colin's intertube

Using a freeware program for Windows Mobile called TrackMe, I've been able to generate GPS log data and upload it to a web server (stored as a GPX-formatted XML file, and in MySQL). TrackMe includes its own web GUI, which overlays this data over google maps. Creepy, but I don't really care. I do it because I can - as long as I have the TrackMe app running on my phone, you can see where I am and where I've been. You can even see how fast I was driving.

This is great and everything, but I'd really like to be able to tie this in with the rest of the site. I found 3 drupal modules which read GPX. The first, Track, looks promising. It allows you to upload a GPX file, generates a google map, and works exactly as advertised. I uploaded an initial .gpx, and then removed the file and replaced it with a symlink to the one that TrackMe generates. This worked, but the map didn't update its starting location, so although my waypoints and such were on the map, they weren't in view. Obviously that doesn't work for me, but it may be something that can be fixed in the future.

The second module is called Trackfield. This generates a CCK field type for GPS data. Again, works as advertised, but it doesn't like my ever-changing .gpx files. You can see the results of this currently in my right sidebar. The module also supports CSV input - this might actually work really well with Drupal's PHP input format, if I can use it. Something to play around with, at least.

The third, MappingKit, seems to be the most capable. I haven't scratched the surface of yet, and it probably has the steepest learning curve, but it definitely speaks GPX and is very customizable. More to come on this one.

All overheard today at the grocery store...

"These look like regular ice cream cones, but they're just mini ice cream cones! Mom wanted regular ice cream cones!"

"When you're in the pizza business, there's a lot of competition."

"Wheat germ is like...something you put in a shake or something."

Or something.

Brett Favre out
Andrew Johnson in
Christmas in August!

Eto'o to KuruvchiSorry, Fulham. I have a new favorite team, and it is PFC Kuruvchi of the Uzbekistani League. Apparently, they have made a serious bid to sign Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona. I'm not one to believe every silly transfer rumor I hear, but come on...they even have pictures of Eto'o meeting with club officials on their website!

I love ridiculous things. Even if this is made up (and the pictures are photoshopped), I give this club a ton of credit for their sense of humor alone.

The phrase "closers who flame out" sounds like a Wikipedia article that should redirect to the Milwaukee Brewers page, doesn't it? The Brewers have had a long and proud tradition of pulling closers out of nowhere. Closers who eventually go on to flame out, that is. Mike "Mustard Man" DeJean, Leo "Icelandic Brand" Estrella, Dan Kolb, Mike Adams, Derrick Turnbow, and coming soon - the Francophone Turnbow - Eric Gagne, have all fallen off the face of the Earth since being removed from the closer role.

Last night, I flipped on the AAA All-Star game just in time to see Nashville closer Luis Pena attempt close out the game for a Pacific Coast League victory. Unfortunately, he gave up 3 runs in the 9th and nearly gave up the lead. Pena is the logical choice to take over as the Brewers closer next season, so let's just hope he doesn't flame out before he arrives in Milwaukee.

Good business would be to let a guy close for a year, trade him, and let him flame out with the new club. We did that with Dan Kolb, and it netted us (the admittedly disappointing) Jose Capellan. Saloman Torres is having a solid year since being inserted in the closer role. We have an option for 2009, so we should pick that up and trade him in the offseason. Watch him flame out while Pena flourishes. Trade Pena, find another one-year wonder off the scrap heap for 2010, and so on.