[maemo-developers] How can I test a GPS application without using the device?

[From: Andrea Grandi]

Hello,

I'd like to write a Python application that interface itself to GPS
(using gpsd). I'd like to be able to develop it on my PC as well,
without using the real hardware. Not because I don't want to use my
N810, but because I should use it outside to test it!

I've discovered this application: http://gpsfeed.sourceforge.net/

"gpsfeed+ is a utility that feeds the PC with continuous GPS data as
if a GPS were moving in a car or airplane. NMEA 0183 GPS sentences are
sent to the application through a socket (TCP/IP) connection or a UDP
multicast message.!"

but I still cannot understand if it works also with gpsd.

I'd like to test it on my Ubuntu machine, but while Maemo uses this
library for python-gps:
http://pymaemo.garage.maemo.org/documentation/python_gps_examples/index.html

Linux seems to have a totally different library. I did "apt-get
install python-gps" the unique python gps library available in
repository and it comes without any documentation.

So I've to develop in Scratchbox at least.... but I would need a GPS
"simulator", a very simple one... so I could test a GPS application
even in Scratchbox environment, without using a real GPS device.

Any idea? What are, all those people that wrote a gps-application,
using to test it? In particular maemo-mapper, gps-camera ecc.....

Thanks for your support!

-- 
Andrea Grandi
email: a.grandi [AT] gmail [DOT] com
website: http://www.andreagrandi.it
PGP Key: http://www.ptlug.org/andreagrandi.asc