Jump to content

Cachemate 3.4


Maeglin

Recommended Posts

Since I plan on a vacation that will boost my cache count from 1,000 to probably around 5,000

:D:ph34r: How long a vacation will that be? Can you share the blueprint?

 

I agree, BTW, that the nearest caches calculation is very slow. I avoid using it altogether, but do it with my GPS (which does it about 50 times faster).

Link to comment

Someone else has asked the same recently, and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it. What makes it tricky is the way that the information is cached.

 

- The list is rebuilt only if there is enough of a change in the main database to trigger it, the "rebuild list" checkbox is checked, or the stored state of things is reset due to a restore of the PDA or (sometimes) installing a new version

 

- Distances are recomputed only if the "home" coordinates change or the list is rebuilt

 

- Filters are applied only if they change or distances are recomputed

 

- The list is resorted only if any of the previous steps were done

 

Those 4 steps are from most to least in terms of processor time needed, so it made sense to cache the information like that. About the only "pre-filter" that would be possible would be by category, but that also means changing the way that the "is the information current?" state is stored.

 

Naturally, better hardware will improve the speed of all of that. It's also quite heavy on functions that the OS provides, and those are all ARM-native on an OS 5 device, so they're a lot quicker on those devices because of that.

Edited by Maeglin
Link to comment
Since I plan on a vacation that will boost my cache count from 1,000 to probably around 5,000

:D:ph34r: How long a vacation will that be? Can you share the blueprint?

Actually, I'll be visiting family and I'll be in different counties. A typical county seems to have about 1000 benchmarks give or take. Since I don't know exactly where I'll be, I want the info on hand for several counties.

 

While I'll have about 3,000 in my Palm, I'll be surprised if I get to visit more then 50. But since my GPS can only hold 500, I need to pre-filter the upload somehow and change it on the fly.

Link to comment
Someone else has asked the same recently, and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it. What makes it tricky is the way that the information is cached.

I'm not sure as I'm following all the details.

 

For the first part, a category pre-filter would be most desirable. I realize that the list would have to be re-built if I change the category, but given that I tend to categorize based on location, I'm willing to sacrifice that. (But now if I have one category for benchmarks and one for caches .... yeah, it would be nice to change without rebuilding.)

 

As for other pre-filtering, I guess it depends on if you can come up with some first order distance approximation that's much faster. For example, if you have a radius of 5 miles set, you know you can throw away anything that's more then 2 degrees away. The question is can you do that kind of crude math must faster then the current floating-point, rectangular to polar coordinate process?

 

Given the time it takes to calculate distance and sort, it would seem that most anything that would allow you to disregard a sizable number of database points quickly will save you total run time for large lists.

Link to comment

How do I get the caches that are disabled to show up on the PDA? I downloaded CMConvert 1.8.2. and ran the query tonight with that. Where does it show up?

Sorry if this has been addressed before, was too lazy to search. A lazy geocacher? hmmm

Link to comment
(But now if I have one category for benchmarks and one for caches .... yeah, it would be nice to change without rebuilding.)

Double my work, why don't you? <_<

 

Actually, if I do manage to get something working that involves pre-filtering by category, I'll likely have a switch that lets you do it either way. That'll probably be in the filter dialog box.

 

Does your pocket query include the disabled caches?  You have not said and many people have their query settings so they don't get sent.

That's what I was going to ask. If the information isn't in the GPX file, it can't very well be imported :D

Link to comment
The pocket query has sent the ones disabled. Just doesn't show up on the PDA as disabled.

In that case, assuming you're using the Windows version...

 

1) Did you check the "Cache Status" checkbox in the Import Options dialog box when you imported the GPX file? It's not checked by default, and the information won't be included in the converted file if that's not checked or it's not in the file to begin with (LOC file or GPX file saved by EasyGPS, etc.).

 

2) When the information is imported, it will be in the description field, at or near the top. That fact is also stated in the Import Options dialog.

 

If you're using the Windows command-line version, or using it under unix or Mac OS X, then there's a -S option that does the same thing as that checkbox. Again, it isn't on by default.

Link to comment

I have another question that I'm sure has been asked elsewhere. Is it possible within Cachemate to search for caches by difficulty/terrain? (For those days that I'm feeling masochistic and want to tackle 5/5's)

 

Or is that in cmconvert?

Link to comment
Is it possible within Cachemate to search for caches by difficulty/terrain? (For those days that I'm feeling masochistic and want to tackle 5/5's)

No, but you can turn on the display to show the difficulty/terrain right in the list so you can visually filter them. Under Options | List Options set the Extra Info.

Link to comment

If you want to only import the 5/5's, though, you can do that in CMConvert... at least the Windows version. Play with the sorting for the difficulty and terrain columns of the list until they're all at one end of it, then select that part of the list and convert.

Link to comment

I've just half-speced out an idea for memory card support in CacheMate, and now looking for comments before I actually start trying to implement it. The details are here:

 

http://www.smittyware.com/palm/cachemate/MemCard.txt

 

Essentially, instead of installing the PDB file from CMConvert in the normal way, you'd either install it to a memory card in Palm Desktop or copy it to one of a set of specific directories on the memory card in another way. When CacheMate starts up, it'll find that file and create/update matching records in the main database, referencing those in the PDB file on the memory card.

 

The main database will still exist, and will have to stay in main memory, but the bulk of the information (descriptions and past log, specifically) will be left on the memory card and read directly from there. Doing things this way, about the only things that will not function when using a memory card would be certain parts of record importing (as they wouldn't apply), and the travel bug indicator in the list view (as it reads the description to figure that out, and reading it from a memory card is slower than from main memory). You'd also lose the ability to edit the description, since PDB files on memory cards are generally treated as read-only (that's all that the OS supports, anyway). Everything else should still work as before.

 

I'm not promising an ETA for this or anything at the moment, so keep your "are we there yet?"'s to yourselves. Just looking for feedback on the current plan...

Link to comment

Help, I just purchased the registration code for CacheMates and am having trouble installing it. I open Cachemates on my Palm and click on option then registration and then enter the code, when I click ok I get message saying Invaid Registration Code. I have checked their web site and it say's that I may have used the wrong user id. but I don't think that is the problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestion would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Link to comment
I've just half-speced out an idea for memory card support in CacheMate, and now looking for comments before I actually start trying to implement it. The details are here:

Given my travel plans, what would be nice is the ability to archive entire categories onto the memory card and pull them in/export out as needed. That way all the data I need is in my unit, yet I've minimized main memory usage. It may help on that "nearest" issue too since anything archived wouldn't be search-able.

Link to comment

Daytrippers4 Posted on Mar 19 2004, 02:26 PM

Help, I just purchased the registration code for CacheMates and am having trouble installing it. I open Cachemates on my Palm and click on option then registration and then enter the code, when I click ok I get message saying Invaid Registration Code. I have checked their web site and it say's that I may have used the wrong user id. but I don't think that is the problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestion would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Go to www.mindgear.com and download RegAid. Load this little application into your palm. It will give you the userid information you need to registar with Cachmate. If you still feel you registared correctly send them the information listed in the (2) section.

 

Hope this helps,

COCyclist

Link to comment

I ran RegAid and it confirmed that my User Id. is correct.

Can you tell me what all that stuff under (2) is?

It looks something like this. (2) Or, as an unambiguous code:

:68:97:121:116:114:105:112:112:101:114:115:52:32:

Is that my problem?

Do you know how long it takes for Smittyware support to get back to you?

Thanks

Link to comment
Can you tell me what all that stuff under (2) is?

It looks something like this. (2) Or, as an unambiguous code:

:68:97:121:116:114:105:112:112:101:114:115:52:32:

Is that my problem?

Do you know how long it takes for Smittyware support to get back to you?

Thanks

This is the ASCII code for your userid it interupts as "Daytrippers4 " The userid must match exactly upper and lower case. If you sent your user-id in as "Daytripppers4", I would expect the problem is the space at the end. Or you did not Capitalize only the "D".

 

Smittyware usually gets back to customers fairly quickly.

 

COCyclist

Edited by COCyclist
Link to comment

I did send it in as Daytrippers4. I guess what you are saying about a space at the end is right, how do I remove it?

You have been so much help so far. I really do appreciate it.

Thanks

 

Just heard back from Smittys Software. And they gave me a new code. Just like you said there was a space at the end of my name.

Edited by Daytrippers4
Link to comment

Just sent the corrected code.

 

Letsee...

 

1) Every single time so far where a normally-generated registration code (in response to an order) has been rejected, it's been because the username was incorrect. No exceptions.

 

2) The following is from the web site, pointed to in the registration email, and is exactly what happened here:

If you've compared the two names and still can't find anything, there may be spaces or other invisible characters on either end of the user name (yes, there have been actual cases of that).

 

3) Lastly, from the registration email:

Also, keep in mind that, compared to getting corrected registration codes, generation of registration codes in response to sales is an automated process.  Getting help as far as incorrect registration codes (usually due to mistyped user IDs in the registration form) will take longer.
Link to comment

A few people have sent in emails saying that they were having problems with duplicate records coming out of CMConvert when loading multiple files. That's because CMConvert compares entire converted records to determine duplicate records, rather than just the waypoint IDs like CacheMate does.

 

I've just uploaded CMConvert 1.8.3, which improves on that. For GPX files that contain file-level timestamps (as the ones from pocket queries do), this patch will match up new and old records by waypoint ID and update old records if the new ones come from a file with a later timestamp. If a non-GPX file or one without a timestamp is loaded, it'll revert to the old behavior to keep from losing any information (which was the point behind that old behavior). All 1.8.3 versions have an option to use the old behavior for all files, if you want to go that way.

Link to comment
I guess what you are saying about a space at the end is right, how do I remove it?

Not sure if your question still stands, since you received a new code from Smittyware. I would suggest to leave it alone. But you would need to reset your handheld and build a new user id on the Palm Desktop software then, hot sync with the new userid. Of course you would need to move files on the PC from one directory (user id) to another directory (new user id). Then hotsync the new user id. Here is some doc from the palm desktop on doing this. Again, since you have the new code from Smittyware, I would leave it alone.

 

Creating a New User Name

 

A user name associates a handheld with the corresponding data on a computer. When you install HotSync® Manager, you create the initial user name.

The first time you perform a HotSync operation with your handheld, you associate your handheld with an existing user name. For subsequent HotSync operations, HotSync Manager automatically determines the user name with which to synchronize data.

Be sure to use a different user name for each handheld you will synchronize with the computer.

 

To create a new user name

 

1. Click the User selector on the Desktop application’s toolbar.

2. Select Edit Users from the list.

3. In the Users dialog box, click New.

4. Type a unique name of up to 15 characters for the new user.

5. Click OK.

Link to comment

Hi Maeglin

 

I have a feature request :rolleyes: (I don't think it's been mentioned here before but apologise if it already has).

 

Now that the pocket queries can include unavailable & archived caches it would be nice if CmConvert/CacheMate would extract my 'own' logs from the gpx file/s and insert the data into the appropriate 'own' log page on the Palm. This would be extremely useful for all the caches I've found prior to using CacheMate.

Link to comment

I don't think it's been mentioned before either... not that it's all that doable, though.

 

The import database that CMConvert generates doesn't contain all of the information that is needed for the Log page. The import process in CacheMate adds that in and initializes it. That's also why it's impossible to set bookmarks (if anyone would want to) from CMConvert.

 

Besides, the Log and Past Logs pages are less for "own" and "others" logs (respectively) and more for "present" and "past" logs (hence the name of the latter). Since logs imported from GPX files are from the past, they are where they belong.

Link to comment
I don't think it's been mentioned before either... not that it's all that doable, though.

 

The import database that CMConvert generates doesn't contain all of the information that is needed for the Log page.  The import process in CacheMate adds that in and initializes it.  That's also why it's impossible to set bookmarks (if anyone would want to) from CMConvert.

 

Besides, the Log and Past Logs pages are less for "own" and "others" logs (respectively) and more for "present" and "past" logs (hence the name of the latter).  Since logs imported from GPX files are from the past, they are where they belong.

That's a shame :lol: .

 

Oh, well, I'll just have to cut & paste then - daunting task on the Palm :rolleyes:

Link to comment
I am not sure what you mean. I find Copy and Pasting is quick and easy using Grafitti.

 

Make a / motion in the Grafitti area, followed by a C to Copy (X to Cut), followed by a / motion and P to Paste.

 

Of course the number you have to do may be daunting, but don't blame that ion Palm! :-)

It's not the C&P method on the Palm ;) - it's the number of caches that is daunting - nigh on 200 ;) .

 

I may not bother but I often want to see what I'd written about a 'found' cache and it's annoying having to scroll down through the 'past logs' page to find my entry. It seemed logical to me to have my entry in my 'log' page.

 

Maybe this is something I'll do over time ..... a long time ;)

Link to comment
I may not bother but I often want to see what I'd written about a 'found' cache and it's annoying having to scroll down through the 'past logs' page to find my entry. It seemed logical to me to have my entry in my 'log' page.

If your log is at the end (which is usually the case with the new GPX format, when the log is old enough), then you don't need to scroll all the way through the ones in front of it to get to it. That's what the date selector on that page is for ;)

Link to comment
I may not bother but I often want to see what I'd written about a 'found' cache and it's annoying having to scroll down through the 'past logs' page to find my entry. It seemed logical to me to have my entry in my 'log' page.

If your log is at the end (which is usually the case with the new GPX format, when the log is old enough), then you don't need to scroll all the way through the ones in front of it to get to it. That's what the date selector on that page is for :D

Thanks for pointing that out to me Maeglin, I didn't realise this was the case. B)

 

I'll take a look at this feature - it'll certainly help - cheers :D .

Link to comment

CacheMate 3.5 is almost ready for prime time. About the only thing left is memory card support, and I hope to get that added over this long weekend that's coming up. I've got how it'll work more or less straight in my head, so I just need to get it into code and run it through some testing.

 

Some of you will be happy to know that I've got an optional category pre-filter in the nearest cache search now. It's not quite perfect (you'll likely need to check the "force list rebuild" checkbox when you turn prefiltering off), but all of the problems that I could track down have been fixed, and it's working beautifully overall. It's a definite speedup over what's currently there, depending on how your caches are organized into categories.

 

Others will be happy to know that an updated iQue plugin is coming with this new version, that will allow selecting what waypoint symbol you want when you export to that thing's mapping system.

Link to comment

Hi, I'm a happy non-techie CacheMate user for some months now. I have a Zire 71 and Cachemate makes less paper caching easy.

 

Lately I was out doing a series of 35 birthday micros that turned into hell. After awhile I got confused on which was which, where it was, and why was I doing another 1/1 in the dadgum ivy anyway!

 

What I saw that would be really useful in CacheMate, especially since my caching buddy had it in his new Garmin 60cs, was the ability to show finds by time and date. I like to log them as I find them, and I went through a double zero find while I was doing these. But having no way to determine the order, I didn't know when I got that milestone as I had lost track and didn't realize I was close. I had to break out the pencil and paper and kill some brain cells later to determine the cache.

 

Can I sort by date and time already and am just missing the feature? If not, is that a feature that could be provided in a future release?

 

Many thanks for a great program!

Link to comment

Sorting by date/time isn't in there, and isn't likely to be. What is in there is the ability to add a timestamp to exported logs (the option is in the Preferences dialog), that will put those in date/time order when you export them and sort the memos alphabetically.

Link to comment

Since you are going to be working this weekend, how about a few choice features for a pal? I'll throw in a free copy of PODS. :D

 

1) In the main list view (aka tFRM 1004), when I choose view by waypoint, I'd like to actually see the waypoint ID, not the names sorted by waypoint ID.

 

2) In the list view, either ignore quote characters when sorting, or allow CMConvert to remove the quotes as an option. This is the geocache name that is found in the <desc> tag. A lot of people put their cache names in quotes, which throws off the sort order.

 

Thanks

 

-E

Link to comment
1) In the main list view (aka tFRM 1004), when I choose view by waypoint, I'd like to actually see the waypoint ID, not the names sorted by waypoint ID.

Under "Options" | "List Options" see if "when sorted by waypoint" is checked. That should do what you want.

Link to comment
Since you are going to be working this weekend, how about a few choice features for a pal? I'll throw in a free copy of PODS. :D

LOL! Well, I'll be working on this Thursday and Friday at least, and maybe part of Sat. The rest of the time is either birthday or Easter related :-)

 

1) In the main list view (aka tFRM 1004), when I choose view by waypoint, I'd like to actually see the waypoint ID, not the names sorted by waypoint ID.

Either what GeckoGeek mentioned (if you want the name replaced with the waypoint ID), or just select the waypoint as the "list extra" in the same popup. The latter will put the waypoint on the left, in parenthesis, when the list is sorted by waypoint.

 

2) In the list view, either ignore quote characters when sorting, or allow CMConvert to remove the quotes as an option. This is the geocache name that is found in the <desc> tag. A lot of people put their cache names in quotes, which throws off the sort order.

Good idea, and one that probably is easier (and more efficiently) implemented in CMConvert. I'll try to get that in as well.

Edited by Maeglin
Link to comment

No, but CacheMate does. Create a new record, enter the coords into that, then tap the Nav button. As I've probably said a couple times before, the whole idea of CacheNav being an add-on was to let it use CacheMate as its waypoint database :D

 

I don't think CacheNav requires a waypoint ID to do what it does, so you may or may not want to enter one just to see that it's navigating somewhere. Version 3.5 will have automatically generated waypoint IDs (same as it does now for projected and marked waypoints) when you tap the "New" button.

Link to comment
1) In the main list view (aka tFRM 1004), when I choose view by waypoint, I'd like to actually see the waypoint ID, not the names sorted by waypoint ID.

Either what GeckoGeek mentioned (if you want the name replaced with the waypoint ID), or just select the waypoint as the "list extra" in the same popup. The latter will put the waypoint on the left, in parenthesis, when the list is sorted by waypoint.

 

Sure enough. I must've looked at that a dozen times and didn't grok what it was saying. :D

 

I was really having a lot of trouble yesterday. Walking into walls and catching my fingers on fire. If there was a smiley for "moron", I'd insert it here. I kept looking for the about box, just to make sure I was using the right version. The problem was that every time I looked, I was in the cache description form (tFRM 1067). Maybe you could add an "About CacheMate" to MBAR 1020.

Link to comment

Quote/No, but CacheMate does. Create a new record, enter the coords into that, then tap the Nav button. As I've probably said a couple times before, the whole idea of CacheNav being an add-on was to let it use CacheMate as its waypoint database/Unquote

 

Ahhhhh!!!! I wondered if maybe you'd not included the ability becauese it was Cachemate side. Cool. I shall endeavor to "practice" this before the next multi! Thank you, Sir!

Link to comment

Still working on the memory card support, but I do now have some numbers if you guys are interested. After loading a 1.355 meg import file (500 caches, with long descriptions and max. logs enabled) from the memory card, the main database (which has to stay in main memory) is not quite 128k. Ordinarily, the main database would be a bit larger than the import file after it's merged, because of the addition of some extra fields (1.37 megs with that example). With that example, almost a 91% savings in main memory space by using the memory card.

 

With benchmarks, the savings would be even better because there's no hints field to be copied into the main database.

Edited by Maeglin
Link to comment
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...