Thursday, July 31, 2008

Time Flies...

... or seems to.

It's been just over a week since Geopher Lite was released. In that time we've managed to get an update from apple through the works and get everyone's hopes up. And dashed. =)

Yeah... about the google maps thing... Long story short, I kept hearing about how people were using the google maps directions to do geocaching. So, I added a link using google maps directions. Little did I know that it snapped to the closest street. What can I say, I was so happy about developing geopher that I've used that instead of google maps for geocaching. =) I'll fix this with the next version.

In the meantime, may I suggest using Geopher Lite's target screen to get you the rest of the way to the cache if you need to.

I've already got the next version well under way. I'll be doing some more coding this evening on the next update. I'm not going to rush it into the review process like I did the last one. I'll get it in there in a timely manner, but it won't be like last time, within 24 hours of the launch of Geopher Lite.

Keep the comments and critique coming. =)

13 comments:

Wolfgang Unternaehrer said...

Jeremy, the whole Geopher Lite community truly appreciates your hard and dedicated work in developing this so much needed tool for iPhone 3G cachers!

One idea, would it be possible, not to change the Google Maps directional feature, but simply just add the Google Map for geocaching feature as well? That would be really neat, first one uses the directions (just the way it works now), once one gets to the vicinity of the cache, switches over to the geocaching map ... as I said, just an idea.

DadGuy said...

Put that one down as a firm maybe. =)

I haven't decided if there needs to be two functions here or if it's "good enough" to just do the map target and have the user press a button to get directions in google maps. I'll have to play around with it a bit to be sure. I'm sure I'll let you know when I decide.

Atownjacket said...

I just bout Geopher Lite and it'd be nice if u turned Geopher Lite into the Standard Geopher. I want all the features but I don't want to buy Geopher now and pay again for the full version. What are the chances of this happening?

John C said...

Thanks so much for app. My son and I wentout and went geocaching for the first time ever. I have known about it for a long time but just finally got out to do it. My son is 4 so this will be a great family activity for years to come.
The compas didnt work for me but as long as I had google maps it doesnt matter. I wish that there was a back button when I am looking at the geocaching web site.
Thanks again for the fun, keep up the great work! Salt Lake City rocks doesn't it?!?!

Unknown said...

Don't feel bad about it. I've seen a lot of confusion about how to properly use Google Maps for geocaching on the forums, and it should hopefully be an easy fix. For me, having the app save coordinates and the tweaks to the UI make it an upgrade worth being excited for by themselves.

I don't think that Geopher needs any extra user interface to switch between normal and driving directions for Google Maps. As I mentioned, if you have Geopher map the coordinates with the normal search, then switch to driving directions in Google Maps, it will handle the part of setting the nearest road to the cache as the endpoint of the route and your current location as the start point by default. That will already give people the ability to drive to the neighborhood of the cache, then switch back to the precise location when they get there.

DadGuy said...

The map button is an easy fix -- it's already fixed. Just a misunderstanding.

As is the compass rotation. I'm going to hold off on submitting the next update to apple until I can get something going there... The target screen is much more difficult to use otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Hey dadguy,

I found my first cache today, using your app. I must say, I am extremely thankful you have developed this, and even in its early form, it has everything I've ever wanted in a mobile GPS app -- the ability to put in latitude and longitude coordinates, and be taken there, without the need of a $200 Garmin or some other GPS. I am looking forward to future builds of Geopher Lite, as I know it has a lot of potential. It may not be quite up to par with what TomTom or some other company is developing just yet, but at $1.99, it can't be beat, and in time, I'm sure you'll incorporate features that will meet or exceed those of your competitors.

Thanks again!

Jason
Chicago, IL

maintopgallant said...

Thanks for the cool app, I took it out today and found it a very valuable tool. I needed to check cache sizes, and hints, and check a few logs. I especially like the ability to find the caches around my location, no more paper maps with caches on them. I appreciate your efforts and contribution to our global sport.

Jon said...

Hi,

I really like what you have done with this app.

Will the proper version be released soon or is it likely to stay as Lite for a while.

It's just I don't want to buy Lite and then have to pay again when the standard version comes out.

Keep up the good work.

Jon

Unknown said...

Hey DadGuy,

A suggestion; why don't you put a special link for just Wish List items, so that we can help you build a truly killer app? I saw a new app called iTrail, which tracks how far you've walked. If you could add that feature into Geopher, (tracking distance hiked per cache) that would be cool. (iTrail is not compatible with Geopher). I don't think any other GPS system can do that, and my doctor would be happy to know how many miles I've walked each day.

SeaQuest said...

I purchased Geopher and it's great for identifying nearby caches but I've not been able to use it for navigating to the cache. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't find the compass usable. The compass doesn't point to the cache, it points to the compass bearing you need to walk to reach the cache! It's not helpful to know the cache is Southwest of my current position because I then need to refer a compass to figure out where Southwest is! I want the arrow to point me to the cache. Is there any chance that this will change?

Jim

DadGuy said...

Jon,

I have no date to give out yet for the full version. I hope to have it sooner rather than later, but it won't be for at least another few weeks.

Will,

distance/trail tracking is on the list, but not a high priority. I am curious though, what do you mean that iTrail isn't compatible with geopher lite? As for a wish list, I've got a list of requests that I am keeping and that is on it.

seaquest,

The compass rotation is in the works and I hope to have that all figured out for the next revision. The arrow should currently help you track where you are in relation to your target at least. It's coming. =)

Keep it coming!

Unknown said...

iTrail has to be running to track. If you switch to another app (like iPod, the phone or Geocache), it will lose all of the tracking information, and you'll have to start a new track. It's a problem with iTrail not Geopher.

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DadGuy has been working with apple computers since the mac classic. I love games and puzzles and like to solve problems. I'm having a blast developing for the iPhone and iPad.