USGlobalsat BR-355 (Mac) - Manual (Page 10)

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USB_GPS_MAC_ v2.0
USB GPS (Mac)
Read the rest if you'd like to know how to do this from within OS X, and skip the CD-based reboot.
The second easiest way to enable root is to start a terminal session, and type: sudo passwd root
You will be prompted for a new password to enable root access. Many find this easier than rebooting,
but since it involves the command line, newcomers may find it a bit more intimidating.
The hardest way to enable root is to use the NetInfo Manager application (in Applications/Utilities).
Here's what you do, courtesy of "anonymous":
1) Open NetInfo Manager
2) Select "Users" from the second list.
3) Select a user you created and know the password for!
4) Double-click on the value across from "passwd" and copy it. It is the encoded form of the password for that user.
5) Select "root" from the list of users. Find the "passwd" value (default is "*") and paste over it.
6) Exit NetInfo Manager.
7) Open the Terminal and type "su root".
8) Enter the password for the user chosen above.
Will the USB GPS work with other Street Mapping software?
Globalsat USB GPS receivers provides standard NMEA data for mapping software to use and convert
to coordinates and should work well with most any NMEA compliant software on the market today.
How accurate is the GPS?
The USB GPS is WAAS/EGNOS capable, and for units sold in North America through authorized
resellers, these units are WAAS/EGNOS enabled unless otherwise stated. Accuracy can be up to 5
meters 3D RMS with WAAS enabled and 10-15 meters 2D RMS WAAS disabled
What is ideal GPS environment?
The GPS requires an open, clear view of the sky. Buildings, covered parking areas, tunnels and dense
foliage can cause the GPS receiver to be unable to get a location fix.
If you are parked in a covered parking lot or near a tall building, it is recommended that you drive away
until you have a clear view of the sky before using the BU-303. You may need to give the GPS a few
minutes to find or get a fix its location.
How do I know if the GPS is ON?
Your USB GPS must be plugged into your laptop’s USB port to get power. If your PC is on and the
COM port was configured properly, the GPS receiver is on and receiving the streaming GPS data. This
can be verified by opening your mapping software program. In addition, the Globalsat USB GPS has a
built-in LED status indicator that shows the following:
LED OFF: GPS receiver is off (no power).
LED ON (solid): No fix, searching for GPS signals.
LED FLASHING: Position fix established and GPS signals are being received.
Why does the GPS not work near buildings and other tall objects?
The GPS uses satellites in the space to find out where it is. Therefore it needs a clear view of the sky.
Tall buildings and other objects that block the receiver’s view to the sky make it infeasible to determine
your location. Sometimes the satellites are not overhead but near the horizon. In these cases the GPS
must have a clear view of the horizon.
What driver is needed for Virtual PC?
For Macintosh Virtual PC applications, you do not need any additional drivers than those already being
used for your Mac OS X applications. It is, however recommended that 1-Gigabyte of memory is
available to run Virtual PC applications efficiently.