I am working on some computerized and automated features for my Sarah Palmer build with a small team of students from Simon Fraser University. One of the features we would like to get working is a mapping feature that would track active members of the 405th through the GPS in their smart phones; and then display them as 'friendlies' on a map (or in my case as a map overlay for my HUD).
How I imagine this would work is that members of the 405th would download the app to their smart phone, and when they are at events they would open the app and activate 'Spartan Tracker'. By activating the tracker you allow the app to use your GPS information . That information would be sent to a 3rd party server (one that I would be administering) that would take in the various GPS information and output the locations on a map overlay. The app would then display the portion of the map that is local to their current location and see 'pings' for the other various 405th members.
Small events like cons at one location would not get a very high level of detail while at the event location, but this would be useful for event meet-ups near the event space. Large events, like San Diego Comic Con, which spread across multiple buildings and have parades and other events outside of the main event space would make this app much more useful. Meet-ups, photo ops, and other 405th interests would be easier to locate when you notice a large number of them congregating in one place.
Some other features that I would like to have:
I think it would be a pretty cool app, but it would only work if other 405th members actually opt-in and choose to download AND use it. I have a couple of questions that I would like some feedback on before starting in on this project.
I am sure many more questions will come up, but I would like to open discussion and see if this project is even feasible. I figure if I can get about 50 people here who say they are interested, and we don't get any red lights from the 405th owner and staff, I will get it started. until then, lets discuss here.
How I imagine this would work is that members of the 405th would download the app to their smart phone, and when they are at events they would open the app and activate 'Spartan Tracker'. By activating the tracker you allow the app to use your GPS information . That information would be sent to a 3rd party server (one that I would be administering) that would take in the various GPS information and output the locations on a map overlay. The app would then display the portion of the map that is local to their current location and see 'pings' for the other various 405th members.
Small events like cons at one location would not get a very high level of detail while at the event location, but this would be useful for event meet-ups near the event space. Large events, like San Diego Comic Con, which spread across multiple buildings and have parades and other events outside of the main event space would make this app much more useful. Meet-ups, photo ops, and other 405th interests would be easier to locate when you notice a large number of them congregating in one place.
Some other features that I would like to have:
- The ability to select the pings and send them all a message through the app (For example: select all 405th within 500 yards, send message 'Pizza in 30 minutes? Follow my location on your maps')
- The ability to add special events with location information (For example: add in a photo-op, the location will ping and can be selected for details, location ping will cease when the event is over)
I think it would be a pretty cool app, but it would only work if other 405th members actually opt-in and choose to download AND use it. I have a couple of questions that I would like some feedback on before starting in on this project.
- If this app was available, worked well, and was easy to use, would any of you guys use it?
- What other features would you guys like to see on this app?
- Does the 405th or Art Andrews have any reason why we shouldn't or can't have our own community app?
- Would the 405th or Art Andrews like to try to tie this app to the 405th website (ie. have a process that ensures that spartans using the app can only log in under the member name used on the website)?
I am sure many more questions will come up, but I would like to open discussion and see if this project is even feasible. I figure if I can get about 50 people here who say they are interested, and we don't get any red lights from the 405th owner and staff, I will get it started. until then, lets discuss here.
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