I don't mind the database if it is used to say "I found it" "I didn't
find it". If you have issues to report such as the condition of the
box. If the box itself is broken or damaged. If it was found in the
middle of the path, and you didn't know which stump to replace it in.
This kind of stuff needs to be emailed directly to the placer.

Unfortunately, some folks get all excited about a find and spoil the
hunt for others. If someone needs "easier" clues to a box...just
email the placer for a hint. Or email someone else who you know found
the box and see if they will give a hint. No need to broadcast it to
all 1200 people on this list.

--Amanda from Seattle

Funhog, I reported on your P-3 box on the database. I didnt give
away the hiding place. Go ahead and delete my report.

Wanda (Busy Bee)


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "funhog1" wrote:
> I just glanced at this thing, looking only at boxes I placed or had
> found. Right off the bat, I found one that gave away the hiding
place, thus wrecking a well-designed clue. I agree with Jay... I do
not want my boxes on this list. Funhog

I would have to agree with Amanda on this one! I feel that the database
should say that it has been found, and on what date and by whom. I do not feel
that the database should say any spoilers that are written in by a finder. All
I want to know, is if a box has been found or not. That way, if a box is
indeed missing, I'm not going to spend hours hiking to find out....

Just my two cents
Music Woman
in CT


> I don't mind the database if it is used to say "I found it" "I didn't
> find it". If you have issues to report such as the condition of the
> box. If the box itself is broken or damaged. If it was found in the
> middle of the path, and you didn't know which stump to replace it in.
> This kind of stuff needs to be emailed directly to the placer.
>
> Unfortunately, some folks get all excited about a find and spoil the
> hunt for others. If someone needs "easier" clues to a box...just
> email the placer for a hint. Or email someone else who you know found
> the box and see if they will give a hint. No need to broadcast it to
> all 1200 people on this list.
>
> --Amanda from Seattle
>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

One drawback of such a database would be if the box is just plain
difficult to find (be it due to a great hiding spot, incredible
camouflage or excitingly vague clues).

For Example: We recently found a box in a remote location that was
considered 'missing' by multiple letterboxers--even pronounced
missing on the list by someone other than the 'placer' themselves.
That message discouraged many future letterboxers from even
attempting the trek. The only reason we even continued to visit the
area was the allure of a nearby waterfall (avid photographer) and to
see a new part of the area we hadn't yet visited on many previous
visits to the region. We went on the trek, sought out the letterbox
(the clues were vague--just like we like) just in case and found the
box alive & well--with no visitors in over a year! We truly think
that 'false missing report' discouraged other letterboxers from
attempting the quest. How do you prevent false 'missing' reports on
such a database?

On a personal note, we've also had numerous letterboxers report to
us that our letterboxes were missing--we carved a replacement box,
hiked out to the hiding spot only to find the letterbox safe and
sound. False missing reports are quite common--we've personally
received several dozen said reports. We're even guilty of
such 'false missing reports' for treks we've ventured on ourselves.

As for tracking the status of our myriad 'placed' letterboxes, we do
it on our own website (either we post it as we visit them, receive
comments on them or others can post their comments who've sought out
the letterboxes). Of course, we retain the right to edit/delete
such comments if we feel they disclose too much of the
mystery/solution to the clues. Perhaps that's something the box
placer could decide to do on their own?

Hmmmm...just some thoughts for discussion.

dvn2r ckr

Sometimes just the date can be a spoiler for a mystery box, if the
same person found other boxes on the same date, since it would be
likely the boxes are near each other.

I noticed that NeverEnuff entered her finds into the database,
including one of my mystery boxes, and was conscientious enough to
list only the month and year to avoid this type of an association.
She also did not make any comments. Thanks!

SpringChick


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, mindizney@a... wrote:
> I would have to agree with Amanda on this one! I feel that the
database
> should say that it has been found, and on what date and by whom. I
do not feel
> that the database should say any spoilers that are written in by a
finder. All
> I want to know, is if a box has been found or not. That way, if a
box is
> indeed missing, I'm not going to spend hours hiking to find out....
>
> Just my two cents
> Music Woman
> in CT
>
>
> > I don't mind the database if it is used to say "I found it" "I
didn't
> > find it". If you have issues to report such as the condition of
the
> > box. If the box itself is broken or damaged. If it was found in
the
> > middle of the path, and you didn't know which stump to replace it
in.
> > This kind of stuff needs to be emailed directly to the placer.
> >
> > Unfortunately, some folks get all excited about a find and spoil
the
> > hunt for others. If someone needs "easier" clues to a box...just
> > email the placer for a hint. Or email someone else who you know
found
> > the box and see if they will give a hint. No need to broadcast it
to
> > all 1200 people on this list.
> >
> > --Amanda from Seattle
> >
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- dvn2rckr wrote:-------------------------------
>One drawback of such a database would be if the box is just plain difficult to
find (be it due to a great hiding spot, incredible camouflage or excitingly
vague clues).

Is that the word for vague clues?? I always thought the word was ANNOYINGLY
vague clues! LOL

Tom (of Tom & Suz)

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

What you can do, since the person who posted may not realize that they
gave the secret away, is contact either the person who posted the
report off line so they can correct it and not draw attention to the
box, or email Mahjong ("abacus00") off line and she might be able to
delete the sensitive info. Hope this helps.
:-)
catbead


--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "funhog1" wrote:
> I just glanced at this thing, looking only at boxes I placed or had
> found. Right off the bat, I found one that gave away the hiding place,
> thus wrecking a well-designed clue. I agree with Jay... I do not want
> my boxes on this list. Funhog

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "SpringChick"
wrote:
> I noticed that NeverEnuff entered her finds into the database,
> including one of my mystery boxes, and was conscientious enough to
> list only the month and year to avoid this type of an association.
> She also did not make any comments. Thanks!
>
> SpringChick

I originally did have the date and comments, but changed all my
entries after everyone made a big stink. The only comments on that
box were that it was wet and we rebagged it. I didn't think that
could give away anything, but who knows?

NeverEnuff
P1F15X0HH0V5