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4 <head><title>GPXView - Geocaching with Maemo</title>
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9
10 <center><img src="images/gpxview.png"></center>
11
12 <center><h1>GPXView - Geocaching with Maemo</h1></center>
13 <center>Till Harbaum <a href="mailto:till@harbaum.org">&lt;till@harbaum.org&gt;</a></center><p>
14
15 <center><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7400558"><img src="images/paypal.png" border="0"></a></center><p>
16
17 GPXView is a <a href="http://geocaching.com">geocaching</a>
18 application. Its main purpose is to work with <a
19 href="http://www.geocaching.com/pocket/">pocket queries</a> in GPX
20 format (hence the name GPXView). GPXView allows you to conveniently
21 read the information stored in these files and navigates you to
22 geocaches using your devices built-in GPS. GPXView features many
23 advanced features including full HTML rendered cache descriptions, GPS
24 based voice navigation and a built-in map viewer.<p>
25
26 <h2>Did you know?</h2>
27
28 GPXView supports online download of geocaches using
29 <a href="#geotoad">geotoad</a>. This even works without a premium
30 account!<p>
31
32 GPXView can guide you by <a href="#voicenav">voice</a> so you can
33 concentrate on your search while the device sits in your pocket.<p>
34
35 The latest Maemo5 release supports <a href="#copynpaste">copy'n
36 paste</a>. Very handy when working with typical multi cache
37 descriptions.<p>
38
39 <h2>Obtaining GPXView</h2>
40
41 GPXView is available for three different plattforms:
42
43 <ul>
44 <li>Maemo4 (codenamed Chinook/Diablo) on Nokia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N800">N800</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N810">N810</a>
45 <li>Maemo5 (codenamed Fremantle) on <a href="http://maemo.nokia.com/n900/">Nokia N900</a>
46 <li>Desktop Linux
47 </ul>
48
49 The latest N810/N800 version is available from the
50 <a href="http://maemo.org/downloads/product/raw/OS2008/gpxview/?get_installfile">Nokia repositories</a>.<p>
51
52 <center><img src="images/maemo4.gif"><h5>GPXView on N810</h5></center>
53
54 The N900 version is available from the extras repository and can be
55 installed from the Navigation section in the Application Manager on
56 that device. However, since there's a review process involved in
57 getting software into the respective repositories and since the review
58 process for the N900 is rather slow, it may take some time for the
59 latest version to show up on your device.<p>
60
61 <center><img src="images/cachelist.gif"><h5>GPXView on N900</h5></center>
62
63 There is no pre-packaged version for the Linux desktop. In order to
64 install GPXView on a desktop PC you'll have to download the <a
65 href="http://repository.maemo.org/extras-devel/pool/diablo/free/source/g/gpxview/">source code</a> and compile and install it yourself.<p>
66
67 <center><img src="images/desktop.gif"><h5>GPXView on Ubuntu Linux</h5></center>
68
69 <h2>Getting started</h2>
70
71 GPXView comes ready-to-run and even includes some little "welcome"
72 demo file. You can use this to learn about the basic usage of GPXView and
73 check out the various program features.<p>
74
75 <center><img src="images/welcome.gif"><h5>First start of GPXView</h5></center>
76
77 However, to start hunting geocaches near your location you
78 need to get the appropriate pocket queries in GPX or LOC format either
79 from geocaching.com where you have to be a paying member to be allowed
80 to download them. Or you check free services. Sources known to work
81 with GPXView are:
82
83 <ul>
84 <li><a href="http://www.geocaching.com/pocket/">Pocket queries</a> from geocaching.com, available to paying customers only
85 <li>LOC files from geocaching.com are available for free, but contain very limited information only
86 <li>GPX files from <a href="http://www.opencaching.de/">Opencaching.de</a>
87 </ul>
88
89 <h3>Installing GPX files</h3>
90
91 Once you got your GPX files you might install them anywhere on your
92 device like e.g. the memory card on your N900. Files being downloaded
93 in ZIP format from geocaching.com can be left compressed. GPXView will
94 uncompress them automatically.<p>
95
96 You can copy the files onto the device via USB. But you might as well
97 just receive the files via Email directly on the device without any
98 PC involved.<p>
99
100 Finally you might use <a href="#geotoad">geotoad</a> to download cache
101 data directly.<p>
102
103 <h3><a name="gpxlist">The GPX list view</a></h3>
104
105 To import such files into GPXView you need to start GPXView and
106 and select "Import file" from the main menu. The GPX file will then
107 be included into the main screens list of GPX files. The following
108 session has two active GPX files and a closed one installed.<p>
109
110 <center><img src="images/gpxlist.gif"><h5>GPX list</h5></center>
111
112 You can adjust details of this list and enable and disable selected
113 columns in the <a href="#settings">settings dialog</a>.<p>
114
115 These GPX list will be loaded whenever you restart GPXView. Since
116 these files may contain plenty caches, loading them may take a few
117 seconds. While loading you'll see a progress bar.<p>
118
119 <center><img src="images/loading.gif"><h5>Loading ...</h5></center>
120
121 You may wish to temporarily disable certain GPX files from this list
122 in order to speed up loading. In order to do so, just click the
123 <img src="images/delete.png"> icon (on N800/N810 and desktop use the
124 Import->Close in the menu instead). A dialog will pop up to ask you
125 whether you want to remove that entry completely from the list or
126 whether you only want to close it.<p>
127
128 <center><img src="images/close_remove.gif"><h5>Close or Remove?</h5></center>
129
130 If you choose to close the file it will be displayed in "disabled" style
131 as visible in the GPX list screenshot above. These files will not be
132 opened at startup and thus don't affect the startup time of GPXView. The
133 containing cache files are not imported and are e.g. not found when using
134 the Search function and are not displayed on the map. To reenable a closed
135 entry just select it.<p>
136
137 <h4>Importing entire directories</h4>
138
139 GPX files derived from pocket queries usually contain many geocaches
140 and it makes sense to maintain them as one big object in the main
141 view. But some GPX files only contain a single geocache and you might
142 have many of those seperate files stored on your device. To cope with
143 such a collection of single GPX files, GPXView provides the "Import
144 directory" feature. This collects all GPX files from a given directory
145 and treats them like one big GPX file.<p>
146
147 <h3><a name="cachelist">The cache list view</a></h3>
148
149 When you select a GPX file in the <a href="#gpxlist">GPX list
150 view</a>, you'll be forwarded to the cache list view. This view lists
151 all geocaches of the selected GPX file sorted by distance from your
152 current GPS coordinate.<p>
153
154 <center><img src="images/cachelist.gif">
155 <h5>The cache list view</h5></center>
156
157 You can adjust details of this list and enable and disable selected
158 columns in the <a href="#settings">settings dialog</a>.<p>
159
160 Little markers at the cache icon will give you additional info
161 about the cache:
162
163 <ul>
164 <li><img src="images/cache_type_ovl_found.png"> indicates that a cache has been marked as "found" by you or has a log from you in the GPX file
165 <li><img src="images/cache_type_ovl_mine.png"> indicates that a cache has been placed by you
166 <li><img src="images/cache_type_ovl_override.png"> indicates that you've overridden the coordinate of that cache
167 <li><img src="images/cache_type_ovl_note.png"> indicates that you've entered notes into the note tab of the cache view
168 </ul>
169
170 The cache list also tells you how far in which direction a cache
171 is. This of course changes when your position changes. GPXView can
172 thus update the cachelist periodically. This can be adjusted in the
173 <a href="#settings">settings</a>.<p>
174
175 <h2><a name="cacheview">The cache view</a></h2>
176
177 Selecting a cache in the <a href="#cachelist">cache list</a> will
178 forward you to the main screen of the cache view.<p>
179
180 If the <a href="#map">map window</a> is open at the time you select
181 a cache, then the map switches into navigation mode and e.g. a compass
182 rose will be displayed for the selected cache.<p>
183
184 <h3><a name="cachemain">Cache main view</a></h2>
185
186 The main view gives you a quick overview of the most important
187 aspects of a geocache. Among this information is the difficulty
188 and the terrain rating and of course the main coordinate.<p>
189
190 <center><img src="images/cache_main.gif">
191 <h5>Cache main view</h5></center>
192
193 This coordinate is displayed striked out if it was overridden on the
194 <a href="#cachegoto">goto page</a>. You'll also find various
195 informantion placed on buttons which are linked to the internet
196 browser. The waypoint id button will e.g. open the caches description
197 in the web browser.<p>
198
199 <h3><a name="cachedesc">Cache description view</a></h2>
200
201 The cache description usually contains the main part of the cache.
202 It's the important part when solving multi caches or mystery caches.
203 This description often comes in HTML format as it may contain all
204 kind of text formatting, tables, images etc ...<p>
205
206 <center><img src="images/cache_desc.gif">
207 <h5>Cache description view</h5></center>
208
209 Images are usually not part of the GPS file itself. Instead the
210 description text is in HTML format and contains references to
211 the actual images stored somewhere on the internet. When being
212 asked to display such a description, GPXView downloads the images
213 and stores them internally for further usage. So once you had a
214 working internet connection while reading a cache description
215 and the images successfully got loaded everything is stored on
216 device. And the images are available to you afterwards in the field
217 even without internet connection.<p>
218
219 <h3><a name="cachehint">Cache hint view</a></h2>
220
221 The hint is displayed in the typical encrypted form. Just click
222 the encrypt and decrypt buttons to toggle between the encrypted
223 and decrypted display,<p>
224
225 <center><img src="images/cache_hint.gif">
226 <h5>Cache hint view</h5></center>
227
228 In some cases (e.g. in GPX files from opencaching.com) the hints
229 are tagged as html text or actually are encoded in html. In this
230 case GPXView is unable to encrypt the text. The hint tab will then
231 just display the decoded plain text.<p>
232
233 <h3><a name="cachelog">Cache log view</a></h2>
234
235 Pocket query in GPX format usually contains the last 5 logs. If you
236 have found this cache and logged it, your log is included regardless
237 how recent it is. GPXView uses this fact to determine whether you
238 found a cache. In order to make this feature work, your username must
239 be specified in the <a href="#settings">settings</a>.<p>
240
241 <center><img src="images/cache_logs.gif">
242 <h5>Cache log view</h5></center>
243
244 If the geocaching id of the cache is known, GPXView is able to
245 create a browser button on top of the log view. Clicking this button
246 will open the browser with the appropriate log page for convenient
247 logging.<p>
248
249 <h3><a name="cachewpts">Cache waypoints view</a></h2>
250
251 Some caches contain additional waypoints. These are only included
252 in GPX files if they actually contain a valid coordinate (unlike e.g.
253 the stages of a multi cache which don't come with valid coordinates
254 as you are supposed to determine the coordinates yourself).<p>
255
256 <center><img src="images/cache_wpts.gif">
257 <h5>Cache waypoints view</h5></center>
258
259 When the selected cache has waypoints, these are also displayed
260 on the <a href="#map">map</a>.<p>
261
262 <h3><a name="cachetbs">Cache travelbug view</a></h2>
263
264 <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/track/">Travelbug or geocoin</a>
265 information stored in the GPX file is also parsed.<p>
266
267 <center><img src="images/cache_tbs.gif">
268 <h5>Cache travelbug view</h5></center>
269
270 If GPXView is able to create a valid internet link for a travelbug
271 or goicoin the id will be displayed on a button. Clicking that
272 button will open the browser with the travelbugs homepage.<p>
273
274 <h3><a name="cachenotes">Cache notes view</a></h2>
275
276 The notes view is special in a way that it does not display
277 informantion from the GPX file. Instead it's meant to store
278 information that you enter manually. You might e.g. use the notes
279 page to solve a mystery cache or store your findings while solving
280 a multi cache.<p>
281
282 <center><img src="images/cache_notes.gif">
283 <h5>Cache notes view</h5></center>
284
285 <a name="overwritten">The cache notes page contains a <a
286 href="#coordinate_tool">coordinate tool</a>.</a> An alternative
287 ("new") coordinate entered here (e.g. a solved mystery position or a
288 multi cache state). This can be used to overwrite the original one if
289 the "override" checkbox is enabled. This overridden coordinate will
290 then always be used instead of the original one.Icons derived from the
291 overridden cache position are overlayed by the <img
292 src="images/cache_type_ovl_overwritten.gif"> marker.<p>
293
294 You can also mark the cache as "found" here. Found caches can then be
295 found in the <a href="#search">search dialog</a> or exported in
296 the <a href="#export_garmin_fnote">garmin field notes</a> or
297 <a href="#export_garmin_wpt">garmin waypoints</a>.<p>
298
299 <a name="copynpaste">A common use case for the notes page is to
300 copy equations from the description page and fill them with
301 the correct values while on the go. Since PR1.2 Maemo5 supports
302 this with copy'n paste. Press and hold shift while viewing the
303 description and then drag the desired text marks it. The selelected
304 text can then be copied to the clipboard using CTRL-C and pasted
305 to the notes pages using CTRL-V.</a><p>
306
307
308 All user generated content on this page is stored permanently on
309 the device. This data is <b>not</b> stored inside the GPX files.
310 You may at any time update or replace GPX files without affecting
311 the contents of the notes pages.<p>
312
313 <h3><a name="cachegoto">Cache goto view</a></h2>
314
315 The goto view helps you navigating to a geocache. It contains a compass
316 rose that is adjusted to your walking direction (the compass damping may
317 need adjustment in the <a href="#settings">settings</a>). Furthermore
318 the compass needle always points to the geocache.<p>
319
320 <center><img src="images/cache_goto.gif">
321 <h5>Cache goto view</h5></center>
322
323 Due to a lack of a real magnetic compass, GPXView needs to use the
324 GPS signal to determine your heading. This only works while you are
325 moving. And it works better if you are miving fast and in a straight
326 line. These conditions are usually not given when approaching the
327 cache on the last few meters. Once you are moving too slow for the
328 heading detection to work reliably, you can lock the compass in place
329 by tapping it. You'll then need some other means to determine where
330 north it. As long as you still know this, you can adjust the device
331 accordingly and the compass needle will still point to the geocache.<p>
332
333 <a name="voicenav">Another advanced feature is the voice
334 navigation</a>. The small speaker icon <img src="images/speaker.png">
335 allows you to enable an accoustic distance announcement. This way you
336 don't need to look at the device all the time and the device will keep
337 you informed about the distance to the cache.<p>
338
339 <h2><a name="coordinate_tool">Coordinate tool</a></h2>
340
341 Whenever GPXView deals with coordinates it will use the coordinate
342 tool. This tool consists of two buttons displaying the coordinates
343 (on N810, N800 and desktop linux these are text entry fields) and
344 one or two additional buttons with icons.<p>
345
346 <center><img src="images/coordinate_tool.gif">
347 <h5>The coordinate tool</h5></center>
348
349 <a name="picker">You can change the coordinate directly by clicking
350 the coordinate buttons. On N810, N810 and desktop linux you can use
351 the text entry fields to enter a new coordinate. On the N900 the
352 coordinate picker will show up once you click one of the coordinate
353 buttons.</a><p>
354
355 <center><img src="images/coordinate_picker.gif">
356 <h5>The coordinate picker</h5></center>
357
358 The coordinate picker is designed for finger friendlyness and allows
359 you to enter coordinates without using a keyboard.<p>
360
361 You can also import one of the various coordinates GPXView already
362 knows. In order to do this you just habe to click the coordinate
363 import button <img src="images/pos_get.png">. A picker with then
364 show up allowing you to select a coordinate source.<p>
365
366 <center><img src="images/coordinate_import.gif">
367 <h5>Import a coordinate</h5></center>
368
369 The number of sources available depends on the state GPXView is in.
370 Possible sources include:
371
372 <ul>
373 <li><img src="images/pos_gps.png"> The current GPS position
374 <li><img src="images/pos_home.png"> The home coordinate stored in the <a href="#settings">settings</a>
375 <li><img src="images/pos_wpt.png"> Additional waypoints stored in the <a href="#settings">settings</a>
376 <li><img src="images/pos_map.png"> The current <a href="#map">map</a> position
377 <li><img src="images/pos_geomath.png"> The current <a href="#geomath">geomath projection</a>
378 <li><img src="images/cache_type_traditional.png">, <img src="images/cache_type_multi.png">, ... The current caches coordinate and the <a href="#overwritten">overridden one</a> if present
379 <li><img src="images/wpt_parking.png">, <img src="images/wpt_refpoint.png">, ... The current caches <a href="#cachewpts">waypoints</a> if present
380 </ul>
381
382 In some occasions also a export button <img src="images/pos_set.png"> is present. This button opens the coordinate export tool.<p>
383
384 <center><img src="images/coordinate_export.gif">
385 <h5>Export a coordinate</h5></center>
386
387 Up to three choices may be present here:
388
389 <ul>
390 <li><img src="images/pos_map.png"> Show the position on the <a href="#map">map</a>
391 <li><img src="images/maemo_mapper.png"> Export the position to Maemo Mapper (needs to be supported by Maemo Mapper)
392 <li><img src="images/clipboard.png"> Copy the coordinate to the clipboard
393 </ul>
394
395 <a name="distance_picker">Similar pickers also exist for distances<p>
396
397 <center><img src="images/distance_picker.gif">
398 <h5>The distance picker</h5></center></a>
399
400 <a name="direction_picker">and directions (angles).<p>
401
402 <center><img src="images/direction_picker.gif">
403 <h5>The direction picker</h5></center></a>
404
405 <h2>Main Menu</h2>
406
407 The main menu can be reached from the main screen (and e.g. not
408 from the map screen). It exact contents vary with the state of the
409 main screen and e.g. some menu entries may only be visible if the
410 main screen is in "GPX list" mode.<p>
411
412 <center><img src="images/menu.gif"><h5>The main menu</h5></center>
413
414 <h3><a name="about">About</a></h3>
415
416 The first thing selectable from the menu is the about dialog. The main
417 about screen will tell you version and comppile time. This is the way
418 to check whether you have the latest version of GPSView running.<p>
419
420 <center><img src="images/about_main.gif"><h5>Main about view</h5></center>
421
422 GPXView comes free of charge. You can install it on any device you want.
423 If you think you want to show your appreciation, you are welcome to
424 make a <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7400558">little donation via paypal</a>.<p>
425
426 <center><img src="images/about_donate.gif"><h5>Donations are appreciated</h5></center>
427
428 You may also actively contribute to the project by reporting bugs or
429 filing feature requests.<p>
430
431 <center><img src="images/about_bugs.gif"><h5>You can contribute</h5></center>
432
433 <h3><a name="settings">Settings</a></h3>
434
435 The settings dialog contains various global settings. Any change
436 made here is permanent.<p>
437
438 <center><img src="images/settings.gif"><h5>The settings</h5></center>
439
440 <h4>Enable GPS</h4>
441
442 This settings controls GPS globally. The major reason for disabling
443 GPS is to save energy. Since geocaching without precise location
444 information is not possible, you usually want to have the GPS
445 enables. However, if GPS is disabled, an alternatice coordinate is
446 being used instead. As a default only a home coordinate is stored. You
447 might add an unlimited number of additional locations (like your
448 workplace or other places you often use). Just hit the add or edit
449 buttons while GPS is disabled to maintain this list. If GPS is
450 disabled, all coordinate calculation (e.g. in order to display the
451 distance of a cache) is then based on the selected alternative
452 coordinate in the list. In the example above the "Home" coordinate is
453 the active one.<p>
454
455 <center><img src="images/edit_location.gif"><h5>Manually edit a location</h5></center>
456
457 The alternate positions are also useful while having GPS as they can easily
458 be reached via the <a href="#coordinate_tool">coordinate tool</a>.<p>
459
460 <h4>Imperial Units</h4>
461
462 This settings changes the display between imperial (mi, in, ft) and
463 metric units (km, m). These only affect the display. Any input
464 accepts both formats at any time. So you may enter inches while in
465 metric mode and meters while in imperial mode. However, these are
466 immediately converted into display units while being processed.<p>
467
468 <h4>Username</h4>
469
470 This is your geocaching.com user name. It's used to determine if
471 a geocache has been placed by you or has been found by you. The
472 caches are then marked using the appropriate icons as finds
473 <img src="images/cache_type_ovl_found.png"> and owned
474 <img src="images/cache_type_ovl_mine.png">.<p>
475
476 Furthermore the username is being used when using the
477 <a href="#geotoad">geotoad</a> feature.<p>
478
479 <h4>Visible GPX list items</h4>
480
481 This setting allows you to enable and disable columns in the
482 <a href="#gpxlist">GPX list view</a>. The original file name
483 (as opposed to the GPX name stored in that file), the date
484 of creation and the number of caches stored in that GPX files
485 can be toggled independently.<p>
486
487 <h4>Visible cache list items</h4>
488
489 This setting allows you to enable and disable columns in the
490 <a href="#cachelist">cache list view</a>. The waypoint name,
491 the cache size and the caches rating can be toggled.<p>
492
493 <h4>Cache list screensaver</h4>
494
495 The screensaver can be disabled while the
496 <a href="#cachelist">cache list</a> is being displayed. This
497 is useful when e.g. driving with the cache list view active.
498 Since the cache list may optionally be sorted by distance,
499 the nearest cache is always the first one on screen.<p>
500
501 <h4>Cache list refresh</h4>
502
503 As pointed out before, the <a href="#cachelist">cache list</a>
504 can be refreshed automatically every 30 seconds. Since this
505 feature consumes CPU power (and thus battery), it can be
506 disabled.<p>
507
508 <h4>Cache compass damping</h4>
509
510 The compass in the caches <a href="#cachegoto">goto view</a> uses
511 track information from the GPS signal to determine the
512 heading in order to re-create the functionality of a
513 magnetic compass. Depending on the precision of the GPS
514 receiver and the signal quality of the GPS signal the
515 tracking information may be rather inaccurate. Especially
516 when you are moving slowly the compass tends to jitter.
517 If you have this problem you might want to increase
518 damping. This makes the compass a little less responsive
519 but it increases stability of the compass display.<p>
520
521 <h4>Use GCVote service</h4>
522
523 GPXView can retrieve cache quality ratings from the
524 <a href="http://dosensuche.de/index.php">GCVote</a> service. If GCvote
525 is enabled, an additional line of stars is shown in the caches main view
526 describing the quality of a cache like difficulty and terrain are
527 already displayed by default.<p>
528
529 <h4>Disable screen saver in goto view</h4>
530
531 Since the <a href="#cachegoto">goto view</a> can be used to navigate to the
532 cache, it may be handy to keep the screen on all the time. Be aware
533 that this may drain your battery if you leave the device for a longer
534 period in this mode with the goto view active.<p>
535
536 <h3><a name="export">Export</a></h3>
537
538 GPXView can export data for use with other devices or applications.
539
540 <center><img src="images/export.gif"><h5>Export</h5></center>
541
542 The export submenu lets you select the application you want to export data
543 to.<p>
544
545 <center><img src="images/export_mmpoi.gif"><h5>Export to Maemo Mapper POI</h5></center>
546
547 <a
548 href="http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/maemo-mapper/">Maemo
549 Mapper</a> is a popular mapping solution for maemo. GPXView can export
550 geocache locations as points of interest (POI) directly into a
551 database as use by Maemo Mapper. Selecting this database in Maemo
552 Mapper will make it display geocaches locations in its map. Since the
553 database export is rather slow, you might limit the radius around your
554 current GPS position, You can also prevent caches to be exported that
555 you already found or that are disabled or archived to further reduce
556 the number of exported caches.<p>
557
558 <a name="export_garmin_fnote">
559 <center><img src="images/export_garmin_fnote.gif"><h5>Export garmin field notes</h5></center>
560
561 GPXView is able to export so-called <a
562 href="http://www.geocaching.com/my/fieldnotes.aspx">Garmin field
563 notes</a>. These are files containing information about all caches you
564 have marked as found. Also the text from the notes page of each found
565 cache is included. You can upload the resulting file via the <a
566 href="http://www.geocaching.com/my/uploadfieldnotes.aspx">upload page
567 at geocaching.com</a>. Afterwards you can conveniently log all the
568 caches.<p></a>
569
570 <a name="export_garmin_wpt">
571 <center><img src="images/export_garmin_wpt.gif"><h5>Export Garmin waypoints</h5></center>
572
573 GPXView can export waypoints of <a href="#overwritten">overridden
574 coordinates</a> into a file suitable for use on garmin handheld gps
575 devices (tested with Garmin Colorado and Garmin Oregon devices). This
576 way you can transfer the coordintes of solved mystery caches or stages
577 of a multi cache to those Garmin handhelds.<p>
578 </a>
579
580 <h3><a name="search">Search</a></h3>
581
582 The number of geocaches stored on your device may grow very fast. The
583 search feature allows you to search through all of the currently
584 active GPX files and to search for particular text fragements in the
585 caches name, description etc.<p>
586
587 <center><img src="images/search.gif"><h5>The search dialog</h5></center>
588
589 You can also search for caches that you found within the last few
590 days. This may be handy when logging at home and is meant to help you
591 remember which geocaches you've found recently.<p>
592
593 <h3><a name="tools">Tools Submenu</a></h3>
594
595 The tools submenu is reached via the main menu. It can be used to
596 invoke various geocaching related tools. The tools act as if they were
597 seperate programs but are tightly integrated into GPXView and
598 typically import or export data to or from GPXView.<p>
599
600 <center><img src="images/tools.gif"><h5>The tools submenu</h5></center>
601
602 <h4><name="geomath">Geomath</a></h4>
603
604 The geomath tool allows very basic geocoordinate calculations. Two <a
605 href="#coordinate_tool">coordinates</a> can be entered as well as a <a
606 href="#distance_picker">distance</a> and a <a
607 href="#direction_picker">direction</a>.<p>
608
609 <center><img src="images/geomath.gif"><h5>The Geomath tool</h5></center>
610
611 Clicking the "Calculate" button calculates the distance between
612 the two given coordinates and projects the first coordinate (on the
613 screens left) by the given distance and direction. The resulting
614 projected coordinate is then be displayed in the bottom row.<p>
615
616 The resulting coordinate can be used within GPXView from the
617 coordinate selector tool using the geocalc icon
618 <img src="images/pos_geomath.png">. This icon also shows up in the map
619 if a valid geomath result is present.
620
621 <h5>Usage example: "Go 120m in 65&deg;" from the given start coordinate</h5>
622
623 The cache description tells you to walk a certain distance into a
624 certain direction from a given coordinate. First you select the caches
625 main position <img src="images/cache_type_traditional.png"> from the
626 coordinate selector tool <img src="images/pos_get.png">. The start
627 coordinate should then be displayed in the left column. Now enter the
628 requested distance and direction into the appropriate fields (on
629 Maemo5 using the <a href="#picker">picker tools</a>). When done just
630 click "Calculate" and the "projection" row will contain your target
631 coordinate. This coordinate can now be selected in the caches "goto"
632 view and is also being shown in the map. You can even re-select the
633 projected coordinate in the Geomath dialog for further processing and
634 to e.g. walk another distance in another direction.
635
636 <h4>Geotext</h4>
637
638 The geotext tool allows two simple text operations often required to solve
639 a geocache. Many geocaches ask you to calculate the letter sum of a certain
640 text or word.<p>
641
642 <center><img src="images/geotext.gif"><h5>The Geotext tool</h5></center>
643
644 Just enter this word into geotext and the character sum
645 is being displayed while you type. Another common operation is the "shift"
646 letters. If you shift the letter "a" by one you get the next letter "b" (and
647 "z" becomes "a" again). If you shift by two "a" becomes "c" and so on. This
648 is the so-called cesar encryption. A special case is a shift by 13. This
649 encryption of shifting letters by 13 is named rot13 and is for example used
650 on the geocaching.com website to encrypt hints and spoilers.
651
652 <h4>Precise Position</h4>
653
654 The Precise Position is more for the hider than for the seeker. It is
655 supposed to be used when standing still. It allows you to average the
656 current position over some longer period of time.<p>
657
658 <center><img src="images/precise_position.gif">
659 <h5>The Precise Position tool</h5></center>
660
661 The tool will also
662 show you graphically how far all the positions received so far are
663 apart to give you an impression how precise the position really
664 is. The more coordinates you get and the smaller the radius of the
665 circle containing them all is the more precise is the resulting
666 coordinate. You can then copy the resulting coordinate to the
667 clipboard for further processing in other applications.<p>
668
669 <h4><a name="geotoad">GeoToad</a></h4>
670
671 <a href="http://code.google.com/p/geotoad/">GeoToad</a> is not part of
672 GPXView itself but has to be installed seperately. GeoToad is written
673 in the <a href="http://ruby-lang.org/">ruby language</a> and as of this writing has to be installed
674 together with the ruby interpreter from the <a
675 href="http://www.nokian900applications.com/repositories-extras-extras-devel-and-extras-testing-for-nokia-n900/">extras-devel
676 repository</a> when using Maemo5.<p>
677
678 <a href="http://code.google.com/p/geotoad/">GeoToad</a> allows you to
679 download geocache information directly from the <a
680 href="http://www.geocaching.com/">geocaching.com website</a>. In order
681 to comply with the terms of that site, GeoToad intentionally runs
682 rather slow (about one cache request per second) to prevent to
683 overload that site with automated requests.<p>
684
685 To use GeoToad you first have to enter your account information (you
686 don't need a premioum account!), the location you want to get geocache
687 information from and the size of the area you are interested
688 in. Please, start with an area of ~1km (0.6 mi) radius. Otherwise the
689 download may take rather long. You also have to select a place to
690 store the resulting file. You can choose any location, but it's
691 preferred to use a memory card to save precious root file system space
692 on a mobile device like the N900.<p>
693
694 <center>
695 <img src="images/geotoad_setup.gif">
696 <h5>Setup of GeoToad</h5>
697 </center>
698
699 GeoToad is then invoked using the parameters you just entered.<p>
700
701 <center>
702 <img src="images/geotoad_run_1.gif">
703 <h5>Running GeoToad</h5>
704 </center>
705
706 After a few seconds the first information should be returned and
707 GeoToad starts reporting what it receives from geocaching.com.<p>
708
709 <center>
710 <img src="images/geotoad_run_2.gif">
711 <h5>Search results are coming in</h5>
712 </center>
713
714 Once geotoad is done it reports some statistics about its work and
715 GPXView tells you that the GeoToad job is done.<p>
716
717 <center>
718 <img src="images/geotoad_run_3.gif">
719 <h5>GeoToad download is done</h5>
720 </center>
721
722 You can now close the window and return to the main screen. You'll find that
723 the download has been added to the list of GPX files.<p>
724
725 <center>
726 <img src="images/geotoad_result_1.gif">
727 <h5>The resulting file</h5>
728 </center>
729
730 You can now use this file like any other GPX file you might have downloaded
731 from geocaching.com or similar sites.<p>
732
733 <center>
734 <img src="images/geotoad_result_2.gif">
735 <h5>Caches downloaded by GeoToad</h5>
736 </center>
737
738 <h3><a name="map">The Map</a></h3>
739
740 GPXView comes with a built-in map. This map is downloaded on demand, but
741 all data being downloaded is caches locally. Once you've visited a certain
742 area on the map, the data will even be accessible without internet
743 connection.<p>
744
745 <center>
746 <img src="images/map_all_balloon.gif">
747 <h5>The map</h5>
748 </center>
749
750 The map is tightly integrated into GPXView and always displays all active
751 caches with little icons. You can click these icons and get detailed
752 information of the cache in a "balloon". Clicking this balloon will cause
753 the main GPXView application to switch to that particular cache.<p>
754
755 The map data can be taken from several sources. Clicking the little arrow
756 on the right screen side will extent a menu allowing you to select a
757 different map source.<p>
758
759 <center>
760 <img src="images/map_source_sel.gif">
761 <h5>Selecting the map source</h5>
762 </center>
763
764 The map always displays your current GPS position using a blue marker
765 surrounded by a circular gray area. This area displays your current
766 GPS precision. In the example below the precision of ~5km is extremely
767 low indicating that the position is likely not derived from the GPS
768 signal but of location information derived from the cell network or a
769 wlan position. Furthermore a small blue arrow on the GPS indicator
770 displays your current tracking.<p>
771
772 <center>
773 <img src="images/map_nav.gif">
774 <h5>Navigating to a cache</h5>
775 </center>
776
777 When there's a geocache selected in GPXViews main view, then all
778 caches except the selected one a displayed semi-transparent.
779 Furthermore a info display on the left side of the screen helps
780 navigating to the cache. Clicking on the coordinate in that info
781 display will center the map in that position. Clicking the compass
782 will toggle between GPS mode (blue compass arrow) and map center mode
783 (black compass arrow). In GPS mode, the distance and heading info is
784 displayed relative to the current GPS position. In map center mode the
785 distance and heading info is displayed relative to the map center.<p>
786
787 Finally, the current map position can be used as coordinate input
788 in the <a href="#coordinate_tool">coordinate tool</a>.<p>
789
790 </body>
791 </html>
792