GPS_Rico is an installable driver for GPS Lite for the Newton Messagepad.
It allows the owner of a Ricochet serial modem and a Newton Messagepad to have access to the location services of the Ricochet network.
The Ricochet network has radios mounted on poletops, one radio every half-mile or so. These radios transmit their latitude and longitude, which is used by GPS_Rico to locate a postion. Note that because of the spacing of the radios, the postion returned by GPS_Rico will usually be accurate to within a few hundred feet.

The program has been tested on the MP 2100 using a Ricochet SX modem.  


To install and use GPS_Rico, do the following:


1. If you are not already a Ricochet subscriber, go to www.ricochet.com for more information about the system, and for coverage maps.

2. Download and install the necessary packages from http://www.segelflug.de/gps/GPS_Map_e.html

You will need GPS Map or GPS Lite;
One or more map packages
The GPS_Rico driver

3. Connect the Ricochet modem, turn it on, and wait for a flashing red or green light. DO NOT CONNECT TO THE INTERNET. GPS_Rico cannot be used while an Internet connection is in progress. 

A solid red light indicates that no radios have been found and GPS_Rico will not function.
An orange light indicates that an Internet connection is established, and GPS_Rico will not function.

4. Run GPS Map or GPS Map Lite. 

5. Go to preferences, and select the Ricochet driver.

6. Close the preferences slip. You might get an error message about the map selection.

7. Choose a map that covers your location, and you should see a bulls-eye with your current location.

8. The "Satellite Count" field will show the number of radios that are within range. The other fields (Altitude, speed, Quality, etc) are not available from the Ricochet system and will have default values.

9. When you are done, exit GPS Map and power off the modem if desired.

Revision History:
1/6/01 Version 1.0
  Initial Release
  
4/6/01 Version 1.1
  Fix bug in 3-digit longitude  
  

  
All of this stuff is used at your own risk, and that of your Newton. Make backups!

Good luck, and enjoy.

Eric Schneck
eschneck@mindspring.com
eschneck@compuserve.com
emschneck@aol.com
eschneck@ricochet.net

Yahoo: Eschneck
ICQ: 49395510
AOL: emschneck