Newbie question

I don't think so. The POI file that is created from the .csv or .gpx files is a poi.gpi file, from what I recall. You don't want to mess with the default Garmin .gpx file that is delivered by Garmin.

So you need the POI loader to convert your POIs to the .gpi file.

As you may or may not know, the current.gpx file is merely a COPY of the favorites database. If you add a gpx file of any name other than current.gpx, it will add those locations to your favorites upon reboot. If you take the entire curren.gpx file, add one location, rename it, and copy it back to the gps, it will duplicate all your original locations and add the new one. You can, of course, copy current.gpx to your computer, delete all the favorites on the gps, and then add back a corrected version of the original.

Does this help?

You might want to look at this thread about using WINE:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/15108

And although I haven't used it on Linux, Sun's VirtualBox is pretty slick and I think there's a Linux version.

Also, for what it's worth I have put gpx files into the gpx directory on my 200W and 765T along side of current.gpx, and while they don't show up as POI's per se, they do auto-add to my favorites. I haven't driven around with them to know how they act either. And lastly, the format has to be perfect.. a gpx generated by MapSource works on both units but some gpx's generated by other progs and/or hand edited won't load like that on the 200W but sometimes will on the 765T! ??

Okay bentbiker, let's see if I understand what you said: I can create a "properly formatted" .gpx file by the name of foobar.gpx that contains a bunch of waypoints. Then I can copy that ASCII file to the Garmin GPS and reboot the Garmin. Then those waypoints will be in my favorites?

Question: What is a "properly formatted" .gpx file?

Does it need all the header stuff? I.e., the <?xml..., , , ...,

BTW: Thanks for the help.

==> Bob

You understood. Easiest thing is to download the trial version of GeePeeEx Editor and make a single-location gpx file. Copy it to the gps and reboot. Look under favorites. I wasn't the one who posted the requirement that a gpx be properly formatted, but I think formatting should always be perfect? I only use GeePeeEx Editor and that eliminates the need to know about headers/xml/etc. I think Phil even has some Help topics for dealing with Favorites; I know he has dealt with it in posts here, previously.

Thanks again bentbiker. I don't think the GeePeeEx editor works on Linux. But I've written a lot of XML files, so the format doesn't scare me. I'll probably use the Linux vi editor to create the files.

I probably shouldn't have said "properly formatted" -- my question was really what is the minimum requirements for the file. Specifically is the metadata tag necessary?

I don't know the answer to that, but perhaps Phil will see this and chime in with the answer. Sorry, that I forgot about you using Linux at that point in my typing.

Edit: I think you may find the answer in http://www.poi-factory.com/node/9909 .