Hi Kstar

thanks for the thoughts. I think many of our concerns haven't been with
people letting it be know that they found or enjoyed our boxes. I think
most of us love hearing that. My concerns are with inadvertent spoiling of
clues or inaccurate "MIA" reports.

I love hearing about people's adventures since A-Bear and I are the only ID
boxers for now. I think it is great to discuss things on list if it is done
carefully, but finding a set database that contains just information like
"missing" when that may not be true may too easily dissuade others from
seeking great boxes.

happy hunting!
Cadenza

From: "Kstar"
Reply-To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 05:38:34 -0000
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Database vs. Evolution


First; I want to say, I love letterboxing. Nothing before has
inspired me to appreciate all the beauty this earth has to offer,
this much. Does this sound odd to you? It does me... And I've only
been at it a short while, but I still know enough to love it.

Second; I am guilty. I posted other people's letterboxes on the
database. I screwed up BIG TIME and I'm truly sorry. I feel horrible
about it. I (wrongly) assumed people would appreciate knowing their
boxes are fine, found, and being thoroughly enjoyed by others. From
now on, I will check each clue sheet on the LBNA website for an
indication from the owner as to whether or not they would like to see
their box reported.. in any fashion. I have no other way to know. I
personally would LOVE to hear about my boxes and will say so.

Third and Lastly; This activity is growing by LEAPS and BOUNDS. And
this growth seems.. or seemed... to be supported and encouraged by
almost everyone. But now, as much as everyone would love to... you
cannot control it.
Just appreciate it... and try to relax a little. Change is good, it
fosters growth, in many forms. See you on the trail:)


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

I agree that change is inevitable, As the hobby grows, the way we do
things will change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. But
that doesn't have to mean a change in direction, away from the spirit
of the game.

It has been incorrectly assumed that because folks don't want their
boxes listed in the database that they do not want to hear reports on
them. In the majority of cases, nothing could be further from the
truth. I love to hear reports on my boxes, and appreciate when
finders e-mail me with their successes (and non-successes). This is
how I keep tabs on my boxes and keep up-to-date status information on
each box on the clue page. I am fortunate to be in Michigan where
the majority of boxers don't even read the Yahoo list, so the logical
way to report they have found a box is via e-mail.

It has also been incorrectly assumed that because some folks have
voiced dislike of sitreps that they do not want to hear about boxing
adventures. I love reading fun and interesting stories such as those
reported by BeMa (and others). The concern is reports that reveal
specifics about boxes and give away information that the seeker
intended to be part of the challenge and/or reward of finding the
box. And then there are the reports that are just lists of boxes
found which seem that they would have been more effectively sent to
the placer.

It also concerns me that when people report their box finds to the
list, that they are assuming this serves as notification to the box
placer. Of course nobody is under any obligation to report a box
find to the placer, but many do ask to be notified via e-mail. In
the past it wasn't always obvious how to get in touch with the
placer, so box finds were sometimes posted to the list hoping they
would see them there. The new LbNA site makes it possible to e-mail
any box placer. Posting to the list is not the same thing, as many
people do not read the list.

It also has been thrown out a few times that perhaps the elders could
teach the newer members. I believe that most of those clinging to
tradition have been very active in organizing events and workshops
for the letterboxing community as a whole. Several also have web
sites that give a wealth of information and links to letterboxing
information. But making the information and instruction available is
only half of it... people still need to take advantage of the
learning tools that are presented. And most of all, need to
understand that as with so many other things in life, the best
teacher is experience.

This post is not meant as a flame to anyone and please do not flame
me back either on list or via personal e-mail. I am tired of the
same people who are saying that we must respect people's opinions and
get past the negativity sending me e-mail that is negative and
disrespectful.

I think this thing has gone round and round and been beaten
completely to death. I for one, will agree to disagree because the
back and forth is no fun and certainly fits nowhere into the
reasoning of why I letterbox.

SpringChick

Make that two scoops and don't hold back on the whipped cream! You all make
my day! Thanks!! BeMa


>From: "SpringChick"
>Reply-To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [LbNA] Re: Database vs. Evolution
>Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 10:00:44 -0000
>
>I agree that change is inevitable, As the hobby grows, the way we do
>things will change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. But
>that doesn't have to mean a change in direction, away from the spirit
>of the game.
>
>It has been incorrectly assumed that because folks don't want their
>boxes listed in the database that they do not want to hear reports on
>them. In the majority of cases, nothing could be further from the
>truth. I love to hear reports on my boxes, and appreciate when
>finders e-mail me with their successes (and non-successes). This is
>how I keep tabs on my boxes and keep up-to-date status information on
>each box on the clue page. I am fortunate to be in Michigan where
>the majority of boxers don't even read the Yahoo list, so the logical
>way to report they have found a box is via e-mail.
>
>It has also been incorrectly assumed that because some folks have
>voiced dislike of sitreps that they do not want to hear about boxing
>adventures. I love reading fun and interesting stories such as those
>reported by BeMa (and others). The concern is reports that reveal
>specifics about boxes and give away information that the seeker
>intended to be part of the challenge and/or reward of finding the
>box. And then there are the reports that are just lists of boxes
>found which seem that they would have been more effectively sent to
>the placer.
>
>It also concerns me that when people report their box finds to the
>list, that they are assuming this serves as notification to the box
>placer. Of course nobody is under any obligation to report a box
>find to the placer, but many do ask to be notified via e-mail. In
>the past it wasn't always obvious how to get in touch with the
>placer, so box finds were sometimes posted to the list hoping they
>would see them there. The new LbNA site makes it possible to e-mail
>any box placer. Posting to the list is not the same thing, as many
>people do not read the list.
>
>It also has been thrown out a few times that perhaps the elders could
>teach the newer members. I believe that most of those clinging to
>tradition have been very active in organizing events and workshops
>for the letterboxing community as a whole. Several also have web
>sites that give a wealth of information and links to letterboxing
>information. But making the information and instruction available is
>only half of it... people still need to take advantage of the
>learning tools that are presented. And most of all, need to
>understand that as with so many other things in life, the best
>teacher is experience.
>
>This post is not meant as a flame to anyone and please do not flame
>me back either on list or via personal e-mail. I am tired of the
>same people who are saying that we must respect people's opinions and
>get past the negativity sending me e-mail that is negative and
>disrespectful.
>
>I think this thing has gone round and round and been beaten
>completely to death. I for one, will agree to disagree because the
>back and forth is no fun and certainly fits nowhere into the
>reasoning of why I letterbox.
>
>SpringChick
>
>
>

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