GSAK 101
Saturday, October 30, 2010
9:30am-12:30pm
Brigham Apartments Social Room
- Have you ever wanted to know how to use GSAK
better?
- Maybe you just want to learn how to use it
period.?
- Or maybe you would just like to learn WHAT
it is!?!
Let me answer that last question because the
answer certainly influences whether you want to attend the
event. GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) is a popular
program for loading a GPSr and organizing your caches.
This event is a workshop aimed at novice to
intermediate GSAK users. Advanced users are welcome but please
bring your patience for those who don't know as much as you. When
not geocaching I, Hiking Seal, spend my time as an organizational
psychologist and trainer doing teambuilding, leadership
development, AND teaching people to use computer programs. In other
words, I'm not a geek, but I speak geek. kimbest has agreed
to be a resource for the advanced topics. He programs
databases for a living and can make GSAK do pretty much anything he
wants.
Content
GSAK is an amazing program There is so much more that it can
do than can be covered in our three hour format. The plan is
to start the session teaching the basics of GSAK, then as the
topics get more advanced switch to more of a guided discussion
format. Even then we are still likely to be pressed for time.
This link goes to a pdf of the PowerPoint show that will be used
during the workshop.
GSAK 101 Event Slides (Outline)
I will continue to tweak the slides up to the
event. Check back for more current versions. This link goes
to the 101 guide written by the creator of GSAK
GSAK 101 by Clyde
Print out these resources and try applying
the information before the event. This preparation will give
you better exposure to using GSAK and provide the opportunity for
you to form specific questions. Your questions will allow me to
better tailor the presentation to meet your needs. During the
event, the plan is to spend less time with the PowerPoint on the
screen and more time demonstrating live in GSAK what the PowerPoint
says. The event is not intended to be hands-on. However, you are
welcome to bring a laptop and try a few things as we go along. If
we allow time for everyone to try everything, we won't get past how
to open a file. Optimal approach is to work with GSAK enough to
develop questions. Attend the event, ask those questions and take
good notes on the answers. Then, go home and try it. If you
end up with more questions, the discussion can continue in the Utah
Association of Geocachers (UTAG) forum for that purpose. In
fact, the questions and discussion can start there before the
event. Here's that link
UTAG Technology of Caching Forum
If you are not registered on the UTAG site,
go the
registration page first to set up an account to log in to the
forums.
Logistics
The toughest part about putting this event together was finding a
place to hold it. Ho'okele gets the credit for making that
happen. She has booked the social room of her building,
Brigham Arms Apartments (201 E South Temple). Parking downtown
shouldn't be too bad on the weekend. There are a very few
guest spots to the west of the building. The entrance to that lot
is off of South Temple between 200 E and 300 E. Other than that be
sure you allow time to find a spot and walk to the building.There
are a fair number of "things" to keep you occupied on the
walk to and from your car regardless of where you park
:-)
Since it is a secured building we'll have
someone at the door to let you in and direct your to the social
room on the first floor. Refreshments will be provided but
you do need to
BRING A CHAIR!!
The social room is set up for parties not
classes. There are a few chairs but don't count on sitting in
a chair unless you bring it. Please post a "Will Attend" log
only if you definitely plan to be there. When you post it,
please include the number in your group, so we can get a head count
for refreshments.
This event will be a great opportunity to
come together as a caching community to learn about one of the key
tools used in geocaching. Even if the event does not fit your
schedule, please feel free to participate via the
forums.