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