caderoux
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Posts posted by caderoux
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You have been able to filter on just disabled (temporarily unavailable) caches for quite a while now.
However, prior to release 5.1 this option was tucked away on the "Other" filter tab. Version 5.1 now brings this into plain view in the general tab. Please refer to the "Available Status" boxes, you now have archived, temporarily unavailable, available.
Excellent - I hadn't looked at my filters since I upgraded.
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Interesting idea and I can see what you are getting at. Not quite sure if users want that much colour all over the place, but this sure is the right place to discuss it.Now that the gpx data differentiates between disabled and archived, I would also like to have the Inactive indicator show up as two different colors or perhaps shades of the selected color (red by default).
To my knowlege this hasn't changed - you sitll can't get a PQ that contains archived cahces. The only way you can indicate archived caches in GSAK is to flag manually or download the GPX file from the actual cache listing - one at a time. However, regarding showing the difference, I believe this has already been taken care of. Disabled (or Temporarily unavailble) caches show in the normal font, while archived caches show in the strike out font. That way you can instantly tell the difference between an archived and temporarily unavailable cache.
On a related note, it would be nice to be able to get only active or disabled caches which haven't been updated in, say, the last two weeks - these are the one you would want to download individual GPX files to get the archive log. The way I see it now, the filter criteria just have available or not available (includes temp. disabled and archived together). Right now the only real way to work the list is anything not updated in the last few weeks. The problem is that the archived ones will continue to come up in this list - choosing only available also filters out disabled caches which have been archived. If there is no way to filter out the archived, this is also where the extra descriptive colors would be useful to work the list to go get the individual GPX files.
I like to have this info more for the caches in my area which I have previously found, as opposed to ones I'll never find. Then if I go to look at the cache to see if I want to recommend it to someone, I know I have the updated information and I can also see if the reason the cache was archived is of interest to me (new cache placement now available, problem in the area, etc.).
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In the meantime, try this page,
I couldn't get that page to work for me - the frames all disappear (IE6) - am I doing something wrong?
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The problem that you are coming up against is that caches become archived and they hang out in the database as if they were still active.
I am pretty sure that you could set a filter to delete those caches that were not updated with the last PQ.
Deleting archived caches which you have found will throw off your counts in GSAK. Deleting archived caches which you haven't found - but which you attempted isn't so great either. I like to keep my database up to date and complete - it's like a diary - and I also like to read all the logs on a regular basis to see what oher people are doing in the area. Watch list emails would be too numerous if I watched every cache I had found.
LSUMonica uses the technique which most GSAK users have used and discussed.
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Hi - I'm a cacher from New Orleans looking to log the GC3153 - Where's in a Name locationless cache. My cacher name is caderoux, which translates to 22 33.76'.
However, if you know anyone who needs to log this cache near 30N/90W - that's New Orleans (we're almost directly on the confluence) - let me know.
Either way we both get to log the cache.
Thanks in advance,
Cade Roux
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Not that this is related - but I had a similar problem (and seemed to be only really affect gc.com), and had to end up replacing my router - outbound packets were limited in size - packets below a certain size were fine (your normal web browsing GET requests), but larger outbound packets (bigger form POST requests - even setting up a new gc.com user) would fail.
I think the reason most other sites, and many places on gc.com didn't have a problem was that most forms were slim enough to fit underneath the problem threshold.
After a lot of troubleshooting on different computers on my network and off, I worked with Bellsouth and eventually after a lot of troubleshooting, I replaced the router and the problem went away.
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I know this requires changes by Groundspeak, but I wonder if this would solve any problems discussed. What becomes of the search function? Not being a savvy user, I don't know if the additional sublevel does anything for you there.
In the past there have been mumblings about using the forum to support commercial software programs etc.
I think it makes sense for the global good - in the sense that all GSAK's users are geocaching.com users and most GSAK users are probably premium members and this is the most likely place they would prefer to congregate.
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To also go with my previous suggestion about TB hotels and local favorites for tourist cachers:
Close to Airport
I find a lot of people use my TB Hotel near the airport quite a lot (I replaced one which had been muggled), even though there is a really nice muggle-proof one which Bamboozle has off the Interstate in a nice neighborhood - I think travelers must look for ones specifically near the airport first.
Isn't this something that could be figured out by doing a coordinate search from the airport? I see why you want it but don't want to duplicate existing solutions that work just as well.
Attributes: I've read a lot about them, but don't know if I understand correctly - I'll summarize my current feeling about using them based on how I cache, and how I see others cache.
Purpose: Cache attributes to me seem like a shorthand - an efficient way to give quick summary information about a cache in standard and common categories. Eventually there will be searching and GPX support.
How I cache: As a paperless cacher, I will mainly be using them on hunts when they are in the GPX. When I organize out of town trips right now, I have a few saved locations in GSAK and start to bring in pocket queries before the trip to build a history. I use filters and plot the points on MapPoint or in Mapopolis on the PDA.
How others cache: At our recent event cache, there are still a lot of paper-based cachers and people who use the queries and searches from gc.com - the problem is I don't know how they use that solution - I have never even owned a traditional GPS - I use a PDA and wireless GPSr.
So until GPX is available, my only real interest in attributes is putting good attributes on my existing caches, and encouraging our local hiders to update theirs in a way which will help the most people visiting our local caches - the majority of whom who are not GSAK users. Unfortunately, I have not got access to their search behavior - some really good information could probably be gleaned from the gc.com logs about typical cacher search behavior - but I don't have that info.
So how should I use attributes on my cache?: As a cache owner, my motivation is to give people good information about my caches and what they need to know and what they will get out of them. I don't know if people go to the trouble of finding and inputting airport coordinates in ther searches - that could be determined by a query on the gc.com logs. I know that I always used the zipcode of the hotel where I'd be staying before I had GSAK - now that I have GSAK, it might be one of my locations which I filter on to add to my hitlist. I didn't see a search by airport code on the web site.
I guess it all comes down to what questions do people ask about caches and what questions will they use search to answer when that is available?
I thought this might be one of those questions - only gc.com has the information to determine actual cacher behavior - and to be honest I don't feel the forums is the best way to find that out.
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Will attributes be searchable?
Attributes will not be searchable for a while to allow people to update their cache listings with the appropriate information. We will be providing an email update to cache owners so they can add this information to their listings. The search capabilities will be in development for a while anyway.
It occurred to me that a good way to encourage users to add attributes and make it easy for them is to show your caches which have attributes and which don't on your my cache listing page - this would make it obvious to users which caches they need to update.
Then maybe from there to a bulk updater for common attributes you want to add...
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To also go with my previous suggestion about TB hotels and local favorites for tourist cachers:
Close to Airport
I find a lot of people use my TB Hotel near the airport quite a lot (I replaced one which had been muggled), even though there is a really nice muggle-proof one which Bamboozle has off the Interstate in a nice neighborhood - I think travelers must look for ones specifically near the airport first.
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We have a couple in New Orleans -
The Who got the baby? and the Birth Giver- I believe both are out of commission - I have another in my car, but haven't had time to put it out...
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There are attributes which I think would be very conducive to search, and I looked at the last thread but didn't see them (i.e. they all fit well into scenarios when you'd ask the question: "What are all the caches with XXXXX near where I've going?"):
1. A TB Hotel/Exchange etc.
People may want to see all TB exchanges nearby to move a TB on. This is exactly the kind of thing which people may want to search on quite frequently (and across a variety of cacher preferences - I am not a big TB mover, but I see a lot of people who are always picking up TBs and dropping them off).
2. Historical Significance
Some people are interested if the cache takes you someplace of significance other than the hike and the view.
3. Local favorite
I might be biased, but the cachers in the New Orleans area know the local favorites which we like to point out to visitors, and we have our own state-wide voting system - the Louisiana Lagniappe (http://www.lageocaching.com). We get a lot of out-of-town visitors, we love to be good hosts and there are a number of caches which are especially attractive for tourists. As LALagniappe has shown, only the more conscientious hiders use the system, and only for the better caches, so the system works well (for us).
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1. Good to have this info in the database, it just makes sense.
but
2. What would typical searches on attributes look like? (e.g. I don't think several of them make sense to have in queries)
For instance, if you were looking to go camping and caching, you probably wouldn't want to filter on camping available, because not every cache owner near your camping site will put that on their cache - they may not see their cache as being close enough of associated with camping.
Or search for caches with campfires? There are a lot that don't quite make sense - the info is very useful, but you wouldn't use it to define your search.
There are attributes which I think would be very conducive to search, and I looked at the last thread but didn't see them (i.e. they all fit well into scenarios when you'd ask the question: "What are all the caches with XXXXX near where I've going?"):
1. A TB Hotel/Exchange etc.
People may want to see all TB exchanges nearby to move a TB on. This is exactly the kind of thing which people may want to search on quite frequently (and across a variety of cacher preferences - I am not a big TB mover, but I see a lot of people who are always picking up TBs and dropping them off).
2. Historical Significance
Some people are interested if the cache takes you someplace of significance other than the hike and the view.
3. Local favorite
I might be biased, but the cachers in the New Orleans area know the local favorites which we like to point out to visitors, and we have our own state-wide voting system - the Louisiana Lagniappe (http://www.lageocaching.com). We get a lot of out-of-town visitors, we love to be good hosts and there are a number of caches which are especially attractive for tourists. As LALagniappe has shown, only the more conscientious hiders use the system, and only for the better caches, so the system works well (for us).
Food for thought,
Cade
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I wasn't trying to start an argument.
I'm not saying Groundspeak could have avoided this - it sounds like a serious outage.
Not holding the service provider accountable will simply send them the message that there is no real penalty.
No need to start an unhealthy relationship, but you do need to send the right message - as business partners you each have obligations and you expect them to honor their side.
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One week to go...
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I just had one sent to my gmail.com account without problems.
What problem is it having with the roux.org domain?
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SHOULD BE: Generated BUT Not Received
This morning and just now, but nothing received - not in my Spam folder - can you track it and see what the problem is?
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Ordered 8 TBs through PayPal, the final continue button takes you to http://www.geocaching.com/track, but it looks like it uses a POST request and POSTs aren't accepted to that URL:
The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for cannot be displayed because an invalid method (HTTP verb) was used to attempt access.
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Please try the following:
Contact the Web site administrator if you believe that this request should be allowed.
Make sure that the Web site address displayed in the address bar of your browser is spelled and formatted correctly.
HTTP Error 405 - The HTTP verb used to access this page is not allowed.
Internet Information Services (IIS)
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Technical Information (for support personnel)
Go to Microsoft Product Support Services and perform a title search for the words HTTP and 405.
Open IIS Help, which is accessible in IIS Manager (inetmgr), and search for topics titled Setting Application Mappings, Securing Your Site with Web Site Permissions, and About Custom Error Messages.
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I really think this is a false positive. I looked at all the irunin.* files, and they seem to have legit content.
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I think the current system is good. It could be augmented, but not being an approver, I don't know what tools they have to maintain the cache approval process. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against mtn-man, and I think he's doing a great job, too.
In my case, it looks like mtn-man has been away and unable to approve a few caches for our state (we have quite a few newbies who recently started in the New Orleans area, and I bet quite a few are theirs as they start to try it out for themselves).
There is a general indication that there is a lot of opacity in the actual process behind the policy (an approver will usually review your cache in 36 to 72 hours) - which is exactly what results in the various suggestions which people have. There's nothing wrong with suggestions, but they come from the lack of knowledge about how things work, and this is actually pretty typical of the way things happen on gc.com. A lot of the motivations and stuff is hidden away in messages on the forums, but doesn't really make it into the place where most people go. I think the amount of kvetching would be reduced with a little more transparency out there.
Some things I've considered which might be changed or improved:
I couldn't even find out who to email to get my cache approved - Electric Mouse kindly informed me. I probably have an old email from mtn-man, but who knows if he is still my approver. So a bump link on the page to send an email to the approver automatically. I'm note sure that reviewer notes do that, because when I've had past comments, they tell me to email them with the cache details, because it doesn't automatically.
The opacity situation could also be improved by maybe having status on the approvals. Say: Approver not taken action, Approver Reviewed - but Waiting on Response from Hider, Approver Currently Reviewing, in addition to presumable Approved and Archived - then the hiders know to some extent what is going on.
Automatic escalation - if caches are in the "no action taken" category for a certain amount of time, maybe it should escalate to a super-regional view where approvers in neighboring regions will automatically also see it and pitch in.
Enjoy your caching...
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I'm generally happy. My caches have previously been approved by mtn-man, but I have no idea if he is assigned to our area (Louisiana) or what.
I have 3 new caches waiting for approval since Saturday night. They're ordinary caches, and I can't see any problems with them, and no notes from an approver.
Where do we go to find out who to email about approving our caches?
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It is now. That was meant to be a teaser...
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GCM55Y - January 9, 2005...
Gsak Macros
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
Here's my Outlook Macro:
Public Sub GetAttachments() On Error GoTo GetAttachments_err Dim ns As NameSpace Dim Inbox As MAPIFolder Dim SubFolder As MAPIFolder Dim DestFolder As MAPIFolder Dim Item As Object Dim Msg As MailItem Dim Atmt As Attachment Dim i As Integer Dim DoMove As Boolean Set ns = GetNamespace("MAPI") Set Inbox = ns.GetDefaultFolder(olFolderInbox) Set SubFolder = Inbox.Folders("Geocaching").Folders("ToProcess") Set DestFolder = Inbox.Folders("Geocaching").Folders("Processed") If SubFolder.Items.Count = 0 Then Exit Sub End If i = 0 For Each Item In SubFolder.Items If TypeOf Item Is MailItem Then Set Msg = Item If Msg.Attachments.Count <> 0 Then DoMove = False For Each Atmt In Msg.Attachments If Atmt.FileName Like "*.zip" Then Atmt.SaveAsFile "C:\Documents and Settings\Cade\Desktop\Geocaching\" & Atmt.FileName i = i + 1 DoMove = True End If Next Atmt If DoMove Then Msg.FlagIcon = olNoFlagIcon Msg.FlagStatus = olNoFlag Msg.Save Msg.Move DestFolder End If End If End If Next Item If i > 0 Then MsgBox i & " attached files saved.", vbInformation, "Finished!" End If GetAttachments_exit: Set Atmt = Nothing Set Item = Nothing Set ns = Nothing Exit Sub GetAttachments_err: MsgBox "An unexpected error has occurred." _ & vbCrLf & "Please note and report the following information." _ & vbCrLf & "Macro Name: GetAttachments" _ & vbCrLf & "Error Number: " & Err.Number _ & vbCrLf & "Error Description: " & Err.Description, vbCritical, "Error!" Resume GetAttachments_exit End SubHere's my batch file which creates a gsak script:
I know that technically you don't need to unzip the files, but I like to rename the original GPX files so I know the names and put them on my iPaq, too.