PapaDean

Well don't that beat all. I had looked over several caches and attributes didn't show up. I assumed they weren't working, but when I just checked my own caches and some other local ones, there they are! I'd never given it much thought before and just assumed we all put attributes in when we make up the listing for our caches. Now that I've done an informal survey--sometimes people do and sometimes they don't. In our neck of the woods, with 15-50 inches of snow on the ground currently, geocaching tends to go into hibernation. For those of us crazy enough to try caching in spite of the blanket on the ground, the winter accessible attribute would be helpful, but most locals probably figure no one is out hunting. Thanks for the responses. PapaDean

Recently, when I go to a cache listing page, the attributes are missing. After searching the forum, I don't see this as being something noticed or discussed. Am I the only one with the problem? If not, anybody know what's up? It's winter here and most caches are under 2 or more feet of snow. No point in looking for them if they don't have the WINTER accessible icon on the attributes. Thanks. Papadean

I use Mozilla 1.7.7 and have not been getting the maps for about 2 weeks. PapaDean The maps are back, as of about October 28. Thanks guys. Your hard work is much appreciated. PapaDean

I use Mozilla 1.7.7 and have not been getting the maps for about 2 weeks. PapaDean

I joined with a basic membership to find out how persistent my enthusiasm for geocaching would be (so far, very) and how interested the rest of the family would be (disappointing). As you point out, the added value to be a Premium Member is not great, as you give away the real substance of what is needed. I never thought of myself as a 'freeloader' and the PMs as footing the bill. The thought never crossed my mind, nor did the thought of who was working so hard to provide the needed resource for my fun, or how they paid the bills. Then with the latest site changes, I learned about a really nice and responsive person named Raine who was making things better for me. And now a person named Jeremy who has been under the yoke for a long, long pull. I'm going to sign up for a premium membership in just a couple minutes. Not because someone called me a freeloader, but because I appreciate what you've done for all of us and I want you to keep it going. Maybe more folks would pay to play, if they understood that doing so was essential to the viability of the sport; that it's not just about member only caches or .gpx downloads, but necessary for you to continue providing the service. Right now, I'm recalling the quarterly fund drives on NPR, which annoy me, but I accept as necessary. Perhaps you could set up a periodic message to each of us Basic Freeloaders when we sign on, not criticizing but reminding us of what we're getting for free and appealing for us to pony us the pittance that Premium Membership costs. If nothing else, publicize that premium members don't get annoying ads. That should be worth $30 to lots of folks. Thanks, Jeremy. Thanks, rest of the Groundspeak crew.

I believe one of the reasons for leaving sold items on the board is to give users a chance to look back and see what things have been priced at and sold for in the recent past. That being said, historical prices over 3-6 months old are probably not useful. Perhaps the moderators could advise what criteria they use to remove listings for sold items?

Caveat emptor. I originally assumed that anyone warped enough to be geocaching would be sensible, honest, considerate, etc. After spending about 2 minutes reading messages exchanged on the board, considerate went by the wayside. After visiting the Garage Sale 4-5 times, I realized there are some people who are not warped geocachers like most of us, but merchants, who show up and sell their wares, sometimes getting shut down by the moderator. And among these merchants, there are a very few who appear to intentionally price their product higher than informed people would be willing to pay, apparently hoping to catch a neophyte. Many of the unrealistic prices, however, come from honest folks who don't realize that in the 37 days since they bought their GPSr, the price has dropped 30% and they set their price too high. After surveying the board a couple months ago, I found that experienced users had almost always had satisfactory transactions. As the other responders have pointed out, do your homework on what the product has been selling for recently on the board or EBay, do whatever it takes to satisfy yourself that the product is as advertised, and check out the seller, too, if you're real anxious.

Imagine my surprise to log in, go to an impossible cache I'm watching and there on the screen is a really nice Yahoo map! When I click on the underlined number 10, it zooms out. How cool is that! I don't know who did what, but I'm very appreciative. PapaDean

Sorry if I gave offense at the offer, Raine. I was describing the supreme, and most highly paid, technology position in our humble institution, not meaning any disrespect. I ran Adaware earlier today, removed the only significant item and still don't get anything but the tiny square is still there and it still takes me to the waterfront.

Mozilla, Windows XP (maybe pro) but no vista. (A hearty thank you to whomever first suggested not installing version X.0 of any Microsoft product) We just upgraded our hardware and half of the software at work. I think that as a result the IT guy is mostly used up, so we may have an opening. How do you feel about wearing long underwear 9 months of the year?

Your referenced thread seems to be a private conversation amongst friends with a secret language. This map problem happens to me when I am logged in. So, how come I don't have the yahoo map that is supposed to cover the Easter Egg?

I've searched for messages on this subject and not found anything quite matching. Sorry if I missed it. When I display a cache listing with the new format, instead of the former small, low detail map on the lower right part of the page, I have a tiny square. Recently, a row of underlined numbers, 1-10, have been added. When I click the little square icon, I don't go to a map of the cache listing, I get a map of Seattle with some caches marked on the street map and a column listing them on the right. It's always Seattle. I like Seattle, but none of the caches I've looked into recently have been within 700 miles of the Emerald City. I use mozilla as my browser and have no idea how I've got my java settings. To Raine and others, Thanks for all your hard work to give us such a terrific web site and keep it working smoothly, and usually quickly. Over the years as a manager, I've been surprised at the variety of responses to change. An amazing number of people are very unsettled by change, even if it produces something better for them in the long run. Keep up the good work. In time, those who don't like change will be defending what you've developed today and once again asking you to leave it alone. PapaDean

Don't be too sure about that. We're everywhere!

What brand of sausage do you like? I'm still trying to find a replacement for our local meat processor's deer sausage since they retired.

In this era of Ultralight/fast backpacking, it's good to know there are other folks who will carry in unnecessary stuff just for comfort. My luxury item is an inflatable pillow for which my wife made a fleece cover. I never slept well with wadded up clothes serving as a pillow, but with my fleecy head rest I have a much better night. I think it's well worth the weight penalty. PapaDean

I use the eTrex yellow for work, and I have an eTrex Legend CX at home. The legend doesn't have a memory card. The USB cable is not interchangeable with my digital camera, or anything else that I own, for that matter. Perhaps it's different with the Venture? Not sure where Briansnat is getting his info. Maybe I'm confusing myself. Who knows... but the Legend CX is pure joy to use, compared to the yellow. However, I have had some minor glitches to deal with, but they don't present a huge problem. There may be a little misunderstanding here. The -X GPSr's from Garmin all have the ability to use memory cards. Perhaps nonaeroterraqueous does not have one installed or perhaps his unit is actually a Legend C. I believe Briansnat has nailed your question. I once discussed getting a Legend Cx with someone from Garmin and he recommended the Venture Cx for exactly the reasons cited. Offhand, I can't tell you how much mapping you can get on the 32 or 64MB card sold with the Legend Cx, but it takes 512 MB to 1 GB to have the whole Mapsource North America on your card. Micro SD cards of this size can be had for from $15-65, depending on how hard to look for a bargain. Hence, buying the Venture Cx plus a separate card, and using the USB cable you already have, gets you a better set up than buying the Legend Cx, at a slightly lower price. PapaDean

Does anyone have or know where to buy at reasonable price, a PC interface cable for my Garmin II+. It's a 4 pin to serial cable and is apparently the same one used on the GPSIII+, GPS12 series, and possibly even newer models. Garmin's product number is 010-10141-00. Thanks for any help.

EBay gets a lot of mention in the Garage Sale. I'm a pepetural bargain hunter but I won't shop at pawn shops because I assume the stuff has a fair chance of having been stolen and hocked. I have a vaguely uneasy feeling about EBay, possibly for the same reason. I'm curious if it's just me. What are people's thoughts, feelings, experiences with EBay? PapaDean, cheapskate from way back.

I use a Garmin II+ for geocaching and it is generally right on. I can't say how it compares to newer units as I haven't used them in the field, but it's worked well for me. If you want it for other things, the newer units may have features you want. I think they also have higher clarity on the screens, so the II+ looks a little coarse by comparison. If it's just for geocahching, the Garmin III will do the job. As previously suggested, check the features at the Garmin site so you know what you would be getting.--only you can decide which is the best bang for your buck.

You guys are sooo fast. How's a guy with a job and a need for sleep ever going to get a bargain around here. PapaDean