GSAK 101GSAK 101

Canada’s Capital Cachers Canada’s Capital Cachers WorkshopWorkshop

March 13, 2014March 13, 2014

GSAK Features in generalGSAK 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’tsOperating System Req’ts

• GSAK only runs on – Windows operating systems (98, ME, NT,

2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8)

Cost?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 GSAKInstalling 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 databaseNew 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

ColumnsColumns

• 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 membershipPremium membership

• Geocaching.com requires you to become a “Premium Member” to download GPX files (from pocket queries)

GPX filesGPX 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 DataLoading 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 GSAKWorking 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 featuresGSAK – 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 GPSSending waypoints to GPS

1. Set up your GSP– GPS > Set-up

2. Send waypoints (for Garmin Map60)– GPS > Send Waypoints

3. Send Geocaches for Oregon, etc– Find the macro called Garminexport.gsk,

see next slide

Adding a macro 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 macroWhich 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 GSAKTips & 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 TricksMore 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 HelpGSAK Help

Search by

• Content: excellent for newbies

• By topic

• By macro: macro > help

GSAK Cool StuffGSAK Cool Stuff

• Geocaching symbols on your GPS (Map60, etc.)– kingstongeocaching.com

• Tutorials > GSAK cool stuff