CEflow

[ Latest ]

The latest version is CEflow v2.00.

If you do not have a previous version of CEflow installed, simply run setup.exe. You will need to disconnect and reconnect your device to enable ActiveSync integration.

If you do have a previous version of CEflow installed, please follow the following procedure to install this version:

In ActiveSync, under Tools | Options, deselect the CEflow messages and traffic densities.
Disconnect your PocketPC from the cradle.
On the PocketPC, go to "Start | Settings | System | Remove Programs" and remove CEflow.
Connect your PocketPC to the cradle again.
Run setup.exe from the CEflow download.
Once setup.exe completes, you may reenable CEflow messages and traffic densities in ActiveSync.

There are too many changes in CEflow 2.00 to list them all here, but here are a few things to try:

Try dragging the map.
CEflow is using much newer maps and datafiles. New roads are now available, and old stations that were always reporting black are gone.
Try refreshing the map with your GPRS capable device and Connection Manager turned on (under the Tools menu). It should automatically connect and download.
Check out the incidents list. Not only has the parsing been updated and improved, it now supports Cleartype!
Close and restart CEflow, it remembers which map you were last looking at.
Click the center of your D-pad, this is a one-handed way to force an update. This isn't actually new, but few people knew about this feature, so it's worth mentioning.
CEflow now packages all necessary data inside the CEflow.exe file. It can now run from any location and does not need to be installed to run (ActiveSync support only works when installed).
All downloads are now done over HTTP, rather than FTP. This is faster, more efficient, and runs into less proxy problems than the old method. Traffic density updates are less than 200 bytes per refresh - very friendly to metered download plans.

[ What is CEflow ]

CEflow is an application for PocketPC devices that allows you to instantly retrieve current traffic conditions and incidents for the Seattle area. It can operate on the cradle through Activesync or across any available internet connection, and has been tuned specifically for wireless or cellular operation.

[ Why CEflow ]

Have you ever tried to cross the 520 bridge? We have, and it sure isn't pretty if you go at the wrong time. The Washington State Department of Transportation publishes the current traffic conditions on their website, along with a Win32 program called Webflow32 to let you view the conditions in real time, but it isn't very portable. We always have our iPaqs with us, so the obvious solution was to create our own Webflow that would run on the iPaq. Since the iPaqs run Windows CE, we called our program CEflow.

[ Compatibility ]

CEflow 2.00 is compatible with PocketPC 2002 and newer devices. PocketPC devices prior to PocketPC 2002 may be supported by CEflow 1.04.

[ What about the contest ]

While the idea for CEflow was kicked around for several years, it was a contest that motivated us to actually transform it into a reality. Microsoft Research University Relations sponsored a contest for college students. The goal was to create a PocketPC application, with an emphasis on wireless, mobility, and connectivity. We thought this was the perfect application, and someone must have agreed — we placed a respectable fifth place nationwide.

[ Contact ]

CEflow was written by Ken Alverson and John Lambert. General feedback should be directed to CEflow@premisedenied.com.

[ Copyright ]

Various terms used in this webpage, including but not limited to "PocketPC", "ActiveSync", "iPaq", and "ARM" are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Ken@Alverson.net