schwa

Well, work got in the way for a while but I've been progressing slowly. Work has calmed down a little so I've got some more opportunities to work on the software. At the moment I'm tidying up the GUI, adding extra configuration to allow people with unsupported/untested GPSes to use the software and fixing glaring bugs. I'm trying to restrain myself from adding any new features at this stage - I just want to get rid of the rough edges and make this software as useable for as many people as I can. I won't promise a date though (esp. after being overly bold before). I _am_ looking for artists who are capable of making nice Mac OS X aqua style icons. If anyone is interested (or if you know anyone who might be) drop me a line at jwightNOSPAM@mac.com (remove the obvious).

Well I was hoping mid-august for an early beta release. Ain't happening. I'm still working hard on the program - added .loc file importing yesterday. I've still got a long to go before it's ready for public consumption. Jon.

quote:Perhaps you meant GPSy hasn't been updated recently. MacGPS is updated every few months and an OS X version is imminent according to the author. I've been using MacGPS for about 4 years. I based my statement on a quick check on versiontracker.com. The point is right now there isn't any freely available native Mac OS X GPS software. I'm sure that GPSy and MacGPS and other software are currently being carbonized, but I'm not going to wait. I'd rather create my own solution. Besides, more choice is good right?

New screenshot showing Geode (oh yeah I named it) running on the latest Jaguar build. Screenshop 002. Here's what I've added in the last week or so: * Transfer of Waypoints is now two-way. Previously the GUI could only get waypoints from the device. Now it can transfer them onto it too. * Added in the device database code. Now Geode will query the device to find out what protocol it uses and what kind of device it is. Then it looks up the details of the device in its database. If the database contains a URL for the device it will download the device's picture from the URL (it'll store the picture so you only have to download it once). * Lots of GUI improvements: beginnings of a toolbar, drag and drop of waypoints, better document handling, some undo support, and more. The GUI is still rough around the edges though so please don't judge this book by it's covers yet. I'll be getting the core code working before concentrating on tarting the GUI up. I have more than enough beta testers now so please don't email me. A big thank you to everyone offering to beta-test the software . I'm still hoping for a beta release around the middle of august but due to time constraints I think the release will be more of an alpha release than a beta release. The main purpose of the release will be to try and iron out the Garmin protocol and make sure I have a wide enough range of devices covered.

New screenshot showing Geode (oh yeah I named it) running on the latest Jaguar build. Screenshop 002. Here's what I've added in the last week or so: * Transfer of Waypoints is now two-way. Previously the GUI could only get waypoints from the device. Now it can transfer them onto it too. * Added in the device database code. Now Geode will query the device to find out what protocol it uses and what kind of device it is. Then it looks up the details of the device in its database. If the database contains a URL for the device it will download the device's picture from the URL (it'll store the picture so you only have to download it once). * Lots of GUI improvements: beginnings of a toolbar, drag and drop of waypoints, better document handling, some undo support, and more. The GUI is still rough around the edges though so please don't judge this book by it's covers yet. I'll be getting the core code working before concentrating on tarting the GUI up. I have more than enough beta testers now so please don't email me. A big thank you to everyone offering to beta-test the software . I'm still hoping for a beta release around the middle of august but due to time constraints I think the release will be more of an alpha release than a beta release. The main purpose of the release will be to try and iron out the Garmin protocol and make sure I have a wide enough range of devices covered.

Well you've already seen my other thread here. Some of the features you've listed in your bounty will be included in my software (now titled "Geode"). In the first version of Geode I'll be supporting the Garmin protocol (Magellan and other protocols coming later), various import/export options, some integration with various geocaching/gps related websitees) and hopefully applescript support. I won't be adding command line support but as you can run osa scripts from the Mac OS X command line (osascript 'tell application "geode" to blah') that isn't a big deal. Although if running osascript through the terminal proves to be inadaquate I might consider adding a terminal based solution at a later time. I more than likely will not be releasing the source to my project. To be honest with projects like this there is very little to gain from opensourcing the software. I've worked on some opensource projects before and quite frankly I am less than impressed with the opensource development model. So I'll be quite happy to claim $140 or so of your reward when the software is released. I'm shooting for around mid August for the first beta release, although it's looking as if the software will still be alpha quality by that date. Keep checking the thread referred to by the URL I mentioned previously for updates. [updated minor grammer fixes]

Still making progress. GUI is going to take a lot longer than initially though (mainly because my current design is more ambitious)... As you can see from the screenshot it's all VERY rough. Basic functionality is all there though. Screenshot 001 (Edited - removed inline JPEG - was too big, and replace it with a off site link)

I'll be posting to versiontracker.com and other places when the program is useable. Right now I still have a lot of work to do. Jon.

Well I don't think Steve will be announcing anything quite like that soon... :-) Anyway you asked to be kept updated so here's a quick update... Over the weekend I got transferal of waypoints between the GPS and Macintosh working. So basically the core functionality is complete. All I need to do is design and write the GUI. With Cocoa I can whip up a GUI pretty quick so. I'm guessing I can have something up and running by middle of this week (no promises though). The first version will only support the Garmin eTrex range (although anything that uses the same variant of the Garmin protocol will work too). So if you want to test this please send me an email (I have around 10 beta testers right now but one or two more would be great). In other news, I've borrowed a friend's Magellin GPS 320 and as soon as I track down a data cable for it will be writing code to interface with it. The Magellin protocol seems a lot simpler but until I settle down and start coding I won't know how long it will take. But I'll keep you posted. So any Magellin GPS users out there interested in Mac OS X software? Jon.

Well I don't think Steve will be announcing anything quite like that soon... :-) Anyway you asked to be kept updated so here's a quick update... Over the weekend I got transferal of waypoints between the GPS and Macintosh working. So basically the core functionality is complete. All I need to do is design and write the GUI. With Cocoa I can whip up a GUI pretty quick so. I'm guessing I can have something up and running by middle of this week (no promises though). The first version will only support the Garmin eTrex range (although anything that uses the same variant of the Garmin protocol will work too). So if you want to test this please send me an email (I have around 10 beta testers right now but one or two more would be great). In other news, I've borrowed a friend's Magellin GPS 320 and as soon as I track down a data cable for it will be writing code to interface with it. The Magellin protocol seems a lot simpler but until I settle down and start coding I won't know how long it will take. But I'll keep you posted. So any Magellin GPS users out there interested in Mac OS X software? Jon.

I absolutely love mine. It's my first and only GPS so far and I really don't see a reason to change to a different model. Features I really love are the onboard map, it's great for driving, all the little options you can display at once in the navigation screen, etc. One tiny problem I have is that to turn on it you hold the power button for a second or two and to turn on the backlight you tap the power button. I often have a brainfart when I want to toggle the backlight and end up turning the darn thing off. That's probably just me though...

Wow. I wasn't aware of this program. Looks very usable in its current state. I will be getting in contact with its author ASAP hopefully we can cooperate in some way. I think I'll probably continue working on my version though - I've made a lot of progress in a short time and am on a bit of a roll. However I wont be releasing a Mac OS 9 or earlier version of my software, I'm writing it entirely in Cocoa...

Please email me with the model of GPS, version of Mac OS X used and model of your Macintosh. I'll be sending out further information via e-mail.

Here's the USB to RS232 adaptor I'm currently using, Keyspan USA-19Q: . I've also used a (borrowed) slightly old Keyspan USA-19 and it worked just as well. I don't know of any other USB adaptors that work with Mac OS X - my local Frys has several models, most claim Mac OS compatibility - but unless it specifically says Mac OS X is supported I wouldn't buy one. YMMV. Jon.

Hope this reply isn't too late (6 days after your post). We were in/around Greenville SC (actually Seneca SC but did a cache in SC) the other month. These caches were pretty easy, only the first in the list was actually in Greenville, the other 3 were in the general vicinity. Goodluck! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=14726 http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=2501 http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=2500 http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=21917

The main reason is because I can. I have all the things I needed (GPS, Garmin protocol specs, USB Cable, etc) and some spare time. Also neither of MacGPSPro and GPSy Pro (another Mac GPS program) run natively in Mac OS X. MacGPSPro hasn't been updated (according to versiontracker.com) since 2001 and 2000 respectively so it is rather unlikely a native Mac OS X version will be coming along in the next couple of weeks. Finally, I get to write the software to fulfil my needs. I'd like to integrate the GPS with the geocaching.com website, so for example you could drag a cache's URL from geocaching.com onto my program and it'll automatically 'scrap' the cache's coordinates from the page and upload it onto the GPS when next connected.

Hi all, I'm writing a waypoint manager for my Garmin eTrex for Mac OS X. If anyone is interested in beta-testing this software when its ready (in around a fortnight) please drop me an e-mail. You will need a PowerMac running Mac OS X with either built-in serial ports or a USB to RS232 adaptor (I used a Keyspan PDA adaptor and it works well) and a Garmin eTrex GPS (I might support other Garmin GPSs but all I have is a eTrex Legend to develop against). The current plan is to merely allow uploading/downloading/editing of waypoint coordinates and information. But once that is done I'll be adding more features. Right now my software is communicating with the GPS and I expect to be able to set/retrieve waypoints very shortly. I'll be 'slapping' (technical term) a rough GUI on top of the software shortly and making it available for testers. E-mail me at jwightNOSPAM@mac.comNOSPAM (remove the obvious). Requirements: Mac OS X, Serial Port/USB to RS232 adaptor, Garmin eTrex. Cheers. Jon.

I ran across his posting concerning Geocaching on his website. I thought it might be a good way of getting out the house more, getting a bit of exercise and be a geek at the same time. So yesterday I rushed to fries and picked up a cute little Garmen. Two caches explored thoroughly - but haven't found the treasure yet. Have found two nice parks here in Austin that I didn't know even existed. Thanks Wesley!