Astartus

Made some changes to the FindStatGen map and the map definition file for GSAK. Now the regions should match those provided in the above mentioned link. The newest version for the UK file can be downloaded here

This might be my fault. The last image in garyhoney's profile is a map that I created for the use with GSAK and the FindStatsGen macro. When I looked for maps of the UK regions, I stumbled upon many different ones that had hardly any resemblance to the regions that GC.com used. So I took several maps and worked them all together. Looking at the overlay for GE, it looks quite ok, but I'm not sure if this is official, as the maps of UK regions all looked totally different. If users of GSAK could agree on using the outlines of the GE overlay, I could edit the map file for the FindStatsGen maro.

If it is this geocoin: I think you are out of luck trying to activate it, as these geocoins are not trackable at geocaching.com You can either keep it for yourself or carry it to another cache as a trade item. Edit: Ah there seem to be different versions of the same Nerd. v1 coins can not be tracked, but v2 obviously can be. Geocoin Nerd Thread

Hello folks, when working on a map for the GSAK FindStatGen macro, I created a PocketQuery of new published caches in the UK. Importing this PQ to GSAK, I noticed that the state information did only update the GSAK database with "Nil" or "None". Checking back at the Groundspeak site, the state information (like "South of England") was clearly there. I thin got some individual GPX-files for some caches, and all these single gpx-files DID include the state information. Some other cachers from the UK have checked the issue and also reported missing state informations in the Pocket Queries, strangely only for tjose PQ's for unfound caches. MyFinds PQs also include the correct informations. Could someone check into this issue?

Regarding the missing infos in the PQ: As a non-UK-cacher I can't say if Groundspeak intentionally left out the state informations in their PQ's or if this an unknown accident. That's why I posted it here to get som e feedback from you guys, who might work more often with these files. But it seems as if this is an accident and therefore I might file a quick message to Groundspeak.

Ok guys, uploaded the first version of the regions map definition file for use with the FindStatsGen macro. You can find the file in this thread. Starting work on the county map.

Hey guys, a quick update: I'm going to upload the first version of my "UK regions" map definition file for the use with the FindStatsGen macro tomorrow. HERE you can have a sneek peek of the final look. (Don't mind the german words, I have a german GSAK language file) Things to note: 1. It looks as if Groundspeak's Pocket Queries don't include the state information needed to color the appropriate region. Single GPX files DO include these informations. I can't say if this is an error or intentional. 2. The map is designed after the regions that are supported by Groundspeak to prevent you all from having to edit the state informations after each import of a new PQ. For a map of counties, stay tuned. 3. Groundspeak doesn't support Northern Ireland as a region of the UK, but do include it as part of the "Ulster" region in Ireland. if you have caches found in Northern Ireland, and would like to show them on this map, you would have to manually edit the country and state information. 4. As the regions don't have a flag or coat of arms image, there won't be such images shown in the summary below the map.

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies and feedback. Sorry for not getting back to you, but I was pretty busy with my dad celebrating his 60th (and promoting our great hobby to possible new aspirants - haha more victi...ehhm geocachers) I'm nearly finished with the "quick and dirty" region version of the map that can be then chosen from the "FindStatsGen" macro. When this is finished (sometimes this week), I'll start on cleaning up a big map of the UK counties, which kooskoos has provided me with. He kindly offered his help with the shapefiles and the macro. @Edgamaster: Your second link is awesome.

I think I already opened up a can of worms when I asked if I should make a map for just the regions or for counties. I think I will make the regions map nonteheless, as this would be much much much (did I say much?) more easier. The county map needs me to delve into the depths of macro language, and how I could modify kooskoos macro to actually do the same for UK counties. And this won't be something that will be done in 1-2 weeks. Sorry to put you guys off. I will try my best to stand up to your expectations. But please be patient. @dino-irl: Never used INATN, only GSAK. Therefore I can't judge their maps.

What I wanted to say: Map with big regions first, map with small counties later. So first Something like this and afterwards something like this? The problem with a map for the counties would be to fit in all the found numbers. But maybe the guys at GSAK have some ideas how to fix this. *gulp* oh man, what have I ran myself into ....

Hello folks, thanks for your replies. I should have checked the Groundspeak website first, as I now noticed that there are already region informations provided by Groundspeak (except they are missing Northern Ireland). The county information would have to be added manually to every cache in GSAK (except someone has shapefiles for all the counties and can give them to the developers of GSAK to inlude the ifnormations - as there seems to be a similar macro for the US counties that can add these infos). I have already made a map for Ireland and left Northern Ireland in another color. As a suggestion and maybe a compomise I would start working on a map that includes the "big" administrative regions, that are already supported by Groundspeak. If someone could provide shapefiles for the counties so one could add the counties to the GSAK database without having to edit every cache manually, I could start on working on a second map, that goes into a much smaller granularity. Would that be ok? I understand, that many would like to see every little county they have cached in, but this would be pretty difficult to represent on a small map (at the current state, I'm not THAT used to map making). So big map first, small map later?

Hello fellow geocachers from the "island". Some of you might know the great tool "Geocaching Swiss Army Knife" (in short GSAK). For some time, GSAK has offered the option, to create custom maps for countries, you have cached in and to color the actual region (or Bundesland, canton, state or how they are called in their native tongue). As it seems there is no map for England yet. Therefore I wanted to ask, if there is a demand for such a map, and if there is a demand, what level of administrative counties. Would the 9 regions be enough? Or should the map be devided further into the 41 counties? I would be happy to hear from cachers from England, what their opinion is. If there is a concensus, I could work on a map definition file and the map pretty quickly. To see what some of the other (uncolored) custom maps look like you can take a look here: Germany France Switzerland For a colored version, feel free to check my profile. Greetings Astartus

As far as I know there is currently no map for the UK. Creating one wouldn't be a problem, but the big part is to agree on the level of administration. Endgland is devided into 9 regions, these regions are then devided into counties etc. Some cachers might say, the 9 regions are enough while others want a higher level of granularity. Maybe we would have to start a poll on the "english speaking" sub-forum

Thanks for trying out the map. Looks pretty good so far. Might post a small update to the definition file next week. Only some minor corrections to the coordinates for the found numbers. Your macro sounds promising. Could this be adapted for outher countries as well? Was just about to send you over to the GSAK boadrs wehn I noticed your post there

Email sent for stage 2

sent mail for stage 1

Butter my butt and call me a biscuit. Of course the map is for regions. No idea what made me say it was for the 100+ departements. It's only for the 23 regions. Changed my previous post Also, here is the uncolored map: http://gsak.net/stats/newmaps/custommap.php?map=France

Bonjour et salut, excuse me when I continue writing in english, but my french is pretty bad and rusted. On the GSAK boards, the need for a custom map of France has appeared, and as I already made several custom maps for Switzerland or Finland, I decided to also put my hands on a map of the departements in France. All users of GSAK are welcom to try out the first version of the map definition file for France which you can get HERE As Groundspeak currently does not support the informations for the regions, users would have to manually add these informations into the "State" field. To prevent these informations from being overriden with the next import of a GPX file, either lock the listing or use the States Backup and Restore Makro to save the informations. The map definition files includes all continental regions and the island of Corse. It does NOT include the oversea regions of Martinique, French Guinea, Reunion and Guadaloupe If you find bugs or have questions or requests, feel free to post these here (but please write in english, if possible). With friendly greetings to all french cachers Astartus

Hello guys, have there been any new errors or problems with the custom map? If not, I'm going to do some small adjustments to some of the found number placements and the make this map file final. And does someone maybe know a better map, with all the maakunnat but with some smaller borders? These thick borders make me sick. But changing them manually would be a pain.

Hello Shambbu, yeah,Åland is a constant thorn in my side. On the one hand, GC.com has it as a seperate land to search for, on the other hand it is official part of Finland, even if it has it's own government. Therefore I decided to include it in the map definition file. There aren't that many caches in Åland, so changing them manually to be shown on the Finland map should be possible. Or just let them be.

Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback. I renamed Ahvenanmaa to Åland and made some adjustments to the map. If you have the maakunat Ahvenanmaa, please make sure to rename it in the database (global replace should do it after filtering for the name). The newest version can be found here.

Thanks guys, I will try to make a new map definition file ready sometime this week. I will also send the new map of Finland to lignumaqua then. Regarding the Åland issue: I will make up my mind if I should keep the name Ahvenmaa (as it is an adminsitrative and historical region and province of Finland) or if I should use the swedish name of Åland Islands, to respect their native language. It's a tough decision.

Ok, learned something new again. Will change US to UM. Wouldn't PM for Pirkenmaa be better (have PA now), even if it won't appear on the map? Just to make everything right?

Ok, increased the size of Uusimaa and decreased the size of Itä-Uusimaa. New possible map- Is this better? Please don't make me rework ALL of the borders. I'll think about the 2-letter abreviation for Uusimaa. Anyone know if there is an offical list of 2-letter abbreviations for the regions?

Hello again guys, I have talked to lignumaqua and he wouldn't mind the map image to exceed the limit of 400 pixel. Therefore I have created to possible solutions, and used small oaks find stats (hope you don't mind), to see how the map could look with some additional pixels at the bottom. Option 1 has only added 10 pixels to the bottom Option 2 has 15 pixels added I don't think there need t be more space than this. What do you guys like more? And is the placement of the numbers ok this way? Or are there other suggestions?