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GSAK 101. Canada’s Capital Cachers Workshop March 13, 2014. GSAK Features in general. Waypoint management tool When you start up: default database Ablility to create additional databases Ability to send/receive waypoints to GPS Ability to search geocaches selectively and extensively
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GSAK 101 Canada’s Capital Cachers Workshop March 13, 2014
GSAK Features in general • Waypoint management tool • When you start up: default database • Ablility to create additional databases • Ability to send/receive waypoints to GPS • Ability to search geocaches selectively and extensively • GSAK supports macros • Ability to backup and restore from back-up
Operating System Req’ts • GSAK only runs on • Windows operating systems (98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8)
Cost? • GSAK is FREE to download and use • Free version is fully functional • After 21 days of unrestricted use, you get a nag screen when the program starts. As a result, the use is delayed • The delay gets longer with each subsequent use • You can keep using GSAK after the 21 days • To remove the nag screen you will need to register the program • Cost of Registration: USD $30
Installing GSAK • Go to GSAK.net to download latest version • Follow screen prompts to install onto your computer • GSAK 101 getting started guide can be downloaded • You can get hints on using GSAK at start-up
New database • Once GSAK is installed, you will have a new ‘empty’ database • You will be prompted to load sample data before loading real data – your choice
Columns • Not all columns are displayed in the shipped version of GSAK • To add columns • View > add / remove columns > • Select columns for display by placing a checkmark in the column of choice • You can change the width of a column
Premium membership • Geocaching.com requires you to become a “Premium Member” to download GPX files (from pocket queries)
GPX files • To take maximum advantage of GSAK, you’ll want to download GPX (not LOC) files from Geocaching.com • GPX files include almost all of the information from the online cache page, and allow you to import all of this information into GSAK.
Loading Data • You can load individual data from geocaching.com • You can create a pocket query to load multiple data at a time into the database • Loading data from a pocket query into GSAK • File > Load > • Find the file(s) using menu path where pocket queries have been saved
Working with GSAK • Creating your home location • Goto > Tools Options • Click on the Locations tab • Viewing Cache information • Click on a cache to get full details in a split screen • Sorting • Click on a column to sort
GSAK – more features • Filtering • Select a subset of caches • Move, copy, export (or send) to your GPS • Save a filter (for example by cache type or cache criteria: trads unfound, puzzles solved, multi’s, events, … • User Flags • To select
Sending waypoints to GPS • Set up your GSP • GPS > Set-up • Send waypoints (for Garmin Map60) • GPS > Send Waypoints • Send Geocaches for Oregon, etc • Find the macro called Garminexport.gsk, see next slide
Adding a macro • To find a macro to use with your Oregon and the like: • Go to Macro / Help and find the option “here” as shown
Which macro • Although there are many macros, here are some useful ones: • GarminExport.gsk: to download geocaches and all it’s info into your Oregon, etc. • Findstatgen3.gsk: will allow you to produce a stat page to add to your profile page • Countrystatecounty.gsk: will add the info for each cache page. Similar to Ontario_county_tagger.gsk and Quebec_county_tagger.gsk
Tips & Tricks GSAK • Add notes • Add corrected coordinates (puzzles or multis • Add macros • Working with multiple databases • Using colors for waypoints • Send waypoints to GPS: options for Map60 (etc) • Checking for multiple logs
More Tips and Tricks • For GPS (other than Oregon) • Use tags to add some descriptive info to your cache when downloading In this example, the following tags were used: %drop2 %con1 %Dif1a (terrain 1, 1a (1.5), etc. %Ter1a %hint (really useful) %ownerName
GSAK Help Search by • Content: excellent for newbies • By topic • By macro: macro > help
GSAK Cool Stuff • Geocaching symbols on your GPS (Map60, etc.) • kingstongeocaching.com • Tutorials > GSAK cool stuff