Groundspeak Portal

I see many categories that have an address field.  I have no problem with this as long as the address is optional. But why is the address field mandatory in so many categories? Being a GPS based activity shouldn't the coordinates be enough?

In some urban areas, the address can be useful even if you have the coordinates. The address is also a normal and common piece of descriptive information when describing a building or a business, so it does kind of make sense to include the information in some cases.

Previous related discussion:

A request to all categories old and new (and future)...

Most of the people who are viewing waymarks are not waymarkers so it makes sense if you are creating an informational/useful waymark that the address be included.

Personally however I think the address boxes should be done away with for a simple text box. Some places just do not have a real address and there have been a few times I had to create answers to fulfill a required variables fields. Something I really don't like to do.

TheBeanTeam:

Most of the people who are viewing waymarks are not waymarkers so it makes sense if you are creating an informational/useful waymark that the address be included.

Personally however I think the address boxes should be done away with for a simple text box. Some places just do not have a real address and there have been a few times I had to create answers to fulfill a required variables fields. Something I really don't like to do.

I agree with the OP that the address field, whether it is a multi-line text box or the awkward address field, should be optional.

But yes, unlike finding a geocache.... waymarks can be visited without a GPS. I wager that I could find most with a simple map. Actually, in many cities it is almost a requirement to carry a map of the locations or else you end up double-tracking, crossing switch backs and other expressions that don't really mean anything.

BQ

in the multiline box sometimes i find it tricky to find the zip code....

yes, some things 'have' an address--but other things like signs of history...

what in the case of a NRHP district? it can be any number of street names.....

briansnat:

I see many categories that have an address field.  I have no problem with this as long as the address is optional. But why is the address field mandatory in so many categories? Being a GPS based activity shouldn't the coordinates be enough?

It's mostly to fill space on a webpage. Optional would be best, as you say, it's a GPS game.