SamSpeak
Just What I Gotta Say
Sam Rides 1000: Augmenting the Web
In my previous two posts, I introduced my project and described data collection using my G1 and Google Spreadsheets. Today, I'm going to show you how I used Kynetx Network Services to add my ride stats to my personal blog and to the Google homepage.
Dataset Conversion
Google Spreadsheets, where my stats are calculated, can publish data in a variety of formats. It cannot publish JSON data, so I use Yahoo's YQL to convert the data from CSV to json, with the following statement:
(See the raw JSON results)
Building the App
I then build my Kynetx App in AppBuilder, defining the following datasource in the Global block:
Since I ride in the morning and the evening, I cache the dataset for 2 hours. This keeps the data fairly current, but still keeps the service fast.
Annotating My Blog
I have two rules, the first of which adds stats to my personal blog:
pre {
daymiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[0].miles");
weekmiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[1].miles");
monthmiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[2].miles");
totalmiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[3].miles");
milesmessage = <<
<h2>Sam is riding 1,000 miles. Progress:
#{(daymiles > 0 ? daymiles + " Today, " : "")}
#{(weekmiles > 0 && weekmiles != daymiles ? weekmiles + " This Week, " : "")}
#{(monthmiles > 0 ? monthmiles + " This Month, " : "")}
#{totalmiles} Total.</h2>
>>
}
replace_html("#logo h2", milesmessage);
I set the rule to fire on my blog's domain, and then use the pick() method to extract different totals from the json dataset declared in the Global block. I construct a message string that varies depending on the different stat values. Finally, I replace the text at the top of my blog page with the message.
To run the Kynetx application on my blog, I plant Kynetx tags on my blog. This enables everyone to see the Kynetx Application with no installs or Action Cards. The html tags are available within AppBuilder, and I simply copied them into the template for my blog.
Annotating Google's Homepage
My second rule is activated by an Action Card installed on the user's computer (instructions for installing this are in my first post). My second rule is very similar to the first rule, with some minor difference in inserted HTML and appending the message to the existing site, instead of replacing anything on the page.
pre {
daymiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[0].miles");
weekmiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[1].miles");
monthmiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[2].miles");
totalmiles = ridestats.pick("$..results.row[3].miles");
milesmessage = <<
<h2>Sam is riding 1,000 miles.</h2><p> Progress:
#{(daymiles > 0 ? daymiles + " Today, " : "")}
#{(weekmiles > 0 && weekmiles != daymiles ? weekmiles + " This Week, " : "")}
#{(monthmiles > 0 ? monthmiles + " This Month, " : "")}
#{totalmiles} Total.</p>
>>
}
append("#body>center", milesmessage);
Activating Kynetx Rules with an Action Card also requires an update to the Dispatch block of the rule, adding this line:
I also generate the card inside AppBuilder, providing a custom image that I created using Pixlr
And there you have it. Sam rides 1000 miles, with automated stats provided by Android MyTracks, Google Spreadsheets, YQL, and Kynetx Network Services.
Shameless Plug
Kynetx is a cloud based automation engine, capable of doing the things I've demonstrated and much, much more. If you'd like to use Kynetx Network Services, sign up for an account, and start using AppBuilder.
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