2006 FRC Scout Version 1 (Palm App)

[Tim Arnold]

Don't ask me how he had time to make this during the build/code season, but Carl Jalm of MARS, team 1523, has just finished his PDA scout program. This is version 1 but should be the final version for the 2006 game. If there are any bug fixes the page on our website (http://marsbot.org/pda).

From the readme:

The idea for the FRC Scout application came from the dillema of how to easily organize gathered information on opposing teams during the 2005 FRC (Triple Play). At first we tried writing down the information on notepads and using the Memo Pad application on Palms, but neither was very successful. During the 2005-2006 school year the idea appeared to create an application specially made for recording data on other teams' robots. Work began early in January of 2006 and ended on February 8, 2006. Team member Carl Jalm worked on the application, with the help of Scott Jalm, one of the team's engineer mentors.

Get it (and more information) at http://marsbot.org/pda! Please leave a comment here or on our site and let us know what you think and suggestions for future versions!

[Tim Arnold]

Originally posted in the gallery image discussion

Originally Posted by Adam Shapiro

Palm has an emulator available. I'm not entirely sure how to get it as I haven't used it in years but it is free from their site under the development section. You'll probably have to register (free) with them as a developer to get it though. Anyone know further?

You can get palm's emulator by signing up at: http://www.palmos.com/dev/tools/emulator
It is a pain but you will eventually get the files needed.

I released a emulator pack a little while back.. its an uber pain to register for palm's website so I just zipped up the files needed. Only problem is it is black and white, but I will be releasing a new version soon as soon as I get ahold of the color emulator files from a teammate. Read more about it here: http://marsbot.org/node/233#comment-23

Direct download: http://marsbot.org/files/PDA/Palm_Emulator+Scout.zip

Basically, download the file, extract, and drag the file 'Scout.prc' onto the emulator executable (or alternatively run the emulator program and then right click on it and click install application/database).

Good luck with it!

[BoyWithCape195]

Where will you be posting the color emulator files once you get them, here or on your website?

[Tim Arnold]

The files will be posted on our website, but I will also mention in this thread the link to download them.

As far as I understand you can find them on line, but I don't know where to start looking (and if someone has them its easier ). I should have my hands on the files by this weekend.

Just to note, when installed to a Palm device the application is in color. You only need the color emulator files to use the app in color on your computer.

You can also get inexpensive Palm PDAs on ebay off the cheap. A team member purchased one for the specific use of this program (at competition) for about $12 which included a charger, case and modem.

[Tim Arnold]

Soo... has any one tried this? I would imagine that it would be useful for most teams (you can even beam the team records back and forth between PDAs).

[MARS-CJ]

He (robosapien) should have the color emulator files sometime later today. I just need to get around to e-mailing it to him...

BTW, the readme uses formal wording mainly because I was bored (I would never actually use "The idea...came from the dillema of how to easily organize gathered information..." in my normal speech).

[Tim Arnold]

As MARS-CJ stated above, I now have the color emulator files. To make the process easier for anyone wanting to test out the app, I have created a "Bound" emulator application - it will start in FRC Scout.

The new emulator pack download is available at http://marsbot.org/files/PDA/FRC_Scout+Emu.zip.

The zip contains three files: FRC_Scout_Emu.exe (The emulator application - the only file required to run the app on your computer), FRC_Scout.prc (The application itself - for use when installing through hotsync to a real palm), and Readme.txt (read me for FRC Scout application).

To run the emulator simply run FRC_Scout_Emu.exe. It will take you to a stored (color ) session of FRC Scout running.

Warning: I have had some false positives (malware) with the emulator application from Norton. It sometimes will automatically block the emulator (but it still works anyway). Every scan I have run has found the files clean. You can make your own judgment, but I think it is simply a false positive. Windows also blocks the application at first (with service pack 2), but you can simply click "unblock" and everything is hunky dory.

Also for all of those who downloaded the first emulator pack, the color rom files needed are available here. Place the file in your "Roms" folder and create a new session. Browse for the rom folder and select the color one and you are back in business!

[MARS-CJ]

I have recently finished an upgraded version of the application. It can be downloaded here (the new readme is here).This mainly fixed only one bug, but to my knowledge, it was the only fixable bug (the other flaws are due to the program I used to piece it together).

Enjoy!