Did I get that message when I joined? Its very overwhelming. And very busy. Maybe something simpler - and maybe a couple different messages as they log in a maneuver the site...

1. Rules and Code of Conduct and setting up their profile
2. Then more about the icons, etc
3. Contacts in their area

People forget 80% of what they first read... I've trained folks for years and you have to repeat basics often.

JMO

A newbie's first contact may be the intro note in the box. It took me years to realize that long-winded explanations don't get it, it needs to be short and sweet. So this is what mine looks like now:

YOU HAVE FOUND A LETTERBOX!

Please:

- Make your mark in the log book
- Return all contents to container
- Close container securely
- Rehide it in its original location
- Conceal well
- Log your find at

http://www.AtlasQuest.com

That was very carefully worded to get across the point that the box must go back to the same hiding spot yet still be hidden well.

I know I'll sound like a jerk saying this, but I don't want my contact info sent to newbies for 2 reasons. 1) I, like everyone else, have time constraints. I'm happy to answer questions on the boards when I can / when I happen to catch them, but I don't want to be obligated to do so. 2) Honestly, I don't want strangers knowing where I live! Once I've made friends with you, THEN you can know where I'm from... approximately.

don't want my contact info sent to newbies [...]

Perhaps, add an option to preferences to have contact information sent to new boxers in the area. It defaults to off.

Yeah, that still happens. Also, immediately after you first register, you're also sent to the Account Created page.

That is perfect! Can't believe you were able to travel back in time, create a nice intro message chock full of easy to digest info for newbies based on my suggestion today!

You amaze daily and I promise to pay more attention in the future (but with your powers you probably already know that)

I was thinking more on the lines of by state, not town or address... And it wouldn't be obligatory...

Probably this has been suggested already, however, on the advanced search menu could a checkbox be there to list multiple boxes under Attributes?

There is (premium perk) a way to search for multiple boxes. I just set # in Series to "2".

I just set # in Series to "2".

Does that work for 2 or more? It doesn’t assume series with only 2 boxes?

Yes, it will search for 2 or more. If I put in "5", it will give me series with 5 or more boxes.

It's been done, but as others have noted, it's a premium member perk. =)

For those of you who'd like to know about other premium member perk attributes that can be searched, the full list is:

• WOM boxes
• Bonus boxes
• Blue diamond boxes
• Box of the week boxes
• Planters choice
• Special gear required
• Compass NOT known to be required
• NOT a known fee area
• Historic boxes (those planted more than 10 years ago and listed more than 5 years ago)
• Rare finds (those that haven't had a recorded find in a year or more)
• Boxes that have had their type changed (used to be listed as a traditional but was changed to an event box, for instance)
• Show only boxes with no recorded finds
• Show only boxes that you've added a watch to
• Show only boxes that HAVE restrictions (but you can't specify what kind of restriction)
• Show only boxes that have NO restrictions
• Plus, as said earlier, all series with at least a certain number of boxes in it. =)

So there are a lot of search options just for premium members!

-- Ryan

I know this won't be a popular point of view but I'd like to see a 'find' restriction on boxers before they can list a 'plant'. It takes time in this hobby to know what a good plant is and reduce your chances of the box being found by muggles. So many newbies are so excited at first, run out and plant only to have the box be gone. Maybe a 30-40 box find restriction would be reasonable.

I know this won't be a popular point of view but I'd like to see a 'find' restriction on boxers before they can list a 'plant'. It takes time in this hobby to know what a good plant is and reduce your chances of the box being found by muggles. So many newbies are so excited at first, run out and plant only to have the box be gone. Maybe a 30-40 box find restriction would be reasonable.

The problem with that is a lot of letterboxers don't live where there is a plethora of boxes to find. So you are saying these newbies can only half participate in the hobby due to the fact that OTHER people have not planted enough boxes near them.

Yeah, when I started in 2004 there were exactly zero boxes within 100 miles.

Not sure how that would work; planters might still plant and just not list them. I can imagine more problems than a solution.

I know this won't be a popular point of view but I'd like to see a 'find' restriction on boxers before they can list a 'plant'.

But vhat abvout zhe peoples who vant to plvant under undt alias?

But vhat abvout zhe peoples who vant to plvant under undt alias?

Well, Mr. Boris Badenov—if that is your real name—you don't have any plants OR finds, so why would you care? ;o)

So many newbies are so excited at first, run out and plant only to have the box be gone.

But in all seriousness.... I'm not sure why anyone would consider this a problem. Some people learn from experience, and some people learn from other people's mistakes, and some people learn from their own mistakes. It's all good! As long as they learn something.... =)

-- Ryan, who sometimes prefers to screw up for that first-hand experience

Well if they plant and don't list on AQ or LB or somewhere where folks can get clues what does it matter. People won't know to look so if they go missing who would know.

would it be possible to add to the LTC plant statistics page: https://www.atlasquest.com/aboutus/stats/

the number of LTC trackers listed during each month,
the total number of trackers per year
and
the number of start dates per month (to compare which months are busier than others)

and

if you really like data any other interesting info.

Some, a few, maybe a couple, okay just me
...are interested in the ebbs and flows of LTC life.

I was looking for a specific series of 10+ boxes.
I couldn't remember:
Where
Any part of the name

I do remember:
At least 10 in the series
Somewhere less than 300 miles from my home

As you might guess, this returns a large quantity of boxes.

There are many series which were part of an event which have been Retired shortly after an event.
When I search in Advanced Search under Other Options, it would help if there was an "Ignore Retired"
option.

Thanks for considering this.
GG

While waiting for this option, do you remember who planted it or any of the other attendees? Not all attendees will have logged the event or have their logbook open, but this is a place to start.

I was looking for a specific series of 10+ boxes.

Did you try putting in your location name and the 300 miles for distance and then putting "10" in the "# in Series (Min)" box. Fill in the other options you need on the rest of the page and choose the "Run Search" at the bottom of the page.

When I search in Advanced Search under Other Options, it would help if there was an "Ignore Retired" option.

There is this option already, under Box Status in Advanced Search, simply choose the "Active" box and only active boxes will pull.

No, they're not event boxes. Just a large series somewhere in southern New England.
It was so long ago, I just have a memory of seeing the listing, but it wasn't where I was going and didn't tag for later.

I used my address, specified 10 or more, and 300 mile radius.
Checked the box to ignore old last finds, my finds, plants, 8 mile or less hikes, abandoned, everything I could find to narrow the search.
The only thing I remember is that it's around a lake and the circumference trail is in vicinity of four miles.
Somewhere in southern New England, or maybe eastern NY.

It's one of those things that I feel like I'll recognize it when I see it.

But, oooh, I just had a "doh" moment just now. "Box Status" clicked on Active.
It dropped the results from 500 to 300.

I'm getting there!

Janila, thank you for my Doh moment.
300 is so much better.

the number of start dates per month

Most people log when they receive a package, normally a week after the start date. Finds by month shows a peak in Feb/March, July, and October.

LTC activities have been on a steady decline for years. The only jump was 2012 when Ryan had a blog post about them.

Ryan - If you read this, please blog about them again! Even if it's just a "reprint" of the old article! Only you can breathe new life into this side of the hobby!

Ryan - If you read this...

As if I don't always read posts on the suggestions board! *shaking head*

please blog about them again!

You should have caught me a week ago before I sent out the Marjorie's Potpourri. Although I suppose I have plenty of LTCs I've collected over the years that I could blog about.

I wish I had more time to make some myself. I don't know how so many of you have time to create these things!

-- Ryan

Well if they plant and don't list on AQ or LB or somewhere where folks can get clues what does it matter.

It doesn't, and we've learned this the hard way.

But, you were right about one thing -- your suggestion is not a popular point of view (which, fortunately, at least IMHO, is a Good Thing).

Restrictions, of course, in all forms are a Bad Thing, but who am I to argue against discrimination?

Restrictions, of course, in all forms are a Bad Thing, but who am I to argue against discrimination?

Svome pveople insteed dee-cide tvo make zhe dee-fee-cult boxes to decode.

Is it possible to revise the pot luck sign up so that a person could sign up for more than one item, and have those items appear in the proper category? I know I can list several on one line, but if one is a dessert and one is a main dish and the other is silverware... one or more of those items may get overlooked if it's showing in a different group. :)