[aprssig] How to query findu.com data base?????

[Curt, WE7U]

On Sun, 17 Jun 2007, Victor Fraenckel wrote:

> I would like to write an application that could query the findu
> database for the location of a specific callsign. My idea is to
> write an app that can do this and then, using the OziExplorer
> APIs, plot this position on a map. The app would do this
> periodically and thus plot a track for any given call sign. Is
> this feasible?

Unfortunately no.  Not with findu.com anyway.  As I recall Steve
Dimse has specifically mentioned that he doesn't want automated
tools doing periodic retrieves from that database, at least not
using the CGI's.  There's a possibility that he may allow you to do
this via direct database access instead.  The only way to know is to
ask him directly.

AprsWorld was already mentioned.  If James is ok with that sort of
access then that's an extremely good choice.


> Since the Ozi APIs are available in both VB and Delphi, which
> would be the better way to go? Why? I am proficient enough to do
> the app in either language. I have never written software that has
> used the Internet to query a database and would like some pointers
> as to how to proceed. Any suggestions?

Perhaps consider cross-platform tools so that you don't restrict
your users to only Windows OS?

--
Curt, WE7U.   APRS Client Comparisons: http://www.eskimo.com/~archer
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