GSAK question

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Originally Posted by team barbieri

So when will one of you smart people hold Geocaching GSAK event and teach us all how to use it? I would go to that event anyday.

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The problem with teaching anyone how to use GSAK is there are so many different ways to use it. I have contemplated writing an article several times but it most likely would only be usable for a select few. Fortunately GSAK has a great help system which I bet many never even look at. it is available both online and through the help menu of the program and is nearly 100% interactive, meaning that many of the help pages show a screen shot of the program in which you can click on any area and see a description of that particular function. For example, the help file for the Maine GSAK screen has help for many of the toolbar items that many may not understand.

Just like reading the manual for your GPSr, reading the manual for GSAK would make a considerable difference for many users, and when you do need help you will have a better understanding for what is being said.

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Originally Posted by brdad

For example, the help file for the Maine GSAK screen has help for many of the toolbar items that many may not understand.

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The Maine GSAK Screen. Maine has it's own GSAK Screen? Does it have an "Ayuh" button instead of a "Yes" button. Does it not pronounce the letter "R" correctly?

:eek:

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Originally Posted by JustKev

The Maine GSAK Screen. Maine has it's own GSAK Screen? Does it have an "Ayuh" button instead of a "Yes" button. Does it not pronounce the letter "R" correctly?

:eek:

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Yeah, yeah.... :p

Some people can't do GSAk, some can't type the correct word!

You do know there was no way I could let that one pass, right?

Sometimes I think people come to chat just to see my bad typing, where I can't edit it over and over!

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Originally Posted by team barbieri

So when will one of you smart people hold Geocaching GSAK event and teach us all how to use it? I would go to that event anyday.

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Can't say when or where yet, but it will happen.

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Originally Posted by Mainiac1957

Can't say when or where yet, but it will happen.

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In the fall maybe? :D So many good days to be out caching ........;):)

Still, I go back to not providing the right information. What is it people are having trouble with GSAK that they would like instruction on? In chat last night this topic was touched on very briefly until it wandered to the Eustic event. The main question was what a macro was and what they could do. So that might be one subject. But it would be interesting to know what other questions people have regarding GSAK in order to give the most useful class.

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Originally Posted by brdad

Still, I go back to not providing the right information. What is it people are having trouble with GSAK that they would like instruction on? In chat last night this topic was touched on very briefly until it wandered to the Eustic event. The main question was what a macro was and what they could do. So that might be one subject. But it would be interesting to know what other questions people have regarding GSAK in order to give the most useful class.

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Agreed - what do folks want to know. I gave an answer to what a Macro was - (thanks BRDad for saying my explanation/understanding was correct) - but what I use for MACROs and others may need may not be everything.

I use one for my Nuvi, one for Field Notes, one to Load the Oregon.......and there are a ton more available.

I am not sure folks who download and start to use GSAK go to the forums on their webpage to learn what might be done with this very powerful program. As for me, I stumble and get picked up by others who know it better.

Believe me - there are some Masters here on this website - who know the ins, outs, tweeks and a ton more. What do you want out of using this data manager and I am sure someone can help.

Thanks BRDad for reminding us we need an agenda..........

Macros. I dont know how to set them up or even use them. #2 is there a way to update my database. now I just run a new PQ and then download it into my database to update the logs so I know if one has been disabled or has alot of DNF's. I do read the help sections on gsak but I have an easier time learning when I see it being done. I just know that I am tapping into a tiny fraction of what GSAK is capable of doing. Reading all the forums on here as well as GSAK's webpage is a help. I just think even a basic class would be a great help to all of us newbies who are just getting started. I will learn it eventually one way or another, just trying to make it a little less confusing.

hollora, what's the name of the macro you use to load your Oregon? I scanned down through the ones on the GSAK site and didn't see one that said it was for Oregons. Maybe I missed it?

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Originally Posted by JustKev

hollora, what's the name of the macro you use to load your Oregon? I scanned down through the ones on the GSAK site and didn't see one that said it was for Oregons. Maybe I missed it?

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Hate to pass you off but it was Mainiac1957 who loaded it for me - here is the cut and paste of it - ColoraoExport.gsk is what I believe it is named. He went to GSAK to get it I think.

Hope this helps. LA

The colorado macro is indeed the one to use for the oregon.

PQs are about the only way to update your database, short of downloading individual GPX files from the site or hand editing the database.

To load a PQ into GSAK, you can use Load GPX/LOC/ZIP... under the File menu, drag and drop the PQ file onto GSAK, or double click the GPX file.

If you use Load GPX/LOC/ZIP... under the File menu, you can load an entire folder of PQs.

The key to updating the database is having the PQs set up correctly, making sure you have all the desired caches in your desired area, and that you update them on a regular basis.

Now all I have to do is learn how to tweak the macro. Looks like it adds some really cool stuff.

Starting to look at loading the macro and what information it can load leads me to filters. Probably not something to try before having to go to work, eh? Looks like I should be able to see attributes on the 450 but GSAK has to have them loaded. Looks like I have to set the filter for that and this is where it might be bad to try before work.....how the heck to I play with filters? lol

Attributes should be in all PQs now and should be able to be filtered in GSAk if you have the newest version. If you have caches in your database that have not been updated in a long time they may not have attributes, but other than that you should be set.

You can filter for attributes just like you can for D/T. distance, or cache type. there is an attribute tab in the filter box. If you use a particular filter set a lot, it is a good idea to save it, then you can just select it from the drop down list on the main screen. Clicking the red X on the toolbar will reset the filter so you can view all caches.

For example, I have a saved filter for all caches with the boat attribute which are available and I have not found.

I have the Oregon macro, but not the GPS. Perhaps someone can explain how the macro tags the attributes to the caches, what it shows on the GPSr screen?

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Originally Posted by brdad

Attributes should be in all PQs now and should be able to be filtered in GSAk if you have the newest version. If you have caches in your database that have not been updated in a long time they may not have attributes, but other than that you should be set.

You can filter for attributes just like you can for D/T. distance, or cache type. there is an attribute tab in the filter box. If you use a particular filter set a lot, it is a good idea to save it, then you can just select it from the drop down list on the main screen. Clicking the red X on the toolbar will reset the filter so you can view all caches.

For example, I have a saved filter for all caches with the boat attribute which are available and I have not found.

I have the Oregon macro, but not the GPS. Perhaps someone can explain how the macro tags the attributes to the caches, what it shows on the GPSr screen?

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On my Colorado it displays the attributes early on in the cache description. Very helpful when you need them.

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Originally Posted by lexmano

On my Colorado it displays the attributes early on in the cache description. Very helpful when you need them.

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Looks very helpful, if you need them. Just gotta figure out how to do the filter thing and then the macro should load them fine.

Okay, GSAK tells me *No attributes specified* whether I get my caches via PQ or download them as individual .gpx files. What am I missing here? It has to be something simple, I'm sure. But I just don't see it.

Are you getting the error from GSAK or from the macro?

You may need to change your PQ GPX version:
Go to http://www.geocaching.com/account/Ma...eferences.aspx

Scroll to the bottom where it says GPX Version Preference and verify it is GPX 1.0.1.

You must have a newer version of GSAK as well.

EDIT: after looking into it more, in GSAK split screen or offline view some caches do show *No attributes specified*, when in fact, the cache owner did not specify any attributes. Even the online page will show the message No attributes available where the attribute icons normally are. Check to make sure on a cache you know has attributes.

For example, little augusta (GC1YMGA) by scdakota (1.5/1.5) has no attributes assigned to it, but Augusta West Creekside Resort Kache (GC1R0AZ) by Squirrel (2/1.5) does have them.

Had to select the newer GPX version......now I'll see if I can see the attributes.