Groundspeak Portal

I would like to request that people stop using the multiple line address requirement such as in this:


Most websites give their address in blocks that one can cut and paste.  Using a box (seen below) allows direct cut and paste for addresses, making it easier for data importation.



Changing this makes things easier for waymarkers and in no way detracts from the page as the output can display the same.

I would like to request that if you are in charge of a category that has multiple line address requirements, change them to a box.  If you are going to be creating a category, use a big box.

Help make waymarking easier for waymarks!

Problem for old categories is that the address data will be lost if they remove the multi-line address boxes and replace with a single box.  It will also require each waymarker go back in update all their waymarks with the change...... No Thank You.   For new categories going forward it is a good suggestion.

BruceS:

Problem for old categories is that the address data will be lost if they remove the multi-line address boxes and replace with a single box.  It will also require each waymarker go back in update all their waymarks with the change...... No Thank You.   For new categories going forward it is a good suggestion.

Older categories could add a big box for addressed in addition.  Then the old would stay there and new ones could get the benefit of the better way of adding addresses.  (Maybe the old way could be hidden but the data stay on the page?

I like ODragon's suggestion a lot. I've often groaned aloud when filling in all that data separately, it's frustrating. If anything as well, address should be an optional variable.

As a going forward idea, it's great. It wouldn't work for categories using the original already.

ODragon's idea is one of those 'if we knew then what we know now' types, but there is no reason not to use this idea instead.

BQ

Too much copypasta makes my tummy hurt.

I love the generic text boxes since they're so much easier to use. And I usually throw in the phone number under the address if there isn't a separate field for it.

Same goes for date boxes. On categories I've created, I used a generic text field instead of the date field. Then you can write "1950" or "Between 1995-1996" and not be forced to Jan 1st when you don't know the exact date.

Is there a compelling reason to set up a category using the date field?  Do they plan to be able to slice & dice the info on the variables in the far future?

dopeyduck:

I love the generic text boxes since they're so much easier to use. And I usually throw in the phone number under the address if there isn't a separate field for it.

Same goes for date boxes. On categories I've created, I used a generic text field instead of the date field. Then you can write "1950" or "Between 1995-1996" and not be forced to Jan 1st when you don't know the exact date.

Is there a compelling reason to set up a category using the date field?  Do they plan to be able to slice & dice the info on the variables in the far future?

I've got categories using the mult-line fields, and ones using the text box for addresses.
I don't mind the former, but a box IS easier in most cases.

The problem with making addresses optional is that some people just will NOT do anything on a waymark that is NOT a required field! 

I think the text box works better for a LOT of variables.  My pet peeve are "hours of operation."  These are  pain to fill out, and the format OFTEN does not fit the information as hours vary by different days or seasons, or split-hours in a single day.   Some categories have three or four required hours fields to fill in for different days or weekends, and still don't always fit.  I use a text box for hours (if at all) and make it optional, as often operating hours are not posted at the site nor on the web.

Dates are another problem, as you point out.  Some of us have been asking for a "year only" date field for two years, but I've not seen ANY revisions to the offered variables ever.  I'd love to have a multi-selection drop-down menu or radio-button option  -- "check all that apply."

Anyway, I usually use a short text box for dates.

It would be nice if the multi-line address field could easily be converted to a text box.
There are some other of my early categories where I really did a lousy job on creating the variables, but, as BruceS states, it is really hard to change things without losing data that's already been entered in existing waymarks.

i prefer a box:

1) do i really need to tell you this is in the USA?

2) what if i dont know the zip code? yea, yea, search it, but many websites dont have it listed with the address=another search.

yes, i copy paste. and provide links ( i like the website variables, and dislike html writing)      

I really don't understand why one would need the street address for a waymark at all. 

I like when the box is optional, I don't usually add the address, not because I'm lazy, but because I think it's redundant and a little silly.  And if it's going to be required, the text box is much nicer than the individual fields.

This is a GPS game, right?  You've got the coords, what do you need the address for?  If you're planning to google the directions, OK, just type in the coords.  If you're planning on tapping it into your turn-by-turn, OK, just type in the coords.  Using the address so you know when "you're there"?  Well, when you arive at the interesting/informative thing that you were looking for, you've made it.  If you can't find that building/statue/monument/historical marker/trailhead/mcdonalds/whatever from the coords, is the address going to help you much?

Maybe I've missed some purpose of the address, but I just don't get it.

yramc600:

I really don't understand why one would need the street address for a waymark at all. 

I like when the box is optional, I don't usually add the address, not because I'm lazy, but because I think it's redundant and a little silly.  And if it's going to be required, the text box is much nicer than the individual fields.

This is a GPS game, right?  You've got the coords, what do you need the address for?  If you're planning to google the directions, OK, just type in the coords.  If you're planning on tapping it into your turn-by-turn, OK, just type in the coords.  Using the address so you know when "you're there"?  Well, when you arive at the interesting/informative thing that you were looking for, you've made it.  If you can't find that building/statue/monument/historical marker/trailhead/mcdonalds/whatever from the coords, is the address going to help you much?

Maybe I've missed some purpose of the address, but I just don't get it.

When addresses are handy is with NRHP in cities.  Many times coordinates are off by 50+ feet due to bad view of the sky.  And in some cases that is enough to cause you to take a photo of the wrong building.  Many buildings really are best identified by address, on the register they are often identified by a name which was the name of the building when it was built.

yramc600:

I really don't understand why one would need the street address for a waymark at all. 

This is a GPS game, right?  You've got the coords, what do you need the address for?  If you're planning to google the directions, OK, just type in the coords.  If you're planning on tapping it into your turn-by-turn, OK, just type in the coords.  Using the address so you know when "you're there"?  Well, when you arive at the interesting/informative thing that you were looking for, you've made it.  If you can't find that building/statue/monument/historical marker/trailhead/mcdonalds/whatever from the coords, is the address going to help you much?

The address can still be useful information, even though it is archaic in our eyes.  Just off the top of my head...
-Sometimes a waymark is the only documentation of something on the internet and the address helps document it. 
-I have to remind myself sometimes that not everyone has a Garmin 60CS or newer unit that can do street routing, and some people still manually enter coords.
-My NAV in the car doesn't accept coords, only addresses or cross streets.
-Some people participate in Geocaching and Waymarking and don't own a GPS. I just had someone contact me about a WM while stumbling upon the hobby through a Google search, and now she wants to go explore the history of her town (...and will likely be printing out each WM page.)
-Instead of explaining a restaurant to a friend, I just sent them my waymark URL since I knew it had more info than the yellow pages.
-Sometimes the coords of an object are in the middle of a city park/large area, but the address can help determine where the entrance gate is located or where parking might be.
-In the case of a Starbucks on every corner, the address is extremely helpful when comparing to their corporate store lookup. Their maps are notoriously wrong as much as a mile away.

I love the large text boxes where I can copy/paste the address, phone and possibly website in one swoop. I figure those extra 10 seconds may save someone time down the line.

I agree that using the GPS should be the way that people get to and locate Waymarks, not just create them. All Groundspeak games are based on GPS usage.

That being said though, the current Waymarking FAQ says:

Do I need a GPS unit to use the web site?

You do not need a GPS unit in order to browse the categories and waymarks on the web site. Sometimes even a postal code is sufficient to find waymarks near your location. Depending on the waymark submission requirements for a waymark category you may even be capable of finding the coordinates you need (latitude/longitude) from online tools. However it is strongly encouraged that you have a GPS unit to mark the most accurate coordinates possible for your waymarks. Most waymark categories will require a GPS unit to mark coordinates.

BQ

dopeyduck:

The address can still be useful information, even though it is archaic in our eyes.  Just off the top of my head...

I love the large text boxes where I can copy/paste the address, phone and possibly website in one swoop. I figure those extra 10 seconds may save someone time down the line.

Well, said!   There are certainly many categories where a street address is appropriate.  It is a logical part of the description.  Is it redundant or an unnecessary detail?  I think we all know that, especially in urban settings, trying to find a location just by a set of coordinates can often be a challenge.  I've never had one of those talking, turn-here, units for my vehicle.  And, as BruceS has pointed out, it is often an important piece of identifying information! 

With the address in place, I can tell a lot more about its location during the browsing stage.  Its not all about the hunt.  This isn't geocaching.  Waymarking has many applications.

I do think that there are a few categories that ask for a street address where it just doesn't make sense, though.  Some types of sites just aren't easily identified by street addresses - like a statue or monument, for instance.  A little common sense can help here.

And, I'm already on record as agreeing with the original post in this thread, that in most cases a large multi-line text box is better than the inflexible, standard, line-by-line address field.

ODragon:

Most websites give their address in blocks that one can cut and paste.  Using a box (seen below) allows direct cut and paste for addresses, making it easier for data importation.

I am bumping this thread as a number of new categories (Blacksmith Shops, One Room Schoolhouses, Aviaries, Dive Shops, Magic Shops), seem not to realize how annoying their address lines are.  Again, I'm not trying to start a fight over the inclusion of addresses, just the format of which we are required to input it.

Special thanks to the Laser Tag category creators for including a large address box!

Additionally, BQ like the images so I made sure to quote them!

ODragon:

ODragon:

Most websites give their address in blocks that one can cut and paste.  Using a box (seen below) allows direct cut and paste for addresses, making it easier for data importation.

I am bumping this thread as a number of new categories (Blacksmith Shops, One Room Schoolhouses, Aviaries, Dive Shops, Magic Shops), seem not to realize how annoying their address lines are.  Again, I'm not trying to start a fight over the inclusion of addresses, just the format of which we are required to input it.

Special thanks to the Laser Tag category creators for including a large address box!

Additionally, BQ like the images so I made sure to quote them!

Wow, how timely! I was just thinking about posting about making the address variable when used be optional, not required. While I agree that some people are not as comfortable with LAT/LONG and I can see the benefit of extending those participants the option to enjoy our game without having to learn how to use the extended features.

However, I am aware of locations like Blacksmith Shops, One-Room Schoolhouses and Former Schools, and other historical/heritage structures that lack today's addressing schemes. Case in point, Black Creek Pioneer Village has all of these and the address would only get you to the front gate. It does nothing to get anyone to the actual structures.

But if we are going to continue to have these address fields, then I agree with ODragon that it should be a Multi-line Text Box instead of the Address style. Cutting and pasting from websites is far easier.

BQ