Difference between revisions of "GPX"
Pickupfamily (talk | contribs) (More re-org.) |
(→Geocaching Australia GPX files) |
||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
=== Geocaching Australia GPX files === | === Geocaching Australia GPX files === | ||
| − | The second method for obtaining [[GPX]] files is from [[Geocaching Australia]]. This will give you state-by-state [[GPX]] files for caches listed on [[Geocaching Australia]]. These files are available on each state page of caches and are also linked directly below. | + | The second method for obtaining [[GPX]] files is from [[Geocaching Australia]]. This will give you state-by-state [[GPX]] files for caches listed on [[Geocaching Australia]] only. These files are available on each state page of caches and are also linked directly below. |
'''GPX links by state''' : | '''GPX links by state''' : | ||
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
*'''NZ - north island''' : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/nz/ni.gpx | *'''NZ - north island''' : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/nz/ni.gpx | ||
*'''NZ - south island''' : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/nz/si.gpx | *'''NZ - south island''' : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/nz/si.gpx | ||
| − | |||
=== caughtatwork's GPX Mailer Utility === | === caughtatwork's GPX Mailer Utility === | ||
Revision as of 06:37, 23 October 2007
Contents
What is GPX?
GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format. It allows people to exchange data about:
Geocachers use GPX files to download cache coordinates into their GPS receiver. This saves the hassle of entering coordinates of each cache into their GPS receiver.
The normal process it to download waypoints from a cache listing website into waypoint management software on your PC, and then download the waypoints into your GPS.
GPX was developed by Topografix, which publishes the GPX format specfication.
Different GPX formats
GPX defines the method of storing waypoints, but it doesn't define the method of storing the additional information you need to store for a cache, for example it's terrain and difficulty.
Groundspeak developed extensions to cover this information, however unfortunately they have made the extensions proprietary so they cannot be used by other cache listing websites. Geocaching.com makes their GPX files available to Premium members via a method called Pocket queries.
Geocaching Australia has therefore needed to develop its own GPX extensions. These are incompatible with the Groundspeak extensions, however they are non-proprietary. GSAK supports them all.
The Geocaching Australia extensions are being supported by new software. The current status is listed under waypoint management software.
Obtaining GPX Files
GPX files are available from a number of sources.
Geocaching.com Pocket Queries
The first is through Pocket queries (or PQs for short) on Geocaching.com. This is a Premium member service on that website. A Pocket Query is only going to provide geocaches that are initially listed on that site. It will give you a large part, but not necessarily the whole picture of geocaching in your area.
Geocaching Australia GPX files
The second method for obtaining GPX files is from Geocaching Australia. This will give you state-by-state GPX files for caches listed on Geocaching Australia only. These files are available on each state page of caches and are also linked directly below.
GPX links by state :
- ACT : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/act.gpx
- New South Wales : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/nsw.gpx
- Northern Territory : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/nt.gpx
- Queensland : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/qld.gpx
- South Australia : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/sa.gpx
- Tasmania : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/tas.gpx
- Victoria : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/vic.gpx
- Western Australia : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/au/wa.gpx
- NZ - north island : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/nz/ni.gpx
- NZ - south island : http://geocaching.com.au/caches/gca/nz/si.gpx
caughtatwork's GPX Mailer Utility
An alternative and much easier method for obtaining GPX files of caches from Geocaching Australia is to use a new utility built by caughtatwork. At caughtatwork's GPX Mailer Utility you can enter your email address and make a selection of the states you wish to receive a GPX file for. These files are compressing using WinZIP reducing the overall size of the file to be delivered to you. Each Friday morning (approximately 4:00am AEST) the utility will send you a copy of the GPX files for the states you requested. This allows you to process the GPX files into your waypoint management software in preparation for a weekend of caching fun. It also means you don't need to remember to access the site to gain the Geocaching Australia GPX files, it will all happen automagically.
You can change your preferences at any time, including removing yourself from the utility:
Note: This selection will override any previous selections you have made.
Examples:
- If you have previously been receiving VIC and NSW and wish to add SA then please select VIC, NSW and SA.
- If you have previously been receiving VIC and NSW and no longer wish to receive NSW, then select VIC only.
- If you have previously been receiving VIC and no longer wish to receive any GPX files, do not select any states.
This utility is provided free of charge.
Geocaching Australia My Queries
The new My Query feature on Geocaching Australia is a query generator which allows pre-defined queries:
- private to individual cachers; or
- publicly available to all cachers.
Geocaching.com GPX Files
Periodically updated GPX files of geocaching.com caches for each state of Australia and also for New Zealand's North and South Islands are available from www.roblisa.com/geocache.
