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Re: Do you have to bring a shovel?
Board: Stupider Questions About Letterboxing
Reply to: #941314 by Kirbert
Jan 30, 2017 8:14pm
Thread Board
I'll semi-bury my boxes. I'll dig a recess deep enough that only the top portion of the container remains above the ground -- because, as many of you know, my fave container is a Planters cashew nut jar with a large screw top

I never thought of burying one of those jars. You'd have to make sure that the lid is at the top of the slope so that water doesn't pool there and seep in.

Back when the rule for geocaches was "You can't use any pointed object to dig a hole," I semi-buried two containers. I bought some 4" PVC pipe at a home improvement store, cut it slightly longer than one of those round peanut jars. Then I would put the pipe against the ground, pull out the sand, push the pipe down, and repeat until it was level with the ground. One of them I covered with a piece of concrete, and the other I made a plug out of wood so that it looks like a tree stump.

Of course, now, you are not allowed to move any soil, by any means, to hide a geocache. But I think it would be acceptable to hide a letterbox using this method, just as you have done. It's a way to hide a box when there is no other cover.
Timeless: Karma Chameleon
Board: Television: After the Show Ends
Jan 30, 2017 8:47pm
Thread Board
I'm 3/4 of the way through this episode. I'm thinking that they're up against the Novikov self-consistency principle. It's the reason he couldn't save his wife in The Time Machine (2002 version).

Edit: Something just happened that changed my mind on this. But it may be still end up with the same result that allowed Lucy Preston to still be on the team.

Edit again: The Novikov self-consistency principle is the apparent theory in this television show. That means that they'll never be able to wipe out Rittenhouse.
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941333 by Green Tortuga
Jan 30, 2017 10:09pm
Thread Board
Yes, I am aware that it was the Charge/HR, which was what I was interested in for the past year or two. The sleep monitoring function was interesting to me. It still is since last week I was getting only three hours of sleep each day. Several people in that one topic had the issue. Other topics were made about it, too.

It did occur to me that Zip or One might not have the same issues as the Charge. I was unaware of the existence of an updated Charge. Although, maybe that is what people are picking up and posting about recently.

I think I mentioned the following on here a couple years ago. My phone's pedometer app was excellent until it started counting extra steps. There was a 2.5-3.1 mile walk which would get me around 5,000+/- steps. A thousand steps were on it at the start of the walk. The app registered over 10,000 before the end of the hike. It really frustrated me, and I stopped using Walking 4 Fun until a better alternative is found. The app also counts my driving as steps if crawling in Detroit traffic, driving through a park, or looking for a spot in a parking lot.

I am really hesitant to invest in a pedometer because of the cost and accuracy. I'm okay if it is 100 steps off, but a 1,000 or 4,000 off is a lot for me. It makes me feel like my results are a sham on W4F.
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941323 by Trekkie Gal
Jan 30, 2017 10:13pm
Thread Board
Peter Capaldi is officially leaving Doctor Who. The upcoming season (which starts in April) will be his last.

Yeah, I didn't want to say anything because it's supposed to be a secret, but... I've been asked to be the 13th. Gotta start working on my accent!

-wassamatta-who
Re: Custom Signature Stamp
Board: Stamp Swap
Reply to: #941331 by System
Jan 30, 2017 10:27pm
Thread Board
I'd probably do it for you, depending on the image. Do you have an image prepared, or just an idea? If you have a prepared image, send it to me at palmk@nettally.com.
Re: Do you have to bring a shovel?
Board: Stupider Questions About Letterboxing
Reply to: #941336 by Oberon_Kenobi
Jan 30, 2017 10:34pm
Thread Board
You'd have to make sure that the lid is at the top of the slope so that water doesn't pool there and seep in.

Ain't no water seeping into my containers! I use shower pan liner gaskets which render the jars totally watertight, I could use them underwater. The only problem is finders who can't seem to figure out what a gasket is, crumple it up and jam it back into the jar and screw the cap back on with no gasket. That and finders who decide to make it easier for the next finder to get the lid unscrewed by not tightening it at all.

When I remember, I take a trowel along when planting. I don't expect finders to need a trowel for finding my boxes, though; I only use the trowel to create a recess in hard ground, and from then on the box should just drop in and out.
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941339 by wassamatta u
Jan 30, 2017 10:37pm
Thread Board
Do zhou needink unt baad ghuy thoo opose yout undt zhee flyink sqvirrel?
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941338 by koalacat
Jan 30, 2017 10:57pm
Thread Board
I am really hesitant to invest in a pedometer because of the cost and accuracy.

Just buy it somewhere with a good return policy, and if it doesn't count steps to your satisfaction, return it. I do that a lot with electronic devices I'm not sure about. Usually I keep it, but it's nice to have that return option just in case it doesn't live up to your expectations.

-- Ryan
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941343 by Green Tortuga
Jan 30, 2017 11:57pm
Thread Board
True. That is an option.
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941339 by wassamatta u
Jan 31, 2017 4:32am
Thread Board
They chose u & not me? They should have called back.

I am very disappointed!
triviadaddy
Re: Comments in order of date posted instead of found
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #857822 by Kelsung
Jan 31, 2017 5:00am
Thread Board
How funny that over two years later, I go looking for a thread on this topic and find that I started one!

I understand and agree with comments not being linked to finds, but I would like to be able to edit the date on comments that I make on other's boxes. I'm going back through my book and realizing that some finds I recorded using an app didn't really get recorded, so it dates my comments six months later. Sure, people should look at the find dates, but they may look at the comments separately and even print them out. An experienced boxer will sort it all out, of course, but there are many people who have not yet discovered most of the nuances of this hobby yet.

Maybe it's just part of the game, but I think editable comment dates would be a nice feature someday.
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941299 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2017 5:35am
Thread Board
I use a Fitbit Zip

I'm starting to like the Zip and after reading the reviews on Amazon I thought I'd ask someone who I trust (you) about a couple of my concerns.

First is battery life. On my HJ-303 I get maybe 9-12 months out of a battery. I think I've replaced it only four, maybe five times, in four years. I'm reading in the reviews that the Zip may only have a two month battery life? Wondering what your experience is because on long hikes I'm sure you don't want to carry a bunch of spare batteries in your pack and the 2025 battery can sometimes be hard to find. At least it is around here.

My HJ-303 has a lanyard that holds the pedometer to my person should it come loose from it's holder. This has saved my pedometer from being lost dozens of times. I don't see that in the photos of the Zip. Since you take the Zip on your long hikes I'm guessing you find the clip strong enough to keep the device firmly attached to you.

And how about that tool for opening the battery compartment. That seems like a real problem. It's so easy for me to lose small things or just plain forget where I put them.

I always thought the Fitbit devices used GPS only to record distance and than converting that to steps based on height/weight, etc. But reading the reviews it seems it may be actually counting steps. Is this your experience?

I appreciate your thoughts and posts on this thread as well as everyone else's.
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941288 by Trekkie Gal
Jan 31, 2017 5:42am
Thread Board
Thanks for the info. I'm behind the times as I never heard of a Zip but I've only really started looking into Fitbit.

The Zip is just an activity tracker, while the One can track your sleep as well.

The Zip seems perfect. I don't need a device to tell me I'm not sleeping well. I already know that. :-)
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941317 by Ladymouse
Jan 31, 2017 5:44am
Thread Board
Well the HJ-321 is definitely less expensive. Does it have a lanyard on the holder to keep from losing the pedometer? Reading the reviews it seems to record some funky stuff I never use, however.
Re: Comments in order of date posted instead of found
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #941346 by MO UR4Me
Jan 31, 2017 8:25am
Thread Board
On LBNA I tried the "Comment Only" option on a series I found originally in 2010, thinking it would leave my original find date alone. It didn't, it left my comment and deleted the find. So I redid the comments of box maintenance with a the find date.
Re: Custom Signature Stamp
Board: Stamp Swap
Reply to: #941331 by System
Jan 31, 2017 8:37am
Thread Board
I'll be happy to do it for you. I'll PM you my email address.

DZ
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941348 by BBStacker
Jan 31, 2017 9:01am
Thread Board
I'm reading in the reviews that the Zip may only have a two month battery life?

I replace the batteries about once every six months. I can't give you exact times since I don't record the dates that I change the batteries, but I'm pretty sure I've never changed more than twice in any calendar year. When I thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (immediately followed by the Tour Mont Blanc and GR 20)--about seven months in all--and only had to change it once the entire time.

Since you take the Zip on your long hikes I'm guessing you find the clip strong enough to keep the device firmly attached to you.

I just put it in a pocket. I don't use the clip at all, but it does feel pretty strong. If it's been attached securely, I'd be surprised if it would just fall off, but I can't really vouch from personal experience since I've never used it that way.

And how about that tool for opening the battery compartment.

Throw it away. You don't need it. =) The slot it goes in to open the Zip is the size of an aircraft carrier, and I just use a coin to open the device when I need it. Usually a dime or a penny. Nickels and quarters are thick enough that they'd be more difficult (though not impossible) to open the device with.

But reading the reviews it seems it may be actually counting steps. Is this your experience?

No GPS. It just counts steps then converts them into distance based on the stride you set. If you don't set a stride, a default stride will be assigned to you.... =) The only two things the Zip can do are count steps and tell you the time. It'll display distance traveled and calories burned, but those are calculated numbers based on step counts each day (which is probably the only reason it has to know the time).

-- Ryan
Lino cutters/blades
Board: Carving Material
Jan 31, 2017 9:01am
Thread Board
Hi All,

Looking for some lino cutters and/or blades. Doing an adult workshop for our park on letterboxing (history, making our own stamps, logbook and going out to find some) and my budget is very tiny to make this work. We have a few sets but could definitely use some more (since we're getting interest in it!).

Would happily accept just the handle or just blades, I don't mind hodge-poging things together. They don't have to look nice and blades don't even need to be terribly sharp. This workshop is set for March 11 2017 so I would need any supplies folks could get to me by at least March 9.

I would still accept donations after that as I'm sure adding to the collection couldn't hurt but if anyone really has extras and doesn't want them I'd happily take them off your hands and put them to very good use. Let me know and I'll message with address. Thanks!
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941323 by Trekkie Gal
Jan 31, 2017 2:00pm
Thread Board
Mostly expected. Three seasons is the average anyway. 4/3/5/7/3/3/3/*/1/3+/3/3
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941323 by Trekkie Gal
Jan 31, 2017 2:17pm
Thread Board
What is it about Doctor Who that makes the main actors move on so quickly?

10th 58 episodes
11th 56 episodes
12th 45 episodes (?)
Rose/Amy/Clara 39 episodes each

On other shows:
Leroy Jethro Gibbs 330 episodes
Dr. Gregory House 176 episodes
Friends cast 236 episodes
Dr. Gregory House 176 episodes
Sheldon Cooper 223 episodes
DEEP... Yikes
Board: State: Connecticut
Jan 31, 2017 2:38pm
Thread Board
OK, well they clearly have no funding. They don't even have enough funding for toilet paper or paper towels. And I'm not talking about in little outhouses that you find in most state parks. I'm talking Gillette Castle's restrooms in the nice visitor center. Only one or two stalls in the entire bathroom had TP.

Yikes. Note to self. Put rolls of TP in the car for when I go to state parks.....

BB
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941357 by RIclimber
Jan 31, 2017 2:38pm
Thread Board
Counting it by episodes isn't really fair to the Brits.
First off, a full season of American TV is between 20-22 episodes, while a full season of British TV is 12-13 episodes.
Also, Britain has a law that you can't sign an actor to more than three seasons at a time - so it's very natural for their shows to last multiples of three years. And it makes sense why Doctor Who actors tend to move on after three years - because they have to decide if they'll renew their contract, and for how long...and whether the other offers on the table are particularly interesting.
Re: A Suggestion
Board: Suggestion Box
Reply to: #941301 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2017 4:37pm
Thread Board
I must be missing something, it is not working for me...
Re: Pedometer or FitBit?
Board: Walking4Fun
Reply to: #941350 by BBStacker
Jan 31, 2017 4:47pm
Thread Board
It does not have a lanyard like the other one but I either keep it in my pocket or clip it on my waistband. It has been very much like the first one we used.
Re: DEEP... Yikes
Board: State: Connecticut
Reply to: #941358 by Bungalow Boxer
Jan 31, 2017 5:38pm
Thread Board
You don't already!?

:)
Re: DEEP... Yikes
Board: State: Connecticut
Reply to: #941358 by Bungalow Boxer
Jan 31, 2017 5:39pm
Thread Board
The National Parks don't have that problem!
Re: Say goodbye to 12!
Board: Doctor Who
Reply to: #941357 by RIclimber
Jan 31, 2017 6:31pm
Thread Board
What is it about Doctor Who that makes the main actors move on so quickly?

Like Romana said, the Brits can be signed on for a maximum of 3 years. Also, the nature of the Doctor allows them to change the MAIN character without losing the series. The companions can also be changed out quite frequently for the same reason.

I'd like to see American television commit to some science fiction like that. The closest that we have is Star Trek; 6 completed series and a 7th in some sort of perpetual released-in-three-months holding pattern. However, that is locked into Paramount for movies and CBS for television.

Some other company could commit to a new franchise by making their own or licensing "Time Patrol" from Poul Anderson's estate. They are a series of short stories with the same main character (and companions that changed), but I read the collected stories.

The Time Patrol is an organization that has the time-cycles that were given to them by earthlings from the far future who look too different to pass for humans of our time period. They are charged with preserving Earth's history from changes made by other humans who have stolen time travel technology. The time-cycles are limited in how far into the future they can go, and none of the stories were off of earth so that is probably another limitation.

Or they could just keep the DC Multiverse television shows going. All but "Supergirl" and "Powerless" are in the same universe, and those two are apparently in different universes.
Re: A Suggestion
Board: Suggestion Box
Reply to: #941360 by bluesky
Jan 31, 2017 7:17pm
Thread Board
I must be missing something, it is not working for me...

Not very specific, but I realized that the links for mystery boxes weren't working correctly. If that was the issue, it's fixed now.

If that wasn't the issue, you'll have to provide additional information because everything else looks fine from my point of view.

-- Ryan
Re: A Suggestion
Board: Suggestion Box
Reply to: #941366 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2017 8:40pm
Thread Board
If that wasn't the issue, you'll have to provide additional information because everything else looks fine from my point of view.

Normality restored.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Doctor Who
Board: Doctor Who
Jan 31, 2017 10:40pm
Thread Board
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has this to say about Doctor Who.