+WxGuesser Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 i remember when i bought my first gpsr back in 2000 everybody just called them gps'. now the proper word is gpsr... come on people we all know i'm not carrying a gigantic space going satellite around when geocaching... i just feel kind of awkward when calling my "unit" a gpsr. anyone feel the same? Quote Link to comment
+Jamie Z Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 (edited) I've never used GPSr. Some people do. I occasionallly qualify by calling it a GPS unit, but that's as far as I go. No R for me. Global Positioning System is descriptive enough for me to include the handheld recievers without being redundant. Jamie [edit] That may be the first time I've even typed GPSr. Oh no! I typed it again. Edited January 6, 2005 by Jamie Z Quote Link to comment
+wvcoalcat Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 From Garmin's site: "What is GPS? The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS. How it works GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map." I've always considered "GPS" to imply the system. "GPSr" to imply the unit or the receiver. Quote Link to comment
CoyoteRed Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I don't like using the "r" either. I alway feel I should be putting a "Suzuki" in front of it. "Suzuki GPSr 1100" Schweeeeeet! Quote Link to comment
+Mastifflover Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Gps no R. The only thing sweeter than that Coyote would be a Hayabusa. Just saying the word gives me chills. Quote Link to comment
+wolves shepherd Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I'm old-school too. Blame it on Garmin. My first unit was the Garmin GPS-12. No R. this is a family-friendly activity, right? When I used to be active on sci.geo.satellite-nav everyone called them GPS. Quote Link to comment
+WxGuesser Posted January 6, 2005 Author Share Posted January 6, 2005 so i'm not the only one... say no to R Quote Link to comment
+Mule Ears Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I feel kind of sheepish about using the "r." The only reason I do is to prevent correction by the hypercritical. I'm taking a stand--no more "r!" Quote Link to comment
+The Jester Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I feel kind of sheepish about using the "r." The only reason I do is to prevent correction by the hypercritical. I'm taking a stand--no more "r!" Hmmm, a mule feeling sheepish - is that wierd ... or kinky? I'm sorry so many have that much of a problem saying 'r'. It does lengthing the name by 25% I guess. But what you have in your hand is a GPS unit or GPS receiver, so why not call it what it is? Up the R, oh hairy primate! (apologies to Alan Dean Foster) Quote Link to comment
+RichardMoore Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I prefer using GPSr. But it doesn't matter what you use. The folks that know are "in the know" about the device and the system will know what you're talking about. Those that aren't will just get a glazed look in their eyes no matter what you call it. Quote Link to comment
CoyoteRed Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 ...so why not call it what it is? Okay. "Honey, I still need to down load the waypoints to the Magellan SproTrak Pro Global Positioning System receiver and the Magellan SporTrak Map Global Positioning System receiver before we can go." (I sound like a NACSAR driver being interviewed.) No, thanks. I'll stick with "GPS" and still be just as accurate as anyone who tacks on the "r." Another thought, I never seen the use of the "r" before geocaching. I wonder if that makes us look like goofs to other GPS users. Quote Link to comment
+Two Geeks and a GPS Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 No "R" here either! GPS! GPS! Quote Link to comment
MMACH 5 Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Another thought, I never seen the use of the "r" before geocaching. I wonder if that makes us look like goofs to other GPS users. It probably makes us look more pretentious and anal. And yes, I usually tack on the "r". But then again I AM fairly pretentious and anal. Quote Link to comment
+bitbrain Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I don't think I've ever heard anyone call it a GPSr when talking about it. It seems to be mostly a typing convention. I prefer the simple three-character GPS. If others can't determine which component of the system I carry with me, it may be time for someone to take a vacation. Someone should organize a "Just Say No To r" campaign. ...or not. Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I usually just refer affectionately to "my unit," although sometimes I call it "my machine." Quote Link to comment
Taxman003 Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Only use GPS here! Mike GPSr is like saying a photocopy Xerox. Quote Link to comment
uber_bike_geek Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I generally go for GPS -no r! Sometimes I call it a little box into which fools like us throw money, time, and everything else possible! Happy Caching Jeff Quote Link to comment
+BadAndy Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I just call it my gps unit. I've tried using gpsr...but it just don't sing. Quote Link to comment
+BadAndy Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 (edited) *edited* dup post. Edited January 6, 2005 by BadAndy Quote Link to comment
+ibycus Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 When talking to other cachers, I generally refer to my 'unit' (although that does seem rather sugestive...), when typing to other cachers, I use GPSr, when typing to normal folks, I use GPS. Quote Link to comment
+RichardMoore Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Along the same lines as the OP, is it: *GPS *gps *Gps *GPSR *GPSr *Gpsr *gpsr? Personally, I use GPSr, but I've seen most of the other forms. Quote Link to comment
tubby and Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Make this one into a Poll, please!!!!!! no r for me. Quote Link to comment
+WxGuesser Posted January 7, 2005 Author Share Posted January 7, 2005 wow i really hit a nerve within the community... cool... NO to R!!! Quote Link to comment
+TruFinds Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I guess that would be like saying "ATM machine". No more 'r for me! Quote Link to comment
+Pork King Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I guess that would be like saying "ATM machine". No more 'r for me! No, saying GPS system would be like saying ATM machine. I usually say GPS, but I usually type GPSr. Why? Because I can! Quote Link to comment
Pipanella Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I usually just refer affectionately to "my unit," although sometimes I call it "my machine." Quote Link to comment
+Team Perks Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I always use "GPSr". Why? Because it's annoying and pretentious...and therefore a LOT of fun! Quote Link to comment
uranium geranium Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I told the kids its our "treasure finder" .That stuck. Quote Link to comment
+dunos Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I have always called them a GPS or GPS Unit. Never a GPS receiver in the same way that I don't call my radio a radio receiver. Then again I get twitchy when people say things like: "I turned off the internet" "The internet isn't working today" I bought the internet but it isn't working" Dan Quote Link to comment
+Team Dougherty Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Along the same lines. What is the plural of GPS? Is it GPSes? Paul Quote Link to comment
stang buff Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Geesh! And I thought I didn't have anything to do. Quote Link to comment
tubby and Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 MAKE IT A POLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! (please) Quote Link to comment
Dennisfauchez Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 (edited) Can't really make that one a plural, Global positioning systems? Theres only one System, less you include maps but who uses those anymore And for the R I find calling mine "My Legend(Garmin eTrex legend)" or my BLue traking deely for my less informed friends... But when typing the r tends to slip in every few posts LoL Isn't their a fine balance here, how about we call them GPSx, hey we get rid of the R, but theres still a neat little letter to confuse those who don't cache Or maybe not... -D- Edited January 7, 2005 by Dennisfauchez Quote Link to comment
Smaug1 Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 come on people we all know i'm not carrying a gigantic space going satellite around when geocaching... You know, I couldn't figure out what the 'r' stood for. 'Receiver' is the first thing that popped to mind, so I assumed it was an incorrect assumption because it is so obvious and redundant. I chalked it up to being a noob. I'm glad that I was right. What I got even less was that it is frequently spelled 'GPSr', as if the 'r' has some lesser meaning. Whatever. I guess I just think too much. All I can do to place my vote is to try not to propagate it... Some day, when I'm a known and respected geocacher here, maybe it will have some effect on others, hehehe. Jeremy Z. Quote Link to comment
flat_lander Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 (edited) I'm going to stick my neck out here and be a dissenter amongst the group. Personally it sounds a little ridiculous for some reason to refer to their device as "my GPS" because the acronym GPS is used to define the "system" not end-user device. Saying "my GPS" is like saying you have your own personal set of satellites for global positioning. Now if anyone here does then I fully endorse your use of GPS sans "r" A GPS receiver is used to access _THE_ GPS. So it is not in any way redundant. The lower case "r" in GPSr is used because GPS... "Global Positioning System" is a proper name... like the "Internet" (Upper case "I"), while the "r" in receiver is not proper. So, even though the "r" is part of an acronym a case change is used to delimit the proper name from the non-proper word in the acronym. I fully admit that this is picking all kinds of nits.... but being a techie, and often technical writer this kind of thing drives me bonkers. I know... I'm a geek -FlatLander Edited January 8, 2005 by flat_lander Quote Link to comment
+El Stajihaha Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 GPS, no r. I am already a big enough geek. I am replying to this post on my PPC which is connected to my home wireless network while I am in bed. The only reason I have a PPC is because of geocaching.....oh, and I think they are cool. So for me...referring to it as a GPSr just puts another nail in the geek coffin. Remember, I am a self admitted geek so don't flame me. Quote Link to comment
+BigHank Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 I don't know that it matters that much, as long as you can make yourself understood....for instance, my wife calls it "that Geocaching thingy" as in "Hey, while you were walking around looking at the geocaching thingy, I found the cache." Quote Link to comment
+Spzzmoose Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 i remember when i bought my first gpsr back in 2000 everybody just called them gps'. now the proper word is gpsr... come on people we all know i'm not carrying a gigantic space going satellite around when geocaching... i just feel kind of awkward when calling my "unit" a gpsr. anyone feel the same? My "unit" has been called many things but never a gpsr. I could come up with something using those initials but I don't want to be banned! Quote Link to comment
+The Puzzler Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 Just a couple points to add to the fray. 1) Unlike stated in a previous post, yes, there is a place for a plural of GPS (GPSs?). There really are a number of Global Positioning Systems in operation. As I understand it, the US military even has a system that duplicates or enhances the "old one" we use. I have also been told there is a Russian GPS in orbit and that the presence of the Russian GPS was one of the things that made selective availability more of a problem than a security benifit. 2) Although, in these forums we don't really discuss GPSs much, and the there is not much chance of confusion between a GPS in orbit and a GPS in one's hand, in a general context or in a context like this particular post, differentiating a GPS from a GPSr becomes fairly important for clarity. I vote for GPSr. Quote Link to comment
+WxGuesser Posted January 16, 2005 Author Share Posted January 16, 2005 hee hee bump Quote Link to comment
+Camo-crazed Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 Not our, MINE! :P I always use GPS Quote Link to comment
+Ltljon Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 I usually just refer affectionately to "my unit," although sometimes I call it "my machine." This would be too easy so I'm not gonna do it Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 (edited) .... "Hey, while you were walking around looking at the geocaching thingy, I found the cache." aint that the truth. Once you are close enough the GPS isn't going to help you find the cache. Not until they get the divining rod attachment perfected. Edit: That would be a GPSDr. Edited January 16, 2005 by Renegade Knight Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 (edited) Along the same lines. What is the plural of GPS? Is it GPSes? Paul That's exactly what I've always wondered. How do you plural an abbreviation? Eats, shoots and leaves, I guess. Edit: typo Edited January 16, 2005 by BlueDeuce Quote Link to comment
ron75951 Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 (edited) I'm pretty sure we all agree that if someone want to sell a GPS, they are speaking of their receiver unit and NOT the Global Positioning System.. "We don't need no stinkin r"... Put me down as being against the 'r'... Edited January 17, 2005 by ron75951 Quote Link to comment
+GixxerUT Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I don't like using the "r" either. I alway feel I should be putting a "Suzuki" in front of it. "Suzuki GPSr 1100" Schweeeeeet! I thought I smelled someting good in this thread. on topic.....I'm new, but put me down for a NO "r" Quote Link to comment
+The Puzzler Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I'm new, but put me down for a NO "r" It's all just a matter of clarity. If we only ever discuss the use of our GPS then "GPS" is a fine acronym. But, if we are interested in discussing GPS navigation and the use of an alternative GPS to the currently used one, or the use of a new GPS that can communicate with an alternate GPS, we quickly get very confused. Sometimes context is enough to differentiate the meaning of GPS from GPS. Sometimes it is not. I think we get along pretty well using GPS as loosely as we do in these forums, since most of us are only ever referring to our personal tools. But, if we were to jump into a GPS navigation forum where the satellite systems became part of the discussion, I suspect our loose use of GPS would not do so well. Quote Link to comment
+BilboB Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 (edited) Typed - GPSr Spoken - GPS Military - "PLUGGER" (PLGR - Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver) My Wife - That map thingy Had to throw in the wife part. Edited January 18, 2005 by BilboB Quote Link to comment
+MickEMT Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I used the use the term 'Unit" untill one time when my In-laws to be were over and I asked my fiancee to "grab my unit". OOPS! Now I just use GPS Quote Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 It's not that big of a deal. I use both terms freely. Quote Link to comment
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