alexm

quote:At $59.95, ExpertGPS sounds like a good deal. The volume discount offered by topografix makes it MUCH better. Exactly. I paid the full $59.95 about a year and a half ago. I have DEFINITELY gotten my money's worth. Any price less than that simply sweetens the deal. The only thing that may sour my opinion would be pricing when ExpertGPS/PocketPC hits the shelves. As an existing flag-waving ExpertGPS user, I'd better see a discount of some sort. ... alex (Yes, I understand that some folks can't throw $60 at a program for a hobby, this is just my opinion of the cost vs. benefits of ExpertGPS).

On that same note, is there any place to set which groups you would like to see in the "New Since Last Visit" list? There are several discussion groups I really have no interest in.. Thanks!

quote:What is going on with the Pocket Queries, I have not received any in over a week. Is any 1 else getting them? Four this morning.. Like clockwork...

quote:Originally posted by Faderaven:I have Microsoft Streets and Trips. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there's anyway to place cache locations onto maps on my PDA. GPSBabel can convert .loc, .gpx, and whatever format files to PocketStreets Pushpins for PocketStreets S2002/2003. There's a README on how it all works.. The other route is to import your geocaches into S&T and creating a PocketStreets map. The PocketStreets map export will create a PocketStreets Pushpin file for whatever pushpins are in the area of the map. Hope this helps! alex P.S. I think USA Photo Maps does Pushpins also. I'm not too sure.

quote:Originally posted by BotKeeper:However, I'm not an EE. I also wonder why Magellan has not uncovered this. Do other users have this problem? We need more information from Magellan at this time. I *think* I had this problem a while back while geocaching in the cold. Since then, however, I think the only problems with shutdowns have been EGNOS related. Still waiting for the firmware update on that one. That would definitely explain the jacket pocket to shutdown scenario we have both experienced. I wonder if simply hauling around an anti-static dryer sheet in the jacket pocket would be a quick and inexpensive solution? Since it's not cold here anymore, I'll have no way to test my theory for another year. You can bet next winter I'll have a "spring fresh scent" GPS. ... alex

quote:For replying to this post. I should have since I own W.Az. but I was in geocaching limbo there for awile. I STILL have not found passing thru. Each time I try, it is like 2:00 in the morning and there are either shady people mulling around looking for scraps or it was just too dark to find and a little spooky. Not to mention pulling bodies (now 2 out of 5) from the "South Louisiana Serial Killer" from the river just a few miles down I-10 in an amazingly similar area. Yikes!

quote:Originally posted by Faderaven:This product includes Pocket Streets. Price is about $35.00 after the rebate. Anyone know if you can download an entire state to your pocket pc? Is it possible to carve it up into neat sections for downloading? You can carve it up into 1 megabyte or so "chunks" for pocketstreets. For example, about 1/4 of the state of Louisiana is about 8 megs (9 chunks around 9 major cities/areas). Each chunk must be managed as a separated map, however. They don't "link" side-by-side. Oh yeah, and *no routing* on the pocketpc, just maps. ... alex

quote:Originally posted by CenlaCouple:If you try the Pat Obrien's Hurricane and find it a bit tame, you must take the short walk to the Tropical Isle for another New Orleans only drink, THE HANDS GERNADE. This one will surely blow you away. You can't mention a hand grenade without mentioning the Travel Bug, The Cell. ... alex

quote:Originally posted by Jamie Z:The Old Forums Wow, you must be .. like .. and engineer or something, right? So here's what I was looking for.. What I believe to be the first post mentioning geocaching in LA... Phil's First Post? Thanks! alex

quote:Originally posted by The Foster Clan:So what does everyone do to fix scratches on their displays? I used some toothpaste last night on mine and it helped a little but I wouldn't mind making it better if possible. Plastic polish/cleaner available from your local auto store also helps out a bit. McGuire's supposedly makes some, but I couldn't find it. I picked up some Blue Coral plastic cleaner/polish at AutoZone a while back and it fixed up some problems on my Meridian's display quite well (a few scratches and a whole of plastic blotches from getting bug spray on the plastic). ...

quote:Originally posted by LaGeocaching:Okay gang, we are coming in Friday early. Hopefully early enough to reserve our camping spot if ClayJar is not already there. I sent me cell to Team Kiwi via email. Someone else might want to just in case my coverage fails out there. Did that last night. I hope the email address on the profile is correct. Wouldn't want to broadcast as I don't need the phone calls like: "I'm in the middle of the woods, the GPS says Zero feet, and I don't see the dadgum thing." (been there, done that) quote:Yep - I remember when I signed up, there were no caches in Louisiana and then Bobby's popped up. What a joyful day!!! Too bad the old forums went away. I'd link the first lageocaching post about placing caches in LA. quote:Also some bad news::: I got the call today and was denied , so I might end up back in Louisiana if I can find an IT job down there. Who knows... Bummer. I occasionally run across IT jobs down in this area. Perhaps we can "network" at the event and both find a new job in the process. Weather's looking like it will hold out. I just hope it dries up after yesterday! I may just haul the tent over to the grass this time to avoid the mud... I should be rolling in around 7:30 - 8pm or so this evening... Depending on when I can get away from work... Looking forward to seeing everybody there!

quote:Originally posted by The Delta-S Family:I think I'm going to check my firmware version. Maybe I don't have the latest. Also will try switching to km and see what effect that has. In my current mode, the smallest distance shown is 0.01 miles. You definitely need new firmware. You can get it from magellangps.com ... alex

quote:Originally posted by ForestFrog:I have faith in ClayJar's anti-rain dancing abilities, but I'll try to borrow a couple of canopy tents (10'x10') just in case. If things get _too_ bad we can always move the festivities to my house. You just have to promise to ignore the boxes I still haven't gotten around to unpacking! You could always hide the boxes and create cache pages for the stuff you're looking for... "The cache is a large cardboard box probably marked in red crayon with the word 'bathroom.' The original contents were Towels, Hair Dryer, Shampoo..." Really though, I'm starting to like The other weather place's forecast better. They've got a huge smiling sun on Saturday. At least we're clear of hurricanes this time... And... I just noticed that LA is now perched on 199 'active' geocaches.. Wow. I can remember when there was only like.. a dozen... (cue Phil) ... alex [This message was edited by alexm on March 12, 2003 at 07:54 PM.]

quote:Originally posted by BassoonPilot:All I want to know is, why, when I use the above link to access the archived page, am I given the options to edit, delete or permanently encrypt 9Key's log? It's a copy of the webpage hosted on 9key.com, not the real thing. Clicking one of the buttons, just tosses you back at geocaching.com. (I had to try) In all honesty, $6 entry for the park (I called today for updated rates but they closed at 5PM) is a steal *if* you're going to visit the park. $6 to drive-by a virtual is pretty steep, but that's up to the seeker whether it's worth it or not. ... alex

quote:I recently tried to approve a virtual cache in Southwest Louisiana. I am not much for seeking out virtual caches but this one is very unique! It is a 1,000 year old Buddha statue that was transported from China to America in 1936. It rest in a temple among the Spanish moss and Bamboo trees. I'm not too fond of virtuals, so my opinion may seem slanted a bit here -- I'm guessing it got shot down due to the fact that there is another virtual very close to the site you are describing. That, and the recent crack-down on virtuals in general. However, since I've thought about virtual-ing buddha myself, I give it a thumbs up. Perhaps you could change it to a micro (film cannister plus log sheet)? If you do get it approved, don't forget to mention the park entry fee. That was my main reason for not doing it before. I'd be steaming if I rolled in there and got blind-sided by the fee. On any given day, I don't think I could pluck that much out of my ash tray! Good Luck! Alex Friend of Buddha

quote:Count me in for crawfish - closer to the five pound mark... Also - Steph will want some, but closer to the 1 pound mark. She really don't eat them, buts likes a couple. Weather is looking like rain. Be prepared... ClayJar needs to pick up the pace. I've been watching it all week. It goes from sunny to cloudy/rainy at least twice a day. I've got my fingers crossed. We don't need a repeat of last time (I think my camping stuff is finally dried out). Just in case, anybody have one of those big canopy-tent things? So I think that brings the crawdad list closer to the 55# mark. And the new list is.... (drumroll, please...) Alex & Katie Buck8Point Forestfrog pizzachef Cenlacouple Russell & Ashley Phil, Steph, Petey rbdupuy quote:Alex - I will have your prizes for the competition. Competition? I didn't think you were going to make it. By saying competition I'd hope you'd "donate" the objects. Really though, any 'competition' depends on Cenlacouple laying out the poker run. Otherwise, well... I should be well t-shirted for the summer. quote:Looking forward to seeing everyone. That is unless I get the "call" I have been waiting for in the next few days. And like I keep saying, they can wait another week. You're not going anywhere without 'em. Katie and I headed back up to Alexandria this weekend to lay out the "Jeepers Creepers" cache. Got it 95% complete. I'm still debating whether to make it a "geocaching.com" cache, or a "do it at the event" cache. Perhaps a bit of both as the final cache location isn't all that impressive, but the hunt itself should be, at least, rather unique. Worst case, re-hide the container and make it a "tribute" cache. Saturday evening, there was a group of young ruffians at the camp site. While I don't think they knew what we were up to, they watched from a distance (and made fools of themselves as young ruffians often do) as we laid out the cache. Hopefully they didn't catch on and destroy any of our hard work. I'm planning on once again shooting for a Friday night arrival. Work plans changed during the week and I'll probably not be able to make it before quite late. Man, I hope it doesn't rain.... ... alex

quote:Has anyone else experienced this problem before and what was the cause? Any insight would be appreciated. 2 weekends in a row. Most recent was 3/8/3 around 7-8PM CST (errr... dark outside). Happened earlier in the day also, as well as the Saturday before (Meridian Gold that time, I think). In the same area both weekends (central LA). On 12VDC power + batteries all 3 times, once with backlight on and twice without. FWIW, firmware 4.06 on the gold and 3.12 on the platinum. I'd seen this happen in the past on the Platinum. Made a new detail map last night to see if that clears it up any. If it means anything, all times the unit was on the map screen, and probably zoomed in to "detail map" level. ...

quote:Any comments, help, instruction, examples, ... that keeps me from reinventing a poor version of the wheel would be majorly appreciated. Here's a link to the GPSBabel mailing list discussion that covered Mapopolis Map Converter. It may help, or perhaps just confuse things a bit more. Is that Mapconverer application part of the pay package? I tried out the demo, and one of things that led me away was the lack of being able to mass-dump waypoints into Mapopolis. I later dropped $20 or so on Delorme XMap HH Street Atlas. It's got quirks of it's own, though. ... alex

It looks like we've almost officially hit the one-week-till mark. The weather guessers are showing favorable temperatures and precipitation for the weekend. So far, so good! With the anticipation and planning required to pull off some crawfish, we're going to need an idea of how many people we're talking about. I guess in order to make that official also, we'll need a set time. So... 4PM Saturday OK with everybody? ... pause ... Good. 4PM it is. I'll scratch the crawfish list out here. Please scream if you are on the list and don't want to be, or would like to be on the list and aren't. Of course, participation in crustaceans will require a nominal fee (market price for live crawfish in Alexandria). Alex & Katie Buck8Point Forestfrog pizzachef Cenlacouple Russell & Ashley Guessing at about 3-5# per person, that's a 40# sack so far. I'd almost rather come up short than over when mixing crawfish and camping... I should be in Alexandria this weekend, and will hopefully be able to determine if "market price" is "price gouged" or not. I really wan't sure the bait shop would have all that "bait" that far up north. Local prices (in Lafayette) are about $1.15 - $1.25 per pound right now, and I wouldn't imagine that Alexandria would be much different... Let me know! ... alex

quote:Originally posted by BloenCustoms:Anyone know what the three oldest active caches in Louisiana are? Just curious. They would be: Passing Thru (3/15/2001) Wild Azalea Cache(4/21/2001) Palomino Cache (4/26/2001) If you'd like to see a list of the first few dozen caches in LA (these are #3, #4, and #5), check out this link. I wonder what ever happened to ole' Bob-n-Bobby? ... alex

quote:Originally posted by ClayJar:My weekend schedule change takes effect next weekend, which means I get to camp Friday through Sunday! Now I just have to see how early I can get out there Friday. (I doubt J. will be able to make it, but I'll ask her anyway. ) Whew! I was waiting for someone else to post in this thread! I didn't want to be "that guy" who posts twice in a row in a thread that he started... I was in Kissatchie this weekend and noticed that they did a nice control burn of the forest area around the campsite. Other than that, everything appeared to be in order. I was unable to locate a nearby water faucet, but I don't think that will be a problem for the crawfish boil. I also serendipitously bumped into Cenlacouple, and it seems like the boil is on! We'll probably need to take a head-count of sorts in the week heading up to the event to get an idea of how many crawdads we'll need and perhaps come up with a "set time" so day-visitors will have an idea when to stop by for food if needed.. I can nearly guarantee that I'll be able to lay out the "night time" cache before the event. I've affectionally named it "Jeepers Creepers." I don't think it'll make a good group-hunt like "Da Tube," but it should be interesting nonetheless. It should be close enough to Evangeline Camp for folks to "do it" at their own leisure. I just really hope we can avoid the rain this time. 13 days and counting...

quote:IMO, being a URL doesn't break the very simple format. I don't think you can have commas in a URL, can you? Anyway, moot point I guess since newer versions support S&T. (Although other apps could come along that import CSV... ) There are several dozen applications that import/export CSV. The fun thing about CSV is that there's no less than 10 million different variants. Personally, I like the way S&T deals with the billions of variants (taking a smart-guess at the CSV based on the data and/or column headers if they exist). Unfortunately, the other 99% of variants all want their data in some pre-defined format (such as Ozi Explorer, Maptech XXXXX, Delorme Street Atlas, etc...). GPSBabel's s_and_t import/export option simply spurts out a CSV variant that is (I think) most friendly to S&T and geocaching. That essentially makes it the 10,000,001st variant. Now if only there was a way to set the pushpin-icon in the CSV format for S&T... (suggestions welcome!?) ... alex

quote:I came across a website (http://www.austinexplorer.com) that has trails and waypoints for download in TXF and MXF format. Can anyone tell me what program(s) I can use to upload these into my Magellan SporTrak? I've got EasyGPS and some of the other freeware GPS apps. MXF (and I'm guessing TXF) are Maptech Exchange File formats. GPSBabel will convert MXF (waypoints)to just about anything else or dump it straight onto your SportTrak, but I'm not sure about the TXF (tracks?). ... alex

quote:When do you want the next Watcher to be released? Knowing the importance of this poll, I really tried to make an educated, well thought out vote. Unfortunately, I went digging through the old thread, and ran across the Feature Presentation link that I hadn't seen before. Curious, I decided to check it out. Pretty impressive. I scroll down. Wow. Cool filters.. Scroll down some more... Wow.. Edit your personal Found List... Cool... "Owners Special Filter"... wo... hey, wait! I'm at the top of the "Don't show these owners list?" What gives? Just for that, my answer is "Never." Watcher's bits can all rot to FF on your machine as far as I care. ... alex (for those who don't know, ClayJar and I 'know' each other. This is just a poke in honest fun).

quote:...don't like the idea of them. I understand the reasoning behind them (encouraging more people to register here) - and I'm a card carrying member of Geocaching.com but I just can't get behind the privatization of this very public and inclusive game (open to anyone with a gps and a sense of adventure) by placing a cache only members can log. I mean - why make it exclusive? I actually had my first members-only-cache show up on my "nearest" list this week. It was a good use also -- to let "members" seek it for a limited amount of time or until it starts turning into McJunk. (It's amazing how fast that can happen). quote:Besides, it makes me think of "members only" jackets....and that's just plain funny. Been there, done that, destroyed the yearbook. ... alex