GSAK

[kubigjay]

Otherwise known as . . .

Geocaching Swiss Army Knife

This is my default tool for Geocaching. As I travel all over the place often without internet it allows me to download a lot of geocaches and keep them up to date for when I need them.

The thing that I enjoy the most about GSAK is the ability to write programs to make it do whatever you want. Some features I've implemented . . .

1) I log my caches in GSAK when I find them - then when I get home it goes to geocaching.com and automatically logs them.

2) It exports all the geocache data to Microsoft Streets so everything appears ready to use.

3) I automatically filter the 500 closest caches then load them onto my Garmin eTrex

4) I put caches on my Ipod. That's write - I use GSAK to put the same geocaches that I put on my GPS'r onto my Ipod. Then I can just scroll through the notes on my Ipod to find the cache details. It saved me from buying a palm pilot to do paperless caching.

It is a nice program. Try it for free if you are interested. Though you really need to set up pocket queries if you want to get a lot of use out of it. Check out http://www.gsak.net

If anyone is interested in these extra programs I'm more than willing to share.

kubigjay

[imfrog2002]

I've tried to use GSAK, but it won't load! It shows the Splash Screen, but that's it. I have to go into my Task Manager to close it. Is there anything that I can do to get it to work?

EDIT: I looked on the GSAK support forums and it says that it's my Anti-virus software. I totally disabled it and it still didn't load. o_o I'm not liking GSAK right now.

EDIT 2: Okay, I got it working and I love it! I'm not a premium member, so I have to enter most of the cache info manually, but it's worth it.
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GCF SLC FTW!

[kubigjay]

Even if you aren't a premium member - you can download a single cache from geocaching.com.

Do a search for geocaches. On the list that appears there are checkboxes. Check the boxes for the caches you want. Then at the bottom hit "Download Waypoints". When the popup dialog appears - choose "Open with . . ." GSAK. Then the data will be imported directed to GSAK.

You won't get all the data from the waypoint - just the name and coords. But it is much easier than entering it all in yourself. Plus it will give you the unique codes for the caches and links that make the automation work better.

On a side note - if you want pocket queries but can't justify spending the money - you could share a premium account. Queries can be sent to any address. So you have 5 sent to you - and your friend has 5 sent to them. That would help you out!

Good luck and enjoy.

[imfrog2002]

Thanks! I've downloaded the name and coords, but putting in all of the difficulty and stuff is hard. :/ Anyway, I'm loving GSAK. Thanks!
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GCF SLC FTW!

[va3tng]

Is there a web site with an easy to follow "How To" manual for GSAK? I use it just to upload GPX files to my GPS and that's about it. I would like to do more with it but get overwealmed by it.

Thanx.
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James
VA3TNG

[kubigjay]

Hmmm - an easy how to? Well there is the forum for GSAK at http://www.gsak.net. I used the included help file to figure the stuff out. There really isn't any "right" way to use it. Which is both it's downfall and benefit.

Downfall because there is a steep learning curve. There are so many options and different settings that it quickly becomes confusing.

Benefit because you can tailor the software to do exactly what you what. IE - for me it automatically pulls in the 500 closest caches to a point I set - then exports them to MS Streets, my GPS, and the logs to my Ipod.


Here is a quick description of how I use it that might help. . . .

1) I have GSAK associated with .gpx files. So when I get a new email from geocaching.com I just double click on the attachment. Then GSAK imports the data.

2) I look through the list of geocaches to find the caches I want to hunt. Use the "Search"->"Filter" menu option to narrow it down. If you want only Light post caches you could select micros of 1, 1 difficulty.

3) I export my caches to my devices

4) I leave my laptop in my vehicle when caching. When I come back I write down my notes on the cache right away. That way I don't forget what I thought of the cache. I also check the "Found" box.

5) When I get home I use a macro that automatically goes through the caches I found - opens up geocaching.com to log each one - and copies the ones I found to a different database so I stop wasting memory by reloading them into my devices next time.



As an extra bonus - here is a guide on my self logging macro with the code at the end. Enjoy!

LogCache = My favorite macro. This will scan through your default database – identify caches you have marked as found. Then it will open the log page for each individual cache. Finally it will copy the found caches to a new database and stops the caches from reloading.

Using the macro:
While caching I take my laptop with me. When I get back in the truck I write the log in GSAK. Then I click the found button. That way it is always fresh in my mind. After I get back home and on the internet I run this macro.

What it will do is open up your web browser. It will start out with the first cache that you found. You will see the webpage to log the found. The description you typed into GSAK is copied to your clipboard. Hit “Ctrl-V” to paste it into the logging page. Fill out the information such as date and that you found it and hit okay. When you see the message on the website that your find was logged – go back to GSAK. A popup box will ask if the find was logged. Hit okay and the process will repeat for the next cache you found. This way you can have 30 caches stored up in GSAK and go through logging them all without having to remember much or write anything down a 2nd time.

Needed:
1. Have an account with Geocaching.com. You will need to have a cookie set up so you will be automatically logged into Geocaching.com when you go to the website. Or open the website up and log in before running the macro.
2. You normal working database is called “Default”
3. You set up a filter that shows everything with the “Found” checkbox checked.
4. Another database called “Found”
5. A saved move setting called “Found” - this should copy the displayed caches to “Found” database. Not move them! Why? Because after you copy them it goes in and deletes the found caches from default. It does this because they are put on the perm delete list. That way if you load an older pocketquery with a cache you already found it won’t get added back to your default database.








SET $database="Default"
SET $movecopysettings="Found"
DATABASE Name="$database" Action=Select



FILTER Name="Found"




IF $_FilterCount = 0
SET $Message = "No caches need to be logged, macro will now abort."
PAUSE Msg="$Message"
CANCEL
ENDIF


Goto Position=Top
While .not. $_eol

# First copy contents of the log section of the notes for this cache
#into the clipboard
CLIP tags="%UserLog"

# Now call up the log page for this cache (press Ctrl-V to paste GSAK info the log box)
WEB url="http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?ID=%gcid"

#Pause lets you paste the data and enter the log
Set $CacheID = $d_Code
Set $CacheName = $d_Name
Set $CacheDate = $d_FoundByMeDate

$Message = "Was log successfully entered?" + $_NewLine + $CacheID + " - " + $CacheName + $_NewLine + "Found on: " + DateFormat($CacheDate)

PAUSE Msg="$Message"


Goto Position=Next
ENDWHILE

# Move log to found database
FILTER Name="Found"

MOVECOPY Settings="$movecopysettings"


DELETE settings="PermDelete"
CANCELFILTER

[SDAJumpmaster]

I have tried viewing the Flash presentation in last week's show, but it won't load. Can someone explain how to use GSAK to export to an iPod? I lost my sync cable for my PDA and until I get a new one, I am no longer paperless unless I can figure this technique out...
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[triplep220]

[xpunkx]

it worked fine in FireFox for me....
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geocachingpodcast.info - The First LIVE weekly podcast about geocaching

[kubigjay]

Here is my macro code to load it to an Ipod. Enjoy!


# ---------------------------------------------------------
# IpodExport
# Jerry Pauly - 5-23-06
#
# Macro to Export the currently shown Caches to an Ipod.
# The caches will show up on the Notes section of the Ipod.
# One note will be used for each cache.
#
#
# Thanks to Clyde on GSAK.net for giving me some nifty
# sub functions for me to steal . . . I mean borrow.
#
# !! DANGER! - This will delete ALL notes on the Ipod.
# to have it not do this comment out Delete code below
# ---------------------------------------------------------

#This is where the Ipod is on the computer. Note - using a
# different USB port might change the drive letter.
Set $IpodPath = "f:\Notes\"


#Stops if no Caches need to be copied
IF $_Count = 0
SET $Message = "No caches need to be exported, macro will now abort."
PAUSE Msg="$Message"
CANCEL
ENDIF

#Stops if to many caches - Ipod limits you to 1000
IF $_Count > 950
SET $Message = "Too many caches for Ipod to handle."
PAUSE Msg="$Message"
CANCEL
ENDIF




#Check to see if Ipod Connected
IF .not. FolderExists($IpodPath)
Set $Message = "Unable to connect to Ipod - Please check connection to Ipod."
Pause Msg=$Message
Cancel
ENDIF

#----------------------------------------------------------
# DANGER! - This baby deletes every note on your Ipod.
# To stop it comment out this code and uncomment the
# individual file delete below. But if you use many
# files it will quickly overwhelm your Ipod.

#Deletes the old file
Set $ErasePath = $IpodPath+"*.*"
FileErase File=$ErasePath OnError=Prompt

#----------------------------------------------------------


# Now it will loop through all of the caches displayed.

Goto Position=Top
While .not. $_eol
Set $IpodFile = Right($d_Code,4)

#----------------------------------------------------------
# This code is only needed if you comment out the
# delete everything code above.

#Deletes the old file
# IF FileExists( $IpodPath + $IpodFile )
# Set $ErasePath = $IpodPath+$IpodFile
# FileErase File=$ErasePath OnError=Prompt
# ENDIF
#----------------------------------------------------------


# Note is created and Formatted
Gosub Name=IpodMessage


# Note is written to the Ipod.
SET $Data = AppendFile($IpodPath + $IpodFile ,$IpodMessage)
IF Left($Data,7) = "*Error*"
Set $Message = "$Data" + " - Please check connection to Ipod."
Pause Msg=$Message
Cancel
ENDIF


Goto Position=Next
ENDWHILE



Set $Message = "All Done"
PAUSE Msg="$Message"



BeginSub Name=IpodMessage

# Note is created and Formatted
Set $IpodMessage = "<meta>"
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $IpodFile + " - " + $d_Name + $_NewLine

Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "------------------------------------------------------------" + $_NewLine


# - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#Convert to Deg, Min format

IF $d_HasCorrected
$IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "*Corrected* - "
ENDIF


$lat1 = $d_latitude
$lon1 = $d_longitude

$data = $lat1 + ";" + $lon1
$LocMessage = GeoCalc($data,"FormatMinutes")

Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $LocMessage + $_NewLine




#Cache Type expander
Gosub Name=CacheTyper

Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "Type= " + $CacheTyper + ", Size= " + $d_Container + $_NewLine


Set $Message = "$d_Difficulty"
Set $Message2 = "$d_Terrain"
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "Dif= " + $Message + ", Terr= " + "$Message2" + $_NewLine

#Cache Status
If $d_Archived = True
Set $Message3 = "Archived"
Else
If $d_TempDisabled = True
Set $Message3 = "Unavailable"
Else
Set $Message3 = "Available"
EndIF
EndIf

Set $Message2 = DateFormat($d_LastFoundDate)
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "Status= " + $Message3 + ", Last Found= " + $Message2 + $_NewLine


Set $Message = DateFormat($d_Changed)
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "Database Info Date= " + $Message + $_NewLine

#Descriptions
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "------------------------------------------------------------" + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $d_ShortDescription + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $d_LongDescription + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "------------------------------------------------------------" + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine


# Enter other Logs
GoSub Name=Logs
$IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $Logs
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "------------------------------------------------------------" + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine


# Hints

Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + $_NewLine
Set $IpodMessage = $IpodMessage + "Hints= " + $d_Hints + $_NewLine

EndSub



BeginSub name=Logs
Table Active=Logs scope=Parent
$logs = ""
If $_count > 0
$temp = ""
$i = 0
While not ($_eol)
$i = $i + 1

$temp = $temp + "Log " + NumToStr($i) + " on " + DateFormat($d_lDate) + " by " + $d_lBy + $_NewLine
$HtmlText = $d_lText

$temp = $temp + $d_lText + $_NewLine + $_NewLine


if $i > 10
Goto Position=Bottom

ENDIF

Goto Position=Next

EndWhile
$temp = Replace("<br>", $_Newline, $temp, true)

$Logs = $temp
EndIf
Table Active=caches

EndSub

BeginSub name=CacheTyper
#Cache Type expander
If $d_CacheType = "T"
$CacheTyper = "Traditional"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "E"
$CacheTyper = "Event"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "G"
$CacheTyper = "Benchmark"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "C"
$CacheTyper = "Cache In Trash Out"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "L"
$CacheTyper = "Locationless"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "M"
$CacheTyper = "Multi"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "O"
$CacheTyper = "Other"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "R"
$CacheTyper = "Earth"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "U"
$CacheTyper = "Unkown/Mystery"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "V"
$CacheTyper = "Virtual"
Else
If $d_CacheType = "W"
$CacheTyper = "Webcam"
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf

EndSub

[SDAJumpmaster]

I seem to be overlooking the "tutorial" on how to assign my iPod as the "X" Drive. Was that once on here?
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