MnGCA

sir_zman · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:40 pm Post subject: Tech Event 2012

I've been giving some thought to doing a tech event again this year, and with the urging from the board, I'm going to start to move forward with planning the event.

I don't currently have a date or venue, but thought that while I'm contacting locations, we could start to discuss classes people would like to see at the event.

This year we will try to run two tracks, a beginner track and an advanced track. So what would be good classes to have? And if anyone wants to lead a session (I know it's hard to say yes for sure without a date and place), post that as well, we won't hold you to it until I post a date/place and confirm you can make it.

Thanks.

WestSideDaddy · MnGCA Board Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Posts: 542

After the feedback from m showing off some of the features of GSAK at http://coord.info/GC3GBJT that would probably be a good topic. And yes that is me volunteering Wink

sir_zman · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:07 pm Post subject:

dornole · Geocacher Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 352

I would definiely be a rank beginner. I'd like to learn how to design and add a avatar / logo thingy next to my name both here and on gc.com. In related topics, software I can use to design a geocoin.

sir_zman · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject:

I have the date and location set. The event will be Saturday July 28th from 9:30am - 4:30 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center.

If you are free on this day, please mark it on your calendar. We will need help leading sessions and taking beginners into the park to make their first find. If you can help please post a Troy and let me know.

Kerri sending ideas for sessions you'd like to see, or lead.

Thanks

EPMinnesota · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 1898

FYI-Breakfast Buddies will be in the general area so hopefully you can attend both!

sir_zman · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:03 pm Post subject:

team_geomonkey · Geocacher Joined: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 131

Dang! I always miss the good stufff... we come back from summer camp on that day.

dornole · Geocacher Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 352

shoot, no good for me either -- some day!!

sir_zman · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:54 pm Post subject:

uh oh, i hope im not in trouble getting people to help run some sessions.

i'll throw some ideas out there of possible courses, feel free to post your own ideas, or tumb up/down my ideas. Also, if you can make it and want to teach one of these, please let me know!

Coin/Pathtag design
Beginners guide to hiding a cache
Advanced hiding techniques
3rd party tools
GSAK Intro/Advanced topics (filters/macros/etc)
Photography for cachers (camera phones/cameras)
Geocaching Dangers (plants, animals, insects), what to beware of
Pannel discussion (this was popular last time), just a roundtable of cachers

what other ideas do you have? We will have 5 sessions of Beginner and 5 sessions of Advanced...or maybe 4/4 and 1 roundtable. so We'll need either 8 or 10 ideas.

Thanks!!! Someone who can make it, please get the ball rolling with a "will attend" on here!!

Mrs. Mizzou · MnGCA President Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 501

I can handle a beginner class or too - how to hide/find, caching etiquette or something along those lines.

sir_zman · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 4:56 pm Post subject:

Ok, we have a start! I believe that Mrs. Mizzou can't be there at the start; is anyone able to teach a 9:30 AM class? A good starter class like intro to caching or hiding techniques? Also it'd help to have some people who can lead a 10:30 class as well.

If you don't want to lead a class, do you have any ideas for classes you think we should include thats not in the list above?

MamaDuck-24 · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 394

I'll be glad to help whereever you need me. As long as it isn't too technical.
I'm always good at check-ins and directing people where they need to go.

sir_zman · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:21 am Post subject:

4nhand · Geocacher Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 19

I was hoping to attend/help out at this event, but I will be out of town that weekend. I have some ideas for topics though. I definitely like the idea of beginner/advanced classes. Although with GSAK, there could be an intermediate level.

Ideas:

Types of cache hides/icons (beginner) - what is a puzzle cache, how to make multis/earthcaches not so scary, how to do wheirgos (which gps can run them, how to use on smartphone) and chirps (which gps to use)

Puzzle solving (beginner) - basic hints

Cache construction (not just here's what you might find, but here is how to make your own) - types of materials, where to purchase, good brands, what makes good camo/containers

Property databases (same as 3rd party tools?) - how to use online resources to ensure your caches are on public property or how to find owner infomation on those databases

Challenge caches - what a challenge cache is, what some of them are, how to find them, something to make newer cachers aware of things they could be working on (I wish I had known about the county seats/counties/DeLorme challenges when I first started and did the state park runs in 2009. I won't get back to many of those places and I wish I had known to go after certain caches)

GSAK - always a good topic - macros - what they are, how to find them, how to use them

GSAK - (basic) - how to creat databases, how to load caches into them, how to sort them, how to use filters

Pathtag/coins/trackable - what are they, how to design coins/tags, when to keep and when to move on

GPS units - intro to different brands, what the capabilities of each are

Pocket Queries - how to run, routes, bookmarks

Basic geocaching.com - features - pocket queries, bookmarks, avatars, upload info to your page, use corrected coordinates, save notes, find players, log trackables, search for caches, how to use maps, etc

Just some thoughts. Sorry I can't help out that weekend.