Thanks for the New Google Map

2.1k · October 26, 2007

Here are a couple tips for best results if you are printing out the map:

1. Select File > Print Preview > Landscape (In IE it's a horizontal sheet of paper with an A on it)

2. Take the scale down to about 80%

Once you select these attributes they will remain for your session. Print away!

October 26, 2007

I like most of the changes! Thanks guys! (And "guys" is a non-gender-specific term here. Just in case.)

I would, however, like to add my request that bookmark lists (and the ability to see/hide them) be added.

October 26, 2007

... directed over here from another thread.

Great improvements. Thanks for bringing back the list on the side and the option for numbers.

First -- big DITTO! Great look on the icons, I especially like the fact that disabled caches show with the orange surround. Also, I just noticed the 'Topo' and 'DOQ' button options for the map data. Excellent!

Now one tweak.... when I click 'hide my finds' and 'hide my caches', could those be removed from the list on the right sidebar as well? There are areas of a nearby town that is pretty cache dense and I have found many caches there, but when I want to use the 'hide my finds' option to see what is left, I can spot them on the map pretty quickly, but I can't easily see them from the list.

And, I just did read in this thread about how updating that list of caches will be very difficult with each click of a checkbox. Could it be done with a 'refresh list' function button that would take into account the checkbox settings? I wouldn't be opposed to hitting 'refresh list' when I needed to.

Thanks!

(Firefox 2.0.0.8)

October 26, 2007

Wow! This latest version of GoogleMaps for Geocachers really rocks. I guess I can throw away all my topographic and DOQ software packages that I used to use to plan my caching in the hills, because now I can just screen copy or print the GoogleMaps output. I also appreciate the simple numbering option for geocaches on the map screen, since that's exactly what I did with a single page printout page I carry for each of the caches I'm about to look for. Thanks for the greatly improved maps!

2.1k · October 26, 2007

... directed over here from another thread.

Great improvements. Thanks for bringing back the list on the side and the option for numbers.

First -- big DITTO! Great look on the icons, I especially like the fact that disabled caches show with the orange surround. Also, I just noticed the 'Topo' and 'DOQ' button options for the map data. Excellent!

Now one tweak.... when I click 'hide my finds' and 'hide my caches', could those be removed from the list on the right sidebar as well? There are areas of a nearby town that is pretty cache dense and I have found many caches there, but when I want to use the 'hide my finds' option to see what is left, I can spot them on the map pretty quickly, but I can't easily see them from the list.

And, I just did read in this thread about how updating that list of caches will be very difficult with each click of a checkbox. Could it be done with a 'refresh list' function button that would take into account the checkbox settings? I wouldn't be opposed to hitting 'refresh list' when I needed to.

Thanks!

(Firefox 2.0.0.8)

Well, interesting that you bring up the "refresh list" idea. We *had* it this way but Internet Explorer was not cooperating. Basically it was locking up the pages (Firefox performed admirably). The technical challenge to add this feature, and the feature to update the cache list on the right when you check/uncheck, is prodigious.

October 26, 2007

The map has really improved over the last couple of weeks. One bug that I came across today is that when I download to GPS from the bubble on the map, it locks the map. It downloads fine to my GPS, but then the map is locked up, and I have to refresh the map. Thanks for all the improvements.

2.1k · October 26, 2007

The map has really improved over the last couple of weeks. One bug that I came across today is that when I download to GPS from the bubble on the map, it locks the map. It downloads fine to my GPS, but then the map is locked up, and I have to refresh the map. Thanks for all the improvements.

Thanks, we'll look into this.

October 26, 2007

Still can't download to GPS with this new map.

How so? Are you clicking on the icon and not seeing the text "Send to GPS"?

-Raine

I am still having the same problem. Instead of sending to the Geocache listing it is sent to the Waypoints list with a blue dot instead of the closed cache chest. You have to manually open each one in the Waypoints listing and change the icon before it appears on the cache listing. Also the title is still GEOCACHE. I tried it yesterday to see if it was working since the map is working with the numbered cache locations but no luck so I am patiently waiting.

October 26, 2007

Here are a couple tips for best results if you are printing out the map:

1. Select File > Print Preview > Landscape (In IE it's a horizontal sheet of paper with an A on it)

2. Take the scale down to about 80%

Once you select these attributes they will remain for your session. Print away!

Yes, I have done all of this and it is still a small map. I have changed my display resolution and that doesn't change things too much. One real concern is that the number of caches doesn't refresh after a certain zoom level. If I get done to where I can see 30 caches for example, the search list may show 100 or more. This presents a problem if you chose the "Show Numbers on Map' option because if you chose to print the map you are seeing that has 30 caches on it, the first page of your printout will have a small map and the right-hand column showing the numbered caches, and then you will have page after page of a blank sheet with the exception of a right-hand column that continues the numbered caches. Is there not a way for it to actually be a WYSIWYG?

October 26, 2007

wow I like the new update. Bigger icons, list on the left and numbers! Now we can print it out again!

I believe you are working to refresh the list when we select/unselect a type of cache?

Thanks for the hard work!

But have you actually tried to print a map out yet? I have and it is not very functional.

No! Well from what I was seeing on the screen I thought it would be fine. I cannot test it at this minute but will later.

What I meant was that a screen capture and print will be fine for me now with bigger cache icons, cache numbered and the list on the left.

I think you will find the screen capture and print will not work well. If your screen shows more than about 15 numbered caches in the search results, you are only going to get a print out of the map and those 15 caches and if the caches you are looking for aren't in the first 15...you won't see them. If you try to do a regular print/print preview, you will see the map on page 1 and then page after page of nothing but the rest of the numbered caches showing in the search results.

October 26, 2007

I think you will find the screen capture and print will not work well. If your screen shows more than about 15 numbered caches in the search results, you are only going to get a print out of the map and those 15 caches and if the caches you are looking for aren't in the first 15...you won't see them.

oops true... but I usually zoom enough so that don't happen. Later after work I will try the print.

October 26, 2007

The technical challenge to add this feature, and the feature to update the cache list on the right when you check/uncheck, is prodigious.

But you have to agree it's a must. Either automatic or manual refresh is needed.

If Raine needs help and he agree to share some part of the code then I'm sure someone in the ocmmunity will be glad to help.

October 26, 2007

Well, interesting that you bring up the "refresh list" idea. We *had* it this way but Internet Explorer was not cooperating. Basically it was locking up the pages (Firefox performed admirably). The technical challenge to add this feature, and the feature to update the cache list on the right when you check/uncheck, is prodigious.

Ok, so you have to own a GPS in order to go geocaching, so why not "you have to install Firefox to use our awesomest maps with the mostest and bestest features" . Us Firefox users are not opposed to having more features than IE. Actually, we're quite used to the situation.

October 26, 2007

I would like to suggest collapsable navigation for the items on the right side of the map.

The list of caches may be helpful to some, but not to me. I like the pop-up bubbles, which contain all the information I need, and a link to get to the cache page, if I need more information.

The selection boxes for types of caches maybe helpful at times, but I don't use them all of the time.

The bubbles around the cache icons don't really do it for me. I liked the old way without the bubbles.

Perhaps if the navigation and selection aids on the right side of the map were collapsable, then they wouldn't be displayed for everyone by default. Perhaps that could eliminate some server load, as the page could be "smart" enough to determin if the collapsable navigation were opened or closed, and only query the db or the web server for that information if needed. Also, a check box to turn on/off the bubbles around the cache icons would be nice so I could turn them off. My suggestions may or may not be beneficial to the map project, but these are things I would like to see. And since you guys are so talented, I'm sure you could make then work if they are beneficial.

Thanks for the great work on the project, Raine, and GC.com crew. You guys ROCK!

KRnlKilR

October 26, 2007

Well, interesting that you bring up the "refresh list" idea. We *had* it this way but Internet Explorer was not cooperating. Basically it was locking up the pages (Firefox performed admirably). The technical challenge to add this feature, and the feature to update the cache list on the right when you check/uncheck, is prodigious.

Ok, so you have to own a GPS in order to go geocaching, so why not "you have to install Firefox to use our awesomest maps with the mostest and bestest features" . Us Firefox users are not opposed to having more features than IE. Actually, we're quite used to the situation.

I have Firefox and the refresh doesn't work. Maybe they backed it out when it didn't work in IE.

2k · October 26, 2007

The zoom feature is nice, working great. Can it be setup for PQ's as well?

You are doing a great job on these maps, keep up the good work!

2.5k · October 26, 2007

Well, interesting that you bring up the "refresh list" idea. We *had* it this way but Internet Explorer was not cooperating. Basically it was locking up the pages (Firefox performed admirably). The technical challenge to add this feature, and the feature to update the cache list on the right when you check/uncheck, is prodigious.
Ok, so you have to own a GPS in order to go geocaching, so why not "you have to install Firefox to use our awesomest maps with the mostest and bestest features" . Us Firefox users are not opposed to having more features than IE. Actually, we're quite used to the situation.
I have Firefox and the refresh doesn't work. Maybe they backed it out when it didn't work in IE.

I assumed that because it locked up IE they took the feature out altogether. If I'm right, it shouldn't work, 'cuz it isn't there.

I've noticed that it appears the list thinks the map is taller than it shows. I've zoomed out from my home coords, and without zooming back in (so it isn't a refresh thing) a whole row of caches just south of the edge of the map show up on the list. Here's my best representation:

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