Process uncompressed .gpx files

[psycada]

I am working on the"Geocaching with Blackstar" user guide and cannot figure out an efficient way to log caches directly to the device when there's no data reception, then send the notes to bcaching.com once there is. I personally believe this is a must have option to streamline Blackstar for those who geocache without data service, which is why I want to add it to the guide. I plan on updating bcaching.com with field notes, then exporting the notes file from bcaching.com and uploading it to geocaching.com. The only problem is getting the field notes out of blackstar and into my bcaching account. There are two viable ways I can see this being done, and hopefully one can be implemented to help with this guide and attract offline users.

One way is to make a change to blackstar to add an option to export and e-mail a zipped GPX file to your bcaching e-mail address(pre-stored in the account information option)? How hard would it be to add an option to the Waypoint screen that automatically zip the gpx file and e-mails to your bcaching account?

Another method is to change bcaching.com to accept gpx files unzipped. In this case, an option to e-mail the gpx file from blackstar to your bcaching account would be less steps than exporting to a gpx file on the mem card, then manually send the file as an attachment to by bcaching account, but is not necessary.

The third option is to make RIM support zipping files by default without having to tell the user how to obtain, install and use BBFileScout or similar apps, but I doubt very highly this option remotely having a snowball's chance in hell of happening.

I am not sure which is easiest, or possible, but do know either would be a great help to logging without data service.

PS: I hate to ask for help on short notice, but the guide is due today and due to undesired events over the semester, I was unable to do much until recently. I am close to completion, but will have to ask for an extension and may only get an extra week.

[markb]

Funny you should ask about field notes...

David (of B*) and I have been discussing a field notes interaction just this week. The plan at this point is to implement a fieldnotes API on bcaching that B* can use to post field notes directly.

I expect B* would either add a menu option to upload field notes, and upload them automatically when requesting the nearest caches (so the returned caches will not include those already found).

With that function built in, users could then just choose the upload field notes option at the end of the caching day, then go to Bcaching to download the notes file & upload it to gc.com.