Tutorials

• Getting Started   ( 7 Articles )
  

  This section of tutorials will introduce you to some of the basics in geocaching. Many of the tutorials focus on the basic features and functions of the geocaching.com website, including:

  • finding caches near you
  • logging your finds
  • logging the movement of trackables (travel bugs, geocoins)
• GC.com Premium Features   ( 2 Articles )
  

  You can register for a Geocaching.com account for free. A free membership allows you to have all the information you need to get out and hunt for geocaches. However, for a small fee, you can upgrade to Premium membership. A premium membership gives you additional features such as access to Pocket Queries, Caches Along a Route and Instant Notifications.

  In this section, you will find out how you can use some of these features to enhance your geocaching experience.

• GSAK—First Steps   ( 7 Articles )
  

  GSAK stands for "Geocaching Swiss Army Knife" and is a very popular software program for waypoint management and other geocaching functions used by geocachers. It has a number of features, including:

  • ability to keep multiple databases
  • sending and receiving waypoints from a large variety of GPSr models
  • native support of Google Maps
  • export to a variety of formats for use in PDAs (paperless caching)
  • searching and filtering of database for specific caches
  • distance/direction calculation or filtering from other waypoints
  • backup/restore function for database
  • macro support for custom functions

  Because of its many features, GSAK can be overwhelming to the beginner. This section of tutorials is aimed to get you comfortable with the basics of GSAK. Once you begin to appreciate what GSAK has to offer, you will be sure to want to explore it further in the other sections.

  These topics should help you get started and loving GSAK!

• GSAK—Cool Stuff!   ( 4 Articles )
  

  GSAK is so much more than filtering and sorting. You can do some very cool stuff with it--like generate statistical reports, plot your caches on Google Maps, and many others.

  But there is no way around it--if you want to do the really amazing stuff with GSAK, you will have to use macros. But don't let this scare you off. You do NOT need to write any macros--lots of other people have done all that for you. You just have to find whatever macro you want, and install it into GSAK.

  The first tutorial in this section will take you through the process of installing a macro. The remainder of the tutorials in this section will showcase some of the cool macros that are available. If there is a great macro that you use (or any other GSAK tip) that you want to share, let us know.

• Using EasyGPS—A Simpler Alternative to GSAK   ( 2 Articles )
  

  

  EasyGPS is a free program that provides a fast and easy way to transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks between your computer and your Garmin, Magellan, or Lowrance GPS. Although it does not have all the advanced features of GSAK, it is easy to use and is free.

  EasyGPS lists all of your waypoints on the left side of the screen, and shows a plot of your GPS data on the right. You can use EasyGPS to back up and organize your GPS data, print maps, or load new waypoints onto your GPS for your geocaching adventure. EasyGPS works with most handheld GPS receivers.

  In this section, you will find tutorials that will get you quickly using EasyGPS to transfer geocaching coordinates to your GPS receiver.  Say good-bye to entering them all in by hand!

• Paperless Caching   ( 2 Articles )
  

  It is often handy to have access to the information that you find on the cache page while you are out on a hunt. Re-reading the description, checking the hint and even reading the past logs can help you when you just can't find it! However, if you are planning to do a lot of caches at a time, this would mean printing out a number of pages in order to have access to information. Unless you want to give 'paperless caching' a try.

  In general, paperless caching means having an alternative way to access the cache page information without printing out each description. It is usually done with a PDA, a smartphone, or even an iPod. In this section, you will find a growing number of tutorials on how you can start paperless caching.

• Puzzle Solving 101   ( 9 Articles )
  

  This is a series of articles originally written and published by ePeterso2 as part of his Puzzle Solving 101 Cache Series. They have been reprinted here with permission of the author. Minor edits have been made by Skottikus to apply this lesson to the Kingston Geocaching Area.

  The nine caches in this series will help you build your puzzle-solving skills. Each one contains a lesson focusing on a specific skill, examples of how to use that skill, an exercise to test that skill, and a cache (in Florida) to find as a reward. Study the lesson, complete the exercise, and you'll find the location of a geocache. Save your answers as they can be used to solve a special remote solver TB from here in Kingston as well!

• Tips and Tricks   ( 7 Articles )
  

  This section is a "grab bag" of various tips and tricks supplied by community users. They may be technical in nature, or may be some tricks in how to find those tricky caches.

  Your secret tips would always be a welcome addition here!