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Here are some answers to some common questions about this software and answers to some additional GeoCE questions:
Q. I can't get TerraSync to display background images. What am I doing wrong? A. The rules that apply to displaying background images in other computer software programs (i.e., ArcView, MapInfo, AutoCAD Map, etc.) apply to TerraSync. You must insure that you have not only an image less than 40MB in file size, but that you also have the corresponding World file. The World file is a 6-line text file that contains a scale factor, an insertion point, and the coordinate values of the lower, left-hand corner of the image. Without this file, the image will not display. We recommend the 40MB maximum file size due to the RAM limitations of many hardware devices that have 64MB of RAM. Some of the RAM is needed to run the operating system and the program you are in. The World file must have exactly the same file name as the image file, but there is a very specific extension for each file type. Here are some examples of world file extensions for some common image files:
It is critical that the World filename suffix be correct. Otherwise, TerraSync will not recognize it as a World file and the image will not display. In addition, you must know three important characteristics of the image file:
When using image files representing the United States, the coordinate system will likely be one of the following:
The Geodetic Datum will likely be one of the following:
The Coordinate Units will likely be one of the following:
Not knowing these three, critical characteristics of your image file, will result in the file not displaying properly (incorrectly registered on the screen of your datalogger), or not displaying at all. To get the answers to these critical questions, there are several places you can query:
Once this information is known, you can successfully use the Pathfinder Office Data Transfer utility to transfer the image file to TerraSync. Once the file is transferred, make sure to set the coordinate system, datum and coordinate units in the Setup menu in TerraSync. This will insure the image file is displayed properly. Click here for a PDF file that explains in detail how to use TerraServer images in TerraSync (updated 12-14-2005). Q. My screen doesn't seem to respond to my screen-taps properly. How can I fix this? A. Before using your WindowsCE device (including the GeoXT/XM), it's a good idea to set the screen tap strength and frequency and to run the calibration routine. Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel. Select the Stylus icon. This will allow you to set both the strength (pressure) with which you tap the screen and the frequency (how fast you tap the screen). Double-tap the screen in the checkerboard area. Don't do this just once. Do it many times until you are able to achieve a repeatable rhythm; one that feels comfortable to you. When this is completed, use the same double-tap sequence in the movie clapboard area located in the lower half of this dialog. The clapboard should respond with each double-tap sequence by either opening or closing. Now go to the Calibration tab located at the top of the screen. Click Recalibrate. Simply place the stylus tip in the center of the plus sign and hold. Do not lift the stylus until the plus sign moves to the next location. Repeat this process in all four corners of the screen. When finished, simply tap the screen once, anywhere on the screen. You have just successfully set the taping strength and frequency, and calibrated the screen for your personal use. The unit should now behave properly when used. (This process is very similar to setting the mouse controls on a desktop computer.) Q. When I turn my GeoXM/XT off, how long will it stay in "suspend?" A. As you probably know, when shutting down the GeoXT/XM, you are not actually turning the unit "off." You are putting it in "suspend." Suspend on the GeoCE, is much like the suspend feature on a laptop computer. It puts the computer "to sleep," while still drawing enough power to allow the screen to become active in a matter of seconds, when bringing it out of suspend. The GeoCE behaves in much the same way. Pressing the large key on the front of the unit and releasing it immediately, will put the unit into suspend. It will stay in suspend for 30 days if it is not powered back up. If the unit is not powered up within that 30 day period, the unit will completely power down. One additional note: to shut the GeoCE off completely, press the large button down and hold. The unit will warn that continuing to hold this button will reset the GeoCE. Continue holding as the unit begins to reboot. Finally, the unit will completely shut down. Q. How do I know that I'm getting real-time, corrected positions? A. The easiest way to verify that you are currently getting real-time corrected positions, is to go to the Status screen. At the top of the screen, you will see a radio icon. If that icon is flashing, it is still searching for the real-time correction signal, whether that be the Coast Guard Beacon (BoB) or WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), or other custom configured system. If the icon is solid, you are getting real-time corrections. Q. My GeoXM/XT doesn't seem to pick up any satellites, even though I'm in the open. What's going on? A. Make very sure that you are standing in an area with the antenna exposed to the South (when in the Northern hemisphere), or to the North (when in the Southern hemisphere). Also, make sure the date and time is set correctly. The GeoXT/XM is actually a small, handheld computer. As such, the month, day, year and clock must all be set correctly before the unit can acquire satellites. To accomplish this, go to Start/Settings/Control Panel. Select the Date/Time icon. Set the month, day and year. At the bottom of the dialog, make sure to set the time as accurately as practicable. Pay attention to the "Apply Daylight Savings Time" box (checked or unchecked). Tap "OK." The unit should now acquire satellites easily, usually within 60 seconds. |
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