W8TTS

Eric from Groundspeak suggested that I post this here as it affects all geocachers. I've noticed that when a cache is "archived" that that information isn't passed on in any Pocket Queries (PQ) except for the special "My Finds" PQ. By not passing that information on in PQ's, programs that people use to automatically maintain their data, such as GSAK, aren't updated with the archived information and you aren't aware that the cache has been archived. I'm aware that the information can be had through Notifications, but it should be available through PQ's for automated updates. I also realize that I can go to the geocache.com web site and query the caches, but when you're going out for a day of caching and there are 100's to look at, it would be better to have it all correctly in front of you from a program like GSAK. I proposed that they allow the ability for archived caches to be included in PQ's if the user desires. Thereby allowing programs like GSAK to automatically update that information. Here is my original question to them: > It seems very unusual that when a cache is archived that it can't be downloaded in > a Pocket Query. Not being able to do this causes other programs (GSAK, etc.) > databases to become inaccurate, i.e. caches still shown as active when they are > archived. I know that by using "Instanotify" I can be notified when a cache is > archived, but shouldn't the archiving of caches be automated as other updates > are? > > Please consider adding a way, such as with the "My Finds" Pocket Query to access > the caches that have been archived. Comments? Ted (W8TTS)

You know, I think that they should allow archived caches to be selected on PQ's when your selecting "I Have Found" After all you found it and should be able to see it. That is exactly what they did when they implemented the "My Finds" PQ. If you keep an offline database, and move the caches you find from your default database to a "Found" database, your "Found" caches should be up-to-date enough to only need the "All Finds" PQ once a week. Does it have the 500 cache limitation? Or, will it give you all that you've found?

You know, I think that they should allow archived caches to be selected on PQ's when your selecting "I Have Found" After all you found it and should be able to see it.

From a programming stand point a very poor option, work-arounds. And, I've done more work-arounds then I care to think about. When a cache is Archived or otherwise removed it should be given to the various programs (GSAK, etc.) so that the information in their databases can be kept current. When I do a Seek a cache by Waypoint the archived cache is still there, so why not make it available so that the information can be up-to-date. It can't be that hard.

This sounds more like a problem with PQ then with QSAK. PQ should have the option to send along Archived caches if the user wants them. Or, maybe automatically send them for the 1st 60 days after a cache is Archived. That way programs like GSAK could keep their databases up to date. This is a GIGO problem.

I found out how to set a cache to Archived in GSAK. Right click on the cache and you get an edit menu for that entry. What you describe doing shouldn't need to be done in a good database. And, from what I've seen GSAK's appears to be a good one.

OK. I did that. All the caches in my DB have update dates. The cache in question "Spitted, Spotted Thimblebeetle" shows an update date of 6/12/2007. I'm thinking that something happened, maybe in GSAK, that didn't change the cache to Archived. Most of my update PQ's are set to select only on date added and within 20 miles of my home. How do I set that one cache to Archived in GSAK? Where can that be done?

Excuse the typo. It should have been "Is Not Active". But, not being able to do a cut and paste from the page makes for such errors.

I'd still like to see that, found caches not showing on maps, be added. Maybe as a selectable option. Ted (W8TTS)

I was looking at Spitted, Spotted Thimblebeetle (GCXC55) which according to the listing is both: * This cache has been archived, but is available for viewing for archival purposes. * This cache is temporarily unavailable. Read the logs below to read the status for this cache. But, in looking at what has been downloaded to GSAK it's marked as active. When I run a Pocket Query that does nothing but select "Is Not Active" within "30 Miles" of my "My Home Coordinates", 30 records are selected, but Spitted, Spotted Thimblebeetle is not on that list. It should be as it's 2.5 mi from my home. When I do a "Seek a cache ..." on the Hide & Seek A Cache page for all active caches within 5 miles of my Home Coordinates it's not shown. Or, if I do a Other Search Options: by Keyword by "Spitted, Spotted" I get back a "Sorry, no results were found for this search." But, if I do a Other Search Options: by Waypoint for GCXC55 the record is found. Is there a problem with the way the record for Spitted, Spotted Thimblebeetle is set that makes it impossible for the Pocket Query to see, therefor not showing it as "Unavailable" in any query? Are there other types of records in the database this way? Ted (W8TTS)

I thought about visiting each page, but with 231 it would take a little while to accomplish bookmarking them all. The area would be a very large one, as the lighthouses are in a very wide area, the US, Canada, Denmark, The Bahamas, France, Sweden, United Kingdom, Taiwan, South Africa, Norway, South Korea, and so on. I'm looking at doing this in hopes of generating some interest in Geocaching in a couple of groups of lighthouse enthusiasts.

The only way I've been able to find these is on the Hide and Seek page because it allows for a search by Keyword and Pocket Query doesn't. And, I'm interested in finding "Lighthouses".

Is there an easy way to Bookmark a group of caches that have been found using the Hide and Seek options, so that they can be downloaded with a Pocket Query and imported into GSAK?

I've been playing with Safari and it's interesting, and still buggy. Does some strange things that I've reported and hope they fix. Just remember what they've put out is beta.

Is there anyway to create Pocket Queries that will work in concentric from/to circles from a given point, i.e. My Home Coordinates, Zip Code, etc? For example caches from 0 to 10 miles, or 10 miles to 20 miles, or 20 miles to 30 miles, etc. from My Home Coordinates. The reason I ask, is that I like to keep an up-to-date list of caches within a 30 miles radius of my home (there's about 1,200 to 1,500 of them). Right now I'm doing it with a date added range and updated within the last 7 days. Is there an easier way to do this, or is it something we should ask the developers for? Ted (W8TTS)

Thanks all. Some great hints and just what I was looking for. Ted (W8TTS)

Pocket queries are great. But, you are limited to 500 caches in a download. Within 10 miles of my home there are 319 caches, within 20 miles there are 747, and within 30 miles there are 1,307 caches. When we go cache hunting we always end up outside the 10 mile ring. Is there an easy way to down load the caches within 20 miles? Ted (W8TTS)