Geocaching Software
Encyclopedia : G : GE : GEO : Geocaching Software
Geocaching is an outdoor sport that involves the use of a Global Positioning System ("GPS") receiver to find a "geocache" (or "cache") placed anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small, waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure". Geocaching is a unique take on a traditional Easter-egg hunt in that it uses two recent technologies, the GPS and the Internet.
There is plenty of software available on many platforms to assist the user in the search for geocaches. You can use these tools to organize your hunt and to also start Paperless Geocaching.
Software
PC software
The PC is generally where geocaching starts, having downloaded a GPX or LOC file from the [Geocaching.com] website.- [EasyGPS] is the simplest place to start.
- [GPX Spinner] is a simple-to-use drag-and-drop application that customizes the geocache icons based on cache type, and creates a set of HTML files that can be viewed on a Palm or PocketPC.
- [Watcher] is the predecessor to GSAK, and is still quite useful, especially since it is much easier to use.
- [GSAK] or the Geocaching Swiss Army Knife is a more flexible, but more complex bit of software that allows translation of the waypoint information into a variety of formats.
- [GPX2HTML]
- [GeoToad]
- [Geo-*] is a set of tools for converting cache pages into html and gpx files, using cURL. It was developed for Linux, but also works on Windows XP with Cygwin and Mac OS X; however this has not been tested by the developer.
- ["GPX to Google Maps"] "GPX to Google Maps" is a program that allows you to make a custom Google Map by simply Dragging and Dropping any GPX or LOC file onto the program. You can then save the output as a webpage for viewing in almost any Web Browser.
Mac software
- [Mac SimpleGPS] To transfer waypoints to the GPS. It uses the .GPX file you get from Geocaching.com and is pretty straightforward.
- [MacCMConvert] To transfer cache page info to [CacheMate] on the Palm. Requires OSX. It uses the same .GPX file you get from Geocaching.com.
Loading data into PDAs
Once the data is in a format compatible with the PDA or filtered for the data a cacher wants, the following programs can get the data into the PDA.Palm software
Most Palm devices can be used for logging Geocaching information, with the more recent devices being good for wireless data access, and for bluetooth connection to a GPS- [Geoniche] Is a full featured GPS program that integrates with an attached, or Bluetooth, GPS receiver to provide an overview picture of cache locations and point the way directly to a specific one. It comes with a companion program (EasyNiche) that imports GPX and LOC files and optionally downloads additional information (cache visitation logs etc.) directly from geocaching.com before transferring the caches to the Palm.
- [Cachemate] is a popular application for the storage of cache information. It also connects to [CacheNav] to allow you to search for a cache with it.
- [Plucker]
- [iSilo]
Pocket PC software
Like Palm devices, most Pocket PC devices can be used for running Geocaching software.- [GPXSonar] allows a gpx database to be accessed in the field, complete with cache descriptions. Field notes can also be entered in the software which can then be transferred back to the PC (for example into GSAK) later.
- [GPXView] provides a simple way of managing and viewing gpx files
- [iSilo]
- [CacheMate] is also available for Pocket PC. It shares a lot of common features with the Palm OS version, including its own version of CacheNav.
Web-based software
- [GPS Visualizer] is a platform-independent utility for creating maps and profiles (in SVG, JPEG, PNG, or Google format) from GPS data; it can read the .LOC files generated by Geocaching.com. GPS Visualizer is also host to an on-line version of [GPSBabel], which is a free GPS file conversion tool.
Geocaching Web sites
The main location for Geocaching is the [Geocaching.com] web site. If you use Mozilla Firefox, you can find a [search plugin] that allows quick access to the [Geocaching.com] web site.
In the United Kingdom, information can be found on the [Geocacheuk.com] site. This service also includes [stats] of caching activity in the UK.
WAP services
If you own a mobile telephone with WAP, you can access the above Geocaching page at [wap.geocaching.com]
See also
External links
- http://www.geocaching.com The home for Geocaching
- http://www.palmgear.com Software site for Palm devices
- [http://adventuresingeocaching.blogspot.com] Geocaching Software Review
- http://xca.auscstrike.com The home of Lt. Snipers 'Geocaching Quick Search' plugin for the Firefox internet browser
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.