Abandoned Categories?

[+ChapterhouseInc]

is there not a new list?

 

Model Aircraft Fields

[+Team 57]

is there not a new list?

 

Model Aircraft Fields

 

Request submitted.

[+puczmeloun]

Abandoned categories (and date created of submitted WMs):

 

Dead vehicles - 3/14/2012

WWII Prisoner of War Camps - 3/16/2012

Veteran Cemeteries - 4/11/2012

 

Can sb push the officers to "work"?

[+RakeInTheCache]

Abandoned categories really suck. But look at the bright side, they offer an opportunity to become more active in Waymarking (by mounting a coup and becoming the leader of the abandoned category)

 

Here's a link to a thread in the old forum about how to do it. http://portal.Groundspeak.com/forums/thread/29441.aspx

 

I am a bit disappointed that Groundspeak has still not included this in their FAQ on Waymarking. Because this is a chronic problem.

[+Max and 99]

Is a category run by only one person considered abandoned?

 

I wish there was more that could be done about those situations (if there is, I missed it!).

[+puczmeloun]

Abandoned categories really suck. But look at the bright side, they offer an opportunity to become more active in Waymarking (by mounting a coup and becoming the leader of the abandoned category)

 

Here's a link to a thread in the old forum about how to do it. http://portal.Ground...read/29441.aspx

 

I am a bit disappointed that Groundspeak has still not included this in their FAQ on Waymarking. Because this is a chronic problem.

 

Thanks,

I've send two emails - one to GS (with response, that I have to inform checkmark) and one to checkmark, but without response. So Dead Vehicles and WWII Prisoner of War Camps (third mentioned category has still one active officer) are still abandoned - really nice sign of Waymarking site function. There need to be some "system precautions".

[Checkmark]

Abandoned categories really suck. But look at the bright side, they offer an opportunity to become more active in Waymarking (by mounting a coup and becoming the leader of the abandoned category)

 

Here's a link to a thread in the old forum about how to do it. http://portal.Ground...read/29441.aspx

 

I am a bit disappointed that Groundspeak has still not included this in their FAQ on Waymarking. Because this is a chronic problem.

 

Thanks,

I've send two emails - one to GS (with response, that I have to inform checkmark) and one to checkmark, but without response. So Dead Vehicles and WWII Prisoner of War Camps (third mentioned category has still one active officer) are still abandoned - really nice sign of Waymarking site function. There need to be some "system precautions".

 

All nudgings are up to date as of this morning. If a listing is still not addressed after a week from today then please email me directly. I know that I don't check in often enough and we are seeing some growth in Waymarking.

[+RakeInTheCache]

I have e-mailed Black Dog Trackers, leader of the Natural Cave entrances group, with an offer to help be an officer of the group. I have two waymarks pending in this category.

[+silverquill]

Outdoor Recreation Store - closed enrollment, three officers NONE of whom have posted a single waymark in 4 YEARS. I think there is something fundamentally wrong in allowing a category to be controlled by people who are not actively involved in Waymarking. Where else in the real world is this permitted? It would be like someone who never writes a book, story or article being editor of a magazine. No wonder some people can't take our hobby seriously. There is one category like this where NONE of the officers have EVER posted even ONE waymark!

[+puczmeloun]

Abandoned categories really suck. But look at the bright side, they offer an opportunity to become more active in Waymarking (by mounting a coup and becoming the leader of the abandoned category)

 

Here's a link to a thread in the old forum about how to do it. http://portal.Ground...read/29441.aspx

 

I am a bit disappointed that Groundspeak has still not included this in their FAQ on Waymarking. Because this is a chronic problem.

 

Thanks,

I've send two emails - one to GS (with response, that I have to inform checkmark) and one to checkmark, but without response. So Dead Vehicles and WWII Prisoner of War Camps (third mentioned category has still one active officer) are still abandoned - really nice sign of Waymarking site function. There need to be some "system precautions".

 

All nudgings are up to date as of this morning. If a listing is still not addressed after a week from today then please email me directly. I know that I don't check in often enough and we are seeing some growth in Waymarking.

 

9 days and category WWII Prisoner of War Camps still without any response.

[+kJfishman]

Add Motor Vehicle Museums and Carousels to slow response

[+lumbricus]

Add Motor Vehicle Museums and Carousels to slow response

 

I offered my help in April and yesterday.

 

I got the following answer:

 

"Thanks for the offer, but we are not looking for additional officers at this time. I will let you know if that changes in the future.

Frivlas"

[+Max and 99]

Over 6 week wait for topiary gardens. Not abandoned (a great officer is in that group), but slooooooow review time.

[+lumbricus]

Over 6 week wait...

 

Seems to be abandoned. 6 weeks is tooo long!

Edited June 16, 2012 by lumbricus

[+MeerRescue]

Seems like Professional Sports Venues is on a go slow too?. Submission made 15th May 2012. No response from pm's to 'General Manager', who last logged in on 4th June 2012, or one of the 'Head Coaches'. Of the 3 'Head Coaches' one not logged in since 28th March, one 13th Feb and one Nov 2011

 

MeerRescue

[+Max and 99]

Seems like Professional Sports Venues is on a go slow too?. Submission made 15th May 2012. No response from pm's to 'General Manager', who last logged in on 4th June 2012, or one of the 'Head Coaches'. Of the 3 'Head Coaches' one not logged in since 28th March, one 13th Feb and one Nov 2011

 

MeerRescue

 

Yep, Professional Sports Venues is a category I've been waiting on. I was really hoping to have my OKC Thunder venue wm published before the NBA Finals moved to Miami, but that didn't happen!

[+puczmeloun]

New abandoned one - Glaciers

[+Max and 99]

 

I offered my help in April and yesterday.

 

I got the following answer:

 

"Thanks for the offer, but we are not looking for additional officers at this time. I will let you know if that changes in the future.

Frivlas"

 

That is a polite but surprising response.

 

Two months now for Topiary Gardens.

[+lumbricus]

New abandoned one - Glaciers

 

I wrote a mail on "01/26/2012":

 

"Hi wilsonjw,

 

i'd like to offer you my help as an officer in the "Glaciers" category.

 

Warm regards from Bavaria, Germany,

 

Lumbricus"

 

No answer.

[+puczmeloun]

New abandoned one - Glaciers

 

I wrote a mail on "01/26/2012":

 

"Hi wilsonjw,

 

i'd like to offer you my help as an officer in the "Glaciers" category.

 

Warm regards from Bavaria, Germany,

 

Lumbricus"

 

No answer.

 

Thanks, but I sent similar email to leader and tried to "wake up" officers through Checkmark. This forum post is only something like information for other waymarkers, that "something is rotten in the category of glaciers"

[+Max and 99]

When a category is very slow at reviewing, and they won't open enrollment for new officers, a hostile takeover is perfectly acceptable. I know there's a process for dealing with these categories, but in my personal opinion it's not enough.

[+Norfolk12]

Waiting a while now for 2 to be reviewed on the Blue plaques category..

[La de Boheme]

Add Civilian Conservation Corps to the list.

 

I have had a WM pending approval since March 30; ironically, the date of the last posted waymark for that cat.

 

Alas... I waited until too late that day, I guess.

[+Torgut]

Add Civilian Conservation Corps to the list.

 

I have had a WM pending approval since March 30; ironically, the date of the last posted waymark for that cat.

 

Alas... I waited until too late that day, I guess.

 

Well, and then, ironically, in the day you posted this:

 

 

Civilian Conservation CorpsCCC - Will Rogers Park - Oklahoma City, OK

 

in Civilian Conservation Corps

 

The CCC, together with the WPA, developed this beautiful park on the northwest side of Oklahoma City.

 

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member hamquilter

 

location: Oklahoma

 

date approved: 8/1/2012

[La de Boheme]

Add Civilian Conservation Corps to the list.

 

I have had a WM pending approval since March 30; ironically, the date of the last posted waymark for that cat.

 

Alas... I waited until too late that day, I guess.

 

Well, and then, ironically, in the day you posted this:

 

 

Civilian Conservation CorpsCCC - Will Rogers Park - Oklahoma City, OK

 

in Civilian Conservation Corps

 

The CCC, together with the WPA, developed this beautiful park on the northwest side of Oklahoma City.

 

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member hamquilter

 

location: Oklahoma

 

date approved: 8/1/2012

 

Interesting. I did check yet once again before I added the CCC to the list and the Will Rogers Park was not there... yet.

 

Hmm... so what happened to this one ? Ah... time to send a friendly reminder.

[+Max and 99]

Knowing hamquilter, there was probably some kind of bribe involved!

[GT.US]

Add Civilian Conservation Corps to the list.

 

I have had a WM pending approval since March 30; ironically, the date of the last posted waymark for that cat.

 

Alas... I waited until too late that day, I guess.

 

Well, and then, ironically, in the day you posted this:

 

 

Civilian Conservation CorpsCCC - Will Rogers Park - Oklahoma City, OK

 

in Civilian Conservation Corps

 

The CCC, together with the WPA, developed this beautiful park on the northwest side of Oklahoma City.

 

posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member hamquilter

 

location: Oklahoma

 

date approved: 8/1/2012

 

Interesting. I did check yet once again before I added the CCC to the list and the Will Rogers Park was not there... yet.

 

Hmm... so what happened to this one ? Ah... time to send a friendly reminder.

Maybe it got stuck in group vote? There is an option in the filters for sent to group vote, you can see if you are stuck there.

[La de Boheme]

Maybe it got stuck in group vote? There is an option in the filters for sent to group vote, you can see if you are stuck there.

No, it wasn't up for vote. I did send a message, and apparently, it has been unstuck. Hikenit replied that it had just shown up in the queue and as soon as it was confirmed, it would be... hopefully... approved. Where it's been for 4 months is anyone's guess. Just one of those system hiccups maybe.

 

[+Torgut]

Following the thread started in the old foruns by Checkmark, and considering it's not possible to post there anymore, I am declaring my intention to take over the category "Remains of Settlements" (waiting for a waymark to be reviewed since 29th June). I am following the procedures as explained in the mentioned thread.

[+Torgut]

Is it a coincidence that, once I posted this last post and I wrote a message to the leader of one of the slow categories, I got my two long timing waiting (75 days and 28 days) approved overnight? Different officers.

[+vhasler]

Yes, Torgut, you freed ten waymarks to be posted in the Remains of Settlements category once romantic29 finally took action. I had forgotten about my submission of 124 days ago back during spring break, so was surprised to see it pop up as an approval. Second officer in that category is moderately active (logged last on 8/1), so they could use help in giving priority to their duties.

[+FIREWALKER438]

The leader to the treehouse category hasn't logged in since 8/2011.....does anyone want to take over.as leader?

[Checkmark]

I'm about a month behind on addressing the email requests from "Lumbricus" but have no other pending requests from anyone else. As far as I know everything else has been addressed but if you know of something then please email me directly at checkmarkmail@gmail.com so I can investigate. Please provide as much detail as possible including links if available.

 

Categories to be addressed appear to be

• Ski Lodges
  
• Historic Reenactments
  
• Scenic Overlooks
  
• Waterfalls
  
• Landlocked Boats
  
• Orthodox Churches
  
• Water Mills
  
• Whitewater Rafting Trips
  
• Nations Within Nations
  

[Checkmark]

I've started the process for all of the above requests. Also, I have opened some discussion to improve this system. It is very rare that an absent leader returns. As such the one month waiting period seems excessive especially when one considers that often the current leader has not logged in for many months. It further seems unfair that active players should have to wait for what appears to be an inactive leadership.

 

However it should be noted that current officers should be taking an active role to publish new submissions within 3 to 10 days. In the case where one officer is doing all of the work while another has assumed a passive leader role then unfortunately it might be best to start the process internally to have the leader removed by calling a vote to change the rankings. This can be done without Groundspeak intervention. It should be assumed that everyone that joined a group did so to help it grow in a prompt fashion. Having idle officers runs contrary to that.

[+Ambrosia]

I'm one of the officers for two of those groups. It seems that the scenic overlooks leader has signed in recently?

 

There are only three whitewater rafting officers. I don't remember when I became an officer in that group. I guess I don't mind helping out (I'm an officer in a lot of groups that I said I didn't really want responsibility but I would be an officer if they wanted me to be, and a lot of them I am now the only one active), but I never intended to be the only one reviewing.

 

I really don't understand this process. If I called for a vote to get out the leader, that leaves me and one other officer to vote. If that other officer is not active and does not vote, how does that even work? And then, who becomes the leader? I don't even know who wants to be the leader (although I can guess), so how would I know who to promote?

[+lumbricus]

...I really don't understand this process. If I called for a vote to get out the leader, that leaves me and one other officer to vote. If that other officer is not active and does not vote, how does that even work? And then, who becomes the leader? I don't even know who wants to be the leader (although I can guess), so how would I know who to promote?

 

In this case you have to demote the not active officer first. 66% is needed to demote the officer. If there are only three (1 leader and two officers, and the leader and one officer are not active) -> there is no way to solve the problem by your own.

 

If you have more active officers, demote the not active officers and if this is done demote the leader. 100% should be no problem. If the leader is demoted the next officer (the officer beyond the leader) will be the new leader. If he don't want to be the new leader he could choose another officer. The rank have to be changed to an officer 1. If the leader resigns, the new officer 1 will be the new leader.

[Checkmark]

I'm one of the officers for two of those groups. It seems that the scenic overlooks leader has signed in recently?

 

Here is the link to the group for Scenic Overlooks.

 

Team Firebird - Leader

 

status:

call number: 1

last login: 7/16/2010

 

There are only three whitewater rafting officers. I don't remember when I became an officer in that group. I guess I don't mind helping out (I'm an officer in a lot of groups that I said I didn't really want responsibility but I would be an officer if they wanted me to be, and a lot of them I am now the only one active), but I never intended to be the only one reviewing.

 

I would guess that this sort of thing happens in other groups as well. We do need a process for this since the idea of group management was to share the duties. It was my impression that groups should have a minimum of three active officers not one active officer and two placeholders.

 

I really don't understand this process. If I called for a vote to get out the leader, that leaves me and one other officer to vote. If that other officer is not active and does not vote, how does that even work? And then, who becomes the leader? I don't even know who wants to be the leader (although I can guess), so how would I know who to promote?

 

When that process fails like in the scenario described by lumbricus then you would email me to start the more direct process. What I do is look at the dates of login to determine what steps should be taken. The short version is that everyone benefits when there is an active and engaged leader that can add new officers, trim out the dead wood and effect updates.

[+lumbricus]

There are some more problems:

 

Officers who look like active officers. I know many officers who log in almost daily, but aren't reviewing waymarks.

There are many categories only one officer is doing the whole work.

In many categories I have the decline work. That means that waymarks with problems are staying in the queue. It's more work to write a polite decline message than press the accept button.

 

It's hard work to make a category more active. First I write a message to the inactive leader. Half year later (mostly I get no answer) I write again with a please that an answer would be nice. 90% no answer. Sometimes I get the answer that no help is needed. (Other Waymarkers are waiting over a month for the approvment, but no help is needed). In perhaps 5% the leader is answering. If he is inactive about a year, he has no idea how the group/category thing is working. In this case, I'm explaining him that I first need an invitation to join the group (if open enrollment is off). In 50% I'm still waiting for the invitation, because the inactive leader has no motivation. Sometimes I get an invitation. Than the next problem comes up. They don't know how the do the officer up. Sometimes they are clicking on the profil link. In the profil is no chance to promote an user. In this case I'm explaining that they have to go in the member list and than they have to click on my name, not the profil link. In rare cases this works.

 

Normaly I have to write about 5-6 mails to get this work. If this doesn't work, I contact Checkmark. After 1-2 month the problem is solved.

 

The lines above show that the system is very complicated. It costs many time to help keeping the categories active. Perhaps a category with one active officer works, but if he should stay away (what reason ever) the whole 1-2 month thing has to be started. It's much better to have all categories managed well. We should think about a better solution for the future.

[+Max and 99]

Now that is perseverance!

[+Benchmark Blasterz]

Abandoned categories really suck. But look at the bright side, they offer an opportunity to become more active in Waymarking (by mounting a coup and becoming the leader of the abandoned category)

 

Here's a link to a thread in the old forum about how to do it. http://portal.Ground...read/29441.aspx

 

I am a bit disappointed that Groundspeak has still not included this in their FAQ on Waymarking. Because this is a chronic problem.

 

Thanks,

I've send two emails - one to GS (with response, that I have to inform checkmark) and one to checkmark, but without response. So Dead Vehicles and WWII Prisoner of War Camps (third mentioned category has still one active officer) are still abandoned - really nice sign of Waymarking site function. There need to be some "system precautions".

 

All nudgings are up to date as of this morning. If a listing is still not addressed after a week from today then please email me directly. I know that I don't check in often enough and we are seeing some growth in Waymarking.

 

WWII POW Camps is up and functioning well I think -- one of my WMs in that category was reviewed and approved within hours.

 

Kroger Stores looks abandoned to me -- Kroger Stores leader has not been on since 2008, and multiple emails to officers have not been answered at all.

[+xptwo]

I submitted a WWII POW Camp waymark four days ago. It may be one of the groups where it just takes several days for a review.

[+Benchmark Blasterz]

Here is my third (or fourth?) email in the Bottle Sculptures category trying to politely budge inactive officers for an approval --

 

"Hi Draglings -- This is a polite and gentle email asking if there is anything I need to add to my bottle sculptures waymark to get it approved? I submitted it several weeks ago and have heard nothing. Please let me know if it needs to be edited, or what is wrong with it that it is not getting approved. I am happy to make changes to conform with CO desires. Thanks. LPCox"

 

Draglings is (are?) the only officer of the Bottle Sculpture category listed who has logged in since 23 October. (I usually email the latest-logged in officer, since I have learned that previous emails to long-time non-logging-in officers usually go ignored.)

 

Other waymarks I have languishing in limbo belong to Rolling Ball Sculptures (no officer log-ins since 7 October) and the before-mentioned Noodle Shops (no officer log-ins since 14 September).

 

Both Rolling Ball sculpture officers and Noodle Shops officers have had multiple *POLITE* emails from me. So I guess add these three to the inactive/abandoned? list:

 

Rolling Ball Sculptures

Bottle Sculptures

Noodle Shops

[+Max and 99]

Here is my third (or fourth?) email in the Bottle Sculptures category trying to politely budge inactive officers for an approval --

 

"Hi Draglings -- This is a polite and gentle email asking if there is anything I need to add to my bottle sculptures waymark to get it approved? I submitted it several weeks ago and have heard nothing. Please let me know if it needs to be edited, or what is wrong with it that it is not getting approved. I am happy to make changes to conform with CO desires. Thanks. LPCox"

 

 

Do you mean that you've sent 3 or 4 emails to an officer for a waymark that's been waiting only a couple of weeks for review? Patience, grasshopper.

 

As far as the other categories, what a shame.

[+Benchmark Blasterz]

Here is my third (or fourth?) email in the Bottle Sculptures category trying to politely budge inactive officers for an approval --

 

"Hi Draglings -- This is a polite and gentle email asking if there is anything I need to add to my bottle sculptures waymark to get it approved? I submitted it several weeks ago and have heard nothing. Please let me know if it needs to be edited, or what is wrong with it that it is not getting approved. I am happy to make changes to conform with CO desires. Thanks. LPCox"

 

 

Do you mean that you've sent 3 or 4 emails to an officer for a waymark that's been waiting only a couple of weeks for review? Patience, grasshopper.

 

As far as the other categories, what a shame.

 

Sorry not to be more clear -- still waking up a little here! I have sent 3 or 4 to Noodle Shops (waiting 2+ months) -- only 3 (to 3 officers separately -- not 3 emails to each officer!) for bottle sculptures.

Edited November 9, 2012 by Benchmark Blasterz

[+Benchmark Blasterz]

SUCCESS!! The Bottle Sculptures Waymark has been approved and posted

 

Now waiting on Noodle Shops and Rolling Ball Sculptures . . .

[+Benchmark Blasterz]

SUCCESS!! The Bottle Sculptures Waymark has been approved and posted

 

Now waiting on Noodle Shops and Rolling Ball Sculptures . . .

 

YAY!! Success! Thank you CheckMark And thanks also to Lumbricus, who also helped in this process by sending a nudge.

[+Torgut]

SO, right now I have the following awaiting waymarks:

 

From 28th October:

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFJXZ_Forte_de_So_Sebastio_So_Tom_So_Tom_e_Principe

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFJY1_Mercado_Novo_So_Tom_So_Tom_e_Principe

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFJY3_Mercado_Antigo_So_Tom_So_Tom_e_Principe

 

From 29th October:

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFK9Z_Taiwan_Mission_Malaria_Delegation_So_Tom_So_Tome_and_Principe

 

From 31st October:

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFKP4_Eco_Lodge_Jal_Sao_Tome_and_Principe

 

From 4th November:

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFMK1_Roa_Monte_Cafe_Sao_Tome_and_Principe

 

From 6th November:

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFN2Z_Fishing_Ship_Micol_Sao_Tome_and_Principe

 

So... at least five categories with delays of at least 10 days. I wonder how many dozens of categories are in the same situation, these ae just a few to which I submitted waymarks.

[+lumbricus]

I think we should not wonder, why we have less officers who review more than ca.5 categories or stay away from reviewing Waymarks.

 

Few weeks ago, I got this message.

 

"P.S. - Either u approve this waymark or not, this is the last contribution I am posting in this category. Perhaps this will make you think what is driving people away of Waymarking. Declining waymarks due to arguable reasons is definitely one of the most important reasons for the global failure of Waymarking and you do incarnate perfectly this spirit."

 

It's kind of demotivating if you read these lines.

[+Max and 99]

Someone may be tempted to take just a little bit longer to review that person's future waymarks.

[+The Leprechauns]

I think we should not wonder, why we have less officers who review more than ca.5 categories or stay away from reviewing Waymarks.

For me, one reason is threads like this one, along with the related private emails, calling out people for perceived delays. What's the rush? When there are FTF races for newly-published waymarks, I might be more motivated. When Groundspeak makes pocket queries available for waymarks, or includes them in an overall "find count," I might be more motivated. Instead, we see published waymarks languish for months or years before their first visit, and site development all but abandoned.

 

My solution has been to resign from the officer group once it's called out in the forums, excepting a small number of groups for which I was the original founder or co-founder.