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Thanks, 300mag! The information in www.joe.mehaffey.com/eagle1.txt is especially helpful. I'm less skeptical about the EE's capabilities now. I'm anxious for my software and cables to arrive. I'll try it out with Street Atlas too. I'll also talk with Lowrance about the possibility of a firmware upgrade, though my current v1.9 probably has more capabilities than the v1.4 described at the URL above. Looks like I'll be happily occupied for awhile. Thanks again for the helpful info. ------------------ Best regards, Kurt in MI Track your US currency's travels too at Where's George?!

Thanks, 300mag! The information in www.joe.mehaffey.com/eagle1.txt is especially helpful. I'm less skeptical about the EE's capabilities now. I'm anxious for my software and cables to arrive. I'll try it out with Street Atlas too. I'll also talk with Lowrance about the possibility of a firmware upgrade, though my current v1.9 probably has more capabilities than the v1.4 described at the URL above. Looks like I'll be happily occupied for awhile. Thanks again for the helpful info. ------------------ Best regards, Kurt in MI Track your US currency's travels too at Where's George?!

quote:Originally posted by IronHelix:tee hee hee... just ripped open the box. Okay, I just spoke to the moderator. He fully agrees with me that no one should be able to talk about their cool new Vistas until mine arrives!

quote:Originally posted by IronHelix:tee hee hee... just ripped open the box. Okay, I just spoke to the moderator. He fully agrees with me that no one should be able to talk about their cool new Vistas until mine arrives!

I would have to agree that a forum specifically for discussion of the legal fight for use of our land is a good idea. It would give us a place to share any responses we receive, and help to determine what approaches are working well. Here's the slightly updated version of something I posted on the email list a few days ago... > Who, exactly, do we speak to with regards > to identifying/changing/clarifying the > applicable rules? Go to the top. Let it filter down from on high: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm But always copy the little guys to give them a chance to straighten up before the big bosses start looking closely: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/e-mail/ I can't find a general email address for the DOI itself, but what the heck, spring for a stamp: U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C. Street N.W. Washington, DC 20240 > Others have reported numerous conflicting > conversations with park and public > personnel, each pointing their fingers in > other directions. Then that's something else that should be addressed in your letter. Incidentally, is there someone out there who can make up a form letter to send? That tends to encourage a lot more people to make themselves heard. I'd like to have someone who's also involved in Letterboxing write up a nice letter regarding both sports, since numbers are the primary weapon in these situations, and teaming up with the US Letterboxers will effectively increase our ranks, while working towards a mutually beneficial outcome. Jeremy; can you add the above links, any other contacts high enough in the NPS/DOI to have an effect, and the letter, if it becomes available, to the site? > Nobody seems to want to take > responsibility for quoting "The Rules", > so who _do_ we talk to for a reliable > answer? When all else fails, go over everybody's head. The people at the top will either have an answer, or will make one up and make it stick. With enough people writing in wanting to cache, and no movement against it, the answer we want will be the easiest one for them to give. ------------------ DrunkenBard http://www.drunkenbard.com

If anybody in Calgary is geocaching I would like to talk to them. I'm researching an article. Please email cokeefe@calgarypublishingltd.com. Thanks!

Grettings Folks. Just received a letter back from the KCMO parks folks regarding the Santa Fe Trail #2 geocache in Minor Park. FYI, here's the text.... March 28, 2001 Dear John, I am in receipt of your note of March 18, 2001 regarding the placement of a geocache in Minor Park. As I stated, we do not have any objection at this time to the placement of the material, but we do wish to monitor the situation and will reevaluate in a year or so. We certainly love the increased exposure the park is receiving and just want to be sure that there is no negative environmental impact. Let?s talk again later. Sincerely, Stephen F. Lampone Director of Operations Kansas City Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners

My first suggestion is to talk to a surveyor, your town/city's DPW or a college that teaches GIS. I use a demo/student version of Auto CAD Map 3, but I haven't tried to interface with my GPS. (I fear my poor old computer will have a stroke) I do know of a program called GPS-Communicator from Nautical Software. With it, different brands of GPS can actually swap information. Works with handhelds as well as top of the line fixed GPS found on boats. I got some waypoints from a Furuno, Raytheon, Northstar etc. put in my Garmin 48. It's used at the docks to keep everyone clear of other's lobster pots and long-lines etc. Proprietary software might a stumble. There are at least 12 different charting / mapping programs for marine alone , toss in AutoCAD .dwg file system, and I see sleepless nights ahead. I wish you luck, I'd like to know what happens.

I think it's a great idea. Friday's a good night to do it, too, so that people can hook up and talk about who's going where over the weekend, form groups, etc. Count me in. Scott

Talk about lame pickup lines...

I need to talk to a few Geocachers of varying levels of experience about Geocaching in the Calgary area, you know the kind of thing...who's doing it, what they like about it, how they got into it, etc. Lifestyle magazine stuff. You can email me cameo@canuck.com if you're interested in talking about it to me or you can call 240-9055 if you want to check my credentials or leave me a message. Thanks!

quote:Originally posted by puzzled:Most would agree that's it's not the arriving, it's the getting there that makes travel fulfilling. From your comments, I have to assume that you have not actually geocached before. A person does not fire up their GPS and walk straight to the cache. I have NEVER experienced this. It always boils down to plotting a point on a map and then trying to determine the best way to get to that point. quote:So what does GPS offer that supercedes maps? Again, from these comments, it doesn't appear that you ever geocached before. In no way are we using GPS in place of maps. In fact, every cache page (in the US) displays a map of the cache location. I always use a USGS 7.5 minute map of the area for reference when I hunt a cache, and I use a compass to help me zero in on the location. But even if someone does go at it without maps, what of it? quote:I blame it on Nintendo. Gratification with minimal outlay, like surfing the internet or reading trashy books. Blame WHAT on Nintendo? Getting people interested in technology AND the outdoors? This comment is quite insulting and demeaning, and rather than showing insight on your part, it shows a complete and utter lack of understanding and disregard for the interests of others. Why do you find it necessary to insult? quote:As for showing people interesting places, why not open up a book or talk to friends- you'll find it more effecient, unless of course, you ARE actually interested in the process of exploring rather than in the arrival. As a matter of fact, most of us ARE more interested in the exploring. We are telling people that point X is a neat place to go. It is up to them to determine how to get there.

s tedious and slower using fingers. A slide-rule is slower and less versatile for some calculations. So what does GPS offer that supercedes maps? It gives distance travelled more quickly &c. &c. but it doesn't give the 'big picture' like a map can. It's a different tool, not a comparable one, to be used as an adjunct rather than a means to an end. I blame it on Nintendo. Gratification with minimal outlay, like surfing the internet or reading trashy books. GPS appeals to those who can't quite leave the Nintendo at home, and have to have the low energy fix it offers. As for showing people interesting places, why not open up a book or talk to friends- you'll find it more effecient, unless of course, you ARE actually interested in the process of exploring rather than in the arrival.

I too have been thinking about creating virtual caches, in light of local park officials "studying" the potential impact of real caches. Virtual caches seem like the next step in the evolution of Geocaching. I think they would appeal more to those who have already found some real caches. There will always be appeal of real caches, especially for kids, but vitual caches appeal to me for several reasons: I don't need permission to create them, there's no talk about "littering", they're easier to create for high traffic areas such as city parks and residential areas.

mething and leaving something, it's having a good reason to go to a new place and play with your GPS. A stake in the ground is: less noticable and probably isn't 'junk' in the NPS's view. Or perhaps it is. Nonetheless, we do need to talk to the rangers, NPS people, whoever and explain to them that: - We're using the park. That's why it was invented, right? - We'd like to pay for the use of the park. IE, we're not freeloaders. - We're probably more environmentally aware about what off-trail use does and thus it won't be as bad as someone else's off-trail use. - It's not a threat, but this is a popular sport that's only going to get more popular, so see the next point: - We'd like to work with you [NPS, et al.] to make this all legal, but you have to work with us, too. ...And other stuff I haven't thought of. It's in everyone's best interest to be reasonable about this, but to take it up with official-type people. If they shoot you down, regroup and try again with someone else, or try again later. It will probably take awhile to convince the NPS that Geocaching is benefitial to the parks, not detrimental. ------------------

Yes, GPSs are 'dividendable' at REI (at least the one I bought was). A good internet source is http://www.tvnav.com . Darrel makes sure to upgrade each unit with the latest firmware before he ships it and he's willing to talk through any software compatibility or other issues with you over the phone or by email. (No connection other than as a customer.)

I'm in the same geographic area as you are. I've planted four caches, and only received 3 visitors in two months. Maybe you should wait until it really gets going here. This way you don't talk it up to a business and have them expecting a constant supply of people from your cache, then in reality have only me show up.

I recently stumbled upon some fellow geocachers and spooked them. They posted later that they stopped looking because the felt we were following them. We were just trying to stay back out of their way so that we could find the cache on our own. I would encourage everybody to talk to the people you run across while geocaching to avoid this sort of confusion. Maybe we need a secret handshake or a call and response. On a different occasion while signing the logbook we heard some geocachers approaching. (we could identify them by what they were saying , "it's 75 feet this way"). So as not to spoil their hunt we closed up the cache (minus the logbook, which we hadn't finished) and moved back about 25 feet. When they arrived we identified ourselves as fellow geocachers and told them they were close. Is there any offical geocaching etiquette we should follow in these situations.

I recently stumbled upon some fellow geocachers and spooked them. They posted later that they stopped looking because the felt we were following them. We were just trying to stay back out of their way so that we could find the cache on our own. I would encourage everybody to talk to the people you run across while geocaching to avoid this sort of confusion. Maybe we need a secret handshake or a call and response. On a different occasion while signing the logbook we heard some geocachers approaching. (we could identify them by what they were saying , "it's 75 feet this way"). So as not to spoil their hunt we closed up the cache (minus the logbook, which we hadn't finished) and moved back about 25 feet. When they arrived we identified ourselves as fellow geocachers and told them they were close. Is there any offical geocaching etiquette we should follow in these situations.

Hi Markwell - If it was the Herrick Lake Stash, that was one of the 3 caches I placed. I would be all for you placing one next to it as a bonus cache. E-amil me at TCGGrafix@aol.com and we can "talk". (Plus I want the coordinates for the new cache without having to return to mine any time soon!) Let me know! Bryan

Hi Markwell - If it was the Herrick Lake Stash, that was one of the 3 caches I placed. I would be all for you placing one next to it as a bonus cache. E-amil me at TCGGrafix@aol.com and we can "talk". (Plus I want the coordinates for the new cache without having to return to mine any time soon!) Let me know! Bryan

In my global map 100manual they talk about the power save feature.They say it will affect the receivers performance,it also can loose its lock easier on satellites and changes update rate. So maybe this is whats also hapenning when youre units get low on power.

ssion from the proper authorities? I mean actually talk to someone who understands the purpose of the cache and says it's okay to stash it. I read that LA Times article about a cache in a park and the rangers saying they didn't know about it but if they found it they would remove it. Obviously the stasher didn't get permission in advance. As this gets more popular, this kind of thing could really hurt the sport. Am I wrong, or are most cachers not bothering with permission?

So, you are Todd of Todd and Tracy! We finally meet (in cyberspace anyway). I must confess, I went out yesterday to Fort Scott deliberately to be the first to find the McGinnis caches. My dream was to get to a cache before you two did! (You've beaten me to every cache I've been to so far.) Now that my dream has been realized, I plan to get more casual about my drive. (Also, I was with the guy who has set out the Santa Fe Trail caches yesterday as he placed another one. Since I know where it is, I won't be looking for it. So you'll probably get there before anyone. Certainly before me.) Actually, I'm trying to convince the Star to let me write an article about geocaching. If you're interested, I'd probably like to talk to the two of you to get the view of two enthusiastic geocachers in the KC area. All sweetness and light, positive, upbeat quotes and perspectives about this healthy, wholesome, informative sport. That kind of thing. Look me up in the phone book and give me a call if you're interested. Paul of Paul and Libby

Step 1 would be talk to you local council, there may already discussions going on at the national level. Step 2 might be to set up a Cache in the local Scout Camp. I teach Sailing Merit Badge, navigation on a pond is pretty limited, so I often bring Scouts out on a larger boat in a bay. I used to tell them about Loran, but that is over now. GPS is so common now, that I see no reason to teach about it. Maps or Charts are still used, and compass use is still part of the excersize. "Be Prepared!" (bring extra batteries !)