> Interesting reading the thoughts back in May 2000 [...] Two years
> later nothing new. Clues Clues Clues.

I guess my thoughts on this matter in the archives were missed, so
what the heck :-). As a clue writer who has done new stuff over the
past two years, more words on this topic that never seems to die, for
the archives ...

If you like gps clues, write them, or find only boxes that are
gps-based. IMHO, there have been alot of new innovations in clues
in the past two years. GPS clues are perfectly acceptable, to
say "It would be nice if coordinates were an accepted part of this
hobby" doesn't make sense. All clues are accepted to the list.
No clue is accepted by everyone. Write clues to your audience,
whether its 5% or 95% of the people.

In the early days, some clues were based on gps, even before SA was
turned off and geocaching existed. It could have evolved that way,
but it didn't, prolly because people didn't want it to, based on
taste. My sense is that most people ignored gps clues, just as
most people ignore mine. That's the way is should work. When
Dave Ulmer "invented" geocaching, those who were into gps went
that way, and those that were not went this way.

To say using a gps makes clues "exclusive" doesn't make sense either,
at least to me. I have a friend who does geocaching who doesn't own
a gps. I don't think he feels geocaching is exclusive because he
doesn't own a gps, and the clues use coordinates. I guess my clues
are exclusive as well, as you have to use all sorts of tools to find
them. I'm not sure why people think there is something special or
magical about the gps tool. Finally, if you need or want gps
coordinates to the starting point of my clues, then my clues are not
for you anyway. And what is wrong with being "exclusive", that is
to say, requiring a particular skill to find a box? All boxes are
exclusive in one way or another (time, actually, usually being the
resource most excluded on ...).

Finally, I've been told by my geocaching friend that one of the
geocaching web sites has a "committee" that approves clues (I don't
know, his words). To require gps coords on clues would necessitate
some sort of analogous committee to make sure the clues had these
coordinates (all requirements need enforcement, or they become
meaningless). My sense is that people historically haven't wanted
something like this, and since this list is not moderated, your gps
clues can come onto the list if you want to write them. As for the
lbna website (or your own website), my guess is that a similar
attitude holds sway. If pro or anti gps people are saying they want
the hobby to be gps friendly, or gps anti-friendly, participate in
the way you see fit, and see how it evolves ...

So, no one is stopping you from doing gps clues, but I think most
people don't care for them. But do what you want to do, just don't
ask me to do what you want me to do, or ignore me when I don't :-)

Cheers

I use Topozone, and I don't own a GPS. It's not necessary.

Oh well, I guess Randy's right, you can write your clues (or non-clues if
you prefer) any way you want. Maybe I'll plant a box using Loran-C, which
is still the standard for the local lobster fleet. I just won't spend much
time carving the stamp, as I wouldn't expect anyone to visit.

Mare

----- Original Message -----
From: "lizardbuttsfamily"
To:
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2002 4:02 AM
Subject: [LbNA] GPS first post -archive3022


> Interesting reading the thoughts back in May 2000(starting with
> archive 3022) on GPS and how one could incorporate the use of a GPS
> into letterboxing. Two years later nothing new.
> Clues Clues Clues. Topomaps are really cool! Just a thought from one
> old hiker.
>
> Monica
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe: mailto:letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@egroups.com
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>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Yeah, gps is a cool way to enhance your clues. There are a few
floating around. Ben of RIBNAG once sent me an amazing database of
coordinates for letterboxes of ours that he had found.

I also love www.topozone.com and use it all the time (and am amazed
that it is still free). Just like the folks who don't use a gps to
geocache, you don't need coordinates to use topozone. You can just
type in the town or park or mountain or whatever and it'll point you
to the map you need.

Back in the day I was lobstering out of Newport RI and we used Loran,
but now my favorite use for my gps is striper fishing. We can get
within inches of Ned's Hole out in the Race and believe me, that's
some fun fishing!

Jay in CT