Out of Pocket May 18, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching.2 comments
I have a death in the family and a whole lot of work to deal with, simultaneously. I’ve got to punch out for a bit here. Shoot, I didn’t even try for the FTF last night on 3 caches so close I could sleepwalk over to them.
More Stuff Added to the Resources Tab May 11, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Education, Geocaching, Resources.Tags: cache description, HTML, log
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I hear tell the HTML business in cache descriptions and logs is everyone’s big thorn-in-side. I put the consolidated notes into a Word document and put the link on the resources tab. (look up)
I’m sure you’ll find it. Happy Monday!
Free GSAK Key For the Taking May 9, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching, In the News/Blogosphere, Resources, Snark, Software, Somebody Else's Stuff.Tags: GSAK, GSAK Crack, GSAK serial, software pirate
14 comments
This is GSAK, or Geocaching Swiss Army Knife. I’ve written about GSAK before, both here and here.
A good handful of you thieving pirates have found this blog by way of Google searches for “GSAK Key”, “GSAK Crack” and a handful of other search terms that are both indicting and depressing all at the same time. You probably found your way here because you are trying to avoid this:
GSAK Nag Screen
First off, this is one of the cooler nag screens you’re going to see. It is the GSAK Spouse, after all. But let’s break this down for a minute. I want you to meet Clyde: (more…)
Wherein I Get Pwned May 8, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching, In the News/Blogosphere, My Finds, Snark, Statistics.Tags: cache-to-cache distance, China, Geocaching, Lotrat, miles per cache
1 comment so far
On my own blog, no less.
I made this braggadocio entry about my mileage and states knocked off the list with a find and then a single commenter weighs in: Lotrat, with some even more impressive stats. 18:32 with 56K miles and including a pair of smileys in China.
I’m jealous. I was supposed to go to Hong Kong this year but kept missing my connection due to weather delays. When I heard Lotrat was heading over there for a trip I knew he’d have a couple to throw in my face. Punk.
Now go get one in North Korea and I’ll stay impressed. Just one- that’s all you need to log. 😉
How am I Maintaining? May 7, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching.add a comment
I’ve been in Atlanta for 2 days and have logged precisely zero finds. That should tell you how much more fun work is than caching right now. 😉
GPSFileDepot – Like Unexpected Presents in the Mail May 5, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching, In the News/Blogosphere, Resources, Software.Tags: downloads, free, Geocaching, GPSFileDepot, maps, roads, sortware, topographical, trail maps
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GPSFileDepot – Custom Maps, Ximage hosting, tutorials, articles and more for your GPSr.
Am I the last guy on earth to discover this gem of the intarwebs? Folks, I just downloaded and installed the entire 900MB California Topo map to my Garmin GPS. FREE. And I didn’t have to contract the PC version of swine flu to download. These are community created maps and they cover street level business as well. The maps are all over the place, including some unique POI maps, trails and resource maps. 182 of them, in fact.
This has to be one of the top 10 sites for getting the most out of your GPS I have ever seen. If you’re looking to improve your investment in a quality GPS, maps are the best way to do it. If I could have leveraged these maps when I bought my current set I would have. As it is, I saved quite a few bucks just on the California Topo map. They’re my new heroes, at least until someone invents the transporter or a holodeck.
On the Road (Again Again) May 5, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Blogroll, In the News/Blogosphere, Resources, Somebody Else's Stuff.Tags: Bookmarks, Failblog.org, favorites, Links, Orac, Pandemic 2, Respectful Insolence, The Consumerist
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So have a peek at my favorite bookmarks of late.
- FAIL Blog: Pictures and Videos of Owned, Pwnd and Fail Moments. Sorry, it was just too tempting.
- Play Pandemic 2, a free online game on Kongregate. I love this game, and it’s timely. Don’t get Madagascared. (you’ll see what I mean)
- Respectful Insolence. The antivaccination wingnuts are quite literally trying to kill us all. Now they have Oprah on their team. Read Orac’s most excellent and thorough dissection of the pro disease movement’s latest shenanigans, here.
- The Consumerist: Shoppers Bite Back. Have I introduced you to Ben Popkin yet? No? Meet Ben. His blog kicks butt and was recently bought by Consumer Reports/Consumers Union.
You could spend all day with just these 4. I figure you’ll share if you have any favorites of your own…
…right?
How To Guide on HTML for Cache Pages May 5, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Cache Construction, Geocaching, Resources, Software.Tags: cache, cache description, formatting, Geocaching, HTML
2 comments
I stumbled across Nozen’s Geocaching HTML cheatsheet and it looks pretty good. Cleaning up the HTML seems to be the most difficult part in writing up a new cache hide. This should help!
Comment Filters Adjusted May 5, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching.1 comment so far
So I was using this horrible “black list” of words that was capturing almost every post as spam. Hopefully we have that fixed by now. Try leaving a comment or two. They should post now right away unless you are a registered spam offender.
I Take My Shoes Seriously May 3, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Blogroll, Recreation, Somebody Else's Stuff.Tags: Knapp, shoes
3 comments
That’s why I wear Knapp shoes. I mention it for a few reasons; first, because this company went out of business a few years back and I have been wearing my last pair of Knapps on earth for at least 4 or 5 years. This is my dress shoe; more accurately a “uniform shoe” you would more easily recognize on the feet of a beat cop in Boston.
And yes, I said 4 years. They are looking their age but they polish up nicely and I wore the pair before these at my wedding in 1997. They just last (pun intended). I know at least one of my readers has a thing for $800 Italian loafers but I have a serious addiction to my 2359s. Plain-Toe Rocker Bottom Oxford, black, oil resistant. They work in the shop and under a tuxedo equally well. The safety toe doesn’t need steel because the leather is so farking thick cows have hide envy. It doesn’t need steel, but you can get it. The support is so good I can stand on an inch of surface across the arches of my feet and it feels like I’m standing on a solid table. They are more comfortable than my Nikes and I wear them to work, on the trail and in the yard every single day. Only problem: they went out of business.
And now, they’re back.
I didn’t link to their main site because, well, they don’t have my size in production yet and they told me last year I could expect something in January. That, and they aren’t paying me to show how cool their shoes are yet. Harumph. Guys: call me when you have 3 pair of 2359 in 10 1/2 EEE stocked. I’ve logged over 600 Geocaches in my Knapp 2359s. Throw a dog a bone and sew me up some shoes, willya?
More Templates Added May 3, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Cache Construction, Geocaching, Recreation, Resources.Tags: Geocaching, log, Resources, templates
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On the Resources tab, above, I have added a few more templates to help your Caching and Stashing. Enjoy.
Note: WordPress will not let me upload MS Excel documents, so many of the templates are MS Word documents with MS Excel files embedded within them for your use. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
How to Use GSAK May 2, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching, Software, Somebody Else's Stuff.Tags: Forums, Geocaching Swiss Army Knife, GPSBabel, GSAK, GSAK FAQ, GSAK Forums, GSAK to SQL, GSAK user guides, how to use GSAK, manual, SQL
3 comments
I am getting traffic from a number of queries around “How to use GSAK”, or Geocaching Swiss Army Knife. I have talked about the power of GSAK before. It’s a great package, even though it’s not one of the regulars in my toolbag. I have my other preferences but I cannot deny that GSAK really is outstanding. The tool is quite simple but there are resources to help you navigate its features. Aside from my post on the file formats it will support and when you should use them you should look here:
- The GSAK home page
- The GSAK 101 user guide, a Word document in English, German, Dutch and French
- The GSAK 201 user guide, for you more advanced folks interested in customizing GSAK
- The GSAK 301 user guide, for the true geeks among you who have to automate the tool using macros. Only in English and Dutch.
- The GSAK FAQ
- All of these documents are available on the Getting Started forum on the GSAK Message Boards
I am a sucker for people who produce proper documentation and looking at the 101 Guide, it’s grade A material.
As of this post the current version is 7.5.2. Do yourself a favor and download the software right from http://GSAK.net instead of one of those file aggregators like Cnet or Rapidshare or some Bittorrent you downloaded from a “friend”. Registration is only $25 if you like it and want to see the guy (Clyde) keep updating the software, so why not?
And why not share with the rest of us how you use GSAK to help your Geocaching?
-edit 05/02/09
For those of you searching for “GSAK to SQL” you might want to consider that since the GPX files GSAK reads in are XML you might want to go straight to GPSBabel. Since it is the engine under the GSAK hood, you SQL people can just cut out the middle man. (sorry, Clyde, but I figure the SQL folks are a different crowd).
17 Down – 33 to Go! May 2, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching, My Finds, Statistics.Tags: Geocaching, pocket query, PQ, query, Statistics
3 comments
I know, this is probably obsessive-compulsive, but I had a whopping half hour to myself on business in Maryland and just had to check that Geocaching box…
State Map as of May 1, 09
I have a personal goal of caching every US state in the next few years. This map marks my progress nicely. I do like the cool color coded state maps you can get from Itsnotaboutthenumbers, but this one will do in a pinch. I generated this one using LogicWeave’s Cache Stats. INATN (short form) actually has my favorite statistic right there on the front page when you upload your PQ:
Approximate cache-to-cache distance: 67623.42 miles (108829.34 kilometres)
That’s just over 54 miles travelled per Geocache logged. I knew I got around for work a bit but these numbers just blew me away! I love looking at maps like these. If you have a blog or profile with your map posted, drop a link to it in the comments for all to see, especially if you have a map looking better (more complete) than mine. And if you have a nearly complete county map for your home state, drop a link to that, too!
I’m happy to live vicariously through the caching exploits of others. 😉
Out of Town May 1, 2009
Posted by kinzuakid in Geocaching.add a comment
And while I didn’t get to grab any in Boston, maybe I will be able to snag a few on the way back to the airport in Baltimore. We’ll see. I’d better, since dougandsuzy was handed a gimme about a half mile from my home coordinates while I am 2,000 miles away.
I shall never hear the end of it.
Telephone Poles on the Moon 
