't really need to check this option unless you want realtime tracking, but we will for this example.

  You can also see the location of the KML file that will be generated. For doing that, click on SHOW GENERATED FILENAMES. You should Write down that address because you will use it for Google Earth later.

  

• Click OK to save the configuration

Exporting data

Exporting data provides the same functionality that you get when you have activated the option to generate KML/GPX files automatically (Live Tracking) The difference is that you decide the information that the KML will contain and when the file will be generated. You can also choose the trip name, bearings and a date range.

The file is always generated on the server, but you can download it to your PDA is needed. If you decided to download it to your PDA, the name of the file will be route.kml

How to use your own server

TrackMe already provides a server that can be used free of charge by any user. However, if you want to use your own server, you can use the installation package that jcleek created for TrackMe.

Download installation package

In order to TrackMe access your server, you need to specify the address of your server in the configuration and adjust other parameters. This settings can be accessed by going to Config->Remote. Don't forget to uncheck the option 'Hide advanced settings' from the Config->General menu.

Support

If you have questions or any suggestions you can visit my forum or the xda developers' community forum