Geocaching.com site update 11/08/11

[knowschad]

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

 

It wasn't.

Funny, that's not what we were told when we complained about it.

[jholly]

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?

I doubt it since all the other apps are not available from Groundspeak directly. Your going to need to go over to Clyde's site to get it.

[OpinioNate]

 

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

 

No, you will still get GSAK at their site (http://gsak.net). It just means they have integrated the Geocaching Live API into their application so you can access PQs, log caches, refresh data etc. without having to visit Geocaching.com.

[+AtwellFamily]

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).

 

 

 

All these new features, why not make it a Premium feature only. Seems like a good premium feature.

[+Big Wolf]

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

 

It means that V8 of GSAK will be able to access some of the Groundspeak data directy from Groundspeak's database.i.e. PQs you have already run (not your finds though) , updates cache logs, refresh cache descriptions/hints etc plus be able to download caches directly without running PQ's

Edited November 9, 2011 by Big Wolf

[+t4e]

 

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/.

 

took what, two different feedback sites and over a year to agree with what most of us said right from the beginning?

 

better late than never, i guess

 

We feel that the dialogue in the Discussion Forum is an important component of understanding community feedback and from this point forward, we'd like to receive your feedback through that channel.

 

In the forums, the community can participate in a dialogue regarding a given topic and can discuss the pros and cons of the issues. Groundspeak can also participate in the topic and help identify issues, discuss resource constraints, and set expectations without having to formally 'accept or deny' an idea.

 

Our hope and expectation is that the dialogue in the forums will result in a clearer understanding of the issues, of their priorities and of Groundspeak's ability to take action.

[OpinioNate]

All these new features, why not make it a Premium feature only. Seems like a good premium feature.

 

To be honest we discussed that option, but decided that solving mystery/multi-caches is an essential part of the geocaching experience and that everyone should be able to partake of this cool feature.

[+nittany dave]

Lots of good features and steps in the right direction. And a pretty smooth implementation this time. Even though there don't appear to be any major changes, it still feels like it was tested a bit more than some releases in recent memory.

 

I think we sometimes wish for everything all at once but it's nice to see the steps being made. Thanks for all the effort.

[OpinioNate]

 

took what, two different feedback sites and over a year to agree with what most of us said right from the beginning?

 

better late than never, i guess

 

 

We wanted to believe, but also we were being told by the providers that certain features would be coming and they just never materialized. In Get Satisfaction's case I think they still have not implemented full control over moderating users and ideas. We had to submit tickets to them just to restrict an abusive member's posting ability. That's just one example of where the feedback sites failed us.

[+t4e]

 

took what, two different feedback sites and over a year to agree with what most of us said right from the beginning?

 

better late than never, i guess

 

 

We wanted to believe, but also we were being told by the providers that certain features would be coming and they just never materialized. In Get Satisfaction's case I think they still have not implemented full control over moderating users and ideas. We had to submit tickets to them just to restrict an abusive member's posting ability. That's just one example of where the feedback sites failed us.

 

that was one of the issues i saw with either of the sites, lack of control for the user, by that i mean GC staff

 

personally my main issue with those sites was the inability to interact with the other posters

i know the forums will get a lot of off topic posts but at least we, the users have a better capability of discussing things and moderators have full control of what's going on

[+Dr.MORO]

Domo!!! (= Howdy in Japanese)

 

Generally, a much nicer update than many of the recent ones, I think.

 

Anyways, I have bumped into a different issue newly introduced during this update.

Seems like the 'Feedback' site is gone now, so I've already posted inside 'resurrected' Forum.

"Small TB Image only General TB image after 11/08/2011 update Generated TB Image is not properly generated"

Basically & in short, the Small TB images used to display the 'default' picture of the TB within, has been replaced by a 'general' TB image.

Very weird...

 

Something has broke during today's update, obviously.

 

Please fix this!

Or, tell me what to fix!

 

Thanks!

[knowschad]

took what, two different feedback sites and over a year to agree with what most of us said right from the beginning?

 

better late than never, i guess

 

 

We wanted to believe, but also we were being told by the providers that certain features would be coming and they just never materialized.

We know how you feel.

 

On a serious note... I don't know if this is a result of today's update, or if I just hadn't seen it before, but the Upload Image link from the main log listing is giving a 404 error: http://www.geocaching.com/error/404.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/gallery/upload.aspx It's fine if you actually go into a specific log and select Upload Image.

[+tozainamboku]

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

Of course that is once the corrected coordinate are reflected in PQs.

 

Will PQ use the corrected coordinates when determining whether or not the cache is returned in the PQ? (The corrected coordinates are less that R distance from a location while the uncorrected coordinates are more that R. Or visa versa).

[Moun10Bike]

I don't know if this is a result of today's update, or if I just hadn't seen it before, but the Upload Image link from the main log listing is giving a 404 error: http://www.geocachin...ery/upload.aspx It's fine if you actually go into a specific log and select Upload Image.

 

Thanks for reporting that. I've entered a bug and hopefully we can get that fixed in tomorrow's hotfix.

[+Harry Dolphin]

 

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

 

No, you will still get GSAK at their site (http://gsak.net). It just means they have integrated the Geocaching Live API into their application so you can access PQs, log caches, refresh data etc. without having to visit Geocaching.com.

 

Ah. Then it was extraordinarily badly worded!

[+webscouter.]

I am very appreciative of the changes in this release. Nice progress.

[+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.

No response, odd given the railing that went on with earlier updates.

 

In any event, I deleted the challenges that I had logged and yet they are still being "counted" on my profile page (the lower of the two arrows in the picture I posted) It would seem that yoour stats bar will now count challneges that you have deleted as finished whether you wnat it to or not.

[jholly]

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.

No response, odd given the railing that went on with earlier updates.

 

In any event, I deleted the challenges that I had logged and yet they are still being "counted" on my profile page (the lower of the two arrows in the picture I posted) It would seem that yoour stats bar will now count challneges that you have deleted as finished whether you wnat it to or not.

This is the response I got.

[+nativtxn]

Dang it. I was so hoping that I could finally go to my PQs, click the Preview in Maps icon and see ONLY the PQ results. Nope...I still see every cache in the area. HUNDREDS instead of just 22 caches.

[+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.

No response, odd given the railing that went on with earlier updates.

 

In any event, I deleted the challenges that I had logged and yet they are still being "counted" on my profile page (the lower of the two arrows in the picture I posted) It would seem that yoour stats bar will now count challneges that you have deleted as finished whether you wnat it to or not.

This is the response I got.

So I guess my mistake was posting this in the release notes as opposed to the Geocaching.com website Forum?

[jholly]

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.

No response, odd given the railing that went on with earlier updates.

 

In any event, I deleted the challenges that I had logged and yet they are still being "counted" on my profile page (the lower of the two arrows in the picture I posted) It would seem that yoour stats bar will now count challneges that you have deleted as finished whether you wnat it to or not.

This is the response I got.

So I guess my mistake was posting this in the release notes as opposed to the Geocaching.com website Forum?

Ah, yep! The Geocaching.com website forum is for feature requests and bug reports. New thing now, the feedback site is history and they went back to the forums, just like we said they should. Be sure to read Moun10Bikes sticky at the top.

[+Henzz]

When trying to Upload Images to a log I get an "Error Occurred"-message.

Is this a glitch that came about from the new site update?

[+jellis]

Only problem I see now with the avatars is now they are pixalated. Guess not resized the right way.

Edited November 9, 2011 by jellis

[+landzeilers]

Correcting the coordinates for personal use is great! Thanks!! It was worth my vote

[+Delta68]

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

 

My initial enthusiasm fro this was short lived!

 

WHY OH WHY does this only apply to lists I own??

I can remove caches from lists I own!

 

It would be far more useful to be able to see our finds on other people's bookmark lists especially as it's not possible to filter out finds in PQs generated from a bookmark list

 

 

 

Mark

[+Olddffart]

"..........the feedback site is history and they went back to the forums,......."

 

What happened to the "ideas" that were active on the Feedback site ?

Is there anyway we can continue to follow these now ?

I have tried searching for them both by title and by the assigned internal queue# and have had no success.

[+TheLoneGrangers]

• 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!

 

Yes I agree, great tweeks!

[+FraCaMen]

When you add the corrected coordinates feature to the PQs, please make it possible to select "Any cache type with corrected coordinates" as an extra cache type. I only want to add the *solved* mysteries to my existing PQs.

 

And add the original coordinate to the cache entry as an additional waypoint. It is often used for a parking coordinate.

[+lodgebarn]

And add the original coordinate to the cache entry as an additional waypoint. It is often used for a parking coordinate.

And it just as often isn't or the parking spot is already a waypoint so I am not sure this would be a good idea.

[+FraCaMen]

And why is the correct coordinate only for Multis and Mysteries. I have a Wherigo that I want to correct as well. We were unable to find it the first time, but still have the right coordinates.

[+FraCaMen]

And add the original coordinate to the cache entry as an additional waypoint. It is often used for a parking coordinate.

And it just as often isn't or the parking spot is already a waypoint so I am not sure this would be a good idea.

 

Early mysteries could have the coordinates tens of kilometers away from the real coordinates, so no they are not always useful. But often they are useful, so I think it is good to have them in the GPX-file.

[+rhr_nl]

 

took what, two different feedback sites and over a year to agree with what most of us said right from the beginning?

 

better late than never, i guess

 

 

We wanted to believe, but also we were being told by the providers that certain features would be coming and they just never materialized. In Get Satisfaction's case I think they still have not implemented full control over moderating users and ideas. We had to submit tickets to them just to restrict an abusive member's posting ability. That's just one example of where the feedback sites failed us.

 

This is such a typical american thought. If we restrict the posting ability, we have solved the problem. Hello Groundspeak, this was the feedback section! Even if it the feedback might feel abusive, it still is feedback and you have to listen and deal with it! That is what feedback is all about…

 

I think the feedback section has given us so many good ideas and insights in just a few months. That doesn’t weigh up to a few abusive posts. Please reconsider.

[+thebruce0]

Early mysteries could have the coordinates tens of kilometers away from the real coordinates, so no they are not always useful. But often they are useful, so I think it is good to have them in the GPX-file.

This is my routine in using Geosphere on iPhone. When solving additional stages/puzzles, I always store the current coordinates as an additional waypoint first, then edit the primary coordinates. That way at least the record is there for the posted location of the cache, whether it's important or not. Especially useful for quick lookups by location (eg friend says: "hey, there's a cache over there" I can respond after checking up with "nope, that's just posted coords for a puzzle you won't solve on the road; move along" )

 

so I concur - much like posted new coordinates in a log for the CO which appears in the GPX, I think both original and updated cache coordinates should also appear in the GPX/PQs for individual players. It is, after all, technically a reference waypoint.

[knowschad]

Dang it. I was so hoping that I could finally go to my PQs, click the Preview in Maps icon and see ONLY the PQ results. Nope...I still see every cache in the area. HUNDREDS instead of just 22 caches.

 

That is one change that I would really like to see! Or, actually, a toggle to show or hide caches not in the PQ would be ideal.

[knowschad]

took what, two different feedback sites and over a year to agree with what most of us said right from the beginning?

 

better late than never, i guess

 

 

We wanted to believe, but also we were being told by the providers that certain features would be coming and they just never materialized. In Get Satisfaction's case I think they still have not implemented full control over moderating users and ideas. We had to submit tickets to them just to restrict an abusive member's posting ability. That's just one example of where the feedback sites failed us.

 

This is such a typical american thought. If we restrict the posting ability, we have solved the problem. Hello Groundspeak, this was the feedback section! Even if it the feedback might feel abusive, it still is feedback and you have to listen and deal with it! That is what feedback is all about…

 

I think the feedback section has given us so many good ideas and insights in just a few months. That doesn't weigh up to a few abusive posts. Please reconsider.

"Typical American thought"? Excuse me?

 

You can still post your bugs and enhancement ideas, but now you do it here.

[knowschad]

When trying to Upload Images to a log I get an "Error Occurred"-message.

Is this a glitch that came about from the new site update?

 

It has been reported and noted. The error only comes from the links in the log list. If you actually view the log, then you can upload without the 404 error.

[+WantedDeadOrAlive]

I like the new feature "add "corrected" coordinates to Mystery and Multi-caches".

I noticed that just the Icon on the small map moves to the corrected position. Please also move the Icon to the corrected position on the large map (orginal & beta map). So you get a better overview where space for a new Cache could be Or if you have solved a Mystery-Serie, you know with one view on the map how to walk to find them.

 

It also would be nice when the Cache gets a new icon when you made a coordinates correction. It´s easier to notice which Mystery / Multi are already solved, when they shown a different Icon. For example the blue ? ist after the correction green.

 

Thanks for your support and endeavor!

 

kind regards from Austria

[+IthacaDoodle]

I am having a real issue that I haven't encountered before with the maps - for caches that are at named destinations with locale descriptions on Google, clicking on the icon on certain zoom levels is pulling up the Google description site rather than the cache itself.

For example, see Rengstorff Rätsel GCNQYY at Shoreline Park in Mountain View, CA (which instead pulls up the Google Rengstorff House description). This just happened to me again for Souvenir Penny Cache GCHREY in Reno, NV (which pulls up the Siena Hotel Sap Casino). It seems the Google locales have essentially become live links on the cache map.

 

Anyone else notice this?

thanks, Heidi

[+dfx]

I am having a real issue that I haven't encountered before with the maps - for caches that are at named destinations with locale descriptions on Google, clicking on the icon on certain zoom levels is pulling up the Google description site rather than the cache itself.

For example, see Rengstorff Rätsel GCNQYY at Shoreline Park in Mountain View, CA (which instead pulls up the Google Rengstorff House description). This just happened to me again for Souvenir Penny Cache GCHREY in Reno, NV (which pulls up the Siena Hotel Sap Casino). It seems the Google locales have essentially become live links on the cache map.

 

Anyone else notice this?

thanks, Heidi

 

Ah yes. Haven't noticed it myself before, but you're right. The Google built-in links seems to take precedence over cache links at the same locations.

[+hzoi]

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

 

My initial enthusiasm fro this was short lived!

 

WHY OH WHY does this only apply to lists I own??

I can remove caches from lists I own!

 

It would be far more useful to be able to see our finds on other people's bookmark lists especially as it's not possible to filter out finds in PQs generated from a bookmark list

 

It may not be possible to filter out your found caches from a PQ based on someone else's bookmark list, but it's easy to delete them once you load the PQ into GSAK. Turn on the "found by me" column, click it, and shazam -- there's all the ones you found on the top of the list. Flag 'em and delete 'em and you're done.

[+jellis]

I am having a real issue that I haven't encountered before with the maps - for caches that are at named destinations with locale descriptions on Google, clicking on the icon on certain zoom levels is pulling up the Google description site rather than the cache itself.

For example, see Rengstorff Rätsel GCNQYY at Shoreline Park in Mountain View, CA (which instead pulls up the Google Rengstorff House description). This just happened to me again for Souvenir Penny Cache GCHREY in Reno, NV (which pulls up the Siena Hotel Sap Casino). It seems the Google locales have essentially become live links on the cache map.

 

Anyone else notice this?

thanks, Heidi

Yes I've had it happen to me and it can be frustrating.

[+jellis]

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

 

My initial enthusiasm fro this was short lived!

 

WHY OH WHY does this only apply to lists I own??

I can remove caches from lists I own!

 

It would be far more useful to be able to see our finds on other people's bookmark lists especially as it's not possible to filter out finds in PQs generated from a bookmark list

 

It may not be possible to filter out your found caches from a PQ based on someone else's bookmark list, but it's easy to delete them once you load the PQ into GSAK. Turn on the "found by me" column, click it, and shazam -- there's all the ones you found on the top of the list. Flag 'em and delete 'em and you're done.

Yes GSAK rules

[+dfx]

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

 

My initial enthusiasm fro this was short lived!

 

WHY OH WHY does this only apply to lists I own??

I can remove caches from lists I own!

 

It would be far more useful to be able to see our finds on other people's bookmark lists especially as it's not possible to filter out finds in PQs generated from a bookmark list

 

It may not be possible to filter out your found caches from a PQ based on someone else's bookmark list, but it's easy to delete them once you load the PQ into GSAK. Turn on the "found by me" column, click it, and shazam -- there's all the ones you found on the top of the list. Flag 'em and delete 'em and you're done.

Yes GSAK rules

Good for those who want to use it

[+FunLovingGeocacher]

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

 

One of my caches is plagued with spoiler pictures. I've cannot see this new facility to remove guilty pictures from the cache page. How is this done in practice? I don't see a delete button. I'm using firefox if that makes a difference.

[Moun10Bike]

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

 

One of my caches is plagued with spoiler pictures. I've cannot see this new facility to remove guilty pictures from the cache page. How is this done in practice? I don't see a delete button. I'm using firefox if that makes a difference.

 

Click "View Log" on the log with the offending photo, then click "Edit" on the image and finally click the trash can icon to delete it.

[+akkatracker]

What about word answers EG Stand between the two telegraph poles

[+pinkunicorn]

Will there be a later update to this feature that will move the caches with updated coordinates to their updated position?

 

Will caches with updated coordinates get separate icons on the map?

[+FunLovingGeocacher]

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

 

One of my caches is plagued with spoiler pictures. I've cannot see this new facility to remove guilty pictures from the cache page. How is this done in practice? I don't see a delete button. I'm using firefox if that makes a difference.

 

Click "View Log" on the log with the offending photo, then click "Edit" on the image and finally click the trash can icon to delete it.

 

I was trying to delete them from the View the Image Gallery page, rather than editing the log its self.

1 down 14 spoilers images to go....

 

Thank you for clearing this up

[knowschad]

Will there be a later update to this feature that will move the caches with updated coordinates to their updated position?

 

Will caches with updated coordinates get separate icons on the map?

 

Haven't tested this myself yet, but somebody said (if I understood correctly) that the small map on the cache page will indeed show the new location, but that the large geocaching map does not. Hopefully it will, soon, as that is where it would be most useful.

[+akkatracker]

Will there be a later update to this feature that will move the caches with updated coordinates to their updated position?

 

Will caches with updated coordinates get separate icons on the map?

 

Haven't tested this myself yet, but somebody said (if I understood correctly) that the small map on the cache page will indeed show the new location, but that the large geocaching map does not. Hopefully it will, soon, as that is where it would be most useful.

 

I can confirm that the little map shows it and the big map doesn't

Hope they will update it as it shouldn't be too hard to