Paperless Caching

From CTCachers

1 Overview
2 Two Schools of Thought: PDA Database vs. PDA E-Book Reader
3 So where do I start?
4 External Links
- 4.1 How To's
- 4.2 Software Download

[edit] Overview

Tired of carrying around reams of paper when you go caching? Are you using up too much paper and ink? Would you like to have thousands of cache descriptions right at your fingertips? Then paperless caching is for you!

In it’s simplest form, paperless caching consists of:

Downloading cache information from a listing service (like geocaching.com)
Converting it to a usable form using software on your computer
Loading it onto a PDA. (handheld Personal Data Assistant)

What do I need?

A premium membership on geocaching.com
Conversion software for your computer
A PDA
Software for the PDA

PDAs come in two main flavors: PalmOS and PocketPC (AKA Windows Mobile). Think in terms of Windows and Mac. Different hardware and different operating systems. And, of course, Windows programs won’t run on a Mac and vice versa. However, some software comes in one version for Palm and another version for PocketPC. Some examples of Palm based PDAs are: Palm Pilots, Sony Clies, Handspring Visors, etc. Some examples of Windows based PocketPCs are: Compaq iPAQ, Casio Cassiopeia, HP Jornada, etc.

What you chose will, of course, affect what software you can run. Also, be aware that PDAs are not waterproof and are not very rugged. These facts make purchasing an inexpensive, used PDA and hard case on e-bay more desirable. Minimum requirements would be about 8 mb of memory. Having an SD card (Secure Digital memory card) in the PDA is also very desirable, but not absolutely necessary.

[edit] Two Schools of Thought: PDA Database vs. PDA E-Book Reader

There are two basic ways to view cache data on a PDA. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so it becomes a matter of personal preference. Whatever way you chose will affect what software is required.

E-book Readers

E-Book (Electronic Book) Readers are the "what you see is what you get" of paperless caching. Cache pages viewed on these look very much like the online cache pages. Hyperlinks work within the E-Book pages. You can create bookmarks, scroll the pages and move from page to page. You can search for words or phrases. But, you cannot add notations to the pages.

Some examples of E-Book readers are: Plucker, MobiPocket and iSolo Reader. These three have versions for both PalmOS and PPC and are freeware, except iSolo Reader ($12.50). Note: there are reports that MobiPocket no longer "plays nice" with geocaching - see this thread. People who use this system often say they like it because it is simple and the pages look like the online cache pages. E-Book readers are not just used for cache pages, you can copy and load webpages/entire websites or you can load almost any electronic book available. See Project Gutenburg

PDA Database

PDA cache databases contain the exact same information as the online cache pages, but look very different. The major advantage of this system is that the information can be easily edited on the PDA. This means you can add notes, waypoints, corrected coordinates, date, time, etc to existing caches. You could even place a "new" cache, create a new page, add all of it's information to your PDA database while out in the field and then upload that information when you get home.

When cachers think of a PDA database for caching, they think of Cachemate. Cachemate has versions for PalmOS and PPC. As of 2008, Cachemate costs $8.00 to register and use.

The opening page in Cachemate is a list of all the caches you have loaded in the current database. You can have multiple databases - say one for each state. However only one database can be in use at any given time.

Clicking on a cache from the main page opens that cache's file in an “info” page which gives just basic facts about the cache. From there, other click-able pages are “Description”, “Hints”, “Log”, “Past Logs” and “Overview”.

"Overview" contains all the information from the cache page description, except hints and past logs (though there's an option to include these on the overview page). Past logs are logs of previous cachers.

"Log" is your log and can be edited on the PDA. When you make your find, you can click on the current date and time and then add notations such as Took? Left? Travel Bug? and more. Your logs can be exported as text files and uploaded to your pc.

"Hints" opens with the hints ROT13 encrypted, but a single click will decrypt them.

"Description" contains the same information as Overview but the Description page is editable by you and changes you make will show up on the Overview page.

Using Cachemate, you can bookmark caches, add waypoints, search for nearest caches from the currently selected cache and even save your last search. If optional plugins are loaded, you can do distance conversions and project waypoints from the currently selected cache or from a waypoint that you add.

People who use this system often say they like it because of it’s versatility and the fact that they can add notations and edit the pages on their PDA. Some upload the information they’ve entered on their Cachemate log page to their computers and transfer it when they record their finds on Geocaching.com