yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] topomad:
It's about 03:41am in Tokyo at the moment, so it's going to be at least another 4 or 5 hours from now before he even realises there is a problem, plus then a few more to analyse the changes, patch de code, recompile, etc. That's assuming he has sufficient time available to give away to this project from which he has nothing to gain.

Someone suggested way back that the web-scraping in GCzII should driven by some kind of configuration file, such that if this kind of thing happened, we should be able to resolve it on our own or collaboratively via this thread. It seemed (at least to me) like a pretty good idea at the time, and the current situation just goes to prove that whoever suggested it was absolutely right.

It should also be of great benefit from Tom's perspective, as that would free him from a lot of potential code maintenance headaches whilst still maintaining control of the source code.

What does everyone else think?
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
Please Please update the software soon. I am now stuck with BasicGPS which is fine, but requires a lot of prep.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] mistm:
Gech - Last Activity: 1st January 2010 04:31 AM

Stop crying and just wait when Tom visit this thread. Dont expect it will be tomorrow. Imho be thankful for his work and dont stop hopeing.

GECH: they changed geocaching.com, take a look please

dont spam the thread or Tom wont even find out there is something happening. I hope you really dont think he goes through all those posts here one by one.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] kecupek:
CACHE NOT FOUND - permanent solution?

Hi guys,

I've right now started to use GCzII (I found hack which allows me to use GczII on smartphone with 320x240 - quite pity that this info is not published on official GCzII pages).

But why I'm writing here - I'm occasionaly using czech J2ME program Handy Geocaching (hatetepe://hg.destil.cz/index.php/Hlavn%C3%AD_strana) and although the latest version of this midlet is from 2007 (all the other changes are only about Java certificates, program development ended in 2007), it STILL WORKS WITH GC.COM WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS!!! I can still download caches by actual GPS position and so on ... and I hope GC.com changed code more times from 2007.

So Tom, what about to contact author of Handy Geo and ask him how he is proceeding GC.com code parsing?

Kecupek
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] mistm:
kecupek:

You are right - but handy geocaching is still being maintained when geocaching.com changes their web pages. Take a look on the home page of that project where is written this: "Vývoj Handy Geocachingu byl ukončen!

(aplikace bude pouze udržována při životě pokud geocaching.com změní web)"
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] jparkan:
Handy Geocaching uses 3rd party server to gc.com query processing. So all changes on geocaching.com are corrected by destil on his own server. GCzII communicates with geocaching.com directly, therefore every change on geocaching.com requires new version...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] khaytsus:
The bad part about it is that GC will HOPEFULLY change things again, as the new layout blows... We'll have to see.

I believe Tom did remove the parsing from the main part of the program, so it's just a file that's installed which could be tweaked if anyone is so inclined to try to do so until there is an update.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] topomad:
I get the impression that Tom is probably aware of the problem based on the activity shown in his online diary.

Someone posted a comment there yesterday which says (Japanese to English trsnalation by Google)

The diary owner ("Gzh", ie:Tom) replies:
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] bbacon19:
Injured but not dead...

Well, while it's painful not to have the direct download features as least most things still work, in that you can download the GPX file from GC.com and import it into GCZII. Clicking on the static maps still downloads them but you have to do each one at a time so you have to be a little more prepared if you use those and go out of radio range. But pretty much everything else not dependent on talking to the GC web site directly works.

GCZII is such a great tool that I've gotten a little lazy about preparing for my geocaching hunt runs, it's been too easy just to simply click, click on my phone and I'm ready to go :)

For premium members it's easier, if you have your pocket queries emailed and get that email on your phone. Unzip the file to a folder and then use Import GPX to get the caches on your phone.

So even with the immediate online to GC down its still the best tool for winmo I know of.

I am a windows software developer so I can appreciate the time Tom has put into this product. So my thanks to Tom for developing this.

PS: I agree with the comments above, the new GC search page format sucks... But I'll reserve further comments about that for the GC forums.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Psyberdude:
GCzII has supported smartphones for longer than I've been using it... on my smartphone.

It's docomented on the home page and the download for it is directly under the main application download right at the top of the page. Just download the xxx_STD.zip file and copy it over the main exe after you have installed the latest version.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] ryaske:
How do you know this? More info please!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] SilencerNL:
I agree with the donation thing! This application is perfect for geocaching! I really hope Tom will update the program soon. I wil certainly donate some money!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] khaytsus:
I was wrong, I thought at one point all of the templates had been pulled out of the program but I think it was something someone had suggested not something Tom had actively done.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Heart1010:
I'm new to Geocaching....

- can this app here load/open local stored gpx/loc files? (or is a functional online access to geocaching.com necessary -which isn't the case atm-?)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] tobit:
Du kannst gpx Dateien importieren und somit offline cachen, kein Problem

Umkreissuche, unterwegs logen etc. funktioniert z.Z. leider nicht.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] narcolepsie:
yes, but only gpx-files...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] ferbricos:
Of course, it work with gpx file.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Mr-Fly:
Thats exactly what I did yesterday.

I imported all GPX Pocketqueries.

It takes a while though and you need a lot of memory.

My GCZ Cache-Directory is on my SD-Card and has a size of 3228 Files and 1722 Folders with a total of 40 MB.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
Sometimes I really despise Groundspeak. For a company that is there to promote Geocaching, they do an excellent job of turning people away. This program was great, much better than the unsupported "Geocaching Live Beta" that Groundspeak supposedly support, I guess for the moment I'll have to go back to that for my caching on the hoof. And no, I'm not getting an iPhone.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Mr-Fly:
Thats exactly what I feel.

The problem is, that GCZ has to work in a crazy way, in a form of screen-scraping. It reads the html output of the full site and then takes the data.

I bet, the iphoneapp has a defined connection which even limits the data-throughput (which is kind of high with GCZ).

I dont know, why they dont work with other guys on good apps for other mobile platforms with a good connection.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] jmbillings:
Yup, it's how Flix works too, and the problem is it doesn't take much to change to break the whole thing... it would be nice if people like Geocaching and others could provide nice API access to their systems. I understand they want to keep people visiting their site, but why not have an "apply for an API Key" system so that if you're writing say, an F.O.C. phone app, and they don't have a competing product, you'll be given a key... but if you want to make your own site to nick their data they wouldn't allow it.

Ho hum.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] desmopan:
Help!

My GCz II doesn't work anymore!

I already read about some changes on wwwdotgeocachingdotcom causing this great piece of software stopping to work properly!

Is there any chance to get it running again?
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] ghofer:
As it has been stated in this post. GC.com made changes to the website which broke the program. We will have to wait for an update from the developer.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
By way of a protest, I've just cancelled my Premium Membership to GC.com and emailled the reason why. I would suggest if others feel the same way, and have a paid for membership, do the same. Perhaps if enough people withdraw their money, Groundspeak may start listening to it's customers.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Yorkshiretaff:
Twitter update info??

As this is the best app for geocaching, any chance the developer could tweet when an update/fix comes out??

Thanks for all the work!!

YT
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Jack_Brody:
Since Tom doesn't do this for living I guess he is busy with something much more important. But he is very likely to be aware of this situation and maybe already working on a fix. We'll have to wait.

I can use the good ol' gpsVP in the meantime (or there are others like Cachebox).

I second what others have already said: it would be great if the program had some sort of parsing file in text format using regular expressions (if that is possible). If any other disaster happens again in the future the community will be able to adapt this file quickly without bothering the author.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] khaytsus:
You cancelled your membership because a program which violate their TOS has been affected by their updates?

Now don't get me wrong, I think GC should provide a API to their premium members so that programs don't have to screen-scrape to get it. In fact I think they should allow the API similar to how they have the PQ/Loc files today.. Non-premium members have some information and perhaps limited queries a day, or perhaps zero API access. Premium members have unlimited (or very reasonable) limitations and are able to access any data a PQ could. And with that then do whatever they want to do to prevent screen-scraping programs. I keep hearing folks main concern with screen-scraping is that people are "stealing" from GC. If you're a premium member this is certainly not the case.

Oh well, I keep saying it, they'll keep ignoring the API and keep changing the website randomly I suppose. But hopefully next time it doesn't look like someone was experimenting with fonts in Word and published it, meh...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
Yes and no. This and the poor support of WM, or should I say the push towards iPhone, was the last in a line of poor decisions made by Groundspeak, and until they start listening to their customers... well, I'll stop been a customer and continue as a free member. Once things improve, I'll happily pay up again.

Oh and I agree, they could allow access in the same manner as the iPhone, and make it Premium members only... I don't mind paying for good service, what Groundspeak are providing at the moment could be so much better.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] acejavelin:
Come on people, this has happened before and will likely happen again, have a little patience. Tom does this out of love for Geocaching, WM devices, and a desire to share that with the world, not for money or anything else so we need to give him some time.

Unfortunately, all we can do is wait for Tom to change (note I did not say "fix") the application to deal the changes GC made. Give him some time and all will be normal in the world again...

For now we will just need to use GPX import or other software or hardware to get by until Tom can get the time to change GCzII to deal with the changes.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Yorkshiretaff:
Please don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of geocaching.com and Tom(?) has allowed me to take part via his software. My problem is I'm totally reliant on his software for my geocaching.

My main frustration is geocaching.com doesn't realize the impact it has on people when they stop this app working. I'm willing to pay for my premium membership and pay for GCzII, both are way too important to expect for free.

What I hate is the fact that geocaching.com are willing to support the apple fanboyz and ignore the rest of us on Windows Mobile. All WinMo appz I've found so far, GZcII, BasicGPS and GeoScout are all blocked somehow, but they are unwilling to provide an application of there own, of GZcII quality, for us.

Is there any way Tom & geocaching.com could come to some sort of licensing arrangement? Pointless to reinvent the wheel.

Frustrated!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] djstern:
There is a simple point that seems to be missed here. Screen scraping is against the TOU of goundspeak and is subject to breaking everytime the site changes even a little. The better solution is for the program to either download and import GPX files automatically, or to use the 3rd party database. Unfortunately, I know little about the 3rd party database, but I know it's out there and a few other applications use it with considerable success. Hopefully, some one here knows more about that database and what's involved in using it or if it's withing the TOU. Either way, GPX files work just fine.

We're all using WM phones and I assume have data connections. It's not that hard to download a pocket query on the phone directly and just import it. It'll only take a few minutes.

I would much rather wait for Tom to develop a permanent solution than to do a quick fix with another screen scrape that will surly be broken yet again. I think we'll all survive till then, I'm sure.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] gateway:
As the developer of a geocaching windows mobile app, I can tell you that there are wm applications which can use the new lay-out, search better ;).

Groundspeak is very reluctant in allowing others to use their data.

I guess it's an advertisement thing.

The new lay-out changes almost all of the keywords I used to scrape their website, so I guess Tom also has to do a lot of modification.

Patience...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Yorkshiretaff:
Thanks for your reply. Any chance you could provide a link to your software for me to try please?

I must be patient

I must be patient

I must be patient

I must be patient

:-)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
It's in his profile... my account won't allow me to link...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] gateway:
Hi Yorkshitetaff,

See Airprox's message.

I won't link it here, this thread is about GCz.

You can find it on my homepage if you like.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] fastcatcher:
I think Tom did a great job creating GCz!!! For us, who are using WM it's a great support, while we are on the road.

I'm a premium member of Geocaching, but I'm not satisfied with their support of those of us, who are using windows mobile! I thought my fee as a premium member is used to support the whole community of the Geocachers and not only those who are using an IPhone.

I would even pay for a WM-App like GCz, if Geocaching would only offer it. Therefore I'm greatfull for people like Tom who invest time and energy in supporting the WM-community while Geocachingdotcom itself seems to doesn't care.

I'm hoping that Tom can come up with a new GCz version and I'm really willing to donate for such a version which hopefully will be available soon.

Thanks a lot for your support guys!!!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Yorkshiretaff:
thanks... I'll give it a good test this afternoon...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] kayl2:
Not everyone w/ a WM phone has data. I hop from Wifi hotspot to hotspot...

I know I'd like a quick fix, and a permanent one too! ;)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] acejavelin:
No, afraid not. I don't even own a smartphone, I use a Dell Axim PDA and generally download searches when at home via a WiFi hotspot. For me to actually use data in real time I have to Bluetooth link to my cell phone and use it like a modem IF I can get signal in out in the sticks...

I know several other people who this application with non-phone Windows Mobile devices like PDA's since they are cheap and readily available because people don't think they are worth anything anymore.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] fastcatcher:
Meanwhile I tried some of the alternatives to GCzII (incl. the programm from Gateway). Unfortunately they are not working too good on my HTC TouchDiamond2 (with WM 6.5). At least the one from Gateway had the possibility to look for Geocaches "in the area" - when you are on the road. But I couldn't exit the programm when I was using it and I also couldn't adjust the screen (=size) of GoogleMaps. Good thing is, that his programm was working with the new GC.com homepage - so it seems that he found a way to work with their new HTML-code. But I have to admit that I would like to stick with my GCzII-programm which worked very reliable for me so far. Therefore I'm hoping that Tom will have a heart and come up with a new version of GCzII or even GCz3 as he once mentioned before.

I'll try to stay patient ;)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Psyberdude:
I'm being patient. I respect that Tom is probably quite busy and may not have as much time as he used to, to keep up to date with this wonderful app of his judging by his absence for the forum for quite some time now, but if he's listening, perhaps a short post just to say "Hi all", so we know there is hope for the future of GZcII.... pleeeeease
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] tengler:
I am also willing to donate GCz if possible - and of course I am hoping for new update :-)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] dlf2001:
This program still works as good as anything I have seen for winmo. The programs for other platforms, Palm & Blackberry that I have seen rely on a downloaded gpx file for cache information.

Can anybody tell me how to see a count or a list of found caches for a daily cache run?
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] ghofer:
I second this i'd be willing to donate as well.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Gech:
Hi All

Since last week, I have recieved lots of email about this issue "Cache Not Found".

Then I checked it.

So, that seems not only changing on cache list web page but also many other pages (cache detail/etc....).

Currently, I only fixed cache list page and l will work for other pages on weekend.

I am really sorry for your inconvinience.

tom
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] tengler:
Thanks a lot, Tom. I am really appreciating your great work you are doing for geocaching community.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] htc_touch hd:
So happy to hear that Tom!!! I am pretty sure that thousands of peope around the globe feel the same, believe me. Many thanks for that. :)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Psyberdude:
Woohoo !! Thanks Tom, it's so great (and a bit of a relief) to "hear from you". We patiently await further news.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] td6k:
Thanks a Lot TOM!!!!

Geocaching wasn´t the same without your software! I really like GCZ and i will donate, for shure!!!!

Thanks for your work! Lets donate!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Jake Bullit:
Cheers amigo,nice to hear from you:)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] ferbricos:
How can i donate for thi sw?

Thanks!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] dreamfalcon:
Thanks Tom
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] fastcatcher:
SILVER LINING ON THE HORIZON!!!

Wow Tom, now that's really good news that you are sending to the Geocache-Community!!!

I'm really disappointed what Groundspeak says about the problems they are causing to your program (claiming that it is breaking the TOU).

I think you did a fantastic job with GCz and it's a shame that GC didn't come up with anything like that for the WM-platform so far by themselves. I'm a Premium-Member of GC, but I'm paying for a service that I don't get from them. Therefore I would gladly donate for your program. I've been looking around for a possibility to give a donation - but even on your NICQUE-site I couldn't find anything.

You probably have a lot of work (not only programming GCz, but now also fixing the mess that GC has caused). Give us a chance to say "Thank you" and to show, that we appreciate your work.

Will you anounce an update here in this Forum or should we keep an eye for a new version on the Download-page?

THANK YOU a lot in advance
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
Nice idea, I think until Groundspeak listen to it's users, I shall donate what I used to pay them to independant programmers such as Tom.

I think Tom needs to set up a Paypal account or similar!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] bbacon19:
Sweet, thanks Tom. Looking forward to the update.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] m_s_ifland:
I agree. I will donate for this program, it's a fabulous app. I am a premium member at Geocaching.com and I don't like the fact that they tell us what app we can use. I think that we should start a petition on Groundspeak forums to let us use this app. I will be happy to start that thread if you guys think it would help.

P.S. Tom, without you the windows mobile community would have only marginal apps for Geocaching, yours is the best, thank you so much for your work. Set up paypal account, I will definitely donate.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
The way Groundspeak moderate the forums, your thread won't last 2 minutes... in fact the mere mention of GCzII and they pounce!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] kayl2:
Agreed! Please set up a paypal account!

So true. You'd think they would want more ways for people to get into the sport...
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Psyberdude:
I think that is a good idea, we as paying premium members should be allowed to voice our opinions on what WE want, and that WE want GCzII to be recognized by GC as a valid, versatile WinMo caching tool.

If that happens we start a new one and keep doing so until either they do recognise it or we get a valid responce as to WHY they don't want to recognise it, and not just hide behind the TOU
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] mundoceleste:
Auch ich bin seit 1-2 Monaten Premium Member bei Goundspeak und das wäre ich nie geworden ohne Toms Software. Wir haben das mit dem cachen vor einem Jahr begonnen, damals noch mit Papier. Nach zwei Caches und ein paar getesteter Software machte mich das geocachen auf diese Weise aber nicht an und ich liess es 3 Monate lang. Dann stiess ich eher zufällig auf GCz und war sofort begeistert.

Ich freue mich riesig dass es doch weitergeht. Vielen Dank Tom!

Auch ich würde gerne etwas für diese tolle Arbeit spenden wenn du, Tom, uns sagst wie.

sorry - I don't speak English. Google translation: :rolleyes:

Also I have been for 1-2 months at a premium member Goundspeak and I never would have been without Tom software. We have begun a year ago with the cache, then still with paper. After two caches and a few tested software made me the geocaching in this way, but not in and I had it 3 months long. Then I met by chance rather GCZ and was instantly smitten.

I'm really happy that it still goes on. Thank you Tom!

Also I would like to donate something for this great work if you, Tom, tell us how.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] airprox:
Not wise, they would just ban you. It's happened in the past when people continued to post things that they deemed broke the rules. I cancelled my Premium membership with an email, in it I detailed their lack of support of WinMo as the deciding factor. That's probably the best option.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] derlbear:
Yay Tom, you're absolutely amazing! I can only repeat what the others said: You're such a great enrichment for the WM geocachers. Groundspeak shouldn't be so dumb and pay you for the work you've done.

I know you said that you don't want to get money from us for this because it's freeware. But Tom, please think about it... Just let the people who appreciate your work (which includes me aswell) send you some pints of beer to your paypal account.. It feels wrong when I think about what you've done to the community without getting anything back from us :( GCzII is definately worth some bucks ;)

Cheers,

derlbear