i was just browsing the apple website's list of widgets and i thought, how cool would it be if you could track your MINIs production through a mac widget? post here if you think that would be a cool thing or not and maybe someone at MINI or CP+B might see it and, who knows... come up with one? or maybe someone on nam would know how to do it? i don't know how... do you?

 

I think that would be a great idea. I would check it every day if I had a MINI on order.

 

It's Brilliant! I can write one if MINI were to expose a simple API (preferably through a web service) to retrieve the status codes. Anyone know where to start as far as finding a contact at MINI?

 

Sweet idea! Wish I knew how to program...

 

i emailed CP+B and asked them if they thought they could do it. who knows if they will respond or not. i'll let you know.

 

Well, it IS possible to load the page without logging in. So, one needs to get started! MINI might not like it, but hmmm. Soooo tempting.

Basically, when you go to the ol, using the URL that is available (BTW - this URL IS visible when you check out order tracking):

https:// ol.miniusa.com/publications/ordertracking/miniordertracking.asp?VehicleId=#######&relID=#### ###&bhcp=#&flashcheck=false

a few URL's are loaded:

css file
gif file

and the most important one of all - a URL containing your config info - plain text that could be parsed with some java. I don't know how to do most of this in a widget, but I don't see it being too hard. The info is not "protected" just obfuscated. It fills the flash form out. I'm pretty sure. I would not mind making one, but would need some support. I have no background in making java by hand, but do have a decent amount of skill in asp, and know *some* but limited cocoa.

 

Oh, I don't think relID is necessary. Also, the server checks your browser for flash. The false tag should indicate Flash is present in the browser. "true" makes it say you don't have Flash!

 

it would be great if we could somehow get the actual status number (ie 150, 151, etc...). is that in the code already or would that be something that else that would need to be provided by mini?

 

Just wanted to give my support to this wonderful idea!

 

That probably would have to tie into a secure system. The OL is woefully behind, and only fills in the info that is necessary:

https:// ol.miniusa.com/publications/ordertracking/otmini11.swf?newVehicle= 2005+Hyper+Blue+Metallic+Cooper&statusIcon=2&statu s=Scheduled+for+Production&DateDesc=&DateDate=&Pro dNum=#######&V in=##############&SellingDealer=&Pickupcenter=& ModelDesc=Cooper&ExtDesc=Hyper+Blue+Metallic&IntDe sc=&Options=Anthracite+Trim%7CAutomatic+ Transmission+%28cvt%29%7CCenter+Armrest%7CCockpit+ Chrono+Pack%7CDsc%7CPremium+Package

is all you get.

I think part of the problem is people reacting to bad news - ie, system glitch and it saying their MINI has shipped. A human can take the information in, and reveal as much or as little as is necessary.

Also, I think if MINI felt we were a drain on their human operators, then they would have made the OL a bit more accurate.

But yeah, if someone here could contact MINI and request that kind of "access" or at the very least that they create one, I'd be really happy (well, depends on when one is available!).

 

Good eye on the url. I can write the javascript / coco part if someone else can get me some nice looking PNGs to display the data in (I can code up a storm, but suck at graphic design ). As was mentioned before though... it'll be just as inaccurate as the MINI OL . Still, it'll be easier to glance at a widget than having to login .

I think if we build a basic one that parses the MINI OL Data, we can show it to MINI and use it to ask for more!

So... who wants to make the graphics?

 

Have the user set their username / password & save it for later (I'm thinking this should be done on the "back" of the widget).

Do a httpGet for the folowing url (inserting the user's username / pw):
https://ol.miniusa.com/oemainlogin.asp?mode=signin&UserName=XXXXXXXX&Pass word=XXXXXXXX

do a .indexOf('The username and password do not match.') on the response html to see if it's greater than -1. If so, then the username / password was incorrect. Reprompt the user. If it's -1, then the username / password was correct and hence the session is initialized.

Once the username / pw is correct, the session will have been started. Send an httpGet for the following url:
https://ol.miniusa.com/oe/oeRelogin.asp

Using indexOf() and substring(), retrieve the VehicleId. It will be inbetween '?VehicleId=' and '&'. Once the VehicleId is retrieved, store it for later use so logins won't be required for future status checks.

Insert the VehicleId in the folowing URL to retrieve the status page:

https://ol.miniusa.com/publications/ordertracking/miniordertracking.asp?VehicleId=XXXXXXXX&flashchec k=false&bhcp=1

using indexOf() and substring() retrieve the .swf's querystring & parse the status / order details out of it. The querystring will be in a couple places. inbetween '.swf?' and '"' should work well (for both hard tops & cabrios).

The status can then be parsed into an array by doing a split('&') on the querystring and then doing a split('=') to get the parameter / value pairs. Replace all '+' and '%20' with spaces. For the 'Options' parameter, split the value apart into another array by splitting on '%7C'.

There you have it. All the "details" from MINI OL's order tracking page, ready to be formatted in a pretty OS X widget. I'll throw a mock-up together when I get a chance.

Also, interestingly enough, the tracking page's source has the following url in the javascript to a little video clip showing some MINI's being shipped:
http://http.earthcache.net/bmw-005.o...c_big_v001.mov

I'm guessing they link to this from the flash movie once you car reaches a certain stage of production?

-Bryan

 

I'll do it. PM me!

 

If you manually enter the Prodn # into the first URL I posted, I do not think you have to enter your username and password.

Good investigation too - did you decompile the swf?

 

If you need some help with the JavaScript part, PM me. I know a little about that side of the world. I wrote a dashboard widget for one of those other MINI formus.

 

I tried to find a parameter to pass the Prodn # in through the query string, but couldn't find one. I kept getting an ASP error from MINI on line 60 of their code if I ddin't include the Vehicle ID. The text of the error makes it look like the query they're using will accept a production number, but the page doesn't seem to provide a way for you to pass it in. If you find one, let me know as that would simplify the login process a bit.

No need to decompile the swf. All the parameters are in it's query string =).

I gotta run to work now. STLMINI, I'd say start working on some mock-ups, keeping in mind the limited status' we can get from the MINI USA order tracking page. We'll have all the same data they do, so try to come up with a nice, shiny, compact way to display it all =).

velVeT, that'd be great! Could you send me the widgit you already created?

My email address is bryan dot crow at gmail dot com.

 

Sorry - I forgot that the production number wasn't in that first URL.

Hmm, it could be a join or something like that. Or it does a lookup and inserts the prod# based on the Vehicle ID. So there would be no way to put it in. Especially if they never provided the form elements for it. ie:

VehicleID = vehicle_id;
Production??? = production_number;

If they never created the second line, then it's not possible at all. Hmmm.

 

Does anyone know if this ended up happening? I think its a fantastic idea!!!

 

I'd definitely use a widget like this. Excellent idea!

 

I'd love to help out on this!

I made the MySpace Search Widget (http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashb...acesearch.html)

My preference would be to put together the interface, but can help on any aspect of it. They're very easy to make.