Data Hacking

184 Part III — Data Hacking
When you have finished editing the waypoints, you can either send the updated data to the
GPS or save the file. You can save the information in two different file formats (see Figure 8-31):
TopoGrafix Data file (.loc)
GPS Exchange file (.gpx)
FIGURE 8-31: You can save the stored information in EasyGPS in two different file
formats, which can be later opened either in EasyGPS or another compatible tool.
These two files are fundamentally different. The .loc files are binary files (see Figure 8-32), and
while they can be opened in a text or hex editor, they cannot realistically be edited without using
either EasyGPS or another application that can edit .loc files. For more information on the
TopoGrafixs file format and editing applications, visit www.topografix.com.
The .gpx output file is a different matter. This file isn’t a binary file but a text file that is laid
out in a format known as XML (eXtensible Markup Language). If you have experience with
creating web pages or XML in general, this will already be familiar to you. The great thing
about these files is that they can be edited directly with nothing more than a text editor, which
is a real bonus if you are in the field when you want to edit them.
Here is part of the contents of a typical .gpx file: