Usage Notes:
Tracking data for each item is only updated when the user clicks on the item in the list. In order to reduce the potential load on the web services that provide this tracking information, the data will be updated at most once every 15 minutes per tracking item, unless there is an error.

For example, if a you click on a new item, the plug-in will make a request for tracking information. If you click on the same item again within 15 minutes, the same cached tracking information will be displayed. Once 15 minutes have passed, any subsequent clicks will trigger a fresh update.

Once an item is identified as delivered, the plug-in will no longer perform future updates for that item. Again, this is to limit the load on the information source.

The mapping location information (known as geocoding) is gathered from a free service provided by Yahoo. Only 5,000 total requests are allowed per day for all users of the Package Tracker, and when this limit is reached the route mapping feature is no longer available for the remainder of that day (what do you want... it's free).

The total number of individual tracking items is limited to 40.

Release Notes:

1.0.7: Added support for 30-digit USPS tracking numbers.

1.0.6: Corrected a problem with DHL shipments that weighted over 255 pounds.

1.0.5: Added support for 9-digit UPS numbers and foreign USPS tracking numbers.

1.0.4: Added support for 10-digit FedEx tracking numbers.

1.0.3: A new carrier, TNT, is now supported.

1.0.2: Package status is indicated by colors in the main display.

1.0.1: Added the scheduled delivery date for UPS packages (when available).

0.9.9: Corrected a problem with the processing of 11-digit DHL numbers.

0.9.8: Added support for 13-digit USPS numbers (generally used for international shipments).

0.9.7: FedEx changed the website for their on-line tracking, so the Package Tracker has been updated.

0.9.6: Added support for 14-digit FedEx tracking numbers and added support for the Send To button. Using this button, users can send tracking summaries via email and/or Google Talk. Also, additional language support was added to the installer.

0.9.5: A new installer has been created that fixes installation and registration problems.

0.9.4: Fixes an issue related to DHL Sender and Receiver text processing.

0.9.3: Introduces the 'route mapping' feature. The double-click action can now either display a route map for your package or display the carrier's website. Right-click on the item in the list to see the two options.

0.9.2: Fixes a problem with Fedex displays. Fedex Express shipments were not being checked properly. Also, 22-digit Fedex numbers (starting with '9611') are now identified as Fedex instead of USPS.

0.9.1: Fixes a minor display issue.

0.9.0: Original Release

Known Issues:

• The geocoding service (Yahoo) has trouble with the format of some non-US city names and country codes. If none of the route stops are recognized, a message that states "Sorry, no map points could be determined from the given data. Please try again later." is displayed. If only some of the route stops are a problem, those are ignored and the stops that can be geocoded are displayed.


• Right now, the installer expects that Google Desktop is installed on the C:\ drive. Therefore, when the 'Register.bat' file is called during the plugin installation, the registration process will fail if Google Desktop has been installed to a drive other than C:. To fix this, edit the 'Register.bat' and 'Unreg.bat' files that are copied to the \Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\Plugins\PackageTracker directory and replace the line C: with the drive letter where you have Google Desktop installed. Then, run the Register.bat file to register the Package Tracker plugin. I am working on a fix for this installation problem. Fixed in version 0.9.5
• A couple of people have reported that they get the error message The following plug-in(s) could not be loaded: Package Tracker when trying to install the plug-in. This message is relevant for Google Desktop version 3.x and below (pre-Google Gadgets). If you are getting this error, please make sure that you have the latest versions of Google Desktop, .NET version 2.0, and the Package Tracker. This generally corrects the problem. However, at least one person has reported that they were still getting this error after being at the latest version of everything, and I have not yet found the cause of this problem. When I identify a fix for this, I will update the Package Tracker and/or these instructions. Fixed in version 0.9.5

Who has downloaded the Package Tracker?:

Click here for a Google map of the locations of just a few Package Tracker users.

Here is another view of the download activity:

Acknowledgements:

I've used icons for the version 0.9.3+ mapping feature from here (a very cool tracking/mapping application) and here. The geocoding is provided by Yahoo. I used the installer template for the QuickLaunch Panel as a guide for the version 0.9.5+ installer. The installer was created using InnoSetup.