Invitation to test upcoming release

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Invitation to test upcoming release

Postby markb » Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:03 pm

I've been busy working on a bunch of features lately so the upcoming release is a bit more significant in scope than earlier ones have been. As a consequence the chance of bugs and issues associated with the release are increased as well.

Unfortunately my testing team currently consists of ... well, myself and I would appreciate any help I could get from a few real users before I unleash a big mess on everyone. So if you would be interested in participating in some pre-release testing, post a reply here then point your browsers to http://test.bcaching.com. The backend database is shared with the main site so your login, password and settings will all be identical.

Please post any issues you encounter or questions here.

New Features
  • Personalized waypoint support allowing for personal/private additional coordinates and puzzle solutions. Includes option to show ONE waypoint (private or public) as the replacement or "corrected" coordinates for the cache listing. Also added filter options to show caches with personal waypoints or "corrected" coords.
  • New icons for different waypoint types.
  • Ignore - added option on Details page to "Ignore" cache listing. This will add the cache to your personal ignore list so it won't show up in regular searches. Also added a filter option to show them.
  • New coordinate conversion page to show alternate coordinates formats (Degrees, Degrees Decimal, Degress Minutes Seconds, and UTM). Link to page from Cache Details and Waypoints pages.
  • Additional public and private Waypoints now shown on Desktop Map
  • Desktop Map now offers list of choices when there are multiple results for a search.
  • Desktop map now supports search for raw coordinates as well as GC searches (with or without the GC prefix) as well as search by cache name (or partial name) -- same as the mobile search on the nearest page.
  • Geolocation on Location page; support for blackberry, html5 (i.e. firefox, safari, iphone, and palm pre) and gears (android)
  • Filter; new select-all and select-none convenience buttons
  • New last-updated date on Details page to show when the cache data was last updated on bcaching from geocaching.com.
markb
 
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Re: Invitation to test upcoming release

Postby mtcachers » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:16 am

I can help test.
Mike

Verizon Tour 9630, 5.0.0.xxx
CacheBerry 2.2 Beta
GSAK 7.6.2.45
Garmin Vista HCx
Houston, TX
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Re: Invitation to test upcoming release

Postby cache_r_joe » Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:00 pm

I'm new to the program but would be willing to help out if you wish.

Joe
Cache_r_joe
(VE9JJC)

"Pain is Temporary.... Pride is Forever"
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Re: Invitation to test upcoming release

Postby markb » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:48 pm

Just a few more updates on the test site.

  • feature - Compass navigation! Yes!! That's right, you can now navigate to a cache right from your browser... well some of your browsers anyway. It will only work on browsers that support one of three javascript location APIs: Blackberry (4.6 or later only; javascript and javascript location must both be enabled), HTML5 (iphone), or Google Gears (Android and Windows Mobile). A link has been added next to all displayed coordinates (on Details page, Waypoint page, and coordinates conversion page) named "go" that will launch the mobile Compass view using the given coordinates as the destination. This is only an initial shot at this and will hopefully improve. Currently it only shows the Bearing (not your heading) and your distance in miles or feet. It has only been tested on a Blackberry Storm using built-in GPS. The Blackberry location updates only come every 10 - 15 seconds, so it may not be very useful once you're close to GZ. Does anybody have any other platforms they can try it on??
  • bug - Android and iPhone doesn't support Map link using .kml file on Mobile Details page. Changed to use alternate web url format "http://maps.google.com/maps?q=..." which is intercepted by the phone and allows the user to select Google Mobile maps or any other installed app that supports that URL format (like GeoBeagle for Android). I was able to test this in the Android emulator, but not an iPhone yet.
  • feature - New Field note type "Private note" that won't be uploaded to geocaching.com with other field notes
  • Update "Mobile Browser Definition File" to latest version
  • fix - Filter page wasn't populate checkboxes with values from current/active filter

I think this release is just about feature complete now. All that should be left at this point is polish and additional bug fixes.
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Re: Invitation to test upcoming release

Postby Mad Dawg » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:34 pm

I would be willing to help out. I am new to this whole geocaching thing, but willing to help where I can.


Mad Dawg
Blackberry Curve
Central Iowa.
This space of rent.
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Re: Invitation to test upcoming release

Postby markb » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:08 pm

Thanks everyone. The test cycle for this release is complete. Please go back to using www.bcaching.com.

If you encounter any issues with the new features (or old) please let me know.
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