Geocaching
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== 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === 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 == | ||
Revision as of 14:23, 21 August 2008
Contents |
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. (from 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.
Use Cases
- Distance and direction to a cache
- Additional information of the cache
- Alert me, if I'm (unintentional) nearby a cache
- Support for Wherigo cartridges (However, it seems that the file format isn't open.)
Layout Components
(TBD)
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 CacheWolf might be a good starting point. However, it is written in Java.
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
(TBD)
External Information
- CacheWolf: Java software for paperless Caching. It uses a spider to retrieve the information from www.geocaching.com. Only in German.
- 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
