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Gsak (geocaching Swiss Army Knife)


ClydeE

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New Feature Request...

 

Though I think this would also requre some help and support from the main Geocaching.com Website.

 

I have a pretty good Database of the Caches in my area and along the routs that I frequent. There are 4000 or so caches in the DB.

 

To get those 4000 caches I need several Pocket Queries (9+) to get the caches.

 

It would be nice to have GSAK be able to directly query GeoCaching.Com to update the Database.

 

It would be a matter od making the Geocaching.com site be a UDDI Provider and have a WDSL for the access to the XML GPX files that it already produces for the caches. Then have GSAK make the call to the WSDL Interface and update the caches on the fly...

 

I'd be willing to help write the interface on eithe/both sides to help make it happen.

 

It jsut sucls to have to keep reimporting the GPX files into the DB and updating it in a manual fashion. Seems like you should jsut be able to click UPDATE and GSAK just goes out and updates the Caches in its DB.

 

Thanks,

Scott<-

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Forgive my stupidity but isn't this supposed to be the swiss army (do all) which would allow me to download my coordinates to my pc (like Easygps) then transfer coordinates to my GPS unit. As well as download cache description pages as though I was still looking at the internet page? Isn't there a software that will convert it one step further and allow the page to be converted to a PDA? I don't actually have a laptop to take with me in the field (nor would I want to have to carry one). I've heard of the paperless caches but I thought people were actually using PDA's to do it with. :D Thanks for the reply :D

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I've heard of the paperless caches but I thought people were actually using PDA's to do it with.

I use GSAK to filter all my pocket queries down to what I need for the weekend, then save the filtered results to a GPX file.

 

Putting that filtered GPX file on my PDA, I use GpxSonar to view the pages, make log entries, track Travel Bugs, etc while I am at the cache.

 

Is this what you were looking to do?

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Will this work with HP Jornada's (Specifically the 540 series)?

I don't think GSAK works on a PocketPC PDA. It needs regular Windows.

GSAK does not 'work' with any PDA - it just manipulates the data on a PC - so you can send the data to Cachemate or Plucker on Palms - or to GPXSonar on PocketPCs - Or to your GPSr or to Paper now :D

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Forgive my stupidity but isn't this supposed to be the swiss army (do all) which would allow me to download my coordinates to my pc (like Easygps) then transfer coordinates to my GPS unit.  As well as download cache description pages as though I was still looking at the internet page?  Isn't there a software that will convert it one step further and allow the page to be converted to a PDA?  I don't actually have a laptop to take with me in the field (nor would I want to have to carry one).  I've heard of the paperless caches but I thought people were actually using PDA's to do it with.  :D  Thanks for the reply  :D

Looks like you have a PocketPC. So will let others tell you how to do it specifically with a pocket PC - but yes, it can be done.

 

I use my Palm T3 and Garmin Legend exclusively when caching by using GSAK to send the Data to the T3. I can send the waypoints to my GPSr directly from GSAK or from my T3 if I am in the field (Legend only holds 1000 waypoints - and on long trips I group cache and benchmark coordinates by area and transfer them from cachemate on the T3 to the Legend with a patch cord).

 

edited because I opened my eyes and saw he said he had a HPJordana

Edited by YeOleImposter
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TexasTracker, GSAK runs on a Windows PC. It takes the pocket queries and manipulates them lots of ways, and will send the queries to many programs and to the GPS. Getting the pages on your PDA depends on the OS. I don't know much about Pocket PCs, nor do I want to, but if you search the forums for GPXSonar, you should get some better info. I believe PPCs can view html files directly, so all you need to do is to have GSAK generate the html files by clicking on the correct icon, and then transferring those html files to your HP, however you do that.

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I have maybe a weird question. I am now using the Mozilla Firefox browser for all my browsing. However, I am using a corporate laptop most of the time, and I am required to have IE as the default browser. :D

 

Is there a way to specify what browser to use for GSAK? Its not a big deal, obviously, but my preference would be to use a decent browser (if I can). Plus, Firefox is always open when GSAK is, and not waiting for IE to bootstrap up would be a big plus.

 

Dave77459

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I have maybe a weird question.  I am now using the Mozilla Firefox browser for all my browsing.  However, I am using a corporate laptop most of the time, and I am required to have IE as the default browser.  :D

 

Is there a way to specify what browser to use for GSAK?  Its not a big deal, obviously, but my preference would be to use a decent browser (if I can).  Plus, Firefox is always open when GSAK is, and not waiting for IE to bootstrap up would be a big plus.

 

Dave77459

When you select an option that wants to display any HTML data, GSAK just invokes your default browser. Currently there is not way to specify what browser to open HTML files in GSAK.

Edited by ClydeE
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I have maybe a weird question.  I am now using the Mozilla Firefox browser for all my browsing.  However, I am using a corporate laptop most of the time, and I am required to have IE as the default browser.  :D

 

Is there a way to specify what browser to use for GSAK?  Its not a big deal, obviously, but my preference would be to use a decent browser (if I can).  Plus, Firefox is always open when GSAK is, and not waiting for IE to bootstrap up would be a big plus.

 

Dave77459

When you select an option that wants to display any HTML data, GSAK just invokes your default browser. Make firefox your default browser and all should be well.

That's what I figured, so I am stuck seeing the dreaded IE pop up. Thanks for such a fine product. When I get my next pay in a few days, I'm registering. :D

 

Dave77459

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Is it just me or would anyone else like to see a feature for attaching pictures or links to picture on your hard drive into GSAK.

 

I cache while on Scout outings as well as business trips and vacations. SOmetime, even though I have my laptop, access to the internet is not possible so I have to log at a later date.

 

When I log, I have to go thru all the pictures I have taken to find thise needed when the cache requests a picture or I just want to UL one.

 

I know this would take considerable space, however with today's hard drive prices, this is not as much of an isuue and you can always just not use the faeture.

 

Any possibility of this in a new release?

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Is it just me or would anyone else like to see a feature for attaching pictures or links to picture on your hard drive into GSAK.

 

I cache while on Scout outings as well as business trips and vacations. SOmetime, even though I have my laptop, access to the internet is not possible so I have to log at a later date.

 

When I log, I have to go thru all the pictures I have taken to find thise needed when the cache requests a picture or I just want to UL one.

 

I know this would take considerable space, however with today's hard drive prices, this is not as much of an isuue and  you can always just not use the faeture.

 

Any possibility of this in a new release?

You can do this now :D

 

The user notes field also supports HTML so you can get pictures into gsak (local or remote) by just putting in the corresponding HTML code. (Example <img src="file://C:\GeoImages\mypic.jpg">)

 

In a future release I will make this easier for you by adding a browse button that will let you select an image file, then GSAK will automatically insert the HTML code for you

Edited by ClydeE
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Hope I didn't overlook this answer in one of the docs, but how does GSAK get the icons for the cache pages, like the smiley face for a find, etc? Is it included in the installation?

 

The reason I ask is that ever since the icons changed for a no-find, I get nothing but an empty graphic place-holder when viewing the page through GSAK.

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Hope I didn't overlook this answer in one of the docs, but how does GSAK get the icons for the cache pages, like the smiley face for a find, etc? Is it included in the installation?

 

The reason I ask is that ever since the icons changed for a no-find, I get nothing but an empty graphic place-holder when viewing the page through GSAK.

When did it change? I wasn't aware that it had. My understanding is that the current not found icon is icon_sad.gif and has been ever since GSAK was released.

 

All offline images for GSAK are stored in the folder "images" (within the install folder of GSAK). If you right mouse click on the empty graphic place holder and select properties it will show you the file name (and path) of the graphic GSAK is trying to display. The graphic it should be trying to display for a not found is logD.gif, (stands for log Did not find) which should have been included with the install of GSAK

Edited by ClydeE
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I thought they recently changed it to that purple one. I could be wrong.

 

Anyways, I checked the \GSAK\images directory, and the logD.gif file is there, but is listed as 0 bytes. Something must've gone wrong in my upgrade (Version 3.05 Build 40).

 

I just did a reinstall of the upgrade, and it is there now. Who knows. Just glad I can see it now. Thanks!

Edited by donbadabon
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Is it just me or would anyone else like to see a feature for attaching pictures or links to picture on your hard drive into GSAK.

 

I cache while on Scout outings as well as business trips and vacations. SOmetime, even though I have my laptop, access to the internet is not possible so I have to log at a later date.

 

When I log, I have to go thru all the pictures I have taken to find thise needed when the cache requests a picture or I just want to UL one.

 

I know this would take considerable space, however with today's hard drive prices, this is not as much of an isuue and  you can always just not use the faeture.

 

Any possibility of this in a new release?

You can do this now :unsure:

 

The user notes field also supports HTML so you can get pictures into gsak (local or remote) by just putting in the corresponding HTML code. (Example <img src="file://C:\GeoImages\mypic.jpg">)

 

In a future release I will make this easier for you by adding a browse button that will let you select an image file, then GSAK will automatically insert the HTML code for you

Talk about support, a requested feature added before I even finished typing the request. :)

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I just DL'ed GSAK yesterday and may have overlooked it, but how do you specify 'not found'?  It looks to me like it is either found or not attempted.

Currently there is no way to differeniate between the two in pocket queries. The cache is either Found, or Not Found. Not found including not attempted.

 

Gary

Edited by GLM
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Also, what does the PQ/.gpx give you that the .loc doesnt?

Look at this thread to see the difference between a single cache in LOC and GPX files.

 

Also a big difference is a LOC file is a single cache, though you can download a few together off a search page. A PQ file is a listing of caches (up to 500) that meet a certain criteria you define and is delivered as 1 file to your email. The PQ can be delivered to you daily.

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I just DL'ed GSAK yesterday and may have overlooked it, but how do you specify 'not found'? It looks to me like it is either found or not attempted.

I hope it is on Clyde's 'someday' list ;) I like to keep track of my DNFs also.

 

What I do now is put the letters DNF in the User Data field. Then I can filter based on that field.

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I just DL'ed GSAK yesterday and may have overlooked it, but how do you specify 'not found'?  It looks to me like it is either found or not attempted.

I hope it is on Clyde's 'someday' list ;) I like to keep track of my DNFs also.

 

What I do now is put the letters DNF in the User Data field. Then I can filter based on that field.

I could see how this could be useful. For me though, any cache that is not found and has a note has been, at least so far, a DNF.

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I hope it is on Clyde's 'someday' list ;) I like to keep track of my DNFs also.

 

What I do now is put the letters DNF in the User Data field. Then I can filter based on that field.

I could see how this could be useful. For me though, any cache that is not found and has a note has been, at least so far, a DNF.

;) Assuming that you have made a log entry for all caches NOT found, a work-a-round for the DNF, is to go to your 'My Cash Page' and print out all you caching logs.

Then for each DNF, go to the cache and marked it as 'watched", and keep these up to date in the future.

Now a PQ can be generated for all 'watched' caches and you have a DNF list.

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Is it just me or would anyone else like to see a feature for attaching pictures or links to picture on your hard drive into GSAK.

 

I cache while on Scout outings as well as business trips and vacations. SOmetime, even though I have my laptop, access to the internet is not possible so I have to log at a later date.

 

When I log, I have to go thru all the pictures I have taken to find thise needed when the cache requests a picture or I just want to UL one.

 

I know this would take considerable space, however with today's hard drive prices, this is not as much of an isuue and  you can always just not use the faeture.

 

Any possibility of this in a new release?

You can do this now ;)

 

The user notes field also supports HTML so you can get pictures into gsak (local or remote) by just putting in the corresponding HTML code. (Example <img src="file://C:\GeoImages\mypic.jpg">)

 

In a future release I will make this easier for you by adding a browse button that will let you select an image file, then GSAK will automatically insert the HTML code for you

Talk about support, a requested feature added before I even finished typing the request. ;)

alternatively you could download your pictures to a directory such as c:\spoilers with a consistent name and then use a custom url to point to (for example) spoiler=file://c:\alchemy\spoiler\%code%20-%20spoiler.jpg

 

I've a program that pulls spoiler photos down to a directory (as above) and then creates a html for that cache so if there is more than one picture, the html links to each picture so you can see them all in one go.

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I hope it is on Clyde's 'someday' list ;) I like to keep track of my DNFs also.

 

What I do now is put the letters DNF in the User Data field. Then I can filter based on that field.

I could see how this could be useful. For me though, any cache that is not found and has a note has been, at least so far, a DNF.

B) Assuming that you have made a log entry for all caches NOT found, a work-a-round for the DNF, is to go to your 'My Cash Page' and print out all you caching logs.

Then for each DNF, go to the cache and marked it as 'watched", and keep these up to date in the future.

Now a PQ can be generated for all 'watched' caches and you have a DNF list.

Not sure how that would keep track of which ones are DNF from within GSAK?

Also, how would I separate those from the caches I have on my 'watch' list now?

 

Using the DNF (actually I put in !DNF) in the user-data field I can easily exclude DNFs if I want, or list just DNFs, etc. I allready get the cache info for the DNFs in my regular PQs.

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I hope it is on Clyde's 'someday' list ;) I like to keep track of my DNFs also.

 

What I do now is put the letters DNF in the User Data field. Then I can filter based on that field.

I could see how this could be useful. For me though, any cache that is not found and has a note has been, at least so far, a DNF.

B) Assuming that you have made a log entry for all caches NOT found, a work-a-round for the DNF, is to go to your 'My Cash Page' and print out all you caching logs.

Then for each DNF, go to the cache and marked it as 'watched", and keep these up to date in the future.

Now a PQ can be generated for all 'watched' caches and you have a DNF list.

Not sure how that would keep track of which ones are DNF from within GSAK?

Also, how would I separate those from the caches I have on my 'watch' list now?

 

Using the DNF (actually I put in !DNF) in the user-data field I can easily exclude DNFs if I want, or list just DNFs, etc. I allready get the cache info for the DNFs in my regular PQs.

Any cache that is not marked as found in GSAK but has a note, for ME is a DNF. Doesn't help if you keep notes on caches you haven't found and haven't DNFed, but for me I can quickly tell which caches I still have a DNF without it subsequently being archived or found.

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I will have a look at the whole DNF issue in a future version of GSAK.

 

Another tip for those that are already using the user data field for something else, is to use the user notes section for home spun codes. You can then do a "full text" search to filter by these codes. This method also allows you to set up multiple codes for different reasons.

 

As you will be using the full text search the trick here is to make sure the code you use is unique and would not reasonably be expected to be found elsewhere in the text of the cache. For example, if you were setting up a code for DNF you may want to use something like DNF@@@. Using just plain DNF could quite easily be used by some one else when writing a log, and would therefore give you a match when you don't want it to.

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I just discovered that the offline page for caches shows only one travel bug even if there are two (haven't found a cache with three or more yet). Is this a bug or a known limitation?

 

Cheers

Roolku

No, there is no limitation to the number of trabel bugs in the offline view.

 

I suspect you are looking at the web site and seeing 2 travel bugs, but the GPX file you loaded into GSAK only has 1 (That is, the travel bug was added after your GPX was sent to you)

 

If you interrogate the GPX file and find this not to be the case, could you please send me the said GPX file so I can track down what the problem is.

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I will have a look at the whole DNF issue in a future version of GSAK.

Maybe the Found checkbox could be a check for found, an X for not found, and a blank for neither. Does your grid support a 3-state control?

Unfortunately No, they are boolean values only.

 

But no problems, I am sure I can come up with something ;)

 

Following on ....

 

I think the easiest solution would be to just add a DNF field to the database, with its own column, and ability to filter on.

Edited by ClydeE
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I think the easiest solution would be to just add a DNF field to the database, with its own column, and ability to filter on.

Just a random thought Clyde, but please pay attention to priority when programing the color choices for DNF and FOUND boxes. I don't think anyone will log a DNF after a FIND, so the FOUND color needs to have priority. Or am I the ony one that makes this type of mistake? Maybe this just needs a DUH. ;)

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I will have a look at the whole DNF issue in a future version of GSAK.

Check this topic if I copied the link correctly. Jeremy is considering a PQ modification for DNF.

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=75347

If I understand the request and his reply, I think it's just a way to build PQs based on logged DNFs. The Not Found is already in the GPX for the cache it was logged against.

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I will have a look at the whole DNF issue in a future version of GSAK.

Maybe the Found checkbox could be a check for found, an X for not found, and a blank for neither. Does your grid support a 3-state control?

Unfortunately No, they are boolean values only.

 

But no problems, I am sure I can come up with something ;)

 

Following on ....

 

I think the easiest solution would be to just add a DNF field to the database, with its own column, and ability to filter on.

Hmmm. Would just being able to put a date in the 'Found by Me' when not found take care of DNFs?

 

What I am wondering is you have 2 fields used now for finds - Boolean & Date

 

If not attemped then found is false and there is no date

If found then 'found' is true and there is a date

If DNF then found is false and there is a date

 

Probably just easier to have a DNF field and share the date field though.

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I think the easiest solution would be to just add a DNF field to the database, with its own column, and ability to filter on.

Just a random thought Clyde, but please pay attention to priority when programing the color choices for DNF and FOUND boxes. I don't think anyone will log a DNF after a FIND, so the FOUND color needs to have priority. Or am I the ony one that makes this type of mistake? Maybe this just needs a DUH. ;)

At this stage I hadn't intended adding another "count" box or colour for DNF. I think the whole cache status (found, not found, placed, archived) is complicated enough at the moment - see previous posts in this thread about this and colour priority.

 

By adding another column to the grid you would automatically be able to see if this cache was a DNF or not. By allowing you to filter on this field would give you a subset and count of your DNFs if you need them.

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No, there is no limitation to the number of trabel bugs in the offline view.

[snip]

If you interrogate the GPX file and find this not to be the case, could you please send me the said GPX file so I can track down what the problem is.

I only noticed because I had placed two bugs in one cache myself and was surprised to see someone had only taken one (they are both still there actually).

 

I tried again with a fresh download and clean DB. The gpx file contains both TBs, the offline html only one.

 

Email is on its way.

 

Cheers

Roolku

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I like the separate field for DNF. Makes it quick/simple/intuitive to filter on.

 

In order to add the date, if yet another field wasn't added, the Found by Me or in this case Not Found by Me field would need to be decoupled from the Found field.

Though for me, I always note a DBF in the Note field with the date and other info.

 

Would you need to sort on DNF by date? If not, then having a comment in the Note is enough. I sort on Found by Me to often when referring to the cache pages of recent finds. Quicker then using the GC.com My Cache Page.

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My 2 cents: the user note field provides all the versatility I need for the DNF data on this (as well as a host of other situations).

 

My personal aesthetics prefer a simpler design with one or more utility fields rather than a more complicated design that has dedicated fields for every contingency.

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My personal aesthetics prefer a simpler design with one or more utility fields rather than a more complicated design that has dedicated fields for every contingency.

Yes, the KISS principle.

 

You do bring up a good point, as I don't want to make GSAK difficult to use, or worse - impossible for new users.

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A couple of times now I've forgotten to specify .gpx on a PQ. When I drag and drop the zipped file to GSAK, I get a message that <such & such>.loc doesn't exist in the TEMP subdirectory and GSAK crashes. I'm running Window 98 SE. It only happens with zipped .loc files.

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A couple of times now I've forgotten to specify .gpx on a PQ. When I drag and drop the zipped file to GSAK, I get a message that <such & such>.loc doesn't exist in the TEMP subdirectory and GSAK crashes. I'm running Window 98 SE. It only happens with zipped .loc files.

Thanks for that. Yes, GSAK only looks for GPX files inside a zip file. I will change it to look for LOC files as well - but don't forget GPX is by far the better format and you get a hell of a lot more information.

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A couple of times now I've forgotten to specify .gpx on a PQ.  When I drag and drop the zipped file to GSAK, I get a message that <such & such>.loc doesn't exist in the TEMP subdirectory and GSAK crashes.  I'm running  Window 98 SE.  It only happens with zipped .loc files.

Thanks for that. Yes, GSAK only looks for GPX files inside a zip file. I will change it to look for LOC files as well - but don't forget GPX is by far the better format and you get a hell of a lot more information.

Yeah, I wanted a .gpx file, just forgot to change it on my newest PQ. Thanks.

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Yeah, I wanted a .gpx file, just forgot to change it on my newest PQ.  Thanks.

Then add your vote to the thread - Change the Default PQ format to GPX

Already changed the default! :D

Thanks for starting that thread Team DEMP - and what a quick response.

 

I can't see the wood for the trees some times. Obviously, I should have made that request myself ages ago :D

It had been suggested before. I think Mopar had more to do with it than anything, even if he was arguing for the other side. I think Jeremy got interested in the stats from his comments, and found the reason to make the simple change.

 

BTW TD, I was the second on motion.

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GPSBabel supports tracks and routes; EasyMPS does not.

 

That's right, I forgot about that. It sucks that Garmin won't share their specs. Thanks for all your hard work on GPSBabel.

 

Why does Rocketman want it in .loc, anyway?
That's what his previous post states he wants for his PDA.

 

Which program are you using on your PDA RocketMan?

 

My goal is to be able to use Mapsource to graphically select the caches that I want for my upcoming trip (It is nice to be able to select them right on the map - I know that I can use a polygon filter, but I like to see what I am getting) I then want to use my selected list of waypoints to filter the caches in GSAK so that I can dump them into my PDA. The .loc file allows me to do the filtering per ClydeE's instructions.

 

I am using Cachemate on the palm.

 

Rocket Man

I use (since 20 minutes back :D) also CacheMate on my Palm Vx, and this is what I do:

 

I use GSAK to import .gpx files from Geocaching.com

 

From GSAK can I export files to CacheMate in my PDA. (File / Export / CacheMate)

From GSAK can I export MPS file to MapSource (9th symbol from left (next to Magellan logotype).

 

It can't be more simple...

 

I can't understand the need of LOC files. GPX files have more information and works better.. for me at least :D

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