Gps Glossary List
This document was uploaded by user and they confirmed that they have the permission to share it. If you are author or own the copyright of this book, please report to us by using this DMCA report form. Report DMCA
Overview
Download & View Gps Glossary List as PDF for free.
More details
- Words: 2,187
- Pages: 4
Geocaching Glossary of Commonly Used Terms Also, see Geocaching 101 - Geocaching 102 - GPS Guide 1/1 – This is the abreviated indicator of a cache's difficulty level. The first number always represents the amount of thought it may take to find your way to the cache. Although you may have the cache's coordinates in your GPS, it isn't always as easy as "X" marks the spot. That's what makes it fun. This number is followed by the terrain rating, meaning how hard it is physically to get the cache. Each number can range from 1 to 5 in 0.5 increments. A 1/1 cache is the easiest to find and get to. A terrain rating of 1 indicates that it's handicapped accessible, while a terrain rating of 5 indicates extreme terrain, or that specialized equipment (climbing gear, boat, scuba gear, etc.) is required. Archived Cache - You will usually see this when you own a cache. Archiving a cache is basically deleting it from the listings on the web site. If a cache has been removed and not replaced or is invalid for some reason, it can be archived. ATCF – “As The Crow Flies”. Point to point mileage, irrespective of roads or barriers. This is not a true point-to-point distance, however, since the distance calculated by a GPS is actually measured following a mathematical model of the curvature of the earth. Benchmark - These are geodetic control points are permanently affixed objects at various locations all over the United States to enable land surveying, civil engineering and mapping to be done efficiently. These objects are usually metal disks, but can be any other object that serves as a control point. See benchmark hunting for more specific details. Bookcrossing – A bookcrossing cache is one designed for the exchange of books. Like Where's George dollars, a bookcrossing book is registered on-line (at www.bookcrossing.com), and the owner receives email notification when someone retrieves the book and logs it on-line. Bookmark – A feature on geocaching.com that allows premium members to store links to caches. Breeder Cache – This is a cache that has that requires the cache finder to place a new cache of their own, in order to log a find on the original cache. Sometimes this cache may contain smaller cache containers inside, for the finders to use. BYOP – “Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil" - that is if you want to sign the cache log. Cache - A hidden stash or treasure. In geocaching it is a hidden container filled with a log book and pencil/pen, and possibly prizes or swag. Caches were often used by explorers, miners, etc. to hide foodstuffs and other items for emergency purposes. People still hide caches of supplies today for similar reasons. Cacher – One who participates in geocaching. AKA "Geocacher". Charter Member – On geocaching.com, members who subscribed during the first year that subscriptions were available, are designated Charter Members. CITO – “Cache In, Trash Out”. The act of removing and disposing of trash you may find while searching for a cache. CITO can also be an event cache, where cachers gather to clean up a park or public space. See CITO for more details. Constellation – The configuration of GPS satellites overhead at any specific time. Some constellation configurations are better than others for calculating your position. Coordinates - Coordinate are numbers that represent intersecting lines of latitude and longitude - which identify specific points on the earth. Datum - A datum is used as a basis for calculating and measuring. In the case of GPS, datums are different calculations for determining longitude and latitude for a given location. Always check your GPS to ensure that WGS84 is the datum before entering a cache coordinate into your unit. Lots of maps still use NAD27 and the datum must be converted as geocaching currently uses WGS84.
Decon Geocache Kit – U.S. military decontamination kit box, approximately 2.5” x 3.5” x 1.5”. Sold as military surplus and often used as a small or microcache container. DNF – “Did Not Find”. When you search for a geocache, but cannot locate it, you can log this in on geocaching.com. If a certain cache has too many of these logs it may mean that the cache has been taken. Cache owners may replace the cache if it is missing. Or, give the cache hunter an extra clue in order to find it. Film Can – 35mm film container, commonly used as a container for micro-caches. FTF – “First To Find”. The first person to locate a cache after it has been placed. GCxxxx – The GCxxxx waypoint is an identifier. Some GPSr units can only accept waypoints of six characters or less, so the generated ID has a maximum length of six. It is derived from the sequential ID number assigned to each cache page when it's submitted for approval. The first 2 characters are always “GC”. Geocaching - Pronounced "gee-oh-kash". Geocaching comes from the terms 'geo' (earth, geography) and 'caching' (hidding a cache). It is a real life, high tech treasure hunt. Previously also called 'GeoStash,' 'The GPS Stash Hunt,' 'Global Positioning Stash Hunt,' 'GPSH,' 'The Great Stash Game,' 'Geostash,' and even 'Planeteering' and 'Geosatplaneteering.' Geocaching became the game's official title in May, 2000, when Matt Stum suggested changing the accepted title of "Geostash" with "Geocache." The rest is history. Geocachers' Creed – A voluntary set of guiding principles that describes how geocachers should, in general, act. You can find the Geocachers' Creed at www.geocreed.info. Geocoin – Coin-size tokens especially made for individual cachers or caching groups. Some may be very elaborate metal coins with tracking numbers stamped on them and encased in plastic and trackable with a special number. Others are home-made coins made from a wooden disk and marked with an ink stamp. Once geocoins were thought mostly as 'calling cards' to leave in caches that one visited - they could be traded or kept as keepsakes. Now they have also become collector's items, as some coin editions had very few minted. For a list of most of the coins made and now in circulation see TeamFISUR's geocoin page. GPS - stands for Global Positioning System. It is a system of satellites that work with a GPS receiver to determine your location on the planet. GPSr - Slang for a GPS receiver. It is an electronic device used to receive GPS satellite signals for use in navigation. The “r” refers to “receiver”, to differentiate the unit from the entire GPS system. GPX – A cache database file format. Files in the GPX format are available only to Premium Members. This format contains virtually all the information available on a cache page, plus the last 5 logs made to the cache, as well as any logs the person requesting the file may have made to the cache. GPX files can be requested from a cache page, or via Pocket Queries. Latitude - Latitude and longitude create a waypoint. Latitude is the angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees. Letterboxing - Similar to geocaching, its origins go back years before modern geocaching - where one uses a series of clues (instead of coordinates) to find a container. A carved stamp is in each letterbox for use in stamping your personal logbook. You then take your carved stamp and stamp the letterbox's log book. LOC – A cache database file format. The LOC format is available to all members. Only the most basic cache information is included in a LOC file. LOC files can be requested from a cache page, a Pocket Query (for Premium Members), or from a search list. Log Book - A small book or scroll of paper located within a cache for the geocacher to record the date, time and experience of their visit. Log Requirement – This is when a cache owner reserves the right to delete logs that do not follow listed requirements. The requirements may be listed on the cache page, or in the cache container. It may be a password or something about the area surrounding the cache site - required to prove that you visited the cache.
Member – Technically, anyone with a geocaching.com account is a member. But the term “member” usually refers to those with a paid Premium Membership. Premium Members can have more caches on their watchlist, can run Pocket Queries, and have access premium member only caches. Micro-Cache - AKA "microcache" A very small cache which usually contains a very small log book or scroll of paper. This type of cache is often more challenging to find than traditional caches and don't contain trade items. Muggle – A non-geocacher (taken from the Harry Potter series of books). “Geomuggle”. NAD27 - Stands for North American Datum 1927. The precursor to WGS84. Many maps still use the NAD27 datum, so always check before using a GPS unit with a map. Pocket Query – Available only to premium members, it is a search capability on geocaching.com offering a wide variety of search and filter parameters. Results can be emailed to you in either GPX or LOC format on a set schedule. Project A.P.E. – A promotional tie-in with 20th Century Fox, to publicize their remake of the movie Planet of the Apes. A number of caches were set up around the country, stocked with promotional items from the movie. A few of these caches still exist, and now function as Traditional caches. A.P.E. stands for Alternative Primate Evolution. ROT13 – A simple encryption scheme where each letter is rotated 13 characters up or down the alphabet. Based on one of the world's oldest encryption schemes, ROT13 came into common use in the 1970s on early BBS's (Bulletin Board Systems), and later on Usenet. In geocaching, cache location hints are encoded using ROT13. Signal – Signal is a cartoon frog with a GPS antenna on his head and is the official mascot of geocaching.com. SWAG - An acronym meaning 'Stuff We All Get." It refers to small items or trinkets placed in a cache for trading. TFTC – “Thanks For The Cache”. Occasionally written as T4TC. TFTH – “Thanks For The Hunt (or Hide)”. Occasionally written as T4TH. The Force – The experience gained from finding caches, which helps one spot locations likely to be concealing a cache, from the Star Wars movies. TN – “Took Nothing”. TNLN – “Took Nothing, Left Nothing”. TNLNSL – “Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Log”. TNX4GC – “Thanks For The Geocache”. Similar to TFTC. Travel Bug Hitchhiker – A set of dog tags that you can attach to an object, activate and then place in a cache. Other cachers log its travels from cache to cache using its unique tracking number (assigned by geocaching.com). You can follow its journey through geocaching.com. Travel Bug Hotel – A geocache which serves as an exchange point for Travel Bugs. These are almost always traditionalsize or larger caches. Most travel bug hotels have a rule that you should leave as many Travel Bugs as you take to keep an even supply. Virtual Cache - Its name is taken from 'virual reality.' This is a cache where the location is the cache itself. There is no container and nothing is normally traded, except photos and experiences. Recently all virtual caches have moved or are being moved from geocaching.com to a new website specifically for these caches. See www.waymarking.com for more details. WAAS - stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. See Garmin's Website for a detailed explanation of WAAS.
Waypoint - Waypoints are named coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth. Geocaching uses a suggested waypoint for a cache. Because most GPS units have restricted names to 6 characters or less, it makes sense that waypoint name based on the ID of the cache is created with each cache. WG$ – Refers to a 'Where's George' dollar bill or the Where's George website where you can track the travels of a dollar bill using the serial number. WGS84 - The most current geodetic datum used for GPS is the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). The significance of WGS84 comes about because GPS receivers rely on WGS84. Geocaching uses the WGS84 datum by default. The format HDDD MM.MM, which is a standard for GPS receivers (like the eTrex), is also used. It is critical that the format is correct, otherwise cachers will be unable to find your cache! HDD means Hemisphere and degrees. MM.MM are minutes in decimal format. WJTB – “White Jeep Travel Bugs”. It’s a white die-cast Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with an official metal tag attached. When you find a white Jeep 4x4 Travel Bug you have the opportunity to sign up for the Jeep 4x4 Geocaching Challenge. See the Official Jeep Challenge website for more info. YJTB – “Yellow Jeep Travel Bugs”. A contest held in conjunction with Jeep. The logs and pictures for the Jeep Travel Bugs were judged for creativity and originality. Prizes included various Jeep gear and accessories.
From: Groundspeak.com. Sited suggested by Pam Hay, 4-H YD, Lawrence Co. 01/2008
Decon Geocache Kit – U.S. military decontamination kit box, approximately 2.5” x 3.5” x 1.5”. Sold as military surplus and often used as a small or microcache container. DNF – “Did Not Find”. When you search for a geocache, but cannot locate it, you can log this in on geocaching.com. If a certain cache has too many of these logs it may mean that the cache has been taken. Cache owners may replace the cache if it is missing. Or, give the cache hunter an extra clue in order to find it. Film Can – 35mm film container, commonly used as a container for micro-caches. FTF – “First To Find”. The first person to locate a cache after it has been placed. GCxxxx – The GCxxxx waypoint is an identifier. Some GPSr units can only accept waypoints of six characters or less, so the generated ID has a maximum length of six. It is derived from the sequential ID number assigned to each cache page when it's submitted for approval. The first 2 characters are always “GC”. Geocaching - Pronounced "gee-oh-kash". Geocaching comes from the terms 'geo' (earth, geography) and 'caching' (hidding a cache). It is a real life, high tech treasure hunt. Previously also called 'GeoStash,' 'The GPS Stash Hunt,' 'Global Positioning Stash Hunt,' 'GPSH,' 'The Great Stash Game,' 'Geostash,' and even 'Planeteering' and 'Geosatplaneteering.' Geocaching became the game's official title in May, 2000, when Matt Stum suggested changing the accepted title of "Geostash" with "Geocache." The rest is history. Geocachers' Creed – A voluntary set of guiding principles that describes how geocachers should, in general, act. You can find the Geocachers' Creed at www.geocreed.info. Geocoin – Coin-size tokens especially made for individual cachers or caching groups. Some may be very elaborate metal coins with tracking numbers stamped on them and encased in plastic and trackable with a special number. Others are home-made coins made from a wooden disk and marked with an ink stamp. Once geocoins were thought mostly as 'calling cards' to leave in caches that one visited - they could be traded or kept as keepsakes. Now they have also become collector's items, as some coin editions had very few minted. For a list of most of the coins made and now in circulation see TeamFISUR's geocoin page. GPS - stands for Global Positioning System. It is a system of satellites that work with a GPS receiver to determine your location on the planet. GPSr - Slang for a GPS receiver. It is an electronic device used to receive GPS satellite signals for use in navigation. The “r” refers to “receiver”, to differentiate the unit from the entire GPS system. GPX – A cache database file format. Files in the GPX format are available only to Premium Members. This format contains virtually all the information available on a cache page, plus the last 5 logs made to the cache, as well as any logs the person requesting the file may have made to the cache. GPX files can be requested from a cache page, or via Pocket Queries. Latitude - Latitude and longitude create a waypoint. Latitude is the angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees. Letterboxing - Similar to geocaching, its origins go back years before modern geocaching - where one uses a series of clues (instead of coordinates) to find a container. A carved stamp is in each letterbox for use in stamping your personal logbook. You then take your carved stamp and stamp the letterbox's log book. LOC – A cache database file format. The LOC format is available to all members. Only the most basic cache information is included in a LOC file. LOC files can be requested from a cache page, a Pocket Query (for Premium Members), or from a search list. Log Book - A small book or scroll of paper located within a cache for the geocacher to record the date, time and experience of their visit. Log Requirement – This is when a cache owner reserves the right to delete logs that do not follow listed requirements. The requirements may be listed on the cache page, or in the cache container. It may be a password or something about the area surrounding the cache site - required to prove that you visited the cache.
Member – Technically, anyone with a geocaching.com account is a member. But the term “member” usually refers to those with a paid Premium Membership. Premium Members can have more caches on their watchlist, can run Pocket Queries, and have access premium member only caches. Micro-Cache - AKA "microcache" A very small cache which usually contains a very small log book or scroll of paper. This type of cache is often more challenging to find than traditional caches and don't contain trade items. Muggle – A non-geocacher (taken from the Harry Potter series of books). “Geomuggle”. NAD27 - Stands for North American Datum 1927. The precursor to WGS84. Many maps still use the NAD27 datum, so always check before using a GPS unit with a map. Pocket Query – Available only to premium members, it is a search capability on geocaching.com offering a wide variety of search and filter parameters. Results can be emailed to you in either GPX or LOC format on a set schedule. Project A.P.E. – A promotional tie-in with 20th Century Fox, to publicize their remake of the movie Planet of the Apes. A number of caches were set up around the country, stocked with promotional items from the movie. A few of these caches still exist, and now function as Traditional caches. A.P.E. stands for Alternative Primate Evolution. ROT13 – A simple encryption scheme where each letter is rotated 13 characters up or down the alphabet. Based on one of the world's oldest encryption schemes, ROT13 came into common use in the 1970s on early BBS's (Bulletin Board Systems), and later on Usenet. In geocaching, cache location hints are encoded using ROT13. Signal – Signal is a cartoon frog with a GPS antenna on his head and is the official mascot of geocaching.com. SWAG - An acronym meaning 'Stuff We All Get." It refers to small items or trinkets placed in a cache for trading. TFTC – “Thanks For The Cache”. Occasionally written as T4TC. TFTH – “Thanks For The Hunt (or Hide)”. Occasionally written as T4TH. The Force – The experience gained from finding caches, which helps one spot locations likely to be concealing a cache, from the Star Wars movies. TN – “Took Nothing”. TNLN – “Took Nothing, Left Nothing”. TNLNSL – “Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Log”. TNX4GC – “Thanks For The Geocache”. Similar to TFTC. Travel Bug Hitchhiker – A set of dog tags that you can attach to an object, activate and then place in a cache. Other cachers log its travels from cache to cache using its unique tracking number (assigned by geocaching.com). You can follow its journey through geocaching.com. Travel Bug Hotel – A geocache which serves as an exchange point for Travel Bugs. These are almost always traditionalsize or larger caches. Most travel bug hotels have a rule that you should leave as many Travel Bugs as you take to keep an even supply. Virtual Cache - Its name is taken from 'virual reality.' This is a cache where the location is the cache itself. There is no container and nothing is normally traded, except photos and experiences. Recently all virtual caches have moved or are being moved from geocaching.com to a new website specifically for these caches. See www.waymarking.com for more details. WAAS - stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. See Garmin's Website for a detailed explanation of WAAS.
Waypoint - Waypoints are named coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth. Geocaching uses a suggested waypoint for a cache. Because most GPS units have restricted names to 6 characters or less, it makes sense that waypoint name based on the ID of the cache is created with each cache. WG$ – Refers to a 'Where's George' dollar bill or the Where's George website where you can track the travels of a dollar bill using the serial number. WGS84 - The most current geodetic datum used for GPS is the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). The significance of WGS84 comes about because GPS receivers rely on WGS84. Geocaching uses the WGS84 datum by default. The format HDDD MM.MM, which is a standard for GPS receivers (like the eTrex), is also used. It is critical that the format is correct, otherwise cachers will be unable to find your cache! HDD means Hemisphere and degrees. MM.MM are minutes in decimal format. WJTB – “White Jeep Travel Bugs”. It’s a white die-cast Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with an official metal tag attached. When you find a white Jeep 4x4 Travel Bug you have the opportunity to sign up for the Jeep 4x4 Geocaching Challenge. See the Official Jeep Challenge website for more info. YJTB – “Yellow Jeep Travel Bugs”. A contest held in conjunction with Jeep. The logs and pictures for the Jeep Travel Bugs were judged for creativity and originality. Prizes included various Jeep gear and accessories.
From: Groundspeak.com. Sited suggested by Pam Hay, 4-H YD, Lawrence Co. 01/2008
