REI has scheduled three GPS 101 clinics for next week at each of their three stores. I know I'll be at at least the Buford one, Mtn-man and Trez should also be leading the discussions at one or more locations.

We've done these sessions in the past, and they've been well received. This is a previous thread on this. And here's another...

I would encourage all to come join us as we give an overview of GPS operation, talk about some of the applications of GPS, and reveal our geocaching addiction to the assembled multitudes.

Seriously, the past "classes" have been informal and fun. Please try to join us. REI has generously allowed us to use their meeting rooms, and this has been our way of paying them back.

~erik~

Erik,

I've helped at previous events and am willing to again.
However, this time my work has me closer to the Perimeter location.
So this time you won't have me there to mess up....er help with your presentation.

So whomever does the Perimeter clinic, let me know if there is anything I can do.
I am within 5 minutes of the location daily and can do any recon/preparation necessary.

reepicheep

This message has been edited. Last edited by: reepicheep,

I should be able to make the one in Buford

quote:

reepicheep

Is that the geocacher previously known as Kenneth Pruitt?

I'll miss you at the Buford store, but I'm sure your help will be appreciated at the Perimeter location.

Thanks Matt & Julia. It should be fun.
~erik~

quote:

Originally posted by ~erik~:

quote:

reepicheep

Is that the geocacher previously known as Kenneth Pruitt?

I'll miss you at the Buford store, but I'm sure your help will be appreciated at the Perimeter location.
~erik~

Yep....I either graduated to earning a name or got an alias from the Witness Protection program, depends on who is reading this

reepicheep

I would have loved to come help again. And I need to spend some of my Christmas money at REI anyway, but I classes start for me that day and Im stuck here till 7. Maybe next go around.

hmmmm.....I should attend this, I am sure my gps has more than just that arrow I follow around! Will there be any talk on pda's? Santa brought me a pda for being sooooo good last year.

Lisa

quote:

hmmmm.....I should attend this, I am sure my gps has more than just that arrow I follow around! Will there be any talk on pda's? Santa brought me a pda for being sooooo good last year.

You're certainly welcome to, Lisa. What's discussed is sorta up to the audience. If the majority are hikers who have no interest in geocaching then we probably would not get into paperless caching using a PDA.

REI schedules the sessions largely to help those who purchased (or were given) GPS units and need to learn how to use it. We give them the basics, but also do a pitch on geocaching.

We've had past GGA Meetings devoted to paperless caching and similar topics, and I'm sure we will again. That would probably be a better place to learn about what your PDA can do relative to geocaching. The GGA website also has a lot of information on that topic that you may want to delve into.

~erik~

The Geocacher University has a section on Paperless Geocaching. It only mentions GPX Spinner as a method of getting PQ into a Palm PDA. I prefer GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) which has features for both a Palm PDA and PocketPC PDA. Also if you are using MAC phat.bak has a page using a Mac. The WikiPedia has an article on Paperless Geocaching. It gives some information on PocketPC PDA's as well as Palm PDA's.

The REI Perimeter and Atlanta stores are offering their annual GPS 202 & Geocaching Clinic on 02/20/07. The Buford store already held their GPS 101 class last month and their online calendar doesn't show a 202 class on 02/20. Has the GGA been approached yet to teach these clinics? REI Perimeter Clinic description

The last REI class I participated in turned out to be a joint production with me and one of the older REI guys who's very experienced with GPS's.

Could be he's holding these clinics, as I don't believe the GGA has been contacted. I'll be out of town on the 20th, so it's just as well...

~erik~

I had offered our services when we were discussing the event there in January. She had told me they were thinking about it and we would discuss it later. At the event, I noticed a store flyer. It mentioned the GPS 101 class and that it would be taught by one of their employees who was some sort of GIS person. I can't remember exactly what his background was. She mentioned 201 classes and I told her we would be happy to do that as well, but I have not heard back. I'll contact her again just to make sure.