Wannago Wherigo?

What’s all this then? Interactive GPS experience Interactive GPS experience Variety of possible activities Variety of possible activities – Walking tour – Scavenger hunt – Interactive fiction – Puzzles – Geocaching!

So what do I need? Wherigo-capable player Wherigo-capable player Cartridge file from wherigo.com Cartridge file from wherigo.com Access to proper playfield Access to proper playfield Interest to try new experience Interest to try new experience

A player? Like what? Garmin Colorado GPS Garmin Colorado GPS Pocket PC / Windows Mobile PDA Pocket PC / Windows Mobile PDA – Garmin iQue M4 – Mitac Mio 168 – Mio Digiwalker P550 – Others may work, running Pocket PC OS 2003 or later, or Windows Mobile Classic

How do I set up a Colorado? No setup needed! No setup needed! Download Colorado format cartridge Download Colorado format cartridge Connect Colorado to PC Connect Colorado to PC Copy cartridge file to Colorado Copy cartridge file to Colorado – Place in directory X:\Wherigo – (X: could be any drive letter)

How do I set up a Pocket PC? Some installation work needed Some installation work needed – MS.NET Compact Framework 2.0 Download and install on computer Download and install on computer Then syncronizes to PDA Then syncronizes to PDA May already be installed May already be installed – Wherigo Player Links to both items available on wherigo.com Links to both items available on wherigo.com

So the Pocket PC is set up? Most PDAs do not have built-in GPS Most PDAs do not have built-in GPS – Bluetooth GPSrs available (around $50) Wherigo GPSr configuration is tricky Wherigo GPSr configuration is tricky – Wherigo.com forums very helpful Download Pocket PC format cartridge Download Pocket PC format cartridge Connect Pocket PC to computer Connect Pocket PC to computer Copy cartridge file to My Device\My Documents\Groundspeak\Wherigo\Cartridges Copy cartridge file to My Device\My Documents\Groundspeak\Wherigo\Cartridges

Where do cartridges come from? Designed by fellow players Designed by fellow players – Wherigo Builder helps create cartridges – Programmers can use Lua script for more control Geocaching.com Geocaching.com – Wherigo caches have link to cartridge at top of page (marked “User web page”) Wherigo.com Wherigo.com – Search for local cartridges – Find “Play Anywhere” cartridges

Play Anywhere? Really? Almost anywhere Almost anywhere Cartridges specify area needed for play Cartridges specify area needed for play All features will be moved to be near GPS location as cartridge starts All features will be moved to be near GPS location as cartridge starts Some cartridges can be played locally or played anywhere Some cartridges can be played locally or played anywhere – But if you Play Anywhere, no cache for you!

What will we see in the field? Main screen Main screen Locations Locations – “Zones” visible from here You See You See – Objects and characters Inventory Inventory – Objects you are “carrying” Tasks Tasks – Checklist of things to do or that have been done

Can I find out more? Selecting group from main screen provides full list (may scroll) Selecting group from main screen provides full list (may scroll) – Select by tapping on Pocket PC, rolling and selecting on Colorado Selecting item from that list gives more detail about the item Selecting item from that list gives more detail about the item May also see options on items or characters May also see options on items or characters

These all work the same, right? Each cartridge custom built by owner Each cartridge custom built by owner – Some may use similar concepts – No hard and fast rule that cartridges must act certain way Most cartridges provide guideposts and many visible zones and objects Most cartridges provide guideposts and many visible zones and objects – Some give you general directions and wish you good luck!

Okay, I finished! What now? Geocache cartridges should lead to physical cache somehow Geocache cartridges should lead to physical cache somehow – May provide coordinates – May be another zone or object Can also mark cartridge as completed (or “unlocked”) on wherigo.com Can also mark cartridge as completed (or “unlocked”) on wherigo.com – Upload game save from device – Enter completion code if owner provided in cartridge

Anything else before we go? If you have geocaching.com account, you have wherigo.com account If you have geocaching.com account, you have wherigo.com account Wherigo forums (part of overall Groundspeak forums) very helpful Wherigo forums (part of overall Groundspeak forums) very helpful Even if you don’t have hardware, hook up with friends that do! Even if you don’t have hardware, hook up with friends that do!

Let’s Go Wherigo!