GeoRetep
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Posts posted by GeoRetep
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Oh YEAH - You need more data lots more. The free version only comes with a little to get you started. GIS data can be found all over. Just search for it and ye will find. There is so much it is overwhelming - in fact, more is being made every day. You cn get daily earthquake info from the USGS to plug into your maps. Wouldn't that be crazt for a map of Mt. St. Helen right now!
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I went ahead and emailed the webmaster of the site at http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/. Hopefully they will know what happened to it. It was very nice and polished with great questions to get kids going on setting up their Travelbug. Thanks for your help.
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With the correct set of information you can preform street/block/building level mapping. City planners use it for parks, sewer systems, etc... For state borders you just need to activate that particular layer and make sure it isn't covered up by another one.
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I am glad that you have a copy, it does work well but has a high learning curve at first.
I have been looking for my full version copy - but I can't find the darn thing ! ARGHHHHHHH!
I also had problems with it in OS 9, and haven't tried in OSX yet. I just got a new eMac on my desk at work, so maybe I'll fire it up and see how it works.
Good luck!
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Last Spring I was web sufing and came upon a travelbug webquest called "oh the places you'll go". I am starting TBing with my class of 6th graders and thought it would be great to use - but alas, it seems it has gone missing, AKA Error 404
. I think that it was hosted by a college in Arizona.Does anyone know what I am refering to and where it has gone?
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I have a solution for you!
I am a 6th grade teacher in Washingotn State and will be starting my class on geocaching and travelbugging (is that a word?) next week.
I am pretty sure that you can use GIS software for mapping the TB's movements. GIS software is extrememly powerful and flexible. It works in layers, so one possibility would be to use a map of the US, overlay an elevation profile and a vegetation profile and then have the software show the TB's travels on that. That would sure help your student visualize various biomoes.
The software is very expensive. When I taught in Montana I was able to get certified and recieve a full version for free. It was several years ago and I am very rusty with GIS now because I haven't had the opprotunity to use it as I would like to.
Here's the awesome part - the company, called ESRI, realizes how valuable this tool is for teachers and students and has made a scaled down cersion available for free! Check out this website: http://www.esri.com/industries/k-12/education/voyager.html
It is avalable for Mac and PC.
Have fun, I hope this helps.
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I have not been active on the website for a few months ... getting married
, etc... I come back and there are nice little improvements! I like the compass and really like the cache size graphic. That's the kind of eye candy that is worthwhile because I feel like it gives me more info. Thanks! 
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I'd be interested to see what you have!
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Geko 201 works for me. Right price, features, and durable. I run pocket queries for my area and upload the info to the Geko. This saves a huge amount of time trying to type in the coords (and usually getting something wrong). I always carry a normal compass around to help me get an accurate bearing.
For example, one time my brother and I COULD NOT find a cache after over an hour. I set the Geko down on a table (under tree cover mind you), and let it settle out and get a really strong signal. After about twenty minutes I read the bearing and distance, used my trad. compass and walked right to the cache! It felt amazing.
Anyway the Geko works great for me - not having the street mapping capabilites just makes me know the area better and makes the find more of a challenge.
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Geko 201 works for me. Right price, features, and durable. I run pocket queries for my area and upload the info to the Geko. This saves a huge amount of time trying to type in the coords (and usually getting something wrong). I always carry a normal compass around to help me get an accurate bearing.
For example, one time my brother and I COULD NOT find a cache after over an hour. I set the Geko down on a table (under tree cover mind you), and let it settle out and get a really strong signal. After about twenty minutes I read the bearing and distance, used my trad. compass and walked right to the cache! It felt amazing.
Anyway the Geko works great for me - not having the street mapping capabilites just makes me know the area better and makes the find more of a challenge.
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I bought a cheap generic cell phone mount for my car. It installs into the air vent and makes it very easy to quickly mount the gps with power cable attached. It was about $10.00. Included with it was an adhesive patch; I tried that but it quickly fell off. The only drawback I've run into is that the air vent is effectively unmovable now. Otherwise, it is perfect, and the price was even better!
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"The Distance" is a really great song - what from Cake isn't?
It sounds like a good idea. I would go for it and put a cache in WEstern Washington. THis would require a whole network of chches though, so that would be the first step?
I actually thought about naming my CannonBall Run TB "The Distance", but didn't.
Anyway, count me in.
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Also, thanks for all your hard work getting everything up and going. THe server farm sounds like it will solve most or all
the problems! Cheers for the hard workers! -
I'm glad you know what is truly important Jeremy! Bring on the Sushi!
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I applied to my schools PTA for two Garmin Geko 201 units. My sixth grade class will be using these later this year, and next year sixth graders will have a great chance to learn about lat. and long. and some US geography with a travel bug race.
I wrote a nice letter explaining exactly how I will use them and the training I have in GIS applications and the GLOBE program.
Just ask - the worst they can do is say no.
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Thanks for the answer GeckoGeek - I suspected that DIFF is jest another expression for accuracy, but using WAAS. I just wanted to find out for sure.
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I also always carry a compass with me when caching, and have used it quite a few times when there is tree cover. I've had several experiences with letting my Geko 201 sit for awhile, then take a bearing and pace myself to within a few feet of the cache. It was great!
The funny thing is that my little Brunton seems to only work while I'm moving. How odd
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Staples or nails.
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When I have WAAS turned on on my Geko 201, sometimes it works and several satellites will show a "D" over their signal strength bar on the advanced skyview page. When there are a fair numberof bars with the "D" over them the "Accuracy = _____ ft." in the top right corner of the screen turns into "DIFF = ____ ft."
I understand from the manual that the "D" over the bar means that differential correction is taking place. I don't understand (and have searched and searched for an answer) what the "DIFF = ___ ft." means.
Is it just another way to express accuracy, but show that differential correction is being utilized?
I searched the posts and couldn't find this already answered
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I also have a Geko 201 and have been very satisfied with it. Since I have found geocaching to be so much fun, I wondered how I could involve my sixth grade class. I went to our PTA and requested two more Geko 201's, and we got them! I feel like the connectivity factor of the 201 compared to the 101 is a real benefit. The 301 has the electronic compass which is the only feature I would also like. I haven't felt at a disadvantage yet because of the lack of mapping features (maybe I will in the future
)I have a question about the satellite page. When I use WAAS, sometimes when I am receiving a "D" signal, the readout says "DIFF: 21 feet" or whatever distance. What does this mean? Is it similar to the accuracy readout?
Anyway - The Geko 201 does the job for me, and also for 25 12 year olds (talk about durability and ease of use!)
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I went out after 3 today while my fiance was laid up at home with a cold. I found one of three because I only had a short time period. At one there was a man and his pet bulldog I couldn't tell which was which
)watching me intently so after some discret searching I called it quits as it was also getting dark. So much for the extra day to get some finds!
. I think that it was hosted by a college in Arizona.
, etc... I come back and there are nice little improvements! I like the compass and really like the cache size graphic. That's the kind of eye candy that is worthwhile because I feel like it gives me more info. Thanks! 
the problems! Cheers for the hard workers!
)
)watching me intently so after some discret searching I called it quits as it was also getting dark. So much for the extra day to get some finds!
Size Icons - Better With Color?
in Website
Posted
YES to the original idea.