+DHJ&P Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I would like to propose a new feature for cache listing pages. Would it be possible to have a “private note” area available on cache pages? I would use this area to record notes for puzzle clues, or any information I wish to keep specifically about that cache, but not want others to see. I currently keep such notes on an Excel spreadsheet, but it would be nicer to have them attached to the specific cache. What do others think? Compared with the work to improve the maps recently, I would think this would be a simple feature to add. Yours Dave Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Third party software such as GSAK, GPXSonar and Cachemate already does this off line much better than the spreadsheet method or even an on-line method could do. Link to comment
+DHJ&P Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Third party software such as GSAK, GPXSonar and Cachemate already does this off line much better than the spreadsheet method or even an on-line method could do. TotemLake, Thanks for the reply. I have GSAK, but can't get to grips with it. I don't find it very intuitive to use. I am sure these 3rd party data managers are very good, but they seem to need a lot of time investment in order to us successfully. My idea is just to have a simple text box that only the “logged on” person can see on the Geocaching site. I guess my next question is to ask if software such as GSAK really worth the time investment for the extra features it gives? While I can use spreadsheets and similar programs on a PC, I am no database expert. Dave Link to comment
+dino-irl Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 That's your call but I suggest you go to the GSAK Forums and start asking for help. They're very helpful and should help you to get the most out of the package. http://gsak.net Link to comment
+DavidMac Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 You can use Bookmark lists to achieve the same thing. Just be sure that you make the list private, or others can see your notes. I have one that I use to keep track of solved puzzles, putting the coordinates in the notes field. Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Third party software such as GSAK, GPXSonar and Cachemate already does this off line much better than the spreadsheet method or even an on-line method could do. TotemLake, Thanks for the reply. I have GSAK, but can't get to grips with it. I don't find it very intuitive to use. I am sure these 3rd party data managers are very good, but they seem to need a lot of time investment in order to us successfully. My idea is just to have a simple text box that only the “logged on” person can see on the Geocaching site. I guess my next question is to ask if software such as GSAK really worth the time investment for the extra features it gives? While I can use spreadsheets and similar programs on a PC, I am no database expert. Dave GSAK takes the database problems out of the database. You don't need to be a database expert to use it in its simplest offerings which private notes is pretty basic. It is feature rich for however much you want to use out of it without having to reinvent the wheel with a spreadsheet. I'm not a power user on it, but I do use it and GPXSonar to maintain private notes. The best part about GSAK is you can grow into the features when you're ready whereas with a spreadsheet, you have to take the time to develop the features you think you want to use. The learning curve tradeoff is do yo learn to use what's already in GSAK or do you learn how to develop what isn't already in the spreadsheet that you might be reinventing where GSAK is concerned. So to answer your question... Yes, it is worth the expense in terms of cost and time to learn how to use it. Link to comment
+ClydeE Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 .... And for a quick leg up on how to access the user notes feature in GSAK see this post Link to comment
+ChileHead Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Bookmarks are the way to go for this! I have a bookmark named "Notepad". If I have notes I want to make on a cache, I just bookmark it to my notepad list, and type in a comment. I think everything you want is already here! Link to comment
+JDandDD Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 GSAK is dead easy to use for personal notes. That for me is one the useful features for storing puzzle solutions, unique things about a cache, what it looks like etc. There is a notes column, the 4th one with the little notepad above it. Go to the cache line, double click on the box and up pops the notes editor. Dead simple. JD Link to comment
+DHJ&P Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Many thanks to everyone for taking time to reply to me. I will go for GSAK and make the time to learn its features over the winter. Once again, thanks your help and advice. Dave Link to comment
+pengi Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 It is possible to do a personal note on the cache page, but only for premiums... Use the bookmark-tool and write the note in the bookmark. Link to comment
+simpjkee Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 just print out the cache page and write on it. Link to comment
+DHJ&P Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 just print out the cache page and write on it. I could do this, but the amount of paper is building up - and I can't access paper kept at home when I am staying away from home. Dave Link to comment
+ChileHead Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 just print out the cache page and write on it. I could do this, but the amount of paper is building up - and I can't access paper kept at home when I am staying away from home. Dave Which is why I like the bookmark feature better than what GSAK provides - it's always available from any network connection. Link to comment
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