Groundspeak Portal

Hello,

For all interested, this is my first post.

At the risk of sounding vain, I was wondering... How'm I doing? I have been reading the forums and see many gripes(well deserved gripes from what I'm reading) from category managers about  new people posting waymarks. Spelling mistakes, not enough information, not the right information, not the right category,  crappy photo's, etc... and newbie's adding new categories that have already been listed(I was going to add a listing for sea turtles, but after reading on the subject, I don't think I'll be doing that. Ever!)

Which lead's me to ask the question How'm I doing?

As a "newbie" to this I have been submitting waymarks with a passion. Not a hundred waymarks in a week kind of passion, but more, researching my submission and getting the information right. I have been denied 2 times, but the manager's were kind enough to tell me what was missing for a complete listing (THANK YOU!) and after resubmitting they were approved. I feel that's the job and I really appreciated the feedback(I am but a humble servant serving the waymarking god's).  I can see myself truly getting into this and was wondering if some of you could give me some more feedback on the WM's that I have done. I know this may sound incredibly vain and narcissus, but just the same.....

I know some might say, you're WM's were approved what more do you want.
I am looking for guidance.  That's all. So in the immortal words of former Mayor Koch, NYC, "How'm I doing?"(yes, I'm that old)

Also I must ask, how many waymarks must one submit/visit to achieve non-newbie status or  join a category as a manager in an area that I feel I could contribute to?

well, i havent had the opportunity to see any of your posts, so let me talk about your visits, as you have logged a good number of mine.

you started off like most. but, you quickly picked up the fact that waymark owners like to see pics. might i suggest uploading more than one sometimes?

your words started off very generic (some were retro logs), but have become more explanative. i see that you, like most others, like to travel and see different things.

well, being promtd from a n00b is very subjective. i still get declines to 'fix' things on waymarks, that will never end. IMO, this transformation will just happen one day. Might take several hundered marks, or several thousand. Might take getting hundreds of icons in your grid. Might take you persuading naysayers that it isnt all McDs and crap (the example i was given last night at a cache event: the guy took me to 5 McDs and i was DONE).

Learning how to jump through the red taped hoops that abound in the game is part of that.

Becoming an officer, and seeing the other side, will help your development tremendously. So, when you get the time, go through the categories/groups. Become a member, see how long it takes to get promoted.

The main aspect of this evolution is learning to work as a team, within your group, and as a collaborative community. Your first post in the forums is just the first step on that journey. Try your best, and more than minimum are two good qualities. And be able to incorporate some constructive criticism--several of us can get pretty nasty at times. Dont hold that against us, it happens when you have such a vast array of different people trying to put their 2 cents in.

You want a number? Youre never gonna get it.

as a side note, try the turtle crossing category, we are fairly openminded there about quailfiers (though you must actually 'save' a turtle, i guess you could call it the turtle watching category and put it next to the birds).

I agree with everything chapterhouseinc wrote.

I just looked at a couple of your waymarks, and you seem to be doing well.  You are putting effort into your waymarks, and that counts for a lot around here.  The only suggestion I would make (and I am still a n00b, so take this with a grain of salt) is to avoid phrases like "come and see."  This is a matter of style, and not correctness, and people are pretty flexible with style.  Please keep with it and enjoy.

chapterhouseinc:

Learning how to jump through the red taped hoops that abound in the game is part of that.

Rangergirl141, Great advice. each category is different with different individuals involved to varying degrees.  Patience and the ability to let things go is essential.

chapterhouseinc:

Becoming an officer, and seeing the other side, will help your development tremendously. So, when you get the time, go through the categories/groups. Become a member, see how long it takes to get promoted. The main aspect of this evolution is learning to work as a team, within your group, and as a collaborative community.

This is a good step but may frustrate you if the categories you choose to join are established with a good working team that is stable. You may never get promoted to be an officer depending on the group of course. Here is another idea. Keep an eye out for other users making proposals in the forums and if it interests you even a little bit jump in and offer to help. Join up in the group at the start of things and there is a higher chance to get an active roll in the category.

The other option is to form a group yourself and start a category. This may be the best way to learn how a category works but be sure to include a longtime user in the officer group who is willing to offer assistance and feedback. Bring the idea to the forums for feedback before you send it to peer review. The peer review process can be pretty rough at times if you are not properly prepared for it.

I have created a few categories and would be more than happy to assist in any way I could.

As you know I was one of the dastardly decliners on one of your waymarks. I really wish there was another option other than decline. I rarely give a hard decline. Usually the listing just needs modified in some way to show the focus of the category or to include missing information. Your responses were appreciated and the waymark that I reviewed was comprehensive and well done.

Thanks and welcome to the forums.

rangergirl141:

Hello,

 Spelling mistakes, not enough information, not the right information, not the right category,  crappy photo's, etc... and newbie's adding new categories that have already been listed.

Which lead's me to ask the question How'm I doing?

As a "newbie" to this I have been submitting waymarks with a passion. Not a hundred waymarks in a week kind of passion, but more, researching my submission and getting the information right. I have been denied 2 times, but the manager's were kind enough to tell me what was missing for a complete listing (THANK YOU!) and after resubmitting they were approved. I feel that's the job and I really appreciated the feedback(I am but a humble servant serving the waymarking god's). 

I know some might say, you're WM's were approved what more do you want.
I am looking for guidance.  That's all. So in the immortal words of former Mayor Koch, NYC, "How'm I doing?"(yes, I'm that old)

You brought it up and I'm obnoxious enough to point it out to you.
You have 5 more apostrophes than you should have in the text I quoted and one of those is in the wrong word entirely. Interestingly "WM's" and "how'm" are okay...

Still, the fact that you asked shows that you care and that's WONDERFUL.

(There are no apostrophes in the plural, except for abbreviations. Contractions do have apostrophes. "You're" = you are; "your" is possessive.)

And so it begins.   :~)

Occam,  is that my offical welcome? you cared enough! Thanks! I'll make sure to proceed with sloppy typing ASAP. I have a feeling we are going to be great pal's!

You're doing great!   Okay, I've seen only a few of your waymarks, and checked on a few others, and they don't look like a lot of "newbie" waymarks I've seen.  They're pretty darn good.   I think I did bounce one back to you, but it was for a relatively minor clarification, as I recall. 

I've seen a lot of new people come into waymarking, and some have a harder entry than others.  Some never seem to get it, and some slip into it more naturally.  The difference seems to be that there are those who are willing to learn, and those who aren't.  The fact that you are willing to learn already puts you way ahead of the game.

There are no waymarking gods, at least they've not made themselves to me.  We have the Groundspeak lackeys and the rest of us mere mortals, subject to all human foibles, walking around trying to do the best we can.  I don't want ever to get to old, too experienced, too stuck in my ways that I no longer am teachable.  And, it may be "newbie" but not it's not "nobody."   I think there are times when most of still feel a little new, and that's partly because waymarking is very much a work in progress, something that is being created on the fly in many ways.  So, in the give and take we learn from each other.

Only you can answer the question of when you're not a newbie.  (Ever watch NCIS?  How long will McGee be called "probie?")  When the process begins to feel natural to you, when some of the terminolgy becomes part of your vocabulary, when someone asks you what your hobbies are, and "waymarking" slips out -- all may be signs to watch for.  Or, maybe it's when you plan your weekends and vacations around interesting waymarks to catch, or when you make a u-turn to get that one that just caught your eye.

As far as getting involved in the category management side of things, you already have more solid experience than some who have jumped into the lake without their clothes on and tried to create and run a category!  If there is an existing category that you are strongly interested in, join (if open enrollment is on) and then drop a note to the group leader expressing your interest.  A lot of people join groups with not interest in getting involved, so sending a note is the only way they will know.  Some will not be interested, for whatever reason, but I think many would welcome the help. 

And, as has been suggested, follow the Category Proposal forum and join in the discussion if something interests you, or even propose an idea that you might have.  There are plenty of us willing to help you get a start if that's what you want to do.

My quick start guide to waymarking:

Read the extended descriptions and posting rerquirements of each category carefully, as each one has different requirements and expectations, sometimes a bit idiosyncratic (like a couple of mine, heh, heh).  If you're confused about anything, drop the group leader a note for clarification.  It's best to do this before trying to get the waymark so  you know what you need.

Take more pictures than you think you will need.  Always take close-up photos of signs and plaques.  Even if they're not required by a particular category, they make a waymark better and will stand you in good stead. 

Write good descriptions.  Remember that the person viewing and reading your waymark has probably never been there, so give the reader as good a picture as possible as to what the waymark is about.  Copy and paste is fine; just cite sources.  First hand observation is even better.  But, keep both descriptions objective and save accounts of personal experiences and subjective comments for the visit logs - for most categories.  Some categories and waymarks require some research, and that's part of creating a good waymark.  More and more, I'm going after the in-depth type waymark, though I can still get fun out of the "quickies."  I think that you will find the educational aspect of waymarking one of the most fulfilling activities.

And, first and last, have fun!

Thanks for joining in the game and being a part of the community!  Keep 'em comin'!

Thanks Silverquill,
    Yes you and TheBeanTeam were the 2 that declined me :~) I didn't want to out either of you, but I did learn from both of you. I have made it a point to look at other user's submission's as well as reading the requirements before I add anything new. That helped me. A LOT! . I also make notes so I have what I need when out "in the field" so I make sure to get everything. I do take a ton of pictures where ever I go, but it's hard choosing which ones to use. I will start taking more close up's now too.

To chapterhouseinc
I know the first few log's I made were very generic. I did that on purpose. You could say I was getting my feet wet.  Not really knowing what I was doing. And I will start adding more than one picture from now on.  I try to go to new places all the time. I'm a bit of a history buff(being a park ranger will do that to you) so I really like historical features and try to see as many as I can. Mostly Seminole war and Florida history. 

To OmegaLimit  Thank you. I am trying. And note well taken.  Less "come and see".


As ALL of you suggested, I joined a few categories that look very interesting to me.

And as far a creating my own category, I thought about that(as I posted above), I thought about adding  sea turtles. Then I read all the post's about each animal having their own category and most posters had strong feeling's saying  that animal statues should go to the Figurative public sculpture category. But I'm confused a bit with that category.

When you read the requirements for Figurative Public Sculpture it states **Abstracted means that you can tell it's a human/animal form, however it's not like any human/animal you'd see strutting down the street, then they show an abstract cow as an example** So again,  I'm kinda confused about the that. If people should be putting statues of the animals/humans in that category, the statues should be *abstract* no? So where there does that leave non abstract statues?  I did search sea turtles, and turtle, and the only thing that came up is turtle crossings. There really is no category for animal statues outside of each animal having their own. Being all you have been at this a lot longer than me, do you have any suggestions? Maybe start an all animal statue category? or realistic animal statue category? or break down it into marine animal, domestic animals, wildlife each neatly in it's own category? hemmmm.....


Anyway, Thanks to all of you with the feedback. I have printed out all the comments and will keep plugging away. I really do enjoy Waymarking.

PS Maybe I should change my name to McGee(the probie), I freakin LOVE that show!

you bring up good points that have been mentioned elsewhere.

as far as figurative sculpture: there is a variable for animal form. IMO, this (animals) should be its own category. and then, as the intuitive meaning of 'figurative public sculture' would be that of a human like form. then there would be the seperate category for 'animal like public sculpture'.....but then a sphynx is both human and animal.

this is also one instance of a split/merge categories functionality. this might one day become a useful tool.

silverquill:

Only you can answer the question of when you're not a newbie.  (Ever watch NCIS?  How long will McGee be called "probie?") 

Ziva's "probie" too. Per the ep this week, she's only been in her current role for "a week" according to Jethro. She's no longer a Mossad liaison like she was.

Ziva will never be Kate. She's the only one on the show I don't care for. Now Abby, yeah! Love her.

I assume that you are doing fine. After looking at your Waymarking Sticker Seekers entry then clicking the Google Maps link, I recognized the area from a vote in the "Non-coastal Boardwalks" category...

I also see that you've made over 10 NPS Cancellation Stations, so that tells me you are likely with the NPS service, well that and the uniform {snicker}. Nice to have you joining us.

A good method to test if you are doing it right is to ask yourself two questions: Am I proud of my entry? Am I having fun?

BQ

rangergirl141:

Ziva will never be Kate. She's the only one on the show I don't care for. Now Abby, yeah! Love her.

No, you're right.
I like Ziva okay, but I did like Kate more. What's the story there? Did the actress want to leave?

What about the new NCIS: Los Angeles?

I assume that you are doing fine. After looking at your Waymarking Sticker Seekers entry then clicking the Google Maps link, I recognized the area from a vote in the "Non-coastal Boardwalks" category...

I also see that you've made over 10 NPS Cancellation Stations, so that tells me you are likely with the NPS service, well that and the uniform {snicker}. Nice to have you joining us.

A good method to test if you are doing it right is to ask yourself two questions: Am I proud of my entry? Am I having fun?

BQ

I'm more of an urban ranger. I work for Palm Beach County. When I found out how little NPS and State rangers earned it just wasn't feasible. I DO work at a 600+ acre park in Jupiter, Fl. called Riverbend. There were 2 major battles that occurred within 10 days of each other. One of them was almost a massacre! They happened during the 2nd Seminole war.  The stamps you see are for Florida State parks. There are 160+ parks and I plan on going to ever one of them!  Love to hike and love history.  What better way is there to kill 2 birds with one stone.

And to answer your questions, am I proud and having fun? Yes, I am! So far Africa USA(WM7FW1)and the house of refuge at Gilberts Bar(WM7CYF) are the two I'm most proud of at the moment.

0ccam:

rangergirl141:

Ziva will never be Kate. She's the only one on the show I don't care for. Now Abby, yeah! Love her.

No, you're right.
I like Ziva okay, but I did like Kate more. What's the story there? Did the actress want to leave?

What about the new NCIS: Los Angeles?

The answer to Kate is she wanted off the show. (http://www.tv.com/story/320.html)

WHAT? NCIS LOS ANGELES? when is this happening?

rangergirl141:

0ccam:

rangergirl141:

Ziva will never be Kate. She's the only one on the show I don't care for. Now Abby, yeah! Love her.

No, you're right.
I like Ziva okay, but I did like Kate more. What's the story there? Did the actress want to leave?

What about the new NCIS: Los Angeles?

The answer to Kate is she wanted off the show. (http://www.tv.com/story/320.html)

WHAT? NCIS LOS ANGELES? when is this happening?

Well, now. It comes on right after NCIS. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis_los_angeles/