Feature Request : Distance to cache on individual state results page

[+FormZ]

Why is the distance column omitted from the results table when you click on the "List newest in State Name" link (located in the right column of your Quick View page)? The distances show up on the results page when you run a regular "seek" query, but are absent from the page when you run a query for the latest caches for a particular state. Both of these queries appear to be hitting the same active server page script, "nearest.aspx". The only difference is that the second one passes the script the variable for the state ID (nearest.aspx?state_id=10).

 

This would be beneficial to users for two reasons:

 

1) It would make the user interface more consistent, which is one of the hallmarks of a well designed GUI. That column is the only thing that changes between these two results pages, and I can not think of a reason why it would be omitted. Having them consistent should also simplify the logic used on the page, which may in turn eliminate some duplicate coding efforts if and when the page needs to be modified.

 

2) It would be very, very helpful when reviewing the latest set of caches posted to the users state page. This makes it easy for the user to determine if any of these latest caches are close enough to their home coordinates to either add to their bookmark list of caches to find, or consider going out on a quick FTF attempt. Right now the user has to click on each new post to find the distance to the cache, and more often than not finds that they are 100+ miles away. The ability to quickly isolate new caches of interest would be very helpful.

 

Since it is already part of the scripting, would it be possible to have this feature activated on the queries using a state ID?

 

Thanks,

FormZ

[+StarBrand]

As a premium member you can make use of the instant notify feature to see any new caches with 50 miles of your home coords. You get an email within minutes after the publish entry.

 

Also can create a PQ for new caches in any area you specify. Then use the preview option to look at it anytime you want.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/notify

 

http://markwell.us/pq.htm

Edited February 22, 2008 by StarBrand

[+PhxChem]

As a premium member you can make use of the instant notify feature to see any new caches with 50 miles of your home coords. You get an email within minutes after the publish entry.

 

While that is an OK quasi-work around, why can't they just display the distance?

[+FormZ]

While that is an OK quasi-work around, why can't they just display the distance?

 

Exactly my point. Several weeks ago I set up three instant notifications... on for new traditional caches, one for new multi-caches, and one for new unknown caches within 20 miles of my home coords. That is very helpful, but it is still a work around. It would be so much easier, especially for newcomers, if the distance was simply displayed on the results page in the same fashion they are on the regular search results page.

 

In many cases, this would avoid the need to create these custom instant notification pages. From a server admin point of view, that could be helpful as it would also lighten a bit of the server load created by generating and sending these custom queries.

[+Team LightningBugs]

I've always wondered why it's missing from this search as well. I would find that info very useful.