|
Abstract -- In this talk, Candy Lind will introduce geocaching as a fun sport that can appeal to all ages. She will talk about the geocaching technology itself, where it has been, and where it is going. After the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a small geocaching adventure on the beautiful grounds at National Instruments.
According to geocaching.com, the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site that serves as the homebase for all things geocaching: Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for GPS users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.
Geocaching has a strong web presence and Central Texas is a hotbed of geocaching activity. In addition to geocaching.com, the general Texas Geocaching Association website includes message boards, rules for hiding caches, maps, merchandise, as well as a description of geocaching events in the area. The NaviCache.com site allows members to search by zip code or coordinates to find caches in a certain area. The site offers discussion forums, tips on searching for and hiding caches, and a list of newest caches. For the more adventurous, the TerraCaching.com site employs a complex, dynamic rating system that grows based on member input and focuses on cache quality.
|
Biography
|
| Candy Lind has been an avid geocacher since 2002, when only 167 caches existed within a 100-mile radius of Austin. She is a current board member of the Texas Geocaching Association. Candy regularly teaches classes on geocaching on the local and state level. She works extensively with Texas Parks and Wildlife and teaches Introduction to Geocaching as part of the TPW program Becoming an Outdoors Woman. On her geocaching.com profile, Candy describes herself as follows: "In my case, geocaching just might be saving my life. I am morbidly obese (too many years eating junk food in front of my beloved computer -- both at work and at play), but now I'm working out at 5:30 most mornings with my hubby in order to be fit enough to get those 3 and up difficulty caches! I may not ever be slim, but I know that I'm already better off than I was. Who says a 52-year-old leopard can't change its spots?" |
|
|
|
National Instruments, 11500 North MoPac, Building C, room 1S15, Austin, TX 78759; see map.
From MoPac, exit at Duval (one exit south of Parmer). If coming from south of Duval, take the U-turn at Duval. If coming from north of Duval just go through the light at Duval.
Stay to the right on the southbound MoPac feeder road, pass the apartment complex, and take the first National Instruments entrance at 11500 North MoPac. Follow the entrance road across the small bridge and take the first right to get to the Building C parking area.
You can park in the garage or visitor lot on your right.
The meeting room is Cafe 2. Walk through the lobby and elevator area towards the back of the building. Please sign in when entering.
|
