Geocaching.com site update 11/08/11

[OpinioNate]

Read the last update's Release Notes

 

Update Mystery and Multi-cache Coordinates

 

In this release we make it possible for Basic and Premium Members to add "corrected" coordinates to Mystery and Multi-caches. Visit the cache page and click the pencil icon next to coordinates, paste your new coordinates in the field and submit. That's it! The new coordinates will be hidden from others so there is no reason to fear spoiling the final location. When you download the GPX from the cache your new coordinates are included. (Please note: Pocket Queries will include only the original cache coordinates for now, however that functionality will be added in a followup release).

 

 

 

Release Notes

• Added a feature to correct Multi and Mystery cache coordinates for personal use (note: Coordinates are fixed in individual GPX downloads however Pocket Query functionality will follow in another release)

• Added the ability for cache owners to delete spoiler log images without also deleting the log text

• Added GSAK, Sachsencacher.de, GeoGet and Cachebox to list of partner applications on geocaching.com/live

• When a geocache is created or edited we now associate (behind the scenes) a Yahoo GeoPlanet WOEID to the cache allowing us to tap into 6 million named places globally. This provides opportunities to expose the data in creative and helpful ways

• Separated out Challenge stats to a new profile tab and added the ability to view a user's Challenges completed and created, as well as your own accepted

• Avatars are now resized to 48 x 48, down from 75 x 75

• Added Romanian to the list of Geocaching.com supported languages

• Added new French translation of the Intro to Geocaching presentation at geocaching.com/tools/intro.aspx

• Updated site-down notice with Facebook link and “hamster” video

• When viewing a bookmark list you own it is now possible to see which caches in the list you have already found

• Transitioning away from User Voice and back to IPB forums for support inquiries and feedback

• Fixed map bug which caused the map not to update a Pocket Query properly when making changes to the PQ

• Fixed map bug which caused the mouse pointer to identify filtered caches by name even when the icon is hidden

• Fixed display of updated coordinates log in print-friendly version of cache pages to actually include the new coordinates

• Updated text for Discovering a trackable on the Travel Bug tutorial page

• Added clarification to Terms of Use, Section 3 (language now allows for under-18 usage of the website with parent or guardian supervision)

• Fixed the CITO gallery to include a log link when viewing an image

• Fixed link on /about/history.aspx page to updated noaa.gov description of Selective Availability

• Added new teaser video for "Discover" challenge type on types page

• Fixed display issue on Trackables pages when the title is especially long

 

 

Geocaching Live API Beta

 

The beta launch of the Geocaching Live API continues! This time we're pleased to announce four new partners:

 

Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (Coming Soon)

 

This application will scheduled to launch with Live support tomorrow. GSAK is the all-in-one Geocaching and waypoint management tool. Features include: Groundspeak API support, multiple databases, sending/receiving waypoints to GPSr, Google maps, conversion to many mapping formats, PDA output (including CacheMate support), HTML output, extensive searching, macro support, and much more. GSAK runs on Windows operating systems (2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7).

 

GeoGet

 

A complete geocaching solution for Windows. Import Pocket Queries, solve mystery caches, add notes, plan trips, and export information to the GPS or browse your database in your PDA.

 

CacheBox

 

Cachebox is a paperless mobile geocaching software for Android with offline database support and Geocaching.com Live API capability. Manage and find mystery caches with intelligent handling of Final Waypoints and the Mystery-Solver module. Features include multi-database support, image and spoiler view, Field Notes upload, track recording and viewing. Cachebox is a free open-source application.

 

Sachsencacher.de

 

Sachsencacher.de is a website providing statistical evaluation of geocache quality in Saxony (Germany) by examining log content.

[+Ike 13]

• Added a feature to correct Multi and Mystery cache coordinates for personal use (note: Coordinates are fixed in individual GPX downloads however Pocket Query functionality will follow in another release)

• Added the ability for cache owners to delete spoiler log images without also deleting the log text

• When viewing a bookmark list you own it is now possible to see which caches in the list you have already found

 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank YOU!

[+Semper Questio]

Can't wait toupdate my solved puzzle coords and then to have the appear in PQ data later. Thanks! That will be a nice convenience and time-saver!

[+thebruce0]

Many nice updates in this release. Props.

[+t4e]

this looks like a great update

[+Berta Nick Zoey]

So, I go to the website, and I see that it is down for maint. BUT!! Theres a link to a video of some cute little hampsters. I watch that video, and then some more video links show up. Theres this one where a guy decides to microwave a cockroach for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds goes by, he takes the cockroach from the microwave, places it on a paper towel and remarks "this looks better than a womans _____ Groundspeak, Im shocked.

[+AZTech]

Update Mystery and Multi-cache Coordinates

 

In this release we make it possible for Basic and Premium Members to add "corrected" coordinates to Mystery and Multi-caches. Visit the cache page and click the pencil icon next to coordinates, paste your new coordinates in the field and submit. That's it! The new coordinates will be hidden from others so there is no reason to fear spoiling the final location. When you download the GPX from the cache your new coordinates are included. (Please note: Pocket Queries will include only the original cache coordinates for now, however that functionality will be added in a followup release).

When using apps that access the API, like Neongeo or GSAK, will the original or "corrected" coordinates be returned, or both?

[+Raine]

So, I go to the website, and I see that it is down for maint. BUT!! Theres a link to a video of some cute little hampsters. I watch that video, and then some more video links show up. Theres this one where a guy decides to microwave a cockroach for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds goes by, he takes the cockroach from the microwave, places it on a paper towel and remarks "this looks better than a womans _____ Groundspeak, Im shocked.

 

Welcome to YouTube :\

[+Ike 13]

So, I go to the website, and I see that it is down for maint. BUT!! Theres a link to a video of some cute little hampsters. I watch that video, and then some more video links show up. Theres this one where a guy decides to microwave a cockroach for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds goes by, he takes the cockroach from the microwave, places it on a paper towel and remarks "this looks better than a womans _____ Groundspeak, Im shocked.

That has nothing to do with Groundspeak. Youtube links to 'similar videos' at the end of every video you play. The algorithms turn out some crazy results sometimes.

[+accessburn]

Thx for the Release

good ideas!

[GOF and Bacall]

Can't wait to get to my computer to see what it all looks like!

[+Familie Holmes]

very very nice!!! thx a lot... waiting for the pq-feature now.

 

but i dont see a link for da hamsters

[+t4e]

So, I go to the website, and I see that it is down for maint. BUT!! Theres a link to a video of some cute little hampsters. I watch that video, and then some more video links show up. Theres this one where a guy decides to microwave a cockroach for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds goes by, he takes the cockroach from the microwave, places it on a paper towel and remarks "this looks better than a womans _____ Groundspeak, Im shocked.

 

ROFL

[knowschad]

This possibly needs to be a separate thread, but for now, I'll just post it here. Can you elaborate on the WOEID entry?

 

When a geocache is created or edited we now associate (behind the scenes) a Yahoo GeoPlanet WOEID to the cache allowing us to tap into 6 million named places globally. This provides opportunities to expose the data in creative and helpful ways

 

I understand what a WOEID is (Googled it) but not clear what the Geocaching connection will be.

[+Castle Mischief]

When a geocache is created or edited we now associate (behind the scenes) a Yahoo GeoPlanet WOEID to the cache allowing us to tap into 6 million named places globally. This provides opportunities to expose the data in creative and helpful ways

 

So in simpler terms what does this mean exactly? To whom is the data being "exposed to" and what does that mean to me as a cache owner?

 

EDIT(Wow. Great minds, eh KC?)

Edited November 8, 2011 by Castle Mischief

[Moun10Bike]

 

I understand what a WOEID is (Googled it) but not clear what the Geocaching connection will be.

 

For one of many possibilities, consider county maps in statistics.

[+R@f]

Looking to the release notes, a very promising update.

Keep up the good work

[+hlk]

Can't wait to use this new feature work on my Garmin.

 

Looking also forward for the PQ and showing up in the iPhone app.

[OpinioNate]

Update Mystery and Multi-cache Coordinates

 

In this release we make it possible for Basic and Premium Members to add "corrected" coordinates to Mystery and Multi-caches. Visit the cache page and click the pencil icon next to coordinates, paste your new coordinates in the field and submit. That's it! The new coordinates will be hidden from others so there is no reason to fear spoiling the final location. When you download the GPX from the cache your new coordinates are included. (Please note: Pocket Queries will include only the original cache coordinates for now, however that functionality will be added in a followup release).

When using apps that access the API, like Neongeo or GSAK, will the original or "corrected" coordinates be returned, or both?

 

Well now that the feature is implemented we can create an API method to return the corrected coordinates when one of those apps requests them. So once the method is available those app developers will have to implement it on their end. It's not possible for it to just automatically show up like that unfortunately.

[+AZTech]

Update Mystery and Multi-cache Coordinates

 

In this release we make it possible for Basic and Premium Members to add "corrected" coordinates to Mystery and Multi-caches. Visit the cache page and click the pencil icon next to coordinates, paste your new coordinates in the field and submit. That's it! The new coordinates will be hidden from others so there is no reason to fear spoiling the final location. When you download the GPX from the cache your new coordinates are included. (Please note: Pocket Queries will include only the original cache coordinates for now, however that functionality will be added in a followup release).

When using apps that access the API, like Neongeo or GSAK, will the original or "corrected" coordinates be returned, or both?

 

Well now that the feature is implemented we can create an API method to return the corrected coordinates when one of those apps requests them. So once the method is available those app developers will have to implement it on their end. It's not possible for it to just automatically show up like that unfortunately.

That's what I figured, but thanks for the confirmation!

[+nittany dave]

I just updated the coordinates to a couple mystery caches that I've solved. Nice!

Often, there is only a minor change to posted coordinates so it would be nice if the posted coordinates were prepopulated in the entry box so we only have to type over the updated positions. But even without this it is a great step.

Looking forward to the apps recognizing this and the addition to PQs.

[+dfx]

Do any such corrected coordinates also change the cache icon's position on any of the maps?

[+nittany dave]

Do any such corrected coordinates also change the cache icon's position on any of the maps?

It does not appear to.

[+Raine]

It will change the coords on the maps on the PQ but not on the normal Geocaching Maps.

[+Gan Dalf]

Am I mistaken or did Challenges get added back to my overall Cache count. It sppears in some places but not all. I will delete my completed challenges (all 2 of them) if this is a permanant change.

[+molletje83]

"Update Mystery and Multi-cache Coordinates"

 

This is the best new feature, but... Why only for mystery and multi... I also got solution coordinates for "Letterboxes" and for re-visiting "Wherigo's" ... And maybe also som solutions for "Virtuals"...

[+niraD]

• Added a feature to correct Multi and Mystery cache coordinates for personal use (note: Coordinates are fixed in individual GPX downloads however Pocket Query functionality will follow in another release)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing how this feature is integrated into PQs, maps, and Geocaching Live apps.

 

• When viewing a bookmark list you own it is now possible to see which caches in the list you have already found

Nice. I'd like it better if bookmark list PQs could filter out found caches, but being able to easily prune found caches from my "solved unfound puzzles" bookmark list is a big improvement.

 

• Added new teaser video for "Discover" challenge type on types page

Maybe this belongs in the Challenges forum, but how do you plan to keep the required answers from becoming either irrelevant (the community can't see them to police bogus logs) or spoilers (the community can see them to police bogus logs)?

[Pup Patrol]

• Added the ability for cache owners to delete spoiler log images without also deleting the log text

 

Excellent!

 

Thank you for making this change.

[+The A-Team]

Do any such corrected coordinates also change the cache icon's position on any of the maps?

It does not appear to.

This is definitely something that needs to be fixed. The cache should show on the map at the corrected coordinates.

I also noticed it only allows you to edit the coordinates on Mystery and Multi caches, but it should be available for all cache types. There are caches like Letterbox-hybrids that end somewhere other than the posted coordinates, and there are several old Traditionals in my area that are really more like puzzles (like GCHHF2).

Otherwise, there are some great improvements in this release that have been a long time coming. I like the "Show finds in a bookmark list" and the fix for names still showing for hidden caches on the map.

[+nittany dave]

It will change the coords on the maps on the PQ but not on the normal Geocaching Maps.

Not sure what you mean by this.

I updated coordinates to a puzzle cache. Then I looked at the geocaching maps and it still showed in the old location (middle of a lake). Then I clicked on the PQ that this cache is contained in on the left side and the PQ cache symbol shows in the same place.

 

Are you talking about something else?

 

edit to add: same thing happens from the PQ page when I click to Preview in Google Maps.

Edited November 8, 2011 by nittany dave

[knowschad]

I am very impressed by the features you chose to impliment this time, guys!

 

The corrected coordinates feature may well mean that I will finally start picking up a few more puzzles in the future. I generally don't do them, even if I've solved them, because I don't keep a running GSAK database like some do.

 

Pocket Queries will include only the original cache coordinates for now, however that functionality will be added in a followup release

However, it won't really help me until I can get them in a Pocket Query. Edited November 8, 2011 by knowschad

[+South Lyon Trekkers]

I try hard not to be negative, but I am done with at when it comes to the maps. Another series of useless updates. I can correct coords on GSAK and will continue to do so. No reason to switch if not in pocket query. It's half-baked. Effort, even acknowledgement, needs to be placed on getting the maps useful. They are broken, broken on purpose. A feature taken away. It has been, what, June? since the maps were working with PQs. There is nothing I want to see more than the maps working with pocket queries. Anything else is a failure.

[+t4e]

I try hard not to be negative, but I am done with at when it comes to the maps. Another series of useless updates. I can correct coords on GSAK and will continue to do so.

 

good for you, but not everyone uses GSAK

[+South Lyon Trekkers]

Glad you decided NOT to focus on the intent of my message.

[+ToonAl]

I try hard not to be negative....

 

Ummm maybe not that hard since you took the time to write and entire response and hit submit. I mean isn't that a lot of work to be negative for someone trying not to be.

 

Of course, I asm working on being less sarcastic. The being a better person thing is quite a challenge.

[OpinioNate]

 

• Added new teaser video for "Discover" challenge type on types page

Maybe this belongs in the Challenges forum, but how do you plan to keep the required answers from becoming either irrelevant (the community can't see them to police bogus logs) or spoilers (the community can see them to police bogus logs)?

 

It's not possible to see either the logs or photos for a Discover Challenge you have not completed yourself. Those aspects of the Challenge details will be hidden until you enter the correct answer on the completion form.

[+South Lyon Trekkers]

Pick and choose and make up your own context. You won't find my posts to be very negative. But as I stated at the end of the sentence:"but I am done with at when it comes to the maps."

[+Gan Dalf]

Am I mistaken or did Challenges get added back to my overall Cache count. It sppears in some places but not all. I will delete my completed challenges (all 2 of them) if this is a permanant change.

[+pinkunicorn]

In this release we make it possible for Basic and Premium Members to add "corrected" coordinates to Mystery and Multi-caches. Visit the cache page and click the pencil icon next to coordinates, paste your new coordinates in the field and submit. That's it! The new coordinates will be hidden from others so there is no reason to fear spoiling the final location. When you download the GPX from the cache your new coordinates are included. (Please note: Pocket Queries will include only the original cache coordinates for now, however that functionality will be added in a followup release).

 

This is a great feature, but it feels like it's only half-done. As far as I can tell, even though I update the coordinates for a cache, it still appears on the map on its original coordinates.

 

It would also be very nice if caches with updated coordinates got an icon to indicate this. I suggest that they get a green checkmark added onto their original icon, so that I can tell which caches are solved and which are not.

[+Semper Questio]

Do any such corrected coordinates also change the cache icon's position on any of the maps?

It does not appear to.

This is definitely something that needs to be fixed. The cache should show on the map at the corrected coordinates.

I also noticed it only allows you to edit the coordinates on Mystery and Multi caches, but it should be available for all cache types. There are caches like Letterbox-hybrids that end somewhere other than the posted coordinates, and there are several old Traditionals in my area that are really more like puzzles (like GCHHF2).

Otherwise, there are some great improvements in this release that have been a long time coming. I like the "Show finds in a bookmark list" and the fix for names still showing for hidden caches on the map.

 

Not to mention caches with lousy coordinates. When someone provides better coords, it would be nice to put them in the corrected coords field. So, yeah. This is a great start, but definitely look into expanding this across all cache types!

[jholly]

 

I understand what a WOEID is (Googled it) but not clear what the Geocaching connection will be.

 

For one of many possibilities, consider county maps in statistics.

But I already had those.

[+C3GPS]

Do any such corrected coordinates also change the cache icon's position on any of the maps?

It does not appear to.

This is definitely something that needs to be fixed. The cache should show on the map at the corrected coordinates.

I also noticed it only allows you to edit the coordinates on Mystery and Multi caches, but it should be available for all cache types. There are caches like Letterbox-hybrids that end somewhere other than the posted coordinates, and there are several old Traditionals in my area that are really more like puzzles (like GCHHF2).

Otherwise, there are some great improvements in this release that have been a long time coming. I like the "Show finds in a bookmark list" and the fix for names still showing for hidden caches on the map.

 

Not to mention caches with lousy coordinates. When someone provides better coords, it would be nice to put them in the corrected coords field. So, yeah. This is a great start, but definitely look into expanding this across all cache types!

 

I second the request to expand this to all cache types. Doesn't make any sense to limit it to two cache types.

[Moun10Bike]

I understand what a WOEID is (Googled it) but not clear what the Geocaching connection will be.

 

For one of many possibilities, consider county maps in statistics.

But I already had those.

 

Only by using a script in GSAK that went through your caches one-by-one and assigned county to them, then using GSAK again to generate the statistics. WOEID will allow for more location information to be gleaned from cache coordinates and used natively on the site to generate a variety of statistics and other information without a need for third-party scripts.

[+JJnTJ]

Thank you for the good forward progress on some nice features! Like Personal Cache Notes (which evolved into something really great) I've got high hopes for the new corrected coordinates feature.

 

It may be helpful to include a little tool-tip (or mouse-over text, or whatever it's called) on the little pencil, so that people know what it is before clicking it.

 

I don't know if this was a part of the update, but the large Google map seems to load more reliably now. It only loaded about 10% of the time before. Thanks!

[+DanPan]

• Transitioning away from User Voice and back to IPB forums for support inquiries and feedback.

What will happen with all the existing feedback ideas on User Voice?

[+Corfman Clan]

I try hard not to be negative, but I am done with at when it comes to the maps. Another series of useless updates. I can correct coords on GSAK and will continue to do so. No reason to switch if not in pocket query. It's half-baked. Effort, even acknowledgement, needs to be placed on getting the maps useful. They are broken, broken on purpose. A feature taken away. It has been, what, June? since the maps were working with PQs. There is nothing I want to see more than the maps working with pocket queries. Anything else is a failure.

Perhaps you missed these two items in the release notes:

• Fixed map bug which caused the map not to update a Pocket Query properly when making changes to the PQ

• Fixed map bug which caused the mouse pointer to identify filtered caches by name even when the icon is hidden

Perhaps it's not all you were hoping for, but I'm glad to see those.

[Moun10Bike]

• Transitioning away from User Voice and back to IPB forums for support inquiries and feedback.

What will happen with all the existing feedback ideas on User Voice?

 

The UserVoice site will remain live for at least a while, but there will be no monitoring or updating of topics there. Those issues that had a significant vote behind them have already been entered into our database. New issues and requests should be posted to the recently reopened and expanded "Notices From and Conversations With Groundspeak" forum.

[+Hurricane Luke]

• Transitioning away from User Voice and back to IPB forums for support inquiries and feedback.

What will happen with all the existing feedback ideas on User Voice?

 

The UserVoice site will remain live for at least a while, but there will be no monitoring or updating of topics there. Those issues that had a significant vote behind them have already been entered into our database. New issues and requests should be posted to the recently reopened and expanded "Notices From and Conversations With Groundspeak" forum.

 

Why the change? I thought the request/bug/feature/support handling was going quite well.

[Moun10Bike]

 

Why the change? I thought the request/bug/feature/support handling was going quite well.

 

It wasn't. There will be a redirect soon at the feedback site that takes you to a page explaining the change, but that is not currently working. You can access that page directly at http://www.geocaching.com/feedback/.

[+Harry Dolphin]

Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (Coming Soon)

 

This application will scheduled to launch with Live support tomorrow. GSAK is the all-in-one Geocaching and waypoint management tool. Features include: Groundspeak API support, multiple databases, sending/receiving waypoints to GPSr, Google maps, conversion to many mapping formats, PDA output (including CacheMate support), HTML output, extensive searching, macro support, and much more. GSAK runs on Windows operating systems (2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7).

 

So, does this mean that GSAK will now be available from Groundspeak, rather than from GSAK?