Jeremy Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 We've been working hard to get a map server (finally) on the site. Here's a basic view of the work in progress: The Green suns are caches placed in the last 7 days, and the cache containers (icon is from Garmin units) are the rest of caches. You can see at the bottom right-hand corner that the more you zoom, the cache names start to show up on the map. We can't afford turn-by-turn directions, but we will be setting up a way to do geocoding and reverse geocoding. Geocoding will take an address and return a coordinate, and reverse geocoding will take a coordinate and return an address. So even though Mapquest no longer supports turn by turn directions to a coordinate, you can get a local address through reverse geocoding to get you close. Initially countries other than the US will suck like they do now (sorry!), but we hope to add more maps as we go. In the beginning the maps will be identical to the ones we use now but should be faster and more reliable. This is just a note to let you know we're working on it. Jeremy Irish Groundspeak - The Language of Location Quote Link to comment
Jeremy Posted November 20, 2002 Author Share Posted November 20, 2002 This is a closer-in zoom of a cache in San Fancisco Park. All images are in PNG format, so some browsers may not be able to view the maps. Jeremy Irish Groundspeak - The Language of Location Quote Link to comment
+cachew nut Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 Will there be any way to distinguish between caches you already found or traditional vs. virtual or even archived ones? I wonder if the text right on the map won't run into other text in an area where there may be more than one cache. How hard would it be to do a name popup on a mouseover? The maps are pretty nice. Quote Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 Wow! That's worth waiting for. Will the maps differentiate between caches found and unfound, like they do now? (Blue unfound caches and white found caches... that is, when you can get a map to load.) I would sacrifice the found/unfound feature in a heartbeat in exchange for faster-loading maps that could be zoomed, etc. And having the cache names show up without another page reload will help But it would be nice to graphically display found & unfound. I use that view a lot to spot clusters of unfound caches that would make for a good day's hunting, or individual unfound caches that stick out like a sore thumb amongst a cluster of caches already found. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitos? Quote Link to comment
+RocketMan Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 I really like what I see so far. This looks like a huge improvement. Do you have any idea when it will be implemented? Thanks - RM Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 Good job, looks real good. Tahosa - Dweller of the Mountain Tops. Quote Link to comment
+dthigpen Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 Great maps, I like them a lot. I'm guessing the map data isn't dynamically generated each time the map is viewed, but if it is, any chance we could get an open chest for the caches that we've already found? Doug Quote Link to comment
+Centaur Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 Most cool. Thanks for the hard work! Quote Link to comment
Gert Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 quote:Initially countries other than the US will suck like they do now (sorry!), but we hope to add more maps as we go. Just to give you some motivation: As soon this is implemented for European countries I will pay may 30$ to become a charter member (especially I'm waiting for Austria *wink*) I'll be watching you workin' on it, Gert Short cuts make long delays. Quote Link to comment
+chillas Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 Wow! Looks sharp. Will I be able to get one of Ohio, or are they all of San Francisco? Also, are those trees to scale? Seriously ... looks great! ----- Memory is a prism through which yesterday's light is passed. Quote Link to comment
+GeoVamp Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 WOW !!!Very cool..you da man,Jeremy "Everythings's Eventual"-Stephen King Quote Link to comment
+LarsThorwald Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 I think this looks great. I second a question from above: will the system differentiate between caches a user has done, and ones they haven't? Either way, I'm digging it. Charlie "One should never begin a journey by heading in the wrong direction." Quote Link to comment
iryshe Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 1. I don't have a specific time for release. We have to get the machine ready in production, and expect that this will be a popular application so we need to plan for high utilization. 2. Yes, we're sorting out how to distinguish different caches. The icons need to be distinct enough to do this on a map, so may be difficult to do. One solution may be to number the caches as you get closer in and display their types below the map (with a link to each cache). 3. Yes, we will mark the caches you have already found. Because we will be using a predefined shapefile of caches, we will be unable to remove them altogether from the map. 4. The problem with comprehensive maps outside the US is that they are a) extremely expensive and extremely extremely expensive. We'll try to implement them in steps. So far it looks like Canada and Mexico will be next, but even that may be months out. If someone has access to great localized shapefiles of different countries we will incorporate them into the map server. We will also be attempting to purchase and implement DRGs (or better known as topographic maps). quote:Originally posted by chillas:Wow! Looks sharp. Will I be able to get one of Ohio, or are they all of San Francisco? First image is from Bellevue, Washington. The second one is in San Francisco, California. This one is in Columbus, Ohio. Jeremy Irish Groundspeak - The Language of Location Quote Link to comment
+Pharisee Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 They look good to me but I guess I'm just going to have to wait You don't stop playing because you get old. You get old because you stop playing. Quote Link to comment
+chillas Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 Wow. I was joking, but thanks. And that pic is just about one screen south of The Happiest Place on Earth - Columbus Crew Stadium. ----- Memory is a prism through which yesterday's light is passed. Quote Link to comment
+Kouros Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 This thread brought the maps to my attention... and buy they look really good! I must say I can't wait to see them implemented in the UK, which kinda brings me to my point. After the Christmas spend-fest is over, I was fully intending to finally get that Charter Membership that the site deserves I buy. The map would not have changed that, had a poster on the UK forum pointed out the following... quote:I can't help feeling that charter members outside the US are subsidising the best features for the US only. Apart from the maps we still haven't got benchmarks for the UK despite providing the information as required. Is this the case? Is money paid for by subscribers outside the US paying for the furterance of Geocaching in the US? I understand that these things can only be done one step at a time - and that it will take time for these spanking new maps to reach the UK, but it does seem a little unfair to those who have spent their money on membership (and bear in mind I cannot speak on their behalf, as I have not done so myself... yet). That said, the maps do look fantastic, and I can't wait for them, but at the moment, it does seem like caching outside the US is sidelined a little. ------ An it harm none, do what ye will Quote Link to comment
+Egnix Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Kouros: quote:I can't help feeling that charter members outside the US are subsidising the best features for the US only. Apart from the maps we still haven't got benchmarks for the UK despite providing the information as required. Is this the case? Is money paid for by subscribers outside the US paying for the furterance of Geocaching in the US? I guess I don't understand. Right now, the benefits to a charter membership are: pocket queries, MyPop features, and a customizable title. All of these features should be beneficial to anyone...no matter where they live. Quote Link to comment
+Allen_L Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 Plus some of the charter membership money is used to help pay for the computers and bandwidth required to run a site like geocaching.com. This of course benefits charter members and regular members everywhere. Quote Link to comment
+Kouros Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by AllenLacy:Plus some of the charter membership money is used to help pay for the computers and bandwidth required to run a site like geocaching.com. This of course benefits charter members and regular members everywhere. Indeed, which is why I will sign up come next pay cheque anyway. But the point was, will the money that I will spend go towards a service that I cannot use? I know the benefits of being a Charter Member will not change, but it seems odd that people outside the US should subsidise a service that they cannot use, and other people will get to use for free. Of course, I may be well off target, and if I am, I apologise. ------ An it harm none, do what ye will Quote Link to comment
el10t Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 I was the poster mentioned. My point was that all charter membership money goes into the big pot which finances the geocaching.com site. The development of any features for the site must eat into this pot of cash. At the moment it seems to me that there is a higher priority in introducing new features which are US-only than there is on expanding existing features to cover countries outside the US. Sure we can get pocket queries, change our titles in the forums and create MO caches - all the benefits of charter membership, but we cannot get basic features such as searching by postcodes for caches, benchmark hunting, maps. As I understood it charter membership donation is not only about gaining the CM privileges, it is about supporting the site. If supporting the site means there are lots of new hoopy features produced which only work for the US then I start to question why I am donating. Just my opinion. Happy to be proved wrong. Rich mobilis in mobili Quote Link to comment
Rubbertoe Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by chillas:Wow. I was joking, but thanks. And that pic is just about one screen south of The Happiest Place on Earth - Columbus Crew Stadium. You spelled "Emptiest" wrong. I must be in that area at the wrong times, because I've been past that stadium a few dozen times on the freeway and I've never seen people in it. It is a nice looking facility though, don't get me wrong. The NEW Toe Pages Quote Link to comment
Rubbertoe Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 Oh yeah... and the maps do look awesome. Tnx for the continued upgrades, J & TPTB. Quote Link to comment
+Web-ling Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Jeremy (Admin):This one is in Columbus, Ohio. Jeremy Irish Groundspeak - The Language of Location Cool! I used to live a few blocks NW of this map, and I've logged the only cache shown on it. Great job, Jeremy! You da Man! Quote Link to comment
+geospotter Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 Gee, the new maps are so good it almost makes it too easy. But they look great! Quote Link to comment
+Planet Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by el10t:I was the poster mentioned. Sure we can get pocket queries, change our titles in the forums and create MO caches - all the benefits of charter membership, but we cannot get basic features such as searching by postcodes for caches, benchmark hunting, maps. Just my opinion. Happy to be proved wrong. Rich _mobilis in mobili_ I don't want to really burst your bubble but Jeremy and TPTB cannot help you with benchmark hunting. Benchmarks are only found in the US of A. This from the benchmark page: What is a benchmark? NGS Benchmarks, also called Survey control markers or disks, are disks (and other various items) that are permanenty affixed at locations all over the United States to help land surveying. These benchmarks are part of the geodetic control network maintained by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). The NGS maintains a database of these locations, though much of the data is outdated. Cache you later, Planet Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups. Quote Link to comment
el10t Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Planet:I don't want to really burst your bubble but Jeremy and TPTB cannot help you with benchmark hunting. Benchmarks are only found in the US of A. Thanks Planet. No bubble burst. We have trigpoints in the UK which are very similar, a list of which has already been supplied to Jeremy (at least twice) for incorporation into the site. I was only referring to them as "benchmarks" so as not to confuse things too much. Rich mobilis in mobili Quote Link to comment
+Jacksons Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 Love the maps, the one of columbus is near OSU and today being the day before the big game I can say GO BUCKS BEAT MICHIGAN Quote Link to comment
+Kouros Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 I don't know if this is of any use, but... Bartholomew Maps provide mapping services for many UK sites, such as Streetmap.co.uk and others, and although I couldn't comment on price, perhaps they would be able to help, or advise, for producing the new map format for Europe. ------ An it harm none, do what ye will Quote Link to comment
+Shoebox Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 I am a little confused (as always) as to where the maps will be. Are they going to replace the Map Quest maps on the individual cache sites, or is it replacing the state maps that show all of the caches within a state or is this something new and listed separately? I have to agree with everyone else as the new maps will definitely be slick (where ever they end up). Shoebox Pittsburgh Quote Link to comment
+Markwell Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 It will show multiple caches on one map. Like the shapefile maps do now. Maquest will still be there, but this will show you if you're in a new area where all the caches are (with different icons for the ones you've found). Pretty cool! Markwell Chicago Geocaching Quote Link to comment
+Shoebox Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 Well, that helps a little but what is the shapefile? Computers and their terms leave me in the dust sometimes. Thanks in advance. Shoebox Quote Link to comment
+Markwell Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 Shapefile: A bunch of shapes for the computer to try to make a very crude map. Just a fancy shmancy term for a very crude computer map made of squares, trianlges and other polygons. Markwell Chicago Geocaching Quote Link to comment
Capella Posted November 27, 2002 Share Posted November 27, 2002 Hi Jeremy, the maps look great!! However as I am not living in the US, I wouldn't be able to use this feature in the near future. I would be very happy about a map (in the style currently used in the cache description) showing the different caches. Is there a way to implement something like this for the places where no detailed map is available?? Quote Link to comment
+david&diana Posted November 30, 2002 Share Posted November 30, 2002 The US government, thanks to the America taxpayer, launched the satellites that make Geocaching possible. If anyone is subsidizing our hobby, it’s those US taxpayers who don’t even own a GPSr. Sophisticated mapping software is available at a reasonable cost in North America because the US government gathered the raw data and put it in the public domain. In countries were the raw data is not available for free, it is very expensive to produce detailed computerized maps. Once the software becomes available, there must be a large number of people willing and able to buy it to keep down the cost. If only a few people purchase the software, the development expense must be recovered from a small group. Quote Link to comment
+BigBirdNL Posted December 10, 2002 Share Posted December 10, 2002 quote:Is there a way to implement something like this for the places where no detailed map is available?? I am working to make my CacheMaps internatially available. CacheMaps lists caches in Excel, showing them on a small map and giving the opportunity to open detail public maps from the internet for the specific location. At the moment only Dutch maps are implemented. I depend on public mapservers to show the detailed map, but also will create the possibility to use UI-View maps. These are maps created by packet radio users all over the world. In this way I think CacheMaps can be of use for any of us in the whole world. I will post a separate topic in this forum as soon as available. In the mean time you can download the Dutch version from my personal homepage -- there is no spoon -- Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted December 10, 2002 Share Posted December 10, 2002 Wow. The new maps look great. Will we be able to click on the cache icon to bring up a specific cache page? Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. Quote Link to comment
+Markwell Posted December 30, 2002 Share Posted December 30, 2002 --bump-- ??? Markwell Chicago Geocaching Quote Link to comment
+Team Mixster Posted December 30, 2002 Share Posted December 30, 2002 I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and a great upcoming New Year (safe too!). Just curious what the current status of this mapping function was as I'm not getting anything on the current state maps... Thanks folks! -Mixster Quote Link to comment
+MaxEntropy Posted December 30, 2002 Share Posted December 30, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Kouros:Indeed, which is why I will sign up come next pay cheque anyway. But the point was, will the money that I will spend go towards a service that I cannot use? I know the benefits of being a Charter Member will not change, but it seems odd that people outside the US should subsidise a service that they cannot use, and other people will get to use for free. Of course, I may be well off target, and if I am, I apologise. Kouros, Ask yourself "Have I got $30 worth of fun out of the geocaching.com web site?" I asked myself that and when I responded with an enthusiastic "yes", then I sent in my membership money. Enough said. I'm not using any of the membership benefits. I'm supporting something that I'm enjoying using. It's how I pay my way. Mickey Max Entropy More than just a name, a lifestyle. Quote Link to comment
+Eswau Posted December 31, 2002 Share Posted December 31, 2002 With Max Entropy. While I'm not really getting anything for my $30, I was so impressed with this website and the work that has been put into it I didn't mind spending the $2.50 a month to support it. Geocaching is one of the few hobbies I enjoy that doesn't require much money. My other interest is high power rocketry and the national dues just to be able to participate is ~$100 a year, plus club dues @ ~$25 a year, plus daily launch fees of ~$5-10 a day. Not counting the rocket motors that can run anywhere from $10 - $100 and up each...........but I digress. Quote Link to comment
+poksal Posted December 31, 2002 Share Posted December 31, 2002 This is the BY FAR best web site I've ever played in. ...and this comes from a web junkie... ...if fact it is so good that it gets me off my butt and out in the woods to do caches... this is SOOOO kool... and now it will be better..... GOOD JOB!!!!!! shaking my head with knowledge that there are still very confident, hard working, intelligent people out there, ... it feels good, does it not???? THANK YOU!!!! now to get my $30 sent in ... with pride... ..should have long ago.. ..gota figure out how now.. ** The worst suggestion of a life time may be the catalyst to the best idea of the century, don't fail to listen to suggestions. Quote Link to comment
+poksal Posted December 31, 2002 Share Posted December 31, 2002 I wasn't kidding!! ** The worst suggestion of a life time may be the catalyst to the best idea of the century, don't fail to listen to suggestions. Quote Link to comment
onestep off Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Well as of late yesterday when I go to the state map and I am logged in it shows the cache sites but does not change the symbols for the ones I have found? Any ideas as to why? Please take everything I post with an MDOT trucks load of salt! Quote Link to comment
Morseman Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 quote:Originally posted by onestep off:Well as of late yesterday when I go to the state map and I am logged in it shows the cache sites but does not change the symbols for the ones I have found? Any ideas as to why? Are the upgrades anything to do with the white boxes with a blue 'tick' having suddenly dissapeared from the maps please? Is there any way of getting them back again? Oh, I should clarify that I'm in the UK, so I'm looking at the old style map. In case that has any bearing on it? Thanks. --... ...-- Morseman Quote Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Just below the map that you generate, this statement now appears: quote: Please note: Due to the high traffic the web site has been getting lately, we have had to disable listing caches you have found. We're working on a better mapping solution which should be available by the end of February. Sorry for the inconvenience. I sure am looking forward to February! At the same time, I feel sorry for fellow cachers outside the U.S., and hope that they will have some sort of useable map functionality, identifying found vs. unfound caches, at some future time. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x If there's no accounting for stupidity, then why do I need to file a tax return? Quote Link to comment
+Freelens&Mosie Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 I seldom use the state map feature unless I want to look up a cache in another state for some reason. I just use the closest to my zip function. If I really want a map view I use photomaps. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Quote Link to comment
+mr.magoo Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 quote:Originally posted by The Leprechauns:Just below the map that you generate, this statement now appears: quote: Please note: Due to the high traffic the web site has been getting lately, we have had to disable listing caches you have found. We're working on a better mapping solution which should be available by the end of February. Sorry for the inconvenience. I sure am looking forward to February! At the same time, I feel sorry for fellow cachers outside the U.S., and hope that they will have some sort of useable map functionality, identifying found vs. unfound caches, at some future time. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x If there's no accounting for stupidity, then why do I need to file a tax return? Well on the brighter side, performance is much better but looking forward to the return of identified caches in Feb/Mar. Quote Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 Just nudging this to the top of the list, since we're getting a new forum thread every couple of days where someone asks what happened to the "found cache" icons on their state map. Since the map takes up the screen, folks aren't reading the text below, which explains the situation. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x If there's no accounting for stupidity, then why do I need to file a tax return? Quote Link to comment
+GrouseTales Posted January 11, 2003 Share Posted January 11, 2003 Kudos on the great looking maps! Will the maps allow "mouse-over" cache identification? By that I mean will the cache name be displayed by placing your mouse pointer on the cache symbol? The biggest problem I found with the old maps was the need to click on "identify" and then bring up a new map page to see the name of the cache. BTW, maps or no maps, GC.com is well worth my $30.00 Quote Link to comment
Parsa Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 Why weren't the state maps left as they used to be until the new maps were up? Was there a software problem all of a sudden? I must have missed the discussion. Might I suggest that Admin put the notification on the state map page in red or something (maybe at the top). I didn't notice it, and judging by the forum posts, somebody each day has the same question about the state maps. One thing that bothered me about the old maps was that you often had to zoom way in to see the name. There was an overlap of titles even when in quite close. The rollover idea is good if it can be done. Lastly, I was wondering if us folks in the huge states might have a break. I live in San Diego County and I have to zoom *way* in for any useful detail. My county is about as large as some of the states I think. It would be nice if some of the large states were divided for the "state" maps, or if we had some "closer in" option for starting. You can see the difference in Mapquest and Yahoo. Mapquest practically starts with a view from low earth orbit, and it's sooooo anoying. Parsa Quote Link to comment
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