GCBuddy Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: How do I load caches into the program?

The short answer: manually.

The longer answer: Most people carefully prepare at home before starting a multi-cache. Everything which can be done at home should be done at home. Multi-caches are not the kind of quick pickups like some traditional caches are. So entering the information at home is very useful. The GPX files supplied with most multi-caches do not contain the formula's in such a way that they can be "imported" automatically. Most of the time you have to carefully read the cache description to know what to do at each waypoint. This can all be done before you start. The list of clues is always A-Z and is typically filled during the cache hunt, revealing the new waypoints.

Starting at V3.0 a special 'easy edit mode' has become available. Using a regular browser on your local WiFi network you can browse to the iPhone and use a simple web interface to conveniently copy/paste or type-in descriptions, instructions on a per waypoint basis and formula's.

Basic info like code, name, parking can be transferred to GCBuddy in two ways:

• Using a special web application at http://iphonecaching.appspot.com/ which is FREE and should be opened in Safari on the iPhone. Bookmark it!
• Using iGeocacher (a separate app which can manage lots of caches for paperless geocaching). Also GCBuddy can ask iGeocacher to show the paperless cache info stored inside the database of iGeocacher on request.

Question: I added a waypoint in the list but don't see a possibility to delete it. How can I delete a waypoint?

Answer: Use the 'swipe' gesture on the last waypoint (only the last waypoint can be removed!!). A Delete button will appear. Delete using this button or cancel the delete by touching any other part of the screen.

Question: Can I insert a waypoint?

Answer: Only at the end of the list by adding a new one.

Question: I entered 50°10.330+A with Clue A equal to 20 and obtained 50°10.350 instead of 50°30.330 How is this possible?

Answer: The expression evaluator first splits the angle in degrees, minutes and fractional minutes sub formulas (in this case 50, 10 and 330+A) and evaluates them separately using integer arithmetic. The fractional part of the minutes is assumed to have 3 digits!!!!!. So the floating point value for the minutes is always derived as minutes + fractional minutes/1000.
If you want to add a number to the minutes itself use: 50°(10+A).330

Question: Can you give examples for the different ways to enter a latitude or longitude?

Answer: Here are a couple of ways to enter the latitude: 51 degrees and 12.345 minutes:

51º12.345
51º12.345'
51º12345
51º12345'
51º12'20.7"
51.0º12.0'20.7"
51.205750º
51.205750

Assume we have the following clues entered:
A = 1
B = 2
C = A+B = 3
D = 2*B = 4
E = A+D = 5

Then we could also use formula's like:
EAºAB.CDE
(A+D)AºAB.(A+B)(2*B)(A+D)
EAºABCDE
EAº(C-B)(D/2).(3*115)
51º11.945+400
51º(37035/3)
etc.