Geocaching
From Openmoko
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== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
− | Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value. | + | ''Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value.''[http://www.wikipedia.org] |
An application for geocaching guides you to a cache with direction and distance, of course. But it should also be possible to download additional information like description, logs and hints for a cache. | An application for geocaching guides you to a cache with direction and distance, of course. But it should also be possible to download additional information like description, logs and hints for a cache. | ||
== Use Cases == | == Use Cases == | ||
− | * | + | * Download caches nearby current position |
− | * | + | * Download additional information of a cache |
* Alert me, if I'm (unintentional) nearby a cache | * Alert me, if I'm (unintentional) nearby a cache | ||
+ | * Log caches offline | ||
+ | * Distance and direction to a cache | ||
+ | * Support for [http://wherigo.com Wherigo] cartridges (However, it seems that the file format isn't open.) | ||
== Layout Components == | == Layout Components == | ||
Line 13: | Line 18: | ||
== Architectural Details == | == Architectural Details == | ||
− | ( | + | === Spider === |
+ | Since www.geocaching.com doesn't have a documented API, a spider has to retrieve indormation from the website. Maybe the spider of [http://www.cachewolf.de CacheWolf] might be a good starting point. However, it is written in Java. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I just noticed that it isn't allowed to automatic download content from www.geocaching.com: | ||
+ | [http://www.geocaching.com/about/termsofuse.aspx Terms of use agreement] (Section 5) | ||
+ | |||
+ | === DBUS === | ||
+ | I don't know much about [[D-Bus]]. It would be nice to have a D-Bus interface so send the details (e.g. coordinates) to other applications. This way, | ||
+ | * [[TangoGPS]] could display the cache on a map, | ||
+ | * [[Navit]] could route to a cache, | ||
+ | * a compass application could point to the cache, | ||
+ | * a location based ToDo list could make an alert. | ||
+ | |||
+ | So the Geocaching application don't have to provide all these functionalities. | ||
== Questions and Answers == | == Questions and Answers == | ||
(TBD) | (TBD) | ||
+ | == External Information == | ||
+ | * [http://geotoad.googlecode.com GeoToad]: Ruby implementation for paperless caching. Not maintained. | ||
+ | * [http://geo.rkkda.com/ Rick Richardson's Linux tools for geocaching]: Various tools for geocaching. Some are designed to turn the clickly-clicky-scroll-clicky-clicky messes that are geocaching.com and navicache.com into a set of tools which you can use in a batch or cron mode to establish your normal caching routine, backup your caches and cache logs, etc. Others are used to enter new waypoints, a free geocoder, create custom maps of waypoints, etc | ||
+ | * [http://www.tangogps.org/gps/cat/News tangoGPS] Import of gpx Files, support for OpenstreetMap Files | ||
+ | * [http://www.zindep.com/blog-zindep/geocaching_tangogps/view Import loc files] (geocaching format) in TangoGPS | ||
+ | |||
+ | == See also == | ||
− | [[ | + | * [[Cachewolf]]. Java software for paperless Caching. It uses a spider to retrieve the information from [http://www.geocaching.com www.geocaching.com]. Only in German. |
− | [ | + |
Latest revision as of 13:13, 28 December 2008
Wishes warning! This article or section documents one or more OpenMoko Wish List items, the features described here may or may not be implemented in the future. |
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value.[1]
An application for geocaching guides you to a cache with direction and distance, of course. But it should also be possible to download additional information like description, logs and hints for a cache.
[edit] Use Cases
- Download caches nearby current position
- Download additional information of a cache
- Alert me, if I'm (unintentional) nearby a cache
- Log caches offline
- Distance and direction to a cache
- Support for Wherigo cartridges (However, it seems that the file format isn't open.)
[edit] Layout Components
(TBD)
[edit] Architectural Details
[edit] Spider
Since www.geocaching.com doesn't have a documented API, a spider has to retrieve indormation from the website. Maybe the spider of CacheWolf might be a good starting point. However, it is written in Java.
I just noticed that it isn't allowed to automatic download content from www.geocaching.com: Terms of use agreement (Section 5)
[edit] DBUS
I don't know much about D-Bus. It would be nice to have a D-Bus interface so send the details (e.g. coordinates) to other applications. This way,
- TangoGPS could display the cache on a map,
- Navit could route to a cache,
- a compass application could point to the cache,
- a location based ToDo list could make an alert.
So the Geocaching application don't have to provide all these functionalities.
[edit] Questions and Answers
(TBD)
[edit] External Information
- GeoToad: Ruby implementation for paperless caching. Not maintained.
- Rick Richardson's Linux tools for geocaching: Various tools for geocaching. Some are designed to turn the clickly-clicky-scroll-clicky-clicky messes that are geocaching.com and navicache.com into a set of tools which you can use in a batch or cron mode to establish your normal caching routine, backup your caches and cache logs, etc. Others are used to enter new waypoints, a free geocoder, create custom maps of waypoints, etc
- tangoGPS Import of gpx Files, support for OpenstreetMap Files
- Import loc files (geocaching format) in TangoGPS
[edit] See also
- Cachewolf. Java software for paperless Caching. It uses a spider to retrieve the information from www.geocaching.com. Only in German.