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Welcome to the Postal Letterboxing board!
Board: Postals
Oct 31, 2004 9:13pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Pretty clear-cut here: Use this board for any discussions about postal letterboxes. On another note, just to get the ball rolling, I'll mention that I've had a lot of requests for Atlas Quest to include support for postal letterboxers. This on my to-do list, though I'm only one man and a couple of other projects are a higher priority at the moment. Never fear, however, because postal letterboxes will be supported in the future!

-- Ryan
postal letterboxes -- a new letterboxing fad
Board: Postals
Nov 29, 2004 5:45pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Right now I am hooked on postal letterboxing. Overall, the quality of the boxes is pretty high. The energy that is not used to write clues is used to make the box. I have received some pretty creative postal boxes. I think Ruby Tuesday's Red Hat Mama is the best I have received yet.

Something else new to postal boxing is the postal letterbox ring. A group or "ring" of people sign up. Each person creates one postal letterbox and it gets sent around to everyone in the ring. I joined a ring with 18 people. So I create one postal letterbox and I receive 17 boxes in return. It is a pretty good deal. And everyone contributes. We just mailed our boxes out today. Everyone in the postal ring is really excited about it.

moonstone
Re: postal letterboxes -- a new letterboxing fad
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1136 by moonstone
Nov 29, 2004 6:25pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote A group or "ring" of people sign up. Each person creates one postal letterbox and it gets sent around to everyone in the ring.


Is there anywhere you can point people to join these 'rings'? It's kind of mean to taunt everyone about joining a ring then not letting others have the fun in joining as well! ;o)

-- Ryan
Re: postal letterboxes -- a new letterboxing fad
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1138 by Green Tortuga
Nov 30, 2004 12:33pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I am also in a couple of the rings. They are at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/postal_letterboxing/

There are no open rings at this time. If someone wants to start one they can though. Just read through the posts to see how it was done.

Basically it means that you will be flooded with Postal Mailboxes though. Unless you keep the Ring numbers low. I am on one with 18 and another with 10.

We also did a Postal Lettercard Exchange. 21 people bought 20 postcards or cards depicting their region and sent them out with their signiture stamp on them. I have received 5 so far. It's a blast.

Cherokee
Treasure Haunt PLB
Board: Postals
Dec 1, 2004 1:15pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Hi gang,

Just wanted to let you know that Red's Bunch received the Treasure Haunt PLB today. Will send it back out as soon as possible.

Silly ol Bear
Postal Boxes Support!
Board: Postals
Dec 3, 2004 8:29pm
Thread Board (disabled)
For all you fans of postal boxes, Atlas Quest now supports them! =) There are a couple of caveats you should be aware of, however.

I've done an absolute LOUSY job of testing the feature, so if anyone wants to help, add your postal boxes and let me know if you have any trouble.

Add your box, and if you know people on Atlas Quest who've gotten it, send them a message to let them know it's on Atlas Quest and they can add it to their finds.

For new boxes or those currently in circulation, you can try out the 'signup' feature so there's a list of who all wants it. Unlike other letterbox types, if you drill down to the postal box details page, it'll list everyone who's signed up--and which ones haven't recorded finding it yet. That way, you can mail it on to someone who hasn't recorded it.

I've explicitly NOT put in a feature to add address information. For privacy reasons, I figure the ONLY person who needs to know your address is the person who's sending the box. Contact the person you want to mail it to directly to get that information. This is a good practice for other reasons:

1. Keeps your address private.
2. It makes sure the person is expecting it before it arrives.
3. It ensures you get their current, valid address.

I plan to add a couple of more features so the creator of the box can boot people who've signed up from the signup list if they become unresponsive (open it up for people who will keep the box moving) and help ensure if there are conditions attached to the box (i.e. it's only for people living in Ohio), the owner of the box can boot those that don't qualify but signed up anyhow.

That's the only semi-major thing I can think of to add. *twiddling thumbs*

Anyhow.... If you have any trouble, please let me know! =)

-- Ryan
I want to join in on this...
Board: Postals
Dec 8, 2004 12:05pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Unfortunatly, I can't find a ring to join or anyone who will help me find one. I wouldn't mind starting one, but I don't think that is such a good idea seeing how I have no experience or knowledge about postal boxes. I have read quite a bit about them and it does sound like fun. Can anyone point me in the right direction, maybe fill me in on where I can sign up? Thanks!
Re: I want to join in on this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1285 by Penguin Patrol
Dec 8, 2004 3:35pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote I can't find a ring to join or anyone who will help me find one. I wouldn't mind starting one, but I don't think that is such a good idea seeing how I have no experience or knowledge about postal boxes.


You know, that's not always a bad thing--trying to create something that you've never had personal experience with. Sometimes, people get set in their ways and think there is no other way to get something done until someone who's not with that mindset does it themselves a bit differently not knowing how something is 'normally' done. Evolution, if you will. =)

I planted my first hitchhiker before there were any known in the Pacific Northwest. I kept reading about them on the east coast, but we didn't have any action going on in the west coast, so I decided to seed the area with a few. Put them in zip lock bags and planted them in other letterboxes.

Months later, hitchhikers were everywhere--including those coming from the east coast. I was kind of surprised to learn they did hitchhikers a bit differently than those I seeded here on the west coast--their hitchhikers always seemed to be in their box! The hitchhiker would be planted alongside an existing box, rather than inside of it.

In the end, it didn't really matter which method one used, but it opened the world for more hitchhikers. Some boxes, if they were really small like a microbox, you'd think a hitchhiker couldn't fit in it and therefore you needed to find a different letterbox to hide it in. But if the hitchhiker came with its own box, that didn't matter.

Other times, a hitchhiker fits in its little place perfectly, but there's no room to hide an additional box with it--although there's plenty of room to hide a small hitchhiker inside the letterbox.

Now you'll see both types of hitchhikers running around. Power to the hitchhikers! =)

Anyhow.... It's okay if you go it alone and try a postal ring. Perhaps it'll develop in some way nobody ever thought of before and make it a better, stronger concept than before. =)

But! Just in case you'd still like to confer with others, the best resource for that is probably at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/postal_letterboxing/ where hundreds of postal boxers are signed up. Lots of action out there!

Happy trails!

-- Ryan
Treasure Haunt PLB
Board: Postals
Dec 9, 2004 11:47am
Thread Board (disabled)
Finally made it to the post office and sent off the Treasure Haunt PLB. Shame on me for keeping it a week. Only going one town over so they should get the box Friday.

Silly ol Bear
Letterbox rings
Board: Postals
Dec 9, 2004 3:27pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Thank you cherokee for answering the question about postal letterbox rings. I have not read the board in a while so did not provide and answer.

Liz, the postal rings (and boxes) on the yahoo talk group fill up really fast. You almost have to be in the right place at the right time. Ryan's advice is good advice, sometimes not having experience and just jumping in you improve/evolve/change etc the process because you didn't know better. Where I work they have a saying " So&so <fill in name here> did the impossible because no one told her (or him) that it was impossible so s/he didn't know!"

I just saw a ring advertised on the yahoo group that was open recently (it may still be open.) it had requirements that you had to create a postal box about your hobby. You may want to do a search and see if it is still open.

Also, there is a data base of postal boxes listed on the talk group. SOme of these boxes are open and require certain criteria to sign up. For example,there is an F500 box. You have to have found 500 letterboxes to sign up. There is a P100 box. you have to have planted 100 boxes to sign up. There is a poison ivy first aid kit. You have to have contracted poison ivy while letterboxing & share your story to get this box. There is another postal box on the talk group that you have to solve a riddle to get. I still haven't figured it out. SO you see, some times if you poke around you are rewarded by what you find.

good luck,

moonstone
Re: Letterbox rings
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1297 by moonstone
Dec 9, 2004 8:29pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I appreciate the help moonstone. Over the next few weeks, I plan to really familize myself with the postal letterboxes and how they work. The only downside I have noticed is how cliquish alot of people are. In some aspects, it is almost like reliving high school. LOL I'll get over it I am sure.
Re: Letterbox rings
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1302 by Penguin Patrol
Dec 10, 2004 12:11am
Thread Board (disabled)
Hi this is Cherokee. Just wanted to let you know that I'm the one that started the PLb Ring called My Hobby over on the yahoo PLb group. Also wanted to let you know that the Yahoo PLb group is a great group. I don't see the arguments that I see on other groups and it has never felt clickish to me. I'm not one for clicks and I've seen them on other groups and do agree with you but you won't really find them on the Yahoo PLb group. I also would be very happy to help anyone understand how PLb Rings work as they are. There have only been less than 6. Someone just had an idea and it took off from there. I'm sure there are other ways one could be done. I have a cell phone with thousands of anytime minutes per month and no long distance charges. If someone wants me to call them and talk about PLb rings just send me a private email at cherokeenewman at gmail dot com. I'd be happy to help.

Cherokee
new pLb just for AQ users
Board: Postals
Dec 10, 2004 8:41am
Thread Board (disabled)
Take a look at my:

"Board Games of the 70's" postal letterbox.

It's listed just on Atlas Quest, no other talk list or board.

Hope to hear from you.



--Bev
Re: new pLb just for AQ users
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1308 by letterboxingbee
Dec 10, 2004 12:44pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Hi Bev, I send you my name and address. Thanks for posting this PLb here.

Cherokee
Re: postal letterboxes -- a new letterboxing fad
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1136 by moonstone
Jan 9, 2005 4:59pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I had always been a little dubious about postal letterboxes mainly because the finding of the box is one of the things I enjoy most about letterboxing. But I did decide to sign up for a postal box in the spring and was very pleasantly surprised! I think the thing that I liked the most about it was looking at the logbook of all the stamps I have never seen. I am so familiar with most of the local stamps that it was so great to see what creative talent is outside my little sphere of New England letterboxing. It was also fun to one day get a package at the post office and have it be a letterbox! I am definitaly signing up for more.
New PLB Ring - Board Games
Board: Postals
Jan 10, 2005 11:07am
Thread Board (disabled)
Are there enough PLB people on Atlas Quest to start a PLB ring? I challenge those of y'all who 'don't believe in' PLBs to try doing one. They are a whole different art. No hunt, no hiking, but lots of fun art and self expression.

I would like to set up a PLB ring with the theme of Board Games. Like most I grew up with Clue and Monopoly. Unlike most I really liked them and moved on to more satisfying games, especialy German imports like Settlers of Catan, Puerto Rico, Privateer, Carcassone, and Pirates Cove. Games like Mah Jong, with pieces, though no board, are also ok.

I would like to limit it to 12 people but twist my arm if there is actually more interest.

In a PLB ring, every member creates a postal letterbox and sends it to the next person on the list. Every member would get 1 or 2 boxes a week. This makes for a lot of coordination but noone has to wait for a year to get a box.

If there is enough interest here in AQ to do this I will draw up a more detailed proposal.

E-mail me offlist at thedoubtfulguests at ya hoo dot com.

Scarab of the Doubtful Guests
AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Jan 18, 2005 10:29am
Thread Board (disabled)
I've had a couple of people e-mail me asking about what happens when you sign-up for a postal box on AQ--does the person who planted it get your snail mail address for the box and all.

Seeing as AQ never asks you for your address, no, we do not provide it. =)

My theory on postal boxes is that the only person who really needs to know your address is the person who's sending the box--nobody else including other people involved with the postal box really need your address. Consequently, I've made no system for keeping track of addresses. I figure when it's time to mail off a box, the person doing the mailing would contact the person doing the receiving and coordinate.

Which has the added incentive that you know the address is up-to-date, the person won't be temporarily away (on vacation or otherwise), and the person is expecting to receive it so if it doesn't arrive, you know more-or-less immediately that something went horribly wrong.

So that was my intention when I coded the support for postal boxes on AQ. If you'd prefer that AQ collected addresses from everyone and sent them to the owner or other people who've signed up for the postal box, I can be talked into it. =) But from a privacy concern, I think it's best that the only person to get your address is the person who mails the box to you.

How do the rest of you feel about the subject?

Happy trails!

-- Ryan
Re: AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1818 by Green Tortuga
Jan 18, 2005 1:15pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I like it when people email here at AQ or my yahoo address (which I also provide in the information about my new pLb's) with their mailing address. I don't really see a need to have any addresses collected here.

Then, there's the problem of people emailing me here and then don't check back into AQ for a month after I've tried to reach them for their address.

*Maybe there could be something to provide an alternative email to reply to would help (?)

*And maybe some way to forward AQ mail to our "normal" addy so we can better keep track of our incoming email on our regular email addy. (yeah, yeah I know about copy & paste) it's just easier to send "that" new mail to a particular folder designated for this pLb and that pLb etc...

going back to lurkdome now.


--Bev
Re: AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1823 by letterboxingbee
Jan 18, 2005 1:39pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote And maybe some way to forward AQ mail to our "normal" addy so we can better keep track of our incoming email on our regular email addy.


There is an option on the preferences that people can set to be e-mailed (at their normal e-mail address) whenever a new piece of AQ mail is waiting for them.

I stopped relying on that method though because too many e-mails were getting bounced and then there was no way people would *ever* get the message. It's more a problem from using a shared hosting service than a problem with the actual e-mail addresses, but since I couldn't find a work-around for it, I created the AQ mail instead and can now virtually guarantee people will get a message.

Quote Maybe there could be something to provide an alternative email to reply to would help


Again, I think this should be the user's choice. If they want to be notified of new e-mail on AQ, they do already have that option. Seems kind of mean-spirited for them to select an option NOT to receive e-mail and then send it to them anyhow.

You could include a reminder that you'll contact them through AQ and if they don't log in often, to be sure to mark the option for e-mail notification.

Happy trails!

-- Ryan
Re: AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1824 by Green Tortuga
Jan 18, 2005 4:45pm
Thread Board (disabled)
What I would really like to see is a way to close the sign ups. I added several of my postal boxes to the database so that those that are on the list could mark them as finds at their request, but now I'm getting emails from people asking to be added, even though I listed it as a closed box.

So what do I want, (my husband would say everything of course), I would like a way to leave X number of spots open so that those that are already on the list can sign up and mark it as a find but a way for the owner to remove those people that sign up for a closed box.

Maiden
Re: AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1829 by Maiden
Jan 18, 2005 5:02pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote ), I would like a way to leave X number of spots open so that those that are already on the list can sign up and mark it as a find but a way for the owner to remove those people that sign up for a closed box.


Ah, well, that actually is on my to-do list. =) Not sure when I'll get a chance to actually implement it, but that request will definitely get done eventually.

-- Ryan
Re: AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1818 by Green Tortuga
Jan 21, 2005 11:15am
Thread Board (disabled)
Hi there Ryan. I don't feel it is necessary for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to know where I live. LOL If I sign on for a PLB, I don't mind giving my address to the creator of thr PLB or to the members on that list. I just don't want someone joining on Atlas Quest out of curiosity to be able to look me up. Next thing I know I am being abducted by aliens and meeting Elvis in person and becoming a not so famous missing person. (Hey, ya never know).

Just adding my 2 cents,
Liz
New Random PLB Sign Up
Board: Postals
Jan 25, 2005 2:34am
Thread Board (disabled)
Hi everyone,
I wanted to mention to those of you who may not regularly read the Yahoo PLB message boards, that I have started a new listing of people who are interested in signing up for surprise or random PLBs. I am maintaining a list of addresses, this is being done so that a public list of addresses is avoided. Then whenever anyone wants to send out a PLB but doesn't want to get involved in a sign up list, they can contact me and I can provide them with a list of people who are ready, willing and able to receive and mail out PLBs. The main point is that a lot of people like the surprise of just finding a box in their mailbox one day. At this time, I have over 50 people signed up and this list will be ever growing so all newbies are welcome. In addition, anyone interested in sending out a surprise PLB is welcome and encouraged to let me know and I will provide them with a list of eager recipients.

Jan of Team Little Dog
Ta-da!
Board: Postals
Jan 25, 2005 2:42am
Thread Board (disabled)
As requested, the author of a postal letterbox will now be able to unsubscribe signups without my intervenetion anymore. =)

Additionally, I've updated the code so you can specify 0 as the maximum number of signups--in which case nobody will be allowed to. (Presumably, because such a list is being kept elsewhere.) Anyone who has signed up can also drop at any time as well. Anyone who has signed up but has already received the box (i.e. they've recorded the postal box as a find) will have their name crossed off the signup list. =)

As a reminder: You do not need to be signed up in order to record a postal box as a find. The signup options is just to help coordinate getting the box between certain people--it has no bearing on who's eligible for recording as a find.

Happy trails! =)

-- Ryan
OPEN: MLB Ring
Board: Postals
Feb 7, 2005 9:24am
Thread Board (disabled)
I am still looking for a few folks to complete our MLB Ring. If you are interested please email me. These teams are still looking for a home:
Anaheim Angels
Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Chicago Whitesox
Cincinnati Reds
Cleveland Indians
Florida Marlins
Houston Astros
Kansas City Royals
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
San Diego Padres
St. Louis Cardinals
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays

If you have any questions or requests, please email me. If your team is already taken and you would like in please email me as I have an idea for a surprise stamp.
Thanks!
Re: AQ Postal Boxes
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1881 by Penguin Patrol
Feb 7, 2005 10:54am
Thread Board (disabled)
Liz, did you ever get your ring started? If you haven't, I'd love to test drive this with you and 3 other people. I definitely fall into your earlier posting of "haven't done this, don't know how, let's start." If the names of the other three are Liz, then wouldn't that be fun?

Getting something fun in the mail is always a pleasant treat!

BTW, being abducted by aliens isn't so bad! (teasing and walking off singing a song that goes, "She had be kidnapped, abducted, probed and programmed. Now her mothership is skipping off the atmosphere with me inside..."


MoWizLiz
Re: OPEN: MLB Ring
Board: Postals
Reply to: #2159 by Ramdelt
Feb 7, 2005 1:39pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I will take the Cinicinnati Reds, if still available.
Artdog
Open: Games by the Fireplace - PLB Ring
Board: Postals
Feb 9, 2005 3:33pm
Thread Board (disabled)
This is the games PLB Ring I talked about earlier. I have already contacted those who expressed interest before and they have signed up. There are still a couple of openings. I am purposely keeping this small. (I am already over extended in my PLB commitments:-)

This is primarily meant to try out the PLB features of AtlasQuest, so I would like everyone to sign up via AtlasQuest. It is not advertised elsewhere.

Be sure to read the Introduction and Directions in the Clues for this box, which include the start date: Feb. 21st.

Scarab
Open: The Magic Garden PLB
Board: Postals
Feb 11, 2005 3:10pm
Thread Board (disabled)
"Come to the garden of make-believe, A magical garden of make-believe, Where flowers chuckle and birds play tricks And a magic tree grows lollipop sticks....

Anyone remember this song from The Magic Garden. Sherlock the squirrel, Paula and Carole, the chuckle patch. Take a walk down memory lane and sign up for the Magic Garden PLB.

Please contact me off list with your trail name and mailing address to sign up. Will collect names until February 16 for those who are interested.

"See ya, see ya, Glad that you could stay a while, da dum...."


Silly ol Bear
of Red's Bunch
The Magic Garden is now closed
Board: Postals
Feb 12, 2005 7:17am
Thread Board (disabled)
Thanks everyone for signing up so quickly. I have already received more folks than I anticipated. I have closed the sign ups for this box.

Thanks,
Silly ol Bear