ScroogieII

Interesting that you should address this topic, Andreas. Not having access to more advanced Image Editing software (IE, as opposed to AI ), I have for years been, whenever it appeared necessary in the interest of improving Waymark pix, doing essentially what you presented here. Removing a passing pedestrian (or motorist), extinguishing my shadow, extending roadways and sidewalks into trashy, weedy land, removing the weeds and grass from sidewalks, plazas and roadways, extending background into the sky, removing sky to provide more background, eliminating or mitigating glare and flares, relettering building signage from old pix to represent their current status, layering "then" & "now" pix to create "then-to-now" and "now-to-then" transitions for the eponymous categories - I've done them all, and more. I've removed hundreds & hundreds of power and communications lines from pix. All that I've done mostly manually. And, finally, I have always also enhanced my pix, improving lighting, contrast and/or saturation whenever I deemed it necessary. I review a LOT of waymarks lately and, it seems that cameras haven't improved much in the past decade or so with regard to their light capturing ability, or better stated, their ability to reproduce the light capturing ability of the human eye. Essentially ALL pix I review would be improved, sometimes markedly, with just a touch of enhancement. So, my take on this would be that anything which improves, or ameliorates, the aesthetics of a pic or removes, or mitigates, distractions from the subject is to be encouraged. But now, as usual, Andreas, you've given me something else to ponder: Just when does clever coding evolve into AI? In the case of Photoshop I think not, as AI involves reasoning, self learning and self teaching, which I doubt takes place within Photoshop. I imagine that it entails no more than a bit of "clever coding". Not being well up to speed on AI, that's about all I can say on the matter. But thanks for tickling a few brain cells! Just a second before we go! I again looked at your and Photoshop's side-by-side pix, this time more closely. I see that Photoshop was forced to make a couple assumptions in its expansion of your pic. In the foreground it added a few small clumps of flora in the cobblestone, which would have required an assumption on its part that said flora would not be out of place, given that flora was seen in your pic. However, it made a rather poor assumption with regard to the pattern of the cobblestone on the far right background, laying it in essentially straight lines, which appear nowhere else. This bespeaks clever coding, certainly not AI. Moreover, the boards on the near, long side of the fountain run full length in the original, whereas the boards on the left end of the Photoshoped version are continued to the end, making the boards on the far, long side of the fountain NOT full length. Again, an incorrect assumption, unless carpentry there employs an unusual aesthetic. Keith

And Erik graphically tells me why. Thanks guys.

Yeah, I've had my eye on that for some time but never managed to get there. Now it looks like I may well be leaving it for yourself, or whoever else may first happen upon it. Alas & Alak. Keith

Wasn't paying attention Thierry - how did peer review end? Keith

Apparently he has reviewed so few that he was either unaware of the rules and regulations for said category, or they had slipped his mind.

Oh, don't get your knickers in a knot, Ivo. That first approval, now declined, was likely a MIS-approval, done by an officer not paying attention at the moment. However, I see that all the officers are Americans, three of which I know. I would suggest that you try contacting them in this order, YoSam, then iconions, then NW_history_buff, then the leader. I suspect that, within that group you may find officers amenable to expansion of the category, but don't count on it. If you tell them that Keith sent you it may help, but again, don't count on it. I should add that I am in favour of expansion of the category, given that we all know that wagon roads exist outside of North America AND that expansion would eliminate the necessity of the creation of a somewhat redundant category. At the moment, that's about all you can do, so for now, Ivo, I would suggest that you take heed of my post earlier today in This Thread, in particular the last line. Keith

Approved later, so, it seems there's not yet cause for COMPLETE concern.

Don't know you and never did, so why should I care?!?!?! SORRY, just kidding!!! Guess I'm just in a whimsical mood today. WELCOME BACK TO THE FOLD.! My initial advice to you is just this - Have Fun! After all, this is an Avocation, not a Vocation. Don't let anyone mire you down in feuds, personalities or opiniated discussions. They're few, after all! This WELCOME is, actually, somewhat ironic, coming from a Waymarker currently on hiatus. After creating something like 20,000 Waymarks and, at least in the latter years, giving them my all, I am just burnt out. I waymarked initially with my wife as BK-Hunters, which became T0SHEA, then later, for a very short time as ScroogieII. Today, as I walk or drive around my home town I see structures and objects I know never to have been Waymarked and, contrary to inclinations of former years to dig out the camera and the GPS, simply file them away in my (less reliable by the day) memory, in hopes that, one day soon I will again find the desire to Waymark them. So, for at least the nonce, between yourself and myself, we are managing to retain the number of active Waymarkers as it was yesterday. WELL DONE there Country_Wife. And now an aside about photos - - - - Don't reduce size below around 2k in width. I have always used sizes that have come off the camera when set to, in my case, about 2272 or 2048 in width, with the appropriate aspect ratio - sometimes 16X9, sometimes 4X3 or 3X2, depending upon the subject. JPEG Compression to 70% is perfectly acceptable for Web pix, as there's no appreciable, or noticeable, difference between 70% and 90% compression, when viewed on the Web, and it saves space, both for you AND Waymarking. Retaining at least 2k in width allows reviewers more detail than does a smaller size, should they need to view your pics full size to better understand a Waymark. This from a reviewer who's many times been presented with tiny photos accompanying a somewhat confusing Waymark!!! EDIT: Just can't leave this without also addressing image quality. If you're really interested in producing top-of-the-line Waymarks, image post processing must become part of the process. In spite of what you may feel, the images that come off your camera/smart phone could almost always be improved, especially with regard to contrast and saturation. I have used a quality camera or a smart phone whose cameras have received rave reviews for their quality for all of my Waymarking life, yet found that precious few pix they produced weren't improved with a bit of post processing. As I review Waymarks I encounter a great many photos (in truth, almost all) which are washed out, and lacking in both colour and clarity. In the past I have, on many occasions, encouraged Waymarkers to obtain an image processing app, of which there are many. At the risk of having all hereabouts coming to believe that I am somehow associated with it, I shall, once again, recommend that, should you not already be using one, you download and put into use a free app entitled Faststone. I have been using it for years and find it to do essentially everything I wish to do to a pic, save for morphs and similar advanced operations. It is just the most intelligently designed bit of photo processing software I have ever come across, period! And YES, always take more pix than you feel you'll need. They're FREE, after all, and provide you the ability/opportunity to pick and choose later when creating your Waymark. Waaaay TOO MANY is ALWAYS Waaaay Better than too few!!! You are ABSOLUTELY correct in that recollection! Now get out there and Have a Ball! Keith

With regard to that, I just now re-reviewed and declined a WM that I had approved. Following a few moment's thought I decided that I shouldn't have let that one slide, re-reviewed it and declined it. I'll admit that one is quite likely outside the collection of WMs to which you appear to refer, but it serves to point out the fact that there certainly ARE times in which a WM is deserving of reappraisal. As for this, Thierry, I hope I don't understand your true meaning here. We have created several categories in recent years which, in the requirements, are spelled out in detail what is expected in order for approval to transpire. As a result I/we have had to decline many WMs which fell short of the requirements, in order to IMPROVE THEM. I doubt that is exactly what to which you refer, but that's certainly not clear in your quoted sentence above. As a humorous aside, Thierry, I have actually managed to Waymark a Stop Sign And here I agree with Adam. Thierry is just one more officer who constantly strives to do his best when reviewing Waymarks! My only comment here would be to settle down and dial it back a bit (both Ariberna AND others). Any animosity which takes place here I am willing to attribute to the current political and cultural climate, which, in my observation, has deteriorated substantially in the past decade (or more). My advice would be to adhere to your long time learnings and beliefs regarding the treatment of others and, above all, to observe THE GOLDEN RULE! That's just not that hard to accomplish!!! I've been in the game for over 11 years now, first as BK-Hunters, then T0SHEA, then ScroogieII (long story as to why - some of which some of you know, all of which a few of you know) and I've never really had any issues of note with any Waymarkers (though I've declined a piss pot full of Waymarks in my time [two just today, AAMOF]) or with Category Officers, nor, for that matter, our Wayfroggie. Though I'm forced to admit that our Wayfroggie once gave me a warning for my conduct on this very forum (I assume three strikes and you're OUT), the Wayfroggie and I have always had an amicable relationship, which remains to this day. So, please try to remember that what happens to you today vis a vis Waymarking is, in the entire context of your brief time on this planet, not terribly important, hence not worth blowing a gasket over. Keith

Indeed, it SHOULD be like this for all categories!

Oh - OK, a group, but never a category, and now unlikely to ever shepherd one in the future.

As you might expect, I completely agree with you, Papy. I'm about the only one who reviews in a few fairly busy legacy categories and get almost nothing but copy and paste Waymarks with drive-by photos. I just continue to hold my nose and closely check each one for proper coordinates, correct URLs, etc and hit the approve button. Periodically I'll get a REAL Waymark, which elevates my spirits and keeps me going. I wish I had some enlightening and hopeful words of wisdom for you, Papy, but the simple fact appears to be that the great majority of Waymarkers are basically uninterested in creating a Waymark they would be proud to show to their children, or their parents, their spouse, or even the neighbour over the fence, for that matter. Such is the state of Waymarking, and neither Papy nor Scroogie (nor Thierry [see below]) are likely to change that anytime soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well said, Thierry!!! Thank You for being honest and forthright here. Keith

First - what is the category? Second - time to contact our friendly l'il Wayfroggie and offer your services. Keith

Also reputed to be the "Land of the Mammutti!"

Call 'em and they will come a runnin'! Of course, one is a Texan, so I'm not sure that counts.

And of course I even managed to forget that there are other great Canuckys (Canuckies?) to be found lurking in the weeds hereabouts. Sorry about that, guys! You may have noticed that, just because I made the assumption that Vicious Cycle is a Yankee, I decided not to include all the Yankees in the list of potential "Welcomes" (non of which we've yet heard from - - - Hmmmm...). I was correct in that assumption. Moreover, after checking his home page, I discovered that he's not all that far from me, about 780 km. by road, just 560 (or so) km. as the Canucky crow flies. I've Waymarked his hometown. OOPS! Turns out we didn't do Great Falls. Too many already done there, not a lot of interest left to examine. Oh well, we did have a REALLY good time and gleaned a lotta Waymarks through western & central Montana on two (or was it three, just can't remember fer sure?) trips to "The Treasure State". BUT, we got a LOTTA Waymarks outta Helena, and especially the Capitol (dozens & dozens), including a bit of an interesting small story about entering & touring the capitol building, recapped below: When we visited the capitol it was late in the day and everyone had gone home. Fortunately for the avid Waymarker, they had left a door unlocked - we won't say which one. We stealthily entered through the unlocked door to find ourselves alone in the building, save for a few of the cleaning staff. Avoiding the cleaners we went about our business, snapping shots to our heart's content. The capitol building may be an impressive edifice on the outside, but it is a true work of art inside. Filled with marble, tile, intricate woodwork, gold gilt, murals, stained glass, statuary and memorials, it offers a new and beautiful vista around each corner. We're very thankful that someone here was a bit forgetful but hope that it doesn't happen too often. Waymarking wise, Montana has been very kind to us, to say the least, as have the people. Keith

OOPS!!! Sorry - somehow I forgot about the Brits - And, truth be told, the Aussies and the Kiwis!

I agree! It's a simple, yet direct method of (hopefully) returning the category to its intended mission.

Just the REAL juicy stuff, please. The forums would probably benefit from a really good scandal!! Well, ya, I guess... ... ... ... ... LOL Now about the pez dispensers, how many do you have? How many different ones could one have?

And with just What in Particular did you NOT agree?!?!?! Just kidding, Andreas - What I really wanted to know about was - - - - - wait for it - - - - - pez dispensers. LOL LOL NEVER in my wildest dreams did I picture you as a collector of pez dispensers. What else do I not know about you that I feel I should, in order to keep thinking of you as a friend?!?!?!?!?!? Are there other, hidden, aspects of your personality that I should know about?!?!?!?! Do you root for Moldavia (instead of Austria) in Football? Do you think hockey isn't a real sport? Do you think vanilla ice cream is a communist plot? The world needs to know!!! - Keith

What Ivo said!!! Woo Hoo - More FRESH MEAT!!! (That's an LOL) But really, WELCOME to "The Other Side"! I'm yet another who was brought to Waymarking through the chance encounter of a Benchmark in my then hometown, this back in 2012. After working out the complexities and peculiarities of the site, I ended up sticking around and am still here. Through the years it has transpired that Waymarking has led me to many places I otherwise would never have visited and to making friends I otherwise would never have met. Here, you may eventually meet some cranks and a few (very few) folks you'd prefer to not invite over for dinner, but, they will pale into the background in comparison to the many wonderful folks you'll meet who constitute the backbone of this small, but avid, community. Just as in Geocaching, here you'll be presented with the opportunity to meet some very interesting and accommodating folks from many countries and cultures, this to me being one of the greatest attractions of the place. As an example, the first "welcome" here was submitted by a Dutchman, and the second by myself, a Canucky... ... and, unless I miss my guess, you may well get a welcome from a couple of Frenchmen, an Austrian, a couple of Germans, a Spaniard, a Finn, a Portuguese, and maybe even a Czech or two. So, Papy, Thierry, Andreas, Erik, Andreas, Ariberna, Kai, Pedro and Tony, let's hear from yall!!! Let's Welcome this cycling nut into the fold in REAL INTERNATIONAL STYLE!!! Again, WELCOME, and, above all, HAVE FUN!!! "Vicious Cycle" - I will assume that you spend an inordinate amount of time atop and astride a pair of tall, spoked wheels. Keith

Well, Ivo, judging by the complete and utter lack of response to date, I am about to go out on a limb and suggest that others in the community are at as complete a loss as myself with regard to what, exactly, it is that you propose here. Not being a member of the geological profession, I have no idea what might constitute a "typesite location", nor am I familiar with "archeological culture", or even what might lead to a "material tradition", though I will admit that a "geological formation" has been within my vocabulary for eons. "link[ing] a certain location to a certain archeological culture or material tradition or geological formation" may sound to you a splendid idea, but, outside your profession it, as a proposal to action, appears to be falling on deaf ears. Here we have a proposal more in need of Expansion, Explanation, Education and Elucidation than any I've encountered in this life time, or in any others, for that matter. Keith

Problem solved - Bear and Ragged, I can guarantee you that both officers are "solid as a rock" with regard to their reliability and abilities! Mind you, neither are English speakers, especially pmaupin (AKA Phil, AKA Papy), but that's never hindered either in the past. Keith

Cool! if not quite today, you likely have a valuable, resalable, if not usable, tape deck which may or may not have been a "fake", but will be quite desirable in just a few decades. Just kidding!!! Over the years I have managed to give away more than a few old stereo components, some near top line, such as Marantz, that I never thought would ever become valuable. Had I gotten full "antique" value from the stuff I've given away or trashed, including old computer stuff, I could prolly buy myself another house!!! Keith

Now this is how a true human being would address his contemporaries... And yes, this is a response to the recently closed thread concerning the gripes and complaints addressed therein, which eventually turned south, from which I will reiterate the penultimate, and certainly the most pertinent, comment submitted, this by my dear friend, Papy: It might be time to stop these bickering kids, it's like in a schoolyard. We are adults, Waymarking is a game, and we play it with great pleasure, in order to discover places, monuments, shops, stories, ....., to the community. None of us are immune to making mistakes (me and others), but it's part of the game, so let's continue with joy and good humor. Papy Phil Smile - Be Happy - don't p#*s away your short time on this planet! Keith