bluesnote

That's odd. It seems to be working fine now. Let's see how this plays out since I've never seen so many error messages trying to navigate the site.

This morning the site worked perfectly. All of a sudden, as I'm logging up on visits from this passed weekend, I get an error message. Then I get another, and another and another. Everything on the site is unusable. Any link on the website, I get error messages. On entire website I get error messages and extremely long wait times between them. It just started for me at 2 pm PST. Anyone else having the same issue, or is this just my server?

Thank you elyob! Waymarking has made me learn so much more about the rich history in every little town I've been to. Geocaching helps me find those places. Almost 10 years later, I've nearly posted 10,000 waymarks. And the addiction to learn and explore just keeps on growing...

Yes, I have noticed this too. It only happens to photos that are taller than wider. In the gallery, you'll see black lines on either side to fill in the gaps. This is very anoying since if you look at the waymark by searching for it, you'll notice a new issue as well. The photo is not centerd in the main photo. It's on the left side of the photo frame, leaving a white space with a line where the photo should have filled in. I've noticed this with my iPhone photos and have not tried it with photos from my other cameras. I've only noticed this in the passed week. Also prior to this if you are uploading a photo from a phone, like I do most of the time through safari instead of downloading it to the computer, that the photo will not be cropped correctly. For example, it would be leaning on its side. The only way to fix it is to change the orientation of the photo, save it in a different orientation (180 degrees for example) and then re-save it in its original orientation. I've been doing that on my phone and on my computer, both of which are a pain in the butt especially if you have hundreds of photos in this orientation. To answer your question, I believe this is a site wide issue and not any specific server or computer issue. Let's just hope this isn't going to turn into what happened last year

Actually, with the Caching the Bay Mega event coming up next weekend in San Jose it might be possible for a meet up with a few other major waymarkers, since I know DougK and Saopaulo1 live in the Bay Area with Metro2 and myself residing in the southern part of the state. For those of you that are going, it might be an interesting meet an greet since I've never met any major waymarkers before. I might even wear my Waymarking shirt. As for a new category, I'd be down for that but I don't think it's feasible since they are only available to visit once. Unless we make them publish through Groundspeak and they are only averrable at Megas and Gigas. I like the idea, but many of these events would get only 1 visit and that's from the waymark owner. I only know a few, literally only 4, waymarkers who live in my area within my county (Orange) compared to cachers who's numbers would be about 100-200. I've hosted a few cache events while trying to promote Waymarking and many of them just ignore it. They think it's that little useless button you click on the cache page, but it's much more than that. It's virtual geocaching, but unfortunately many just don't see the positives that come with Waymarking. It's similar to why I stopped doing Munzees since I don't see much of a value in it. Geocaching, you find a physical container which is really cool. Waymarking, you find a physical location which is really awesome. Both go hand in hand and that's why I have enjoyed the hobby for nearly a decade.

Personally, I've posted hundreds of waymarks in this category. I know the struggle of copying the text from the photo can be a pain, especially if the text is small and long. Here's what I suggest before sending a group email: -Go to HMDB.org and search for the marker. Some are already on the site with the full text, so you can copy and paste it. -If it's not on HMDB.org, then you should actually type the entire text. Yes, it's long and boring, but you may find yourself getting a few additional waymarks from reading the text a few times. Examples would be "First of its Kind" or "Last.." or even a "Superlative". These words and phrases are hidden inside the marker. If you read the marker a few times, you may find yourself posting more waymarks. In the past, I've always typed out the text weather it was copied from an additional source. Likewise, I too, sometimes feel that a few waymarks are decline for unjustifiable reasons not explicitly stated in the requirements. Changing the requirements are easier said than done. Most of the time, the category leader is inactive, especially for older categories. Photos that require GPS are no long required by any category to make Waymarking more enjoyable. Overtime, requirements are changed and that change can be seen with recently published ones. I suggest that you actually type out the entire text of the marker. Every waymark I've seen in that categoy has the text copied in the description. It's a good way to spice up a waymark. I would advise not to ask the reviewers about it since you'll likely get the same answer I'm telling you now. But, that could also not be the case and you could be entirely in the right by bringing up a concern. When in doubt, contact them. They'll give you the correct answer.

I've just edited the description to be more clear about the countries. Let me know if there is anything else I should add.

Good point. Yes, most waymarkers live in the US, Canada, and Europe with little to none in other parts of the globe including Latin America. There is not much the Waymarking community can do if it is inexperience that holds down this category due to the officers not living domestically within these regions. I have chosen my officers on the premise experience. For example, saopaulo1 is the top waymarker in Brazil and has spent much time down there. It even says on his profile page that he's lived there, which is the main reason why he's posted so many waymarks. Ernmark is currently the main waymarker when it comes to US Benchmarks and helps review most submissions. There's not much I could do for myself other than the fact I've been to Mexico a few times with the opportunity to find a few survey points / benchmarks which is the main reason to create this category. I do have some experience, but I've chosen my officers to help fill these gaps. I don't see how we would publish submissions that don't fit. If there's no proof that it's a benchmark / survey point or that if it's not in a Latin American country then it's pretty strait forward to deny the submission on the first try and I believe that's common sense to most categories and their names. The expanded description is meant to explain what exactly will be worthwhile when submitting waymarks. I truly don't believe this will be a total mess. With almost all categories, once they pass peer review there is a surge of submissions. Many of the are approved and are later declined after the category officers decides what is acceptable. Examples are pergolas that not all pergola structures are accepted, only unique artistic ones. We learned this after the fact. Also, the dated structures category back in 2014 also had a surge of submissions. Anything with a date on it was being submitted, including historical markers with text. It was later refined that only specific markers that can't fit anywhere to be accepted into the category. All new categories aren't going to be perfect once they pass peer reviewer. It obviously takes a few weeks to know how the community response and their perception and interpretation as to what is acceptable. It is up to the officers, me included, to later refine that. Here in the forums, we try to limit and express what others think so if this passes peer review we have an idea of what the community opinions are. But again, this is a pretty specific category. It's either a benchmark or it's not. Unlike where pergolas come in different shapes, sizes. There are numerous ways to date a building, but the dated structures category only will accepts submissions where they cannot be waymarked anywhere else. It's not like there will be much doubt if a benchmark is truly a benchmark and it should/shouldn't be accepted. I know that we've had similar categories that are intended for vacation goers. Antarctica Points of Interest, Disneyland/world benchmarks, Hidden Mickeys; just to name a few so it's not too unusual to have a category that will be pushed by vacations in these counties. Because it's such a broad area, I believe we would get enough submissions. Probably more than these categories. We also already have categories that cover broad areas such as European Post Offices which cover many counties.

Okay, I have removed Puerto Rico from the list because it's part of the US. I thought I could include it since it's visited often, and could be more globally accepted unlike many other Latin America countries such as Guatemala which is rarely waymarked at all. Should I included all Caribbean nations as well so benchmarks in those countries have a place? I've narrowed down what we would accept and decline a little more clear. Please let me know if there's anything I could add or delete. Thanks!

After much consideration, here's my proposal for a new category. It encompasses all of Central and South America benchmarks and survey points. Thoughts? Ideas? Concerns? Let's hear them! http://www.Waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=61daaad8-c3c5-4748-9fc2-e272858bd4c5&gid=6&exp=True

Actually, last year would have been perfect to log this photo goal since it was 3/14/15 and the first 5 digits in pi are 3.1415... This year is also good too if you round it up: 3.1415926... --- 3/14/16

I got the final coordinates and code when I get within 27 meters. I'm not real impressed with the reverse WIG's... I spoof my coordinates and can solve them from home before seeking the final. I know when you complete one you get a completion code to enter on the WIG page so you can log it, but how do you create a reverse WIG? There's a code that you enter into the reverse WIG, so the system knows what coordinates to play around with. I want to know how to receive that code when hiding a container and marking the coordinates. Like a reverse, reverse WIG.

So, if there were like clipboards or pens from the Apollo Missions? Like other items that were only in the command module? I'd say that's a plausible idea. I don't want to get a head of ourself and post random objects, but I think we could have this category dedicated to anything that went to the moon and back. Maybe event include some aspects of the moon trees category as well. This would make it less confusing I think. But again, I don't think we should be posting 30 waymarks for a display case with pens from the Apollo missions; only one. Thank you for advising me that other spacecraft did return to earth with samples. I had a feeling that some did, but I was unsure. I'll add those to the category description. I also know that on Apollo 12, they brought back parts of Surveyor 3 which will also be added. I'll post an update soon when those changes have been made. Thanks for the suggestions.

Looks like I can't download it to my mac, so I tried my iPhone since it's one of the options. But I get an error message when I download it. Any suggestions? "Download Failed Safari cannot download this file."

What do you mean by this? Are you saying anything that was brought to the moon (and back) should be accepted? Could you explain?

I have found and completed a few reverse WIGs so I am very familiar on how they work. I decided that it was time to create a reverse WIG myself. So how do I do this? I've tried on the app (when selecting create under the original WIG reverse cartridge) and it says I'll get a code to enter but I never get the code. Is there a way to get the final coords for the cache and someone put them into a system to get the code?

Okay, the category has been edited. Two photos are now required, instead of three. I have also edited some typos and awkward phrases. I may have missed some. If there is anything else, let me know so I can edit it and move further along in the discussion. Is there anything else that I should add that we should accept into the category? Something that I may be missing? Thank you for all your support.

Yes I know. I will be editing the description today to make it more concise. My computer has autocorrect so when I am typing, it sometimes puts in phrases that don't always make sense. I'll make a new post in the forum when it has been updated. I will make this more clear in the category, but basically here is what I meant by that. Three photos if a plaque is present. Two photos if it's not. We need a bare minimum of two different angles of the specimen and one additional photo of the plaque to prove the specimen actually has had contact with lunar dust or is a real moon rock. If no plaque is there, then this photo can be submitted for a website so we can prove it's authenticity. Thank you for your feedback everyone!

I really like this idea. As a current student studying geology, I can see that this category is quite different and useful. I, myself, have found over 100 earthcaches and have created 60+. These signs help me create some of my earthcaches. I see these all the time and I don't think it's redundant enough to not pass peer review. These signs have no history to be included in the Signs of History Category. These signs aren't about Flora or Fauna and can't be submitted there either. Sometimes, these signs are placed a few miles from the actual geologic site which would mean that they don't go into the Place of Geologic Significance category. I've seen signs about mountains and such over 10 miles away from the actual site. Usually, these signs are at a rest stop or view point or along a trail. I think you can expand this category to include natural disasters as well such as historical markers about floods, or monuments about large earthquakes and tsunamis. Yes, there may be some crossing over, but most calories about historical markers do anyways. Here's a few of my waymarks that I think would be great additions to this category, if it passes. Some of these can cross over to more than two categories. http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMQF53_Silica_Dome_Overton_NV http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMPZPY_The_Confluence_of_the_Santa_Clara_and_Virgin_Rivers_St_George_UT http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMN2R1_Discovery_Well_Long_Beach_CA http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMPEX_The_San_Andreas_Fault_Palmdale_CA http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMC9H_The_San_Rafael_Swell_Emery_UT http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMDFCD_Las_Vegas_The_Meadows_Las_Vegas_NV http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9KN8_Mixocetus_Baleen_Whale_Aliso_Viejo_CA http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMJRAW_Volcano_Steam_Vents_Volcano_HI

In the past, I remember that we've had similar categories with this issue before. One example being Paleontology & Fossils, which do currently have some waymarks crossing over into the Rocks & Minerals category, but not all can cross over. Another example would be LEGO Sculptures and Models which, before this category, were submitted under the Figurative / Abstract Sculptures categories. This goes the same with Silhouette Sculptures. All of which, we've seen in the past and have gotten past peer review.

All, I have created a new category (Lunar Specimens) that I want some feedback on before putting it into a group vote. I think this category could be a great one, since I have made it very wide spread to include everything I could think of. I see a lot of potential here. Thoughts? http://www.Waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=97ce8dd0-9922-469a-b905-c60e6f8fef70&r=200&gid=6&exp=True bluesnote

Here's my Orange County, California Geocaches Facebook group. Feel free to check us out, or join if interested. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1460997120874259/

Here's a list of MUST DO caches in the Las Vegas Area that I've found. If you have any questions on them, please feel free to email me. Is this your first visit to Vegas? They have a free and paid monorail service between hotels that is quite useful. I don't know how much of an active cacher you are, but if caching is your first priority (like many of us) you can enjoy your time by doing these. Please note, I excluded virtuals since there are many in Vegas and I can't list everyone. GC27R8Y - clever puzzle and location at final GC1DJEC - library cache GC5151Q - great view GC8F7F -- I think the oldest physical cache along the strip GC2N7VK - near Atomic Testing Museum GC2AMJK - near Pinball Hall of Fame GC3178Z - near Vegas sign + a virtual cache GC4N9KP - 12 stage Wherigo within walking distance in shopping center GC4M1R1 - fun multi stage puzzle. Must have QR reader and car since some stages are .5 miles away from each other GCN2V0 - famous Vegas puzzle GC1NVKY - inside Clark County Museum + a virtual cache inside I hope this list helps you since these are my favorite must do caches. I'm sure there's a bunch more you can add to this list.

I got that message too by a "fake" cacher named "Gilmore9527". I'm already a premium member so I know it's a hacker website. On another note, I get emails everytime someone messages me through the message center. This time, I didn't. Could this be related? I only knew about this messages since I got a notification in my message box when I logged into geocaching.

As mentioned above, look for local events on the map. You can filter out which cache icons to each for near you. Also, you may want to see if your area has a yahoo group or Facebook group. That way, it is easier to stay in contact with other local cachers. I know for my area in Orange County, CA, we have about 5 different Facebook groups and a Yahoo group. Welcome back to geocaching!