Gsak (geocaching Swiss Army Knife)

[+ClydeE]

another hopefully easy to fix bug is in (uK) postcodes. if you don't enter them in upper case it complains about postcode not being in the database.

I wouldn't call this a bug, but I will force that input to uppercase.

 

Can we also have the ability to enter postcodes into the boxes, similar to code search, name search etc. That would give a quick, one-click filter option

That area of the screen is getting tight for real estate (I am still supporting 800 x 600 screens) and I honestly don't think the post code search is used often enough buy users (like for instance the name search) to warrant it's own search box.

Edited June 16, 2004 by ClydeE

[+TeamJiffy]

If we are making feature requests, I'd love the ability to lay out what buttons appear on the tool-bar... like you can do with Microsoft Office and such. I use Garmins, and don't need the Magellan buttons, and I would prefer to get a button to generate CSV files.

 

One way to do this without too much grief is to make a button for just about every menu item, and create a pop-up form which allows you to choose what buttons are shown on the screen, and in what order, with one of those "move between column A and B" lists... or even easier, don't allow order choosing, but have a check-mark list saying which buttons get displayed.

 

Do this, and I'll purchase 2 copies (one for me, one for my wife!), because with the buttons I can finally show my wife how to set things up for paperless chaching by herself

 

-Jif

[+Tom SKP]

Well Clyde, I guess if the 'request' door is maybe open a crack...

Since I have gsak databases for several different areas that I regularly visit (or will soon),

I would like to request that the 'Centre Point' location be allowed to be different for each database. That makes advance planning easier for each area.

TIA

[+ClydeE]

If we are making feature requests, I'd love the ability to lay out what buttons appear on the tool-bar... like you can do with Microsoft Office and such. I use Garmins, and don't need the Magellan buttons, and I would prefer to get a button to generate CSV files.

This one is alredy on the "to do" list (but is a non trivial task). However as this is more a cosmetic change (GSAK still has the fucntionality) it is lower down the list in priority than say Printing or Custom csv/excel/htm/word exporting.

 

Since I have gsak databases for several different areas that I regularly visit (or will soon),

I would like to request that the 'Centre Point' location be allowed to be different for each database. That makes advance planning easier for each area.

Seems reasonable enough, I will see what I can do for the next release.

Edited June 16, 2004 by ClydeE

[+ClydeE]

On the subject of feature requests, by all means put them here. The features in GSAK are mainly user driven and those asked for the most or benefit the most users tend to get priority.

 

Non trivial requests take longer to pop up, but if they will benefit all/most users then there is a good chance they will eventually get done.

 

However, please do not place a request and say “I will register if you do such and such”. If I pander to such requests it will reek of a sell out. It would also mean GSAK would start to become bloated with features that only a select few would use.

 

I really don’t want to go down the track of adding esoteric features just for the sake of chasing a buck. I would much prefer to keep it main stream and hopefully keep most users happy.

 

If you use GSAK, like it, and want to thank me, then by all means register. This will certainly encourage me to continue enhancing GSAK. However, I do not want to miss lead you by saying registration is a portal to unlimited user customization.

Edited June 17, 2004 by ClydeE

[+YeOleImposter]

Clyde, I am trying to import a file that was created with st2gpx into it's own database. Am guessing it is missing some of the stuff in the gpx file that GSAK expects - since it seems to just create one record (blank) instead of 49.

 

2 of the pertinent gpx lines are as follows:

<wpt lat="45.794210" lon="-119.387494"><name><![CDATA[i84X179-I82]]></name></wpt>

<wpt lat="45.800181" lon="-119.421777"><name><![CDATA[i84X177-Umatila Army Depot]]></name></wpt>

 

What do I need to add to these lines so GSAK will be happy?

 

Hmmm wonder if I can get gpsBabel to convert it into something GSAK would accept?

 

BTW these are the Interstate 84 Exits for a trip I am taking to portland (Portland Cache Machine). I want to keep a database of the exits - and then can format them for both the 'arc' filter and for the HTML indexes (wish could import a gpx file into that But cut and paste works.

[+ClydeE]

Clyde, I am trying to import a file that was created with st2gpx into it's own database. Am guessing it is missing some of the stuff in the gpx file that GSAK expects - since it seems to just create one record (blank) instead of 49.

 

2 of the pertinent gpx lines are as follows:

<wpt lat="45.794210" lon="-119.387494"><name><![CDATA[i84X179-I82]]></name></wpt>

<wpt lat="45.800181" lon="-119.421777"><name><![CDATA[i84X177-Umatila Army Depot]]></name></wpt>

 

What do I need to add to these lines so GSAK will be happy?

 

Hmmm wonder if I can get gpsBabel to convert it into something GSAK would accept?

 

BTW these are the Interstate 84 Exits for a trip I am taking to portland (Portland Cache Machine). I want to keep a database of the exits - and then can format them for both the 'arc' filter and for the HTML indexes (wish could import a gpx file into that But cut and paste works.

Hmmm, on the surface it looks ok. Could you please send me a copy of the GPX file and I will see what the problem is. Thanks.

[+YeOleImposter]

2 of the pertinent gpx lines are as follows:

<wpt lat="45.794210" lon="-119.387494"><name><![CDATA[i84X179-I82]]></name></wpt>

<wpt lat="45.800181" lon="-119.421777"><name><![CDATA[i84X177-Umatila Army Depot]]></name></wpt>

Hmmm, on the surface it looks ok. Could you please send me a copy of the GPX file and I will see what the problem is. Thanks.

It is on its way. I ran it through gpsBabel and converted it to a .loc file. it changed the name item to:

<name id="I84X177-Umatila Army Depot">

as well as spelling out waypoint instead of wpt - not sure if those are important.

 

Anyway - file is on in the bit bucket on its way to you.

[+PDOP's]

BTW these are the Interstate 84 Exits for a trip I am taking to portland (Portland Cache Machine).  I want to keep a database of the exits - and then can format them for both the 'arc' filter and for the HTML indexes (wish could import a gpx file into that   But cut and paste works.

YeOleImposter

 

If you add your pushpins for the exits to a route within Streets&Trips the arc filter routine in GSAK can read the route points from the ST2GPX generated GPX file and automatically dump them into the arc filter.

[+ClydeE]

BTW these are the Interstate 84 Exits for a trip I am taking to portland (Portland Cache Machine).  I want to keep a database of the exits - and then can format them for both the 'arc' filter and for the HTML indexes (wish could import a gpx file into that   But cut and paste works.

YeOleImposter

 

If you add your pushpins for the exits to a route within Streets&Trips the arc filter routine in GSAK can read the route points from the ST2GPX generated GPX file and automatically dump them into the arc filter.

Yes, that is correct - but the st2gpx generated GPX file will also work without routes.

 

I think though, YeOleImposter was wanting this file automatically imported into the locations file in addition to the arc filter.

[+YeOleImposter]

If you add your pushpins for the exits to a route within Streets&Trips  the arc filter routine in GSAK can read the route points from the ST2GPX  generated GPX file and automatically dump them into the arc filter.

Yes, that is correct - but the st2gpx generated GPX file will also work without routes.

 

I think though, YeOleImposter was wanting this file automatically imported into the locations file in addition to the arc filter.

Yes, I like to keep them in a file I can manipulate later and a separate GSAK database is perfect for that.

 

Problem with going right from S&T to arc filter without using a route is that it appears the waypoints are output in the order they were added to S&T - so if you added a waypoint in the middle of your 'route' it will not be in order (correct?)

I assume putting these all in a route would fix that?

 

Anyone know if there is a way to tell S&T to include all pushpins in a route without clicking on each one?

[+PDOP's]

I assume putting these all in a route would fix that?

 

Anyone know if there is a way to tell S&T to include all pushpins in a route without clicking on each one?

Yes to your first question. To include all pushpins in a data set right click on that Data Set in the Legend and Overview window and select "Add Pushpins as Stops"

[robertlipe]

To include all pushpins in a data set right click on that Data Set in the Legend and Overview window and select "Add Pushpins as Stops" 

For related tips, see http://gpsbabel.sourceforge.net/formats/s_...ipPlanning.html

[+YeOleImposter]

To include all pushpins in a data set right click on that Data Set in the Legend and Overview window and select "Add Pushpins as Stops" 

For related tips, see http://gpsbabel.sourceforge.net/formats/s_...ipPlanning.html

Thanks Robert & PDOPs!

 

I love it when others have blazed the trail before. I knew their had to be an easy way to turn these points into a route without clicking on each one individually.

[+PDOP's]

For related tips, see http://gpsbabel.sourceforge.net/formats/s_...ipPlanning.html

A nicely done set of instructions To carry this a step farther you can delete the non cache entries in the route then import this .est file (after processing through ST2GPX) into GSAK's arc filter routine, set the distance from arc to a low number ( it varies) and run the filter to get this same list of caches in GSAK. Thanks again to Clyde for pointing out this method.

 

The distance from arc varies due to the multiple conversions of the coordinates which take place in the process of going from the Pocket Query GPX to CSV for import to S&T, to EST and back to GPX for import into the arc filter routine in GSAK. It's best to start out at a small distance and increase in small increments until the number of caches in the GSAK search equals what was in your S&T route.

[+embra]

I won't call it a bug, but I do have some unexpected behavior to report...

 

I was updating a large file of benchmarks with 3.04, importing county data sheet sets that had first been scrubbed with an applet called TextHarvester (to remove unwanted lines) then run through bmgpx to convert them to gpx files. I mention that in case I may have removed something that may not have been wanted by me, but may have been wanted by GSAK.

 

I employ Clyde's tip of using doctored state abbreviations to deisgnate the county of each benchmark. So after I import each county's BM waypoints, I tried to run the Full State to Abbreviations conversion in Options. The progress bar runs up to 100%, but the current record count doesn't stop at the 2008 waypoints in the file...it keeps counting in some sort of endless loop until I terminate GSAK through Task Manager.

 

On restarting the program, the database seems to be repaired ok to use; it looked like some conversions took and most others didn't.

 

This behavior may be so esoterically invoked that it's not worth a lot of effort running down, and I was able to successfully work around it by using the "abbreviate state names on import" toggle. But I thought you might like to know, Clyde (can send data on request).

 

BTW, GSAK seemed (other than the above) to deal with a datafile of two thousand waypoints fine. But when I tried to have Plucker process the html as one set, I had to bail out after an hour's worth of processing got it only 25% of the way through the task. I went back to a county's worth (about 400 waypoints) per Plucker file. Mucho better.

[+ClydeE]

I won't call it a bug, but I do have some unexpected behavior to report...

 

I was updating a large file of benchmarks with 3.04, importing county data sheet sets that had first been scrubbed with an applet called TextHarvester (to remove unwanted lines) then run through bmgpx to convert them to gpx files. I mention that in case I may have removed something that may not have been wanted by me, but may have been wanted by GSAK.

 

I employ Clyde's tip of using doctored state abbreviations to deisgnate the county of each benchmark. So after I import each county's BM waypoints, I tried to run the Full State to Abbreviations conversion in Options. The progress bar runs up to 100%, but the current record count doesn't stop at the 2008 waypoints in the file...it keeps counting in some sort of endless loop until I terminate GSAK through Task Manager.

 

On restarting the program, the database seems to be repaired ok to use; it looked like some conversions took and most others didn't.

 

This behavior may be so esoterically invoked that it's not worth a lot of effort running down, and I was able to successfully work around it by using the "abbreviate state names on import" toggle. But I thought you might like to know, Clyde (can send data on request).

 

BTW, GSAK seemed (other than the above) to deal with a datafile of two thousand waypoints fine. But when I tried to have Plucker process the html as one set, I had to bail out after an hour's worth of processing got it only 25% of the way through the task. I went back to a county's worth (about 400 waypoints) per Plucker file. Mucho better.

Hi Max,

 

Yes, if you can reliably repeat the error I would like the database.

 

Zip up all files in the folder with the same name as the database (in the "data" folder of the install folder of GSAK)

 

Also if you could send me a copy of your GSAK.ini file (Install folder of GSAK)

 

Then the steps involved producing the problem

 

Thanks

Clyde

[+YeOleImposter]

BTW, GSAK seemed (other than the above) to deal with a datafile of two thousand waypoints fine. But when I tried to have Plucker process the html as one set, I had to bail out after an hour's worth of processing got it only 25% of the way through the task. I went back to a county's worth (about 400 waypoints) per Plucker file. Mucho better.

I have moved from plucker-desktop to jpluck this week because of the difference in processing times on large databases like this.

Plucker Desktop was just taking too long to process my normal GSAK outputs.

 

It was a pain because JPluck did not want to install due to some conduit error - but a google search brought the answer on how to remove the conduit from the registry.

[+Olar]

BTW, GSAK seemed (other than the above) to deal with a datafile of two thousand waypoints fine. But when I tried to have Plucker process the html as one set, I had to bail out after an hour's worth of processing got it only 25% of the way through the task. I went back to a county's worth (about 400 waypoints) per Plucker file. Mucho better.

Thank you embra! I thought it was just me that Plucker was picking on. I too had to split mine up to the same 400 area and run each seperately. If anyone knows of a fix please post it.

 

Cheers, Olar

[Deego]

Just registered. Fantastic Program

 

Thanks

 

Brian

[+Team GPSaxophone]

I saw on the download page that this should take the place of GPXSpinner (among others). How do I do that with GSAK?

Sax

 

"File" "Export" "HTML"

Is that just for Pocket PC's or will that work with my Palm, too?

You will then need to convert the HTML to a format compatible with your palm.

 

I use Plucker. The desktop version. I think there are other programs out there.

 

If you do a search for plucker here in the forums I am sure you will get the full description of what to do.

 

BTW GSAK 3.04 is great! Clyde added some great features!

When I used GPXSpinner, I would point Plucker to the index.htm file it generated. What file do I use for GSAK?

[+YeOleImposter]

You will then need to convert the HTML to a format compatible with your palm.

 

I use Plucker.  The desktop version.  I think there are other programs out there.

 

If you do a search for plucker here in the forums I am sure you will get the full description of what to do.

 

BTW GSAK 3.04 is great!  Clyde added some great features!

When I used GPXSpinner, I would point Plucker to the index.htm file it generated. What file do I use for GSAK?

Same thing - index.htm

 

It is in the 'Cache' subdirectory of whatever directory you have in the first option of the HTML Export screen.

 

If you have "Show HTML index when finished" checked it will pop up when done creating the HTML files. You could then just copy the address bar into plucker.

[+YeOleImposter]

An option that could help speed up Plucker indirectly would be the option to turn off indexes that you do not use? I never use the 'Bug', Not-Found, etc indexes. Removing these would speed up Plucker by not having to create the indexes.

 

Especially for those of that use it for Benchmarks since the NotFound index is the whole database practically?

 

But mainly as a 'feature' - would be nice to be able to customize the index to what you actually need/want.

[+byonke]

Clyde

 

It appears that you are using GPSBabel under the hood to do your filtering to an arc. Is there any chance that this can be expanded to use a Street Atlas route file (*.anr) directly. GPSBabel has (I believe) the capability to convert these .anr files into a list of coordinates to be used in the arc filter. This would remove one manual step from the process.

 

Thanks

Brian

[+ClydeE]

Clyde

 

It appears that you are using GPSBabel under the hood to do your filtering to an arc. Is there any chance that this can be expanded to use a Street Atlas route file (*.anr) directly. GPSBabel has (I believe) the capability to convert these .anr files into a list of coordinates to be used in the arc filter. This would remove one manual step from the process.

 

Thanks

Brian

Hi Brian,

 

As I don't have street Atlas would you be able to send me the .anr file so I can investigate this.

 

Thanks

Clyde

[+byonke]

Hi Brian,

 

As I don't have street Atlas would you be able to send me the .anr file so I can investigate this.

 

Thanks

Clyde

I have sent you a sample .anr file.

 

Thanks for considering this.

Brian

[+Team GPSaxophone]

You will then need to convert the HTML to a format compatible with your palm.

 

I use Plucker.  The desktop version.  I think there are other programs out there.

 

If you do a search for plucker here in the forums I am sure you will get the full description of what to do.

 

BTW GSAK 3.04 is great!  Clyde added some great features!

When I used GPXSpinner, I would point Plucker to the index.htm file it generated. What file do I use for GSAK?

Same thing - index.htm

 

It is in the 'Cache' subdirectory of whatever directory you have in the first option of the HTML Export screen.

 

If you have "Show HTML index when finished" checked it will pop up when done creating the HTML files. You could then just copy the address bar into plucker.

Success! I was able to get the file to the Palm through Plucker!

 

Although...i can't send waypoints from GSAK to my GPS. I still have to use EasyGPS to do that. I must have some settings wrong. I've got a Garmin Legend, and GSAK will start to send waypoints, but stop before it's done.

[+ClydeE]

Although...i can't send waypoints from GSAK to my GPS. I still have to use EasyGPS to do that. I must have some settings wrong. I've got a Garmin Legend, and GSAK will start to send waypoints, but stop before it's done.[/color]

There are quite a few users with GSAK and Garmin Legend and I have had no reported problems.

 

As GSAK uses GPSBabel "Under the Hood" to send waypoints to your GPS you could try GPSBabel by itself to see if you get the same result.

 

Edited "no reported"

Edited June 18, 2004 by ClydeE

[+YeOleImposter]

There are quite a few users with GSAK and Garmin Legend and I have had no reported problems.

No problems for me with my Legend. If you want to export the waypoints as a .gpx and send it to me, I will attempt to put it in my legend.

 

Other thing you could do is eliminate 1/2 the list at a time and see if you can narrow the problem down.

If you have 400 waypoints just send the first 200. If that works try the last 200.

then just send 100 of whichever one caused the failure, and then 1/2 of that etc till you see the obvious problem.

 

Guessing it would only take 6 or 7 tries to whittle it down to the offending waypoint - probably has some unspeakable character in it.

[robertlipe]

Guessing it would only take 6 or 7 tries to whittle it down to the offending waypoint - probably has some unspeakable character in it.

 

GPSBabel has extensive logic to remove & convert "unspeakable characters" to try to make it match the published Garmin specs. But since the published Garmin specs in many cases don't actually match what every firmware version of every model actually DOES, I won't die of shock if you have found yet another violation.

 

If you can whittle it down to an offending cache, send me the GC# or th PQ and I'll look at it. I don't have a legend for testing, but if you can be my fingers and eyes, I'll help track it and whack it.

 

YeOleImposter's technique of binary searching the data is how I'd tackle it if visual inspection of the data fails (oh, I'll bet it's this one cache page written in Elbonian that shows up in my PQ in Nebraska) or emperical runtime observation (it dies on waypoint number 273 in this PQ) doesn't pan out.

Edited June 18, 2004 by robertlipe

[+Geo Leo]

I've been using GSAK with Cachemate and have been very happy with both. I decided to give plucker a try, though, and I am having the same trouble that others seem to be describing. I have been able to load a file with 400-500 caches, but anything bigger causes the program to crash. I am using plucker desktop to convert the gsak html files, and I am trying to load about 2000 caches. Anyone have any suggestions?

[+YeOleImposter]

I've been using GSAK with Cachemate and have been very happy with both. I decided to give plucker a try, though, and I am having the same trouble that others seem to be describing. I have been able to load a file with 400-500 caches, but anything bigger causes the program to crash. I am using plucker desktop to convert the gsak html files, and I am trying to load about 2000 caches. Anyone have any suggestions?

Which program is crashing? I am assuming from your message that it is the desktop conversion program and not the plucker viewer in your pda?

 

I have run a 3000 waypoint gsak filter through both plucker-desktop and jpluck with no problems (except it takes forever on the desktop and only 5 minutes in JPluck).

 

Might try it in 4 500 cache chunks to see if it is something in one of those caches?

 

I know I have bumped into a problem with one of the caches name 'Pi' and it generates output with π etc - probably the same thing, one silly cache causing the problem.

[+Gaddiel]

Version 3.04 difference in smart tags.

 

Playing around with the final version 3.04 I found out that the smart tags seem to be case sensitive now. At least in Street Atlas export. I had my export set up to do %Typ1%Con1 %Code %smart

 

After doing an export I saw "%Typ1%Con1 %Code GeneralG" on the map. Went WHAT?? It can't be broken! Changed all the tags to lower case and now works as it did before.

 

Just a heads up to others that may have the same setup.

 

Gary

Same thing for MS Streets & Trips.

[+YeOleImposter]

A nice feature for GSAk would be if you could specify the directory to find the databases. My thoughts is that it would be on the screen where you select databases - you could change/browse to a directory.

 

Reasons:

1) Many keep their data files on a seperate hard drive from their programs for back up purposes

2) If you are running different .ini files you could have it only show the appropriate databases (ie for geocaches and another for benchmarks)

 

Along that same line, the ability to specify the .ini file on the command line would be great - ie: gsak.exe [/cfg:gc.ini] [/run...]

Edited June 19, 2004 by YeOleImposter

[robertlipe]

2 of the pertinent gpx lines are as follows:

<wpt lat="45.794210" lon="-119.387494"><name><![CDATA[i84X179-I82]]></name></wpt>

<wpt lat="45.800181" lon="-119.421777"><name><![CDATA[i84X177-Umatila Army Depot]]></name></wpt>

Hmmm, on the surface it looks ok. Could you please send me a copy of the GPX file and I will see what the problem is. Thanks.

It is on its way. I ran it through gpsBabel and converted it to a .loc file. it changed the name item to:

<name id="I84X177-Umatila Army Depot">

as well as spelling out waypoint instead of wpt - not sure if those are important.

 

Anyway - file is on in the bit bucket on its way to you.

.loc has different spellings than .gpx. That's why you need a format converter. (GPX and LOC spell "waypoint" with a different number of letters, as you observe.)

 

I can find not geocaches with names of "army" + "depot" or "umatilia" anything, so if you really think this is a GPSBabel conversion problem, you need to post the particulars to the GPSBabel lists.

 

In an XML format, such as GPX, there are no "evill" characters in the waypoint you cite so the CDATA escaping is unneeded. Nothing changed between the GPX representation of the second waypoint the LOC representation you quote that I can see, but it's late and I'm tired...

 

if you think GPSBabel is scrooching your data, please post particulars to the lists....

[+YeOleImposter]

I can find not geocaches with names of "army" + "depot" or "umatilia" anything, so if you really think this is a GPSBabel conversion problem, you need to post the particulars to the GPSBabel lists.

 

In an XML format, such as GPX, there are no "evill" characters in the waypoint you cite so the CDATA escaping is unneeded.  Nothing changed between the GPX representation of the second waypoint the LOC representation you quote that I can see, but it's late and I'm tired...

 

if you think GPSBabel is scrooching your data, please post particulars to the lists....

Sorry Robert for the confusion. The waypoints in question were produced by st2gpx. The only problem I had with them is that (at the time) GSAK could not import the waypoints from the st2gpx file into a waypoint database because each waypoint had did not have a unique (or for that mater any) 'id' and so they were all treated as the same waypoint - with 'blank' as the cache id.

 

Clyde has fixed this now (in a beta build), so if a waypoint has no 'id' then the cache description is used to generate one when it is imported into the database. Now GSAK will read the st2gpx just like any other gpx file and it does not have to be run through gpsBabel first to create a unique 'id'.

 

(edited to clear foggy writing)

Edited June 19, 2004 by YeOleImposter

[+PDOP's]

Clyde has fixed this now (in a beta build), so if a waypoint has no 'id' then the cache description is used to generate one when it is imported into the database. Now GSAK will read the st2gpx just like any other gpx file and it does not have to be run through gpsBabel first to create a unique 'id'.

 

Excellent Looking forward to seeing this in the next release. What do the waypoint ID's end up as after the import into GSAK?

[+Pen&Card]

YeOleImposter! If you are out there somewhere and want to lend a hand to a neighbor....

 

The following two lines of code which I stole from an earlier post of yours does a great job of creating a custom URL link to mapmaker, but it lacks the "marker". I assume it is your preference not to display the marker. Is there a way for me to put the marker in?

 

Thanks,

 

- Pen

 

LostOutDoors Topo=http://www.lostoutdoors.com/map.php?map=%lat%2C%lon&t=2&z=1&s=3&id=&mark=%lat%2C%lon%2C255%2C0%2C0%2C,14%2C%code-%name*

 

LostOutDoors Photo=http://www.lostoutdoors.com/map.php?map=%lat%2C%lon&t=1&z=1&s=3&id=&mark=%lat%2C%lon%2C255%2C0%2C0%2C,14%2C%code-%name*

[+YeOleImposter]

Clyde has fixed this now (in a beta build), so if a waypoint has no 'id' then the cache description is used to generate one when it is imported into the database.  Now GSAK will read the st2gpx just like any other gpx file and it does not have to be run through gpsBabel first to create a unique 'id'.

 

Excellent Looking forward to seeing this in the next release. What do the waypoint ID's end up as after the import into GSAK?

The first 15 characters of the waypoint name - should be enough to be unique.

 

My Interstate 84 list of exits became the first 15 characters of the waypoint name and I used the format I84X000-ExitName so they were alway unique since the 000 was always different for each exit.

 

What kind of database would you be importing? Am curious how others are 'abusing' GSAK

[+YeOleImposter]

YeOleImposter!  If you are out there somewhere and want to lend a hand to a neighbor....

 

The following two lines of code which I stole from an earlier post of yours does a great job of creating a custom URL link to mapmaker, but it lacks the "marker".  I assume it is your preference not to display the marker.  Is there a way for me to put the marker in?

 

Thanks,

 

- Pen

 

LostOutDoors Topo=http://www.lostoutdoors.com/map.php?map=%lat%2C%lon&t=2&z=1&s=3&id=&mark=%lat%2C%lon%2C255%2C0%2C0%2C,14%2C%code-%name*

 

LostOutDoors Photo=http://www.lostoutdoors.com/map.php?map=%lat%2C%lon&t=1&z=1&s=3&id=&mark=%lat%2C%lon%2C255%2C0%2C0%2C,14%2C%code-%name*

Hmmm, ah, my error - when I converted the commas to %2Cs I left one - right before the 14 - if you remove the offending comma it will probably work. (prior to 3.04 the comma was stripped by GSAK so it did not cause a problem)

 

I have updated my links since 3.04 also allowed putting commas instead of %2Cs in the links so they now look like this:

 

LostOutDoors Topo=http://www.lostoutdoors.com/map.php?map=%lat,%lon&t=2&z=1&s=3&id=&mark=%lat,%lon,255,0,0,14,%code-%name*

 

LostOutDoors Photo=http://www.lostoutdoors.com/map.php?map=%lat,%lon&t=1&z=1&s=3&id=&mark=%lat,%lon,255,0,0,14,%code-%name*

 

(the forum may split the lines - so make sure each of the above is all in one line when you paste it into GSAK)

 

The 255,0,0 is the color of the 'dot'

the 14 is the size of the 'dot'

the s=3 is the size of map

the t=2 or t=1 is the type of map

the z=1 is the zoom (meters per pixel)

 

Wish I could find a way to make the text of the marker larger.

Wish I could make it default to opening with the dot centered on the screen.

 

All these settings were found by trial and error. There is probably a help file somewhere that explains what all you can do.

 

I like the Lost Outdoors maps because I can easily save them as .jpg files and either print them or store them on my palm

Edited June 19, 2004 by YeOleImposter

[+Pen&Card]

Outstanding! Thanks YeOleImposter. Works perfectly.

 

I've just gone paperless with a Palm Tungsten E, so I haven't quite leanred how to put the photos on yet - Sure realize the advantage though.

 

I agree with your wish list, but would also like GSAK to have a customizable toolbar that would allow assigning a custom URL to a button. Maybe in the commercial release?

 

- Pen

[Dosido]

I'm currently using a perl program to parse my gpx files and then import the list into MapPoint.

 

I also use GSAK to do this, but I haven't been able to figure out how to (if now possible) to output the desired information...

 

I want not only the standard 'streets & trips' info, but would like the 'cache type' data output so that I can set icons in MP to the cache type.

 

Of course I could always export the data for each cache type, but that would be a lot of extra effort - especially because MP allows you to simply update the entire group with one click.

 

Brian

[+ClydeE]

I'm currently using a perl program to parse my gpx files and then import the list into MapPoint.

 

I also use GSAK to do this, but I haven't been able to figure out how to (if now possible) to output the desired information...

 

I want not only the standard 'streets & trips' info, but would like the 'cache type' data output so that I can set icons in MP to the cache type.

 

Of course I could always export the data for each cache type, but that would be a lot of extra effort - especially because MP allows you to simply update the entire group with one click.

 

Brian

I am not familiar with MapPoint required format, but from what you are saying it will accept a CSV file. If this is so, then the answer to your question lies here

[+JeepCachr]

I'm currently using a perl program to parse my gpx files and then import the list into MapPoint.

 

I also use GSAK to do this, but I haven't been able to figure out how to (if now possible) to output the desired information...

 

I want not only the standard 'streets & trips' info, but would like the 'cache type' data output so that I can set icons in MP to the cache type.

 

Of course I could always export the data for each cache type, but that would be a lot of extra effort - especially because MP allows you to simply update the entire group with one click.

 

Brian

Map point is just streets and trips with more data import capabilities. I've been creating maps for streets and trips with a seperate CSV for each cache type. I would love to be able to let S&T or map point be able to change the icon for the pushpin based on the cache type. It would also be nice if it exported found, not found, hidden status because then I could also create maps for those. Ultimately then it would be cool if it could differentiate by type and status. So that a traditional one I found would have a different icon than a traditional that I hadn't found.

 

All that can be done today in S&T with a lot of manual exports from and imports into S&T. Is there a better mapping program to use that can do this? Is importing into Street Atlas or NG Topo easier or harder? I'm willing to switch mapping programs if someone has had better results with another one.

Edited June 21, 2004 by JeepCachr

[+PDOP's]

.... All that can be done today in S&T with a lot of manual exports from and imports into S&T. Is there a better mapping program to use that can do this? Is importing into Street Atlas or NG Topo easier or harder? I'm willing to switch mapping programs if someone has had better results with another one.

You might want to have a look at ST2GPX for ideas. It has the ability to import GPX into Streets&Trips while passing information for different icons for different cache types(triangle for regular, three flags for multi). As far as I can tell there's no choice on icons but it does illustrate that there is a way to set different icons in S&T with one import.

[+JeepCachr]

You might want to have a look at ST2GPX for ideas. It has the ability to import GPX into Streets&Trips while passing information for different icons for different cache types(triangle for regular, three flags for multi). As far as I can tell there's no choice on icons but it does illustrate that there is a way to set different icons in S&T with one import.

I don't see where st2gpx goes into Streets, I see where you can export from streets but not import into streets. Do you have a link to any directions?

[+PDOP's]

It's explained a little bit in the FAQ but you'll probably want to download the program and have a look at the instructions that come with it.

 

Pay attention to the need for a import file/template map whichhad me stumped for a while. The easiest way is to create a blank S&T file, add one pushpin then delete it and save the file as a template.

[+YeOleImposter]

Ok, I have been a nice guy and haven't made any suggestions for at least a day or so

 

On the export - how about a 'custom' one? What I am thinking is that everyone has a different format they want - matter of fact, I was going to ask you about adding GPilotS - but then realized that gpsBabel under the hood you could make one or 2 custom ones where all that the user provided would be the 'output format' code for gpsBabel - you might be able to get rid of a couple of the choices that are not common and put in 2 or 3 (see I keep asking for more) user defined ones.

 

Or even put all the non-hard coded ones as a check box that would fill in the blank for the user?

 

Thanks!!

[+ClydeE]

Ok, I have been a nice guy and haven't made any suggestions for at least a day or so

 

On the export - how about a 'custom' one? What I am thinking is that everyone has a different format they want - matter of fact, I was going to ask you about adding GPilotS - but then realized that gpsBabel under the hood you could make one or 2 custom ones where all that the user provided would be the 'output format' code for gpsBabel - you might be able to get rid of a couple of the choices that are not common and put in 2 or 3 (see I keep asking for more) user defined ones.

 

Or even put all the non-hard coded ones as a check box that would fill in the blank for the user?

 

Thanks!!

Hmmm, you scare me. I must be in the twilight zone or something, because I was working on this very feature when your post suddenly pops up. Is there something about yourself you are not telling me

[+YeOleImposter]

Ok, I have been a nice guy and haven't made any suggestions for at least a day or so 

 

On the export - how about a 'custom' one?  What I am thinking is that everyone has a different format they want - matter of fact, I was going to ask you about adding GPilotS - but then realized that gpsBabel under the hood you could make one or 2 custom ones where all that the user provided would be the 'output format' code for gpsBabel - you might be able to get rid of a couple of the choices that are not common and put in 2 or 3 (see I keep asking for more) user defined ones.

 

Or even put all the non-hard coded ones as a check box that would fill in the blank for the user? 

 

Thanks!!

Hmmm, you scare me. I must be in the twilight zone or something, because I was working on this very feature when your post suddenly pops up. Is there something about yourself you are not telling me

I would say something about great minds...... but then if I was one I wouldn't just be making suggestions, I would be writing code