Would love an app...

[kaito]

That tells you where your nearest NDSS outlet is. I know where they all are where I live, but was thinking today it would be great if you could use gps to find the nearest one, if say I was on holidays or something.

Just a bit of pondering :)

[Coll]

Snap Kaito; I was out on Sunday and discovered I had no strips and had to chance a pharmacy to get some. Just checked Da(Vic)'s website and they have a form you can download: http://www.diabetesvic.org.au/images/st ... t_2011.pdf but I agree an app as you've suggested would be so great. I should know this for sure but I don't; I think each State/Territory operates differently with NDSS products so I wonder if that affects on how they give info out on their agencies. Maybe an app is on the way..... :)

[abs]

Wouldnt take me long to actually write the app - the hard part is putting in all the coordinates...

I'd need someone to go through each outlet, find its coordinates and save in a text file eg

"Outlet name 1","Address of outlet 1",latitude,longitude
"Outlet name 2","Address of outlet 2",latitude,longitude
etc

Then a map can be displayed with you as the central point, and markers placed at all the various coordinates - you can zoome in and out and around as you wish. I've already done something like that, but the coordinates was only for 2 fixed locations.

[kaito]

Wow, sounds great Abs! I'm sure if we got enough interest, we could all divide it up... As long as it's Android friendly ;)

[abs]

Kaito, I've done iPhone apps only so far, but just replaced my iJunk 3GS with a Samsung Galaxy SII - when time allows (mega busy on other work related projects at the moment), the 2 will be moved over to that


If you want this, get the ball rolling - create a google spreadsheet and get the 4 fields being filled in ::

Outlet Name
Outlet Address
Latitude
Longitude

That data going to take far longer to load up than for me to write the app

[kaito]

I'll put a pot of tea on and get cracking! I can post a link if anyone wants to help out, I'll start with Victoria and keep going!

[kaito]

Ok, so my concentration span is struggling already! ;)

Here's my spreadsheet on Google Docs, I've set it so anyone can edit it provided they have access to the link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvF26C2gnQjndGxDeGdhVURUaWR6R29nVmkzNlo5YXc

What I've done is taken the pdf that Coll linked to, and tidying it up into the format that Abs asked for. I'm up to page 4 of 14 of Victoria only... sigh, and that's just the pharmacy name!! Many hands will make light work ;) ;) ;) ;)

Pretty sure I included info on how to get the coordinates (as I had to Google it myself), but I'll repeat myself... so you go to where you want to go in Google Maps (if you zoom in, often you will see the business on there), and right-click - I found I had to click twice, as first there was a menu from my browser (Flash or something). The second click comes up with a menu from Maps, and I click on "What's Here"... the internet whizzes into action, and next thing you know, the coordinates come up in the Maps search bar! Too easy to copy/paste into the spreadsheet :D

I reckon I'll try to do a little bit every day, but it'll take me aaages... if anyone else wants to help out, you're more than welcome! Just let us know what you're going to do in this thread so we don't double up :)

[GlenJ]

I have been able to get a listing of all NDSS agents Aust. wide. There are almost 4000 of them.

They are in an Excel file with the following columns
Outlet Name
Street address
Locality (suburb)
State
Postcode
Phone number

All fields are populated so may save some time entering the address and phone numbers. We still need to locate and enter lat/long coordinates.

If this will be of any use let me know and I will copy the coordinates already found by others and get the file up so we can continue finding the others.

Cheers
Glen

[paddyjoy]

Hi Kaito,

If you create a google fusion table (instead of a google docs spreadsheet).

http://www.google.com/fusiontables

The 4,000 addresses that Glen found could be uploaded. The fusion table will automatically calculate the cords from the addresses and with a couple of clicks you can visualise the data as a map.

In a couple of minutes you would then have a link to a map that would be compatible with android/iphone/pc/mac.

There is a good tutorial here I have used before.

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Google-Map-With-Excel-Data-and-Fusion-Tables

Paddy

[kaito]

Wow, thanks to both Glen and Paddy!! Both of these will save everyone a lot of time :D

Glen, is it ok if I can email you to get the list??

[GlenJ]

Sure, not a problem to email me.

What file format would you like it in? Is currently Excel 2007 but will convert it to whatever suits you.

Cheers
Glen

[abs]

good work folks :-)

[GlenJ]

Hi Kait,

I have just emailed the file to you, let me know if you need anything else.

Keen to help out in any way I can.

Cheers
Glen

[kaito]

Thanks for the table, I have put it into a Fusion Table as Paddy directed. Because it's free, Google is only letting me do a limited amount per day, so if I save the table and come back tomorrow I should be able to see how many are left to go. Abs, I can then email you the final table if you like?

If anyone's keen to see the initial map, click on https://www.google.com/fusiontables/DataSource?snapid=S435332y_4L, click the "Visualise" menu and "Map". Any feedback on incorrect locations are welcome, I don't know all of the country, but my home town and towns I know well enough look ok

[abs]

The app might just need to load that view - nice and simple, without having to open a web browser and find the page (ie bookmark etc)

Will be away for a few days, and too busy with rotten facebook business timeline changes* to even contemplate looking at this yet


* FB have given users literally months to migrate to the new timeline format, but business pages just 30 days... like it or lump it... and we look after about 30 of em... firstly gotta get permission from the client once we found out (ie Mar 1), then wait for response, then wait for the work back from the graphic artist, then complete it all by Mar 30 when they will force any as yet to be changed pages across - arrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh

[GlenJ]

Hi kaito,

I went to have a look at the table at the link you provided but I get a message saying I don't have permission to access it :-(

[kaito]

May have forgotten to change my settings!! All fixed now, I hope.

I think it's now done, but as this is the first time I've used fusion tables, I'm not really sure what to do next... But the map and table is there on Google Docs.

[Matty]

Just wanted to say keep up the good work guys. Sounds like brilliant work!

[abs]

Kaito,
I've finally had a look at that link

In it is a "Get Embedded Link" (or something like that)... That gives you the code to include into a webpage

That makes an app a piece of cake.


Once my workload here slows down (hopefully next week), I should be able to make this happen... firstly in iJunk (my personal name for Apple products, even if I own some), and then will look into Android - I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 to test it on - the iOS version will only take a day or two to write then get to apple and publish

Android will take longer as I've not done anything with it yet, but shouldnt be hard

[kaito]

Thanks Abs, no need to rush!! I also have an SGS2 if you need a second test. Let us know how you get on

[kaito]

Also, should probably make sure when we do get the app up and running, that we make sure we're not affiliated with NDSS or diabetes Australia, just to avoid potential copyright issues :)

[abs]

I'll have an Info tab about the app and data Kaito - saying it was sourced from a publicly available document from such and such, and the map is based on that info.

[Kezza]

Thanks abs, I was about to make a post suggesting you make it clear you're not responsible for the accuracy.