EarthCache: Geocaching for Google Earth
To end my procrastination of making a first post, I figured I needed something to break into the prestigious web development community with a bang. As a Windows user, I’ve had a head start on a lot of other developers with Google Earth (They say Mac support is soon). I’m not going to bother summarizing it here, because it’s another phenomenal program from Google which needs to be experienced to believe.
Anyway, the Network Link feature has been referred to as “the killer app for Google Earth.” I’ve been considering pushing for people to nickname me Killer, but I agree with Katie that one should never try to create their own nickname. I digress.
I got into Geocaching last year at school, and have found it to be a great combination of technology and outdoor fun. I wrote EarthCache to be a Network Link for Google Earth that loads the closest geocaches to the current position of the map. Right now I’m just playing around with things, so it only gives the name and URL of a geocache, but I’ll add some of the other metadata shortly. The script takes a few seconds to load, so let the map sit still for a few seconds before geocaches appear. Also, the code to calculate your current position works better at higher tilts.
Download the KML file which will load the Network Link here:
For more information on creating KML files for use with Google Earth, try Google’s tutorial and detailed documentation. Also, thanks to Dan Cratt at Geobloggers for his work with the first Network Link I used, a neat Flickr interface.
To anybody stumbling upon this site for the first time, sorry for the lack of… everything… But this was too good to publish before I finished other things.
Update
Geocaching.com has already begun to block requests from my server, effectively ending this project. I still plan to release the code, as well as seek a response from Geocaching.com. It’s a shame that this entire hobby depends on one company which doesn’t seem to care much for innovation. Perhaps an open solution is needed. Stay tuned.
Another Update
And it seems that requests are working again. I’m not sure what happened, I haven’t done anything but e-mail Geocaching.com, who hasn’t sent a response yet. For now, enjoy EarthCache while it lasts!
Last Update
Okay, I’ve got to stop editing this entry. I’ve released the source and posted some notes in this new entry. If you’re bookmarking anything, bookmark my home page to keep up to date!
July 6th, 2005 at 10:59 am
Any chance the source could be made available? it would be good to see a real world example too.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:17 am
How about showing the gallery photos from Geocaching.com in GoogleEarth on the sites of the cache they were posted to?
July 7th, 2005 at 10:27 am
Andy: I’ll certainly make it available in a day or two… I was planning to add a little more info from Geocaching.com, but I might just leave it this way.
Stavn: Good idea — but given the problems I’ve had with Geocaching.com blocking this script, I’m going to hold off until I hear back from them. It wouldn’t be using my bandwidth, because the images are downloaded directly by the end client.
July 7th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
I’ve had great succes importing Pocket Query GPX-files from geocaching.com or exported from GSAK into Google Earth.
But this little script of yours works nicely for places where you haven’t gotten any GPX-files.
If you publish your web-page script so others could put it on their own homepages, you might take the load of your site, so you hopefully avoid being blocked.
August 5th, 2005 at 5:08 pm
Very nice piece of work. When I saw the Google Earth demo at Siggraph this week, the first thing that popped into my mind (after WOW!) was … this would be awesome for geocaching! And it is! And fun… while showing GE off to a coworker we went to see his hometown in poland - and lo! some caches showed up!!
quite cool!
August 18th, 2005 at 11:00 pm
Wow this is very nice. I never knew about Geocaching until I saw your post on the BBS forum. Heh, I saw a few caches near my area. I might start looking for them soon
August 24th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
A real great Job. I’m just exploring Spain and I love it
August 26th, 2005 at 9:49 pm
its so cool
August 26th, 2005 at 9:49 pm
its cool
September 5th, 2005 at 5:50 pm
Hi There,
I just finally downloaded Google Earth to see if there was info on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I read some of the tutorials on how to post a placemark and placed two into the Fun and Games section of the Google Earth Keyhole BBS: our official Forks Geocache and webcam. I tried a search for geocache to see where others may have posted their own geocaches on the BBS, and found your geocache conversation in the Dynamic Data Layers. I wonder where I should put my placemarks. I will continue checking the help online. Anyway, I will bookmark your site and check out your KML. It is disappointing the lack of response you received from Geocaching.com.
-TZA on Keyhole Google Earth Community
September 15th, 2005 at 5:40 pm
I don’t know if you know, but there is a discussion on Geocaching.com,
about A. Your Wonderful kml file, and B. Geocaching.com integrating with Google Earth.
A. http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=107911
B. http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=108103
September 18th, 2005 at 11:20 pm
Seems like EarthCache is broken. We started getting errors 3 days ago.