gcslim

I haven't used EasyGPS so I'm not totally familiar with its output, but what Smache is looking for is a Groundspeak GPX file. If the Groundspeak header or namespace elements are missing, Smache will think its just a generic GPX and import as waypoints. Compare the original files from geocaching.com and the output from EasyGPS to see if there is much difference in the information.

I do apologize for the delay in an update to Smache... other tasks have taken all my time for this and other things including geocaching. Although several people have asked and offered to help with the coding of updates, I hope you can understand that as my first practical pocket pc application, Smache is my baby and I am reluctant to share. I also apologize that "soon" is relative and I still have no idea when that will be. Happy caching!

The issue of map rotation isn't an especially big deal with Smache since the map completely redraws with every refresh anyway. Rotation is just a matter of an additional trig function on each point. The number one reason the capability does not yet exist in Smache is because it doesn't happen to be a setting I personally prefer, and therefore not a priority. The close second reason is that it seems to me an impractical function to have until Smache can display background layers and images. Without these, all it would do is signify that you are walking toward the cache, which is the primary function of the compass in the upper right. It is true that GPS signals are unreliable for direction at low speeds, but Smache will give them to you anyway. In my experience, I've found the bigger problem to be the delay that most receivers build in so that when the display says you're next to the cache, you actually passed it 15 feet back and you have to wait a few seconds for the GPS to realize that. But then I suppose if you're still looking at your pocket pc when you're that close then your expectations of the accuracy of your GPS is too high anyway. Speaking of trig, was that a tangent just now?

It's probably time to remention that there isn't a developers list that anyone knows of. Groundspeak hasn't responded on this thread to actually state this and has been fairly silent about the whole thing in general. It probably is worth adding your name here, none the less, but don't be surprised when you don't get some notification that you've been added to a development mailing list. I always assumed that posting to this thread was effectively adding your name to the list because then you would (by default) get notified of anything they announce here. This thread is the list and the announcements.

Importing map data has always been on the list of items to add. I have a not-quite-finished tool that imports shapefiles into the map. When its done I should be able to modify it to accept KML files and GPX lines too. Image import has been my goal however. I want to be able to take a snapshot with my camera-phone of a trail map at the beginning of a nature trail, transfer it to my pocket pc and then display it as a background in Smache. Unfortunately, I have a ba-zillion irons in my fire, and the fire is not so big. I really have no idea when I'll get back to Smache. I hope to at least release version 1.0.1 with some needed bug fixes by the end of the summer, but you know how plans go...

Yes, hints in Groundspeak GPX files are decoded. It is up to the application to do the encoding. The issue with characters over 127 on the ANSI table is a known bug and has been repaired for next version. The other issues mentioned in your post are still under the microscope... When your database did not open, did you try cleaning it? (Menu > Database > Clean)

Do you have a cache id for that one so I can look at it? What were the errors with your GSAK files? Does your 'total caches' listing say you have 500 caches now? If so, can you activate it (by double-tapping)?

I thought about that, and even started playing around with how the interface would be, but it didn't get far because without having one myself it would be impractical to develop.

Others have had issues with GPS reading with some regional settings. Might yours be the same situation? What region are you in? The cache ID is the element that uniquely identifies any particular cache. The waypoint name is actually derived from it. Although the cache ID/waypoint name pair should always match up in GPX files as they come from Groundspeak, other third-party applications (GSAK in particular) provide the ability to modify the waypoint name, therefore making it unreliable for updates.

A fine suggestion, I'll look into it!

Thanks for the additional details, I'll have a look and see what I can find. Something may be going on in your handheld that isn't preventing the power-down like it should while Smache is using the GPS port. A temporary workaround may be to disable the automatic power-down whenever you intend to connect to your GPSr (Settings - System - Power - Advanced).

Warning screen upon installation... This is a generic warning that happens on many programs. Pay it no mind. Unrecoverable black screen... The only time my pocket pc has done something similar was a few times when it has gone into sleep mode with the WiFi on, but that had nothing to do with Smache. What was going on when this happened for you? KML files... Export and import of KML files is on the new features list for sometime in the future. Not sure how far in the future (read: a long time). In the meantime, Smache can export to Shapefiles which can be converted to KML. Shape2Earth Note that I haven't used this and can't vouch for how well it works or even if it works at all. You'll probably find a few more tools if you google it. Thanks for the questions!

which files does it say it can't find?

Thats a big thread on their forums too, and a quite bitter one at that. Not only did they go over a year-and-a-half, but they skipped at least two promised deadlines along the way. The forum is 13 pages of "they're still not here, why not?" and Lamar quite obviously changing the subject to off topic over and over. Now it seems the new maps for handhelds will never come at all. I like their product, but I think the "great reputation" they were known for has been in quick decline recently.

Not so if the problem is just what you carry, especially with the SiRF Star III chipset. Once it has a lock, you can put it in your pocket or backpack and it will give you just as good a signal as it would if you were holding it out in front of you. On the other hand, if you don't want to worry about maintaining (read: keeping the batteries charged) two units, THEN it defeats the purpose. But I've never run the batteries out in my holux in a single day (even the 12 hours of driving days).

The rumor is partially true. They aren't going out of business, just discontinuing development for PDA software to focus on their "core products" (which I always thought WAS PDA software ). Here is the announcement in their forums. Like Steel City Seekers, I'll probably continue to use Mapopolis until it becomes so grossly outdated that I get made fun of. I would like to try TomTom, but there is no trial or demo. $150 is too much to take a chance. Maybe I'll write my own someday. Of course, I've never been one to use the voice prompts so it wouldn't fill that particular need (who needs another back seat driver? Just read the map while doing 80 down the highway like a real man ).

Based on our correspondence, the conclusion is that Smache isn't able to run on a Windows CE os ; some people getting farther than others. I suppose if I had something that ran on WinCE I might try to port it over, but unfortunately that isn't the situation right now.

I've been using my Dell Axim since I started and have found it quite good. I use a bluetooth GPS in my pack, Mapopolis for getting there and Smache for cache/waypoint management and ground-zero navigation. Then when I'm not geocaching I use it for a hundred other things, internet, email, note-keeping, games, etc. I've only had to run for cover from rain a couple times and now a carry a backpack with a waterproof pocket. Never had any close calls with dropping it, but I keep it in a padded leather Sena case just for caution, and this particular case isn't too cumbersome for one-handed navigation.

This is the error you get when there is trouble with a shortcut and it can't find the file it's supposed to open. You can re-create the shortcut by simply copying the EXE and then choosing 'Edit --> Paste Shortcut'. I'm guessing you're working with the icon in the programs list, which is a listing of the shortcuts in '\Windows\Start Menu\Programs'. That is where you should paste the shortcut. The beta is officially finished now and version 1.0 has been released. You'll find the new version at the same place as the beta (http://www.cyancanyon.com/software/smache). If you go to the page and it still shows the beta version, refreshing the page will fix the problem. release thread

not sure what happened here, this is the real thread

A couple weeks later than I'd have liked, but it's finally here - Smache version 1.0, all-in-one pocket pc paperless caching application. The major fixes are a faster import, support for landscape and square screens, better international support and removal of the registration and nag screen (which were added in so I could teach myself how to do it, Smache will be free). http://www.cyancanyon.com/software/smache follow the link for a more detailed description, help files and the free download. I've gotten some good feedback, please continue to let me know what you think!

I guess they don't really jump out at you, after you click on the link you mentioned there will be a screenshots link under the "detailed topics" heading at the top.

appreciated!

This I didn't realize since I rarely use the single download feature, but after talking to Geek-Qualizer I am guessing that many people have the two types mixed from GSAK anyway, so I plan on writing in the support for that situation. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks again. I'm pretty sure that all the issues you pointed out in your e-mail are related to how I am handling regional settings except for the column header names (I can't seem to duplicate that one). The coordinates for the location you were creating worked for me (under Portugal regional setting) in the format 34°44,638 w009°08,201 I'm guessing all the other situations are also mixing up commas and decimals, but I haven't been able to look at them specifically yet. The special characters aren't showing up because of a bug (I used 7-bit ASCII format instead of 8-bit unicode ). Thanks for the feedback everyone, quite helpful!