The other day I had some time between client visits, so I set out to look for a couple of caches. The cache, GCPA29, was listed as a nano cache. This was my first one. Right before giving up on it, I accidently moved it. I thought the nano cache was a rubber screw head cover. Imagine my surprise!
The cache originally had no name, so I suggested “Ticker Tape!” (You’ll notice that it is now named, Ticker Tape…)
My first nano cache and the first cache I’ve named!
Next week i start traveling for an extended period. One of the reasons I started this project was to help with caching in new areas. So I’m working on importing a pocket query from geocaching.com. Right now things like the descriptions and hints are lost on import. I’m working to not drop those.
In addition, I’m going to put hooks in for iPod syncing. You’ll have the option of sync through your Address Book or through the “Notes.” The trade-off is, your address book can become full of caches. However, to use the “Notes” you’d have to enable Disk Usage in iTunes.
For now I’ve put “sticky” preferences aside. I was creating my own preference file, which might not be the “mac” way to go. I should probably be using a “plist.” Since i don’t know how those work, I need to figure that out first.
From the St. Petersburg Times: “The two mysterious visitors huddled around the sign to Dunedin Cemetery, poking and snooping around.
Someone at former Dunedin Mayor John Doglione’s funeral saw the couple and called authorities.”
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/06/Tampabay/An_adventure_made_for.shtml
After “releasing” 0.2, I realized there were a couple of hard-coded things which don’t work on other systems. I’ve resolved them. You can now delete waypoints from the library (or a playlist.) The only two ways to add waypoints is from a new “Download” or Importing a GPX file. Also I fixed the bug where the program wouldn’t actually call gpsbabel.
MacCaching v0.2.1 is now available for downloading (2.5mb).
Next on the list is “sticky” preferences.
The other day I ran across a great podcast called, Podcacher. As of this week, they are up to 76 shows. Sonny and Sandy put on a great show with all sorts of Geocaching related information.
Their podcast is the most professional sounding non-professional podcast I’ve heard. (Even before their latest equipment donations!) If you search iTMS for “Podcacher” it’ll come up. Or head over to their blog and check out the Forums.
The screenshot isn’t up to date, I didn’t spell check the README, the icon doesn’t show up, and the list of known issues is longer than the features. However. If you’re looking for a Universal Binary that lets you communication with a Garmin GPS, you’ve got it. The best part, it is free. Not $100, not $49.99, or not even twenty-bucks.
Granted, it doesn’t do a whole lot…. yet.
I’m targetting an update every 2 weeks until 1.0.0.
The OSX disk image is available here.
I made significant progress this weekend towards v0.2. I am able to download (transfer) GPS coordinates from my Garmin eTrex Venture and import them into the library. I paused work on the Library manager because of a bug in my development enviornment. Since I discovered a work-around, I will move back to completing the v0.1 features. After the final Library features are implemented, I’ll work on coordinate uploads. Once I can upload and download coordinates, I’ll release v0.2.
0.1:
- Basic Libary Support
- Basic Playlist Support
- Integrate the coordinate converter utility
0.2:
- Initial gpsbabel support. Upload/Download
- Expanded GPX support (geocache namespace support)
0.3:
- Actual Syncronization
Somewhere in 0.3 - 0.9:
- “Sync to iPod” for Paperless caching
- Nested Playlists.
- Feedback system (e.g. type of unit being used)
- Check for updates feature
- Google Maps integration
- Copy / Paste -> Parse pocket query emails
- Getting Started Wizard/Assisant
MacCaching is best describe as iTunes for Geocaches.
When I received my Garmin eTrex Venture for my birthday, I was dissappointed to see the software selection for my iMac. GPSBabel has a OSX port, but it didn’t work with my unit. GPS Connect looked promising, but doesn’t appear to be in active development. Read the rest of this entry »
