Ianatlarge

Time Balls—during the 19th century, at the height of their popularity, Time Balls were used as a time signal service. At high points near nautical ports (usually), these highly visible balls were raised and lowered to indicate midday. Ships in harbour could see and use these time references before embarking on a new journey across the wine dark sea. In the modern world there are approximately 60 of these devices extant. They are no longer in use as a time service, but have been preserved as historical sites. They are found around the world, wherever men took to the sea in ships. I came across one of these Balls in Singapore, which prompted me to search for a category, finding none, and after a discussion on another thread, I decided to investigate the creation of a new category. I also suggest that non-extant Time Balls be included, where adequate documentation exists. This would increase the number to potentially several hundred. I believe that due to their unique nature and history, as well as their cultural importance, Time Balls would make a suitable and worthwhile Waymarking category. Any thoughts?

For those following this discussion, I have created a new group (mghmoms) "Time Balls". Anyone interested in being an officer please feel free to sign up. I suspect a low frequency of waymarks. So you will not be rushed off your feet. From what I gather, even thought there is a Time Ball club (http://www.1oclockgun.org.uk/index.html), there is no single list of all TBs. Maybe we could do something about that? . I am writing a draft category. I will post in a new topic in a few days. Still travelling.

O, no. A new category. The drama, the suspense! I am on the move at the moment. I will give the matter some though and put some notes together. Hoot hoot !

Its 5am. I have not slept. I just know I should not type, but I cannot stop myself. A new category? The Time Ballers. Maybe we could get a rise out of that?

I would have thought no. No gears, no clock face, no other things I cannot think of. I could run it past the clock folk and see what they say. Still—— new category hahaha.

Ok, but which category? I have looked at wiki. There are >60 time balls. Maybe, maybe, maybe, a new category? I know, some Australian guy claimed that there should be at least 500 potential waymarks for a new category, but who listens to Australians? I mean, there are less than 500 Kugel balls. We can have time balls?

KC, you are correct. The app takes the latlon from the position of the iphone, however, I usually get close enough to the waymark to render the difference in position irrelevant, or, when I cannot do this, I adjust the latlon to reflect the separation between the iphone and the new waymark. The good thing about having the latlon and an actual image of the object in one photo is that it is easy to make these assessments. Something that you cannot easily do with just the latlon numbers. And, yes, the app does far more than simply tell you the latlon. It can judge distance, height, angle, show size, and take out the laundry. I admit I don't use 10% of what it can do.

No, but I want to duck out.

My 2c worth. I use the iphone app "Theodolite". Using this app you can take a photo of the waymark with the lat and long, plus lots of other geo information, superimposed on the image. I can then put all of my photos, from my camera and the latlon iphone pics, into one folder or album. In this way the timestamped iphone geo coord images are associated with the timestamped waymark photos. This makes it easy to match latlon with the waymark. I also take a google maps screen shot of the region from time to time and add this to my photo work flow. This helps in built up areas, also as a general check that all is ok. This would be my recommendation. The Buddha in Laos. Images attached.

I assumed these devices were more common than it seems. Perhaps it is only those nations, which were once part of the great British Empire, that know of such things—not rebels? There used to be a Time Ball in Perth City, and in other ozi state captials. Here are pics and info of the Ball in Singapore. Maybe we do need a new category? hehe On a slider, visible across Sing city. The ball itself.

Time balls — let me explain. In the days of yore, before, ... well, everything ... at a prominent spot in some cities a ball was suspended, and then dropped to indicate a particular time. 12.00 seems to be the norm. This acted as a time keeping service. I came across one of these in Singapore, and I know of a few others in Australia. Any suggestions as to which category? Or should we start a new category? hahaha Joke.

Anything such as this is too subjective in nature to be considered suitable for a category. "Fleecing" can mean many things to many different people. For example, the subsidising of sugar production, and the placement of military bases might be considered "fleecing" by some segments of the population, but not by others (those in the sugar business, or with businesses deriving income from military bases). The only valid criterion I can think of would be a permanent site, that was deemed wasteful by a legal decision. I suspect that there would be few of these.

I will just have to accept that this idea is not all it is quacked up to be.

A while back, I came across a bunch of expatriate, Australian Black Swans living in Thailand. I suggested that we create a category for these exiled, noble creatures—swans forced by circumstance to live outside the Commonwealth of Australia. This idea of mine did not fly, some even deemed it to be bird-brained (a little like when I am back home with my 2x sis-in-laws). Well, I came across another colony of these patrician avians in the southern Chinese city of Kunming. These guys live in a pond surrounding the Apple store (that is the computer gadget people, not the fruit apple people)—talk about your quality real estate. The birds are fed vet approved food, they live in a kennel (kennel? It looks like a kennel), local school kiddies come by to feed them and interact, plus a vet visits once a month to give these free loaders a medical checkup. What a life! I was tempted to ask my interlocutor if I could move in, but I decided not to. Is it time we revisit this new category idea?

Lets take a step back here. I did vote against the creation of the new category, on the belief that it did duplicate the pre-existing "Lookout Tower" category. It seems that I was in error in believing that the two categories were near duplicates of each other. However, there is no need for anger or frustration. I have had category proposals declined, waymarks rejected, and been critiqued in the forum. This is all part of the democratic process. There is a high bar for new categories. To have a good chance of success, one must answer all potential questions and objections. If the category does not pass the first time, but if you feel that the idea has merit, then re-write and try again.

Umm, ok, OS1. I will check that. Was not aware. Thanks.

So, it's no to Chinese Temples.

True, it is a shame when people drop out, but maybe my suggestion was all up in the air? Having said that, I can see the logic in not requiring folk to personally experience every waymark. Just think of the consequences of eating in every MacDonalds one waymarks!

I believe that it should be mandatory for the waymarker to make a jump. Only in this way can he, or she, fully understand and present the total experience. Possibly Groundspeak could extend accident insurance for this?

Is there a category for Chinese Temples? Chinese Temples are a mix of various eastern religions, a dash or two of ancestor worship, plus a fondness for dragons—and usually fairly attractive, with red and gold. I keep finding these in south east Asia, and in China (not surprisingly), but have only recently looked at Waymarking these (so many waymarks, so little time). There seems not to be a category for these?

It is an idea, but I suggest an electronic book only, certainly to start with. It could be joint effort, contributions made by waymarkers on subjects they know best. Something like wikipedia. Introduction to Waymarking How to create a waymark Categories How to create a group and category Tips and Advice History/development of Waymarking

You mean they have explosive personalities? If you get too many of them together ...

Try not to be too critical of these people. They can be a blast, but they tend to over-react, and then have trouble cooling down. But if you can get them back online that would be rad.

Ok, question answered. I searched for "theatre", because that is how it is spelt. I forgot that the colonials spell theatre "theater". eol.

I used the date menu to add the date for the visit, and still had this error. The error with submitting a new waymark is still there. It comes and goes.