Some thoughts on GCA...

Discussion about the Geocaching Australia web site
Laighside Legends
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by Laighside Legends » 02 February 15 10:59 pm

the Monkey King wrote:I like what Laighside Legends has suggested re the "search part idea" on the main page, but I would like to see the googlemap button there, for reasons mentioned above.
I was a little hesitant about the Google map button because I'm not sure if technically it can be done well. As far as I know GCA doesn't have a generic map page like Groundspeak does (https://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx). All GCA maps seem start from a set point/cache/area. I think we can all agree that the Groundspeak map is ordinary at best which makes me wonder if it is possible to have a generic map page that actually works well? If it can be done than that would be good!
mtrax wrote:one idea that would set GCA aside from the GC site could be Events.
I have been tossing the idea of some sort of event type cache which could facilitate group finds
ie if you are a "lone" cacher wanting to look for a buddy for a hour or a day, you could publish an event along with a few target geocaches.
like a Meet-up a cache style this would promote more of the social side of caching etc..
This is essentially the reason that SA still occasionally has GCA events.
Bewilderbeest wrote:
CraigRat wrote:Great feedback there. Some good suggestions!
Yes, but -1 on the post code search. Post codes aren't a geographic classification. Not all postcodes apply to to a geographic area, and not all geographic areas have a post code.
I thought we already had a post code search - it was just hidden in the little mysterious search box in the top right corner?

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CraigRat
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by CraigRat » 03 February 15 5:34 am

Laighside Legends wrote:
the Monkey King wrote:I like what Laighside Legends has suggested re the "search part idea" on the main page, but I would like to see the googlemap button there, for reasons mentioned above.
I was a little hesitant about the Google map button because I'm not sure if technically it can be done well. As far as I know GCA doesn't have a generic map page like Groundspeak does (https://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx). All GCA maps seem start from a set point/cache/area. I think we can all agree that the Groundspeak map is ordinary at best which makes me wonder if it is possible to have a generic map page that actually works well? If it can be done than that would be good!?
http://geocaching.com.au/caches/available.gmap

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CraigRat
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by CraigRat » 03 February 15 5:44 am

Laighside Legends wrote:
Bewilderbeest wrote:
CraigRat wrote:Great feedback there. Some good suggestions!
Yes, but -1 on the post code search. Post codes aren't a geographic classification. Not all postcodes apply to to a geographic area, and not all geographic areas have a post code.
I thought we already had a post code search - it was just hidden in the little mysterious search box in the top right corner?
Correct.

http://wiki.geocaching.com.au/wiki/Search_function

I don't see the need to be explicit like in the suggestion provided in this thread, once we have the new server hardware the search will become substantially faster again, but we probably need it to show a bit more info to the user when you hover over it/enter data

geo_jas
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by geo_jas » 03 February 15 6:31 am

CraigRat wrote:
Laighside Legends wrote:
the Monkey King wrote:I like what Laighside Legends has suggested re the "search part idea" on the main page, but I would like to see the googlemap button there, for reasons mentioned above.
I was a little hesitant about the Google map button because I'm not sure if technically it can be done well. As far as I know GCA doesn't have a generic map page like Groundspeak does (https://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx). All GCA maps seem start from a set point/cache/area. I think we can all agree that the Groundspeak map is ordinary at best which makes me wonder if it is possible to have a generic map page that actually works well? If it can be done than that would be good!?
http://geocaching.com.au/caches/available.gmap
I use this a bit. It would be more useful if it started centered on your home coords at a similar zoom level as when you open it from a cache page.
Like this: http://geocaching.com.au/cache/ga6859.gmap

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Happy Chappies
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by Happy Chappies » 03 February 15 1:56 pm

There's some really good thoughts here and I concur with most of it. When I think about my GC.com usage I tend to dive straight into the maps page near my home - In fact, that's what my bookmark for GC.com pulls up. I don't waste my time at the home page at all.... So I'd agree that a quick frontpage link to the maps (ideally at the individual's coords) would be great. Perhaps even a frame showing that individual's map on the homepage? Maybe that's asking too much...

I also think that one of the strengths of GCA is (or at least used to be - before FB) the forums. Rather than just saying 'Happy Chappies are playing in the forum! Why not join in?', could the most recent/hottest discussion topics be listed. People might be more willing to join in and appreciate GCA's strengths in that if they see the topics rather than the players.

Definitely keep the photo feed - That's a unique point and a great one.

I wonder if the blog section might be better utilised too - It's another unique feature, and certainly could have a lot of potential. Get some of the 'core' GCA members to regularly contribute entertaining cacher stories, profile and rotate them through the home page, etc. I love reading about interesting logs and finds - good and bad - and I know that's often when this forum became much more lively. I'd be happy to contribute... (as I'm not likely to get any stories profiled on GC.com's regular newsletter anytime :roll: )

Laighside Legends
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by Laighside Legends » 03 February 15 1:57 pm

CraigRat wrote:
Laighside Legends wrote:
the Monkey King wrote:I like what Laighside Legends has suggested re the "search part idea" on the main page, but I would like to see the googlemap button there, for reasons mentioned above.
I was a little hesitant about the Google map button because I'm not sure if technically it can be done well. As far as I know GCA doesn't have a generic map page like Groundspeak does (https://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx). All GCA maps seem start from a set point/cache/area. I think we can all agree that the Groundspeak map is ordinary at best which makes me wonder if it is possible to have a generic map page that actually works well? If it can be done than that would be good!?
http://geocaching.com.au/caches/available.gmap
Never knew that existed. How do you get to that from the home page?

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the Monkey King
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by the Monkey King » 03 February 15 3:54 pm

For a caching map based on your home co-ords:

On the main page there is a tab called 'My'. Click on that to open the menu and then click on 'Account'. When that page opens up, scroll down to find "My closest caches (google maps) and you have the google map based on your home co-ords.

It is the best thing even, and I used it all the time. Better than sliced bread.

geo_jas
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Re: Some thoughts on GCA...

Post by geo_jas » 04 February 15 6:50 am

the Monkey King wrote:For a caching map based on your home co-ords:

On the main page there is a tab called 'My'. Click on that to open the menu and then click on 'Account'. When that page opens up, scroll down to find "My closest caches (google maps) and you have the google map based on your home co-ords.

It is the best thing even, and I used it all the time. Better than sliced bread.
I somehow missed this link, even though I often go to the 'My' screen. I think this map screen should be easier to find. A big button on the home screen maybe?

The one feature I like about the GC home page is how it automatically fills your home location in the search box, and the button to find your current location if you go there on a phone.

I really like the GCA omni-search but it'd be nice if getting a list (or map) of caches for a location was easier to find.

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