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Ranz

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Everything posted by Ranz

  1. quote:Originally posted by harrkev: Using a text editor to change S-records is a royal pain ... How did you fit all of that stuff in there???? Your start-up message sounds like it is a lot longer than the original one. In order to fit all of that in there, you must have had to obliterate part of the lawyer message in another language. I actually edited three different sections. My personal information is 105 characters total. What I didn't like was that the screen still said WARNING! at the top and PRESS ENTER TO AGREE at the bottom. So I replaced WARNING! with MeriGold, and AGREE with START. I agree that there should be a way to increase it but that code section is processed through the screen formating routine so I didn't think I had much to gain. Looking through the code, there was much I could mess with without doing damage but it would be cosmetic only. Nothing really useful.
  2. The biggest advantage is the ability to load larger basemap detail without lockups. But it has also given us the opportunity to personalize the unit with our own information. I put together a little Excel spreadsheet to translate the HEX code to something readable and to generate the checksum. I then made some modifications to the WARNING! screen during the update. That screen on my unit now says: MeriGold Personal Property of (my name) (my address) (my city, state, zip) (my phone number) (my geocaching nick) PRESS ENTER TO START I always liked that about my 315 and while it wasn't all that easy, the results were well worth the effort.
  3. I use a free program called Coffecup Image Viewer Plus. The whole process is as simple as double clicking the image I want and choosing Save As.. I then save it as a JPG with adjustable compression. It's never given me or my system any problems and it costs nothing. http://www.coffeecup.com . Why do we need to increase the required band width on this site when we can easily solve the problem on our end?
  4. I would recommend GPSTrackMaker. It is freeware and has many great features, including the ability to load topo maps taken from the web and size them properly. There are many places on the web that have detailed topo maps. Off the shelf I use Delorme's TOPO 3.0. The user interface isn't great but it has some very good features, including 3D resolution. I have also heard very good things about Maptech. Ofcourse; I don't think any of these print in braille.
  5. I would recommend GPSTrackMaker. It is freeware and has many great features, including the ability to load topo maps taken from the web and size them properly. There are many places on the web that have detailed topo maps. Off the shelf I use Delorme's TOPO 3.0. The user interface isn't great but it has some very good features, including 3D resolution. I have also heard very good things about Maptech. Ofcourse; I don't think any of these print in braille.
  6. quote:Originally posted by Ranger Roger: My son and I went looking for our first geocache today. You do realize what you've done don't you? Run! Run now! Run Fast, while you still can! This game is as addicting as it gets. Soon you'll be making up reasons to go. Like: (I gotta have that PowerPuff Girls decal listed in the cache contents!) and (Just want to check GPS accuracy dear. I'll be right back...)You'll never get that cache monkey off your back. Seriously; Congratulations and welcome aboard. I'd say more but I have to go find that D*** cache monkey.
  7. I had a spelling error on one of my recent posts that was driving me crazy. I didn't want to delete and repost so I griped and left it. Just now went back and made the correction. No problems. This is a great new feature and I appreciate your efforts.
  8. Ranz

    Pictures

    The address it is looking for is the complete web address where your picture is. Example: My signature graphic is located at: http://www.xmission.com/~ddrw/geosign.gif That is the complete web address it is looking for. If the pictures are only on your machine they will have to be posted on the web somewhere before you can reference them. Hope this helps;
  9. There was a firmware update for this from Magellan. Since then, they have added another one that also enhances the averaging functions. I know that the lastest is available on http://www.magellangps.com . I am sure it includes the 'feet reading'. The current version is 3.15. You might want to check yours also so see if you need an update. On powerup, press enter. The firmware version is listed in the opening screen. Happy Caching;
  10. The two WAAS satellites are orbiting the equator. The farther north, you are the lower in the sky they are going to be. I have seen many posts from our friends up north (Canada) that indicate they are getting WAAS lock at least part of the time. Depending on terrain (Line of Site), I don't think you will have a problem. I am at approx 41deg North and I get consistent WAAS lock. One more note: While WAAS lock helps, it still is not the end all be all in accuracy. Hope I helped;
  11. I think the article put a positive spin on the sport. It seemed well balanced and fair to both sides of the issue. While there are always going to be people that don't respect the land I think there are very few of them here and they are weeded out relatively fast. This article is a good example of the things we should keep in mind while Geocaching. If we show that we are aware of (and addressing) concerns, I believe the sport will gain more acceptance with the park service and environmentalists. I think this article helped open the door just a little wider.
  12. Until Jeremy can address this I have found a way to bypass much of the hassle. When you click on reply and it kicks you back to the forum menu, hit your brower's back button. It will take you back to the same spot. Then hit reply again. You will then get the post reply screen. It has always worked for me. Even with this post. Cheers;
  13. Good luck on the first placement. Don't forget, hunting them is loads of fun too...
  14. I understand your concerns and your reasoning. I just don't agree. You quoted someone saying that they will be using MOC's, but you didn't quote the several people (including myself) who stated that they would not. I want all cachers to find my caches. If I place a members only cache it would be for special reasons only and would be placed privately if the MOC was not an option. My caches will be open to all and I will make them a challenge and a treasure to the best of my ability. More important than that, I am NOT alone. Many feel this way. Subscibers may get some extra bells and whistles. It's a common practice on the web. When it comes down to it, we are all cachers here. I make no destinction between subcriber and someone who has chosen not to. I ask only that I am treated that same way. Happy Caching;
  15. I honestly don't remember the first item I got from a cache, but I remember the hunt like it was yesterday. I had my Mag 315 for a few years and found it be a fun and sometimes very useful item. I used it probably three or four times a year and always wished I had more uses for it. When I heard about geocaching I new I'd have to try it. I picked the closest cache to me (DuckWalk Cache By Elwood) and headed out. The cache was in our city park that I had been to many times but that day felt very different. I got to the general location and searched for probably twenty minutes because thick tree cover kept moving the location around a small area. Obviously I didn't have my caching skills honed. When I finally found that little jug, I WAS HOOKED!! The thrill of being able to go to a spot anywhere on the earth and find something specific with my little 'gaget' was an instant rush. I bagged one more that day and three the next! I have been hooked ever since. Getting deeper and deeper involved in a hobby/sport that has shown me areas in my own neck of the woods that I have never seen and people that I am proud to associate with. Frankly, my faith in my fellow human being had been getting a bit hard. Geocaching changed that and has kept me interested and active. My wife, my brother, my sister are all converts after seeing what it does for me and I cache with them often. Long answer to a short question. I guess the short answer is: I was going to say I don't care, but I guess the real answer is 'All of the above' is what I got from my first cache. [This message was edited by Ranz on March 09, 2002 at 03:03 PM.]
  16. Ranz

    Cache Freshness

    quote:Originally posted by rdwatson78: Unless there is a problem, they can go a LONG time without being looked at. How long a timescale are you thinking about? rdw I guess that is yet to be determined, but the idea is to have some idecation of a caches that fall in the neglected category. You stated that unless there is a problem you don't usually visit the page. If there was a problem you probably would. If the postings indecate a problem with the cache. If it is suspected MIA or that it is in poor condition, the monitor date will be a useful tool showing whether the owner aware and initiating corrective action.
  17. Ranz

    Cache Freshness

    quote:Originally posted by rdwatson78: Unless there is a problem, they can go a LONG time without being looked at. How long a timescale are you thinking about? rdw I guess that is yet to be determined, but the idea is to have some idecation of a caches that fall in the neglected category. You stated that unless there is a problem you don't usually visit the page. If there was a problem you probably would. If the postings indecate a problem with the cache. If it is suspected MIA or that it is in poor condition, the monitor date will be a useful tool showing whether the owner aware and initiating corrective action.
  18. Ranz

    Cache Freshness

    I would think it's just a matter of advising cache owners that they should be logged in while checking their caches. Most owners will want to notify seekers that the cache is active. While still imperfect. I am sure it will do the job in most cases. I will put some flower icons together and email Jeremy. Please don't let that stop ANYONE else from doing the same thing. My artistic ability is right up there with my understanding of women.
  19. Ranz

    Cache Freshness

    I would think it's just a matter of advising cache owners that they should be logged in while checking their caches. Most owners will want to notify seekers that the cache is active. While still imperfect. I am sure it will do the job in most cases. I will put some flower icons together and email Jeremy. Please don't let that stop ANYONE else from doing the same thing. My artistic ability is right up there with my understanding of women.
  20. Any way you go, if you want built in maps you are looking at the high end of you spending range. Unless you can find a good sale on a Magellan Map330. They have been as low as $110.00 lately due to the release of the Meridian line. If maps are not important then I would go with a Magellan 315. It has the Quadrifier antenna, which gives superior satellite locks to the patch antenna. They go for about $130.00 new. Really, any of todays units are great. You almost can't go wrong. It is just a matter of how many bells and whistles you want. Good luck and welcome aboard.
  21. I have also had problems with the reply feature. I have found that when I click it, it sends me to the main forum menu. If I hit the back button on my browser I return to my last point. If I click the Reply button again from there, it seems to work. Not great, but an acceptable work around until Jeremy can address the issue. I hope this helps.
  22. I have been lucky enough to be first to a cache three times in my geocaching experience. I haven't tried to be first but caching fever can send you out quickly when a new cache pops up. Finding the cache is the big thing with me. Being first is an added (and unexpected) thrill. We all have our tickle spots. If someone else's tickle spot is to get there first I am happy that they are getting the most from their caching experience when they succeed. I don't begrudge them anything. Happy caching;
  23. I'll apply the name shorting here but can't bring myself to call you Rat. Your prior posts stated you were evaluating whether this site was still worthwhile. Your most recent tells me you determined that it was. I just wanted to let you know that I am glad you did. This is a pretty diverse group of people and we can run the full range of opinions on just about any subject. Some (as you well know) can get pretty heated. But even that adds to the integrity of these boards. Pay/don't Pay and MOC's aside, I am glad you are sticking around and I am glad you spoke your mind. If any one of us can't feel free to say what we think, this board becomes less real and therefore less appealing. Whether I agree with your position or not, I respect you for making it honestly known. Happy Caching (Everyone)
  24. I have GOT to know where this picture is Red. Don't worry, I'm not a stalker. I just want to see if my mental picture of you is accurate. I have a mental picture for most of the regular forum users and I'm usually way off. You didn't delete it did you?
  25. For keeping moving, interesting and new. The changes I have seen in last eight months have been nothing short of remarkable considering your resources. Your ingenuity and dedication are obvious in every aspect of the site. Thanks Jeremy!!! [This message was edited by Ranz on March 08, 2002 at 09:42 PM.]
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