Australian Cache Density

TeamGeoPlesk · Post by **TeamGeoPlesk** » 25 October 08 10:11 pm

---Updated---See Post on Following Page--- 

G'day Guys,
 
I've devolped a density map for australian caches which you may be interested in. Currently this only takes into account caches at this time last year (from http://www.roblisa.com/geocache) but in about a week when i have some time and update the data i hope to post a current version.
 
The file is linked and set to update about once every week, so the next update should come in automatically.
 
I am very open to recomendations and suggestions about this concept. I understand that the current format only supports 20x20km cells, and i am working toward making this less, but this will also take some time. If i were to set this up now we would be looking at a file of about 3mb for 5x5km cells. It also takes quite a while to process.
 
For those of you interested, i will be moving to creating the density maps dynamically online, but i am comming into exam period at the moment so it will have to wait. If i go ahead with the plans, it should be functioning by January (at the latest).
 
The kml file is available via:
 
http://members.westnet.com.au/plesk/aus ... tylink.kml (100 kb)
 
Enjoy
Paul
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Map Monkey · Post by **Map Monkey** » 25 October 08 10:37 pm

NOW i see why i need to going caching in Adelaide.

mm

zactyl · Post by **zactyl** » 26 October 08 12:40 am

Whoohoo, thanks!

First impression is that it needs to be translucent, currently can't see the map underneath.
Looking forward to checking it out with the new data!

TeamGeoPlesk · Post by **TeamGeoPlesk** » 26 October 08 1:18 am

I have played with transparencies before and they make the interpretation of the colour classes very difficult when looking from a higher altitudes. I will look at adding transparancy support when i automate the process online later in the year. Basically the cell size and transparancy will alter relative to the 'camera' altitude (if that makes sence!).
 
Adelaide and surrounds has some great caches! I went there en route to katherine at the end of last year and swiped quite a few on one of the peninsulas. Quite the trip with some almighty hides. 'Caching from the Crow's Nest GC16EBV' is still to this day my favourite! Well worth the journey down south.
 
 Top 5 Densities (as of 08/10/2007): Average Caches/Square KM
 0.67 - East Adelaide Region
 0.59 - Brisbane CBD Region
 0.44 - Melbourne CBD Region
 0.42 - Brisbane CBD Region
 0.41 - Brisbane CBD Region
 0.40 - ACT Region
 0.32 - ACT Region
 0.31 - Sydney CBD Region
 0.27 - Adelaide CBD Region
 0.26 - Adelaide CBD Region

Richary · Post by **Richary** » 26 October 08 9:49 am

Interesting stuff, thanks

zactyl wrote:First impression is that it needs to be translucent, currently can't see the map underneath.

You can vary the "solidness" of the overlay yourself, using the slider just under the My Places bookmarks. So you can make it more transparent if you want.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 October 08 11:24 am

Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?

Post by **CraigRat** » 26 October 08 11:50 am

delta_foxtrot2 wrote:Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?

Just as I thought.... you ARE new here

TeamGeoPlesk · Post by **TeamGeoPlesk** » 26 October 08 12:14 pm

delta_foxtrot2 wrote:Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?

I would argue the same myself, but statistics say that the more caches in an area the greatest chance of actually finding one that is quite good. Also i cannot get my hands on the gca ratings data so cannot draw up a guide of the average rankings on caches in an area. So we will just have to live with quantity.

richary wrote:You can vary the "solidness" of the overlay yourself, using the slider just under the My Places bookmarks. So you can make it more transparent if you want.)

Cool, i didn't even know that one! I've always seen it there but never explored. Cheers for the heads up!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 October 08 12:24 pm

CraigRat wrote:
delta_foxtrot2 wrote:Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?
Just as I thought.... you ARE new here

He who dies with the most toys, is still dead

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 October 08 12:27 pm

TeamGeoPlesk wrote:but statistics say that the more caches in an area the greatest chance of actually finding one that is quite good.

I was going to use an analogy with movies, but most seem crap these days, although that proves my point I guess, doesn't matter how much crap you shovel you ain't gonna find diamonds

TeamGeoPlesk · Post by **TeamGeoPlesk** » 26 October 08 1:45 pm

Ahhh, there are always diamonds! Otherwise none of us would ever look, you have to take the good with the bad. If you are starved for good caches you should take a trip to katherine and tackle some of chedents ones up here, then tell me there are no diamonds!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 October 08 2:03 pm

TeamGeoPlesk wrote:If you are starved for good caches you should take a trip to katherine and tackle some of chedents ones up here, then tell me there are no diamonds!

Actually that's how I should have finished my post, it's not about how much crap you shovel, but location location location

Ksix · Post by **Ksix** » 27 October 08 1:56 pm

delta_foxtrot2 wrote:
CraigRat wrote:
delta_foxtrot2 wrote:Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?
Just as I thought.... you ARE new here
He who dies with the most toys, is still dead

True true... But at least he dies HAPPY !!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 October 08 2:04 pm

Ksix wrote:
delta_foxtrot2 wrote:
CraigRat wrote:
delta_foxtrot2 wrote:Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?
Just as I thought.... you ARE new here
He who dies with the most toys, is still dead
True true... But at least he dies HAPPY !!!

What if it's a horrible agonising painful death?

TeamGeoPlesk · Post by **TeamGeoPlesk** » 27 October 08 5:40 pm

delta_foxtrot2 wrote:
Ksix wrote:
delta_foxtrot2 wrote:
CraigRat wrote:
delta_foxtrot2 wrote:Erm isn't it quality, not quantity that matters?
Just as I thought.... you ARE new here
He who dies with the most toys, is still dead
True true... But at least he dies HAPPY !!!
What if it's a horrible agonising painful death?

If its painful you shoud see a doctor and prehaps you could give caching a miss for the time being! Especially if its bad for the health (in this case it looks like stress may be the problem)
Prehaps you could speak you mind in the threapy forum which can be found here: http://forum.geocaching.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=10965

There might be some material to console your self there. Personally i like the good with the bad, its the journey that counts finding the ultimate cache, its not always the ultimate itself.