Mindat Mineralogy Messageboard - New Features What new features do you want to see in mindat.org? http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-4.html Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:24:51 +0000 Phorum 5.2.8-RC1 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,160979,160979#msg-160979 Photos - questions http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,160979,160979#msg-160979
There have been concerns on the manager's side that some of these emails may not be getting through to the members so we have added some additional methods for members to determine if there are unanswered questions about their photographs.

You can also check to see if there are any unresolved questions about your photographs from the photograph section of the mindat "My Home Page". In the "What Photos to Show" dropdown menu, there is an option to show "My questioned Photos". If you run this search, it will show which photos have unresolved questions associated with them. If you click on the thumbnail photo to bring up the detailed photo page, you will see an option button "Photo Questioned" in the description area of the photo (to the left of "Edit this photo"). Clicking on this button will display a copy of the email question that was sent to you.

You will also see the following message displayed at the top of the form when you upload a new photograph or edit an existing photograph if there are any unresolved questions.

Open questions

Important! There are open questions from the managers about some of your photographs. Click on this link for listing of all questioned photos. To bring up the individual photos, click on the photograph. To display the questions, click on the Photo Questioned button in the description area of the photo page.]]> David Von Bargen New Features Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:19:30 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,142875,159328#msg-159328 Re: Photo of whom mineral is named after http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,142875,159328#msg-159328 David Von Bargen New Features Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:21:07 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,142875,159234#msg-159234 Re: Photo of whom mineral is named after http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,142875,159234#msg-159234 a decent photo of the painting of Wilhelm Maucher in the back room of the shop he had founded a hundred years ago in Munich (then Süddeutsche Mineralienzentrale, now Kristallgarten Maucher). Please be welcome to link it to the Maucherite page!]]> Gerhard Niklasch New Features Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:51:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158630#msg-158630 Re: "Recent Messages" link...more, please http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158630#msg-158630
Pete N.]]> Peter Nancarrow New Features Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:48:31 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158565#msg-158565 Re: "Recent Messages" link...more, please http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158565#msg-158565
You are correct. There are too many letters plus the individual species.

Bill]]> William W Besse New Features Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:42:50 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158559#msg-158559 Re: "Recent Messages" link...more, please http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158559#msg-158559 Jim Hall New Features Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:54:22 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158558#msg-158558 Re: "Recent Messages" link...more, please http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158558#msg-158558
Pete N.]]> Peter Nancarrow New Features Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:43:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158511#msg-158511 "Recent Messages" link...more, please http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,158511,158511#msg-158511
Bill]]> William W Besse New Features Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:40:47 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,157696,157696#msg-157696 Large Reference Lists. http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,157696,157696#msg-157696
Just wondering if it might be possible to add a feature, where when a locality has a large number of references, the reference list can act the same as the site lists on minerals with a large number of sites. This would allow those who wish to see all of the references to choose to as needed and others to go straight to the mineral list etc.

This came to mind while I was looking at:

Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry), Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada


Cheers Mark.]]> Mark Willoughby New Features Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:33:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,157274,157274#msg-157274 Number of Pictures or messages per page http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,157274,157274#msg-157274 I know you limit the number of messages or gallery photos per page to avoid long waits for people using dialup for internet access.

However, since I have faster access, I would love to be able to specify a larger number of items per page when checking out large galleries or long message topics.

Perhaps a choice option on the first page of the photo gallery or on the message board topic page for the convenience of those who can handle larger downloads could be added? Please? (:D

Thanks,
Linda]]> Fred & Linda Elsnau New Features Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:39:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156356,156379#msg-156379 Re: Links to Lr2000 system geocommunicater http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156356,156379#msg-156379
Unfortunately the GeoCommunicator database [www.geocommunicator.gov] is not very accurate or reliable. There are several geographical areas where no information exists because it has not been input into the system, for one reason or another. You will find that some of the information is dated, or is rife with errors and omissions because it has not been input timely, accurately or correctly. Basically, its a helpful tool, but not a reliable tool for legal purposes - such as implying or obtaining permissions necessary to prospect.

The only reliable way to get accurate information on Mining Claims is to physically go to the County Recorders office for the County and State you are interested in, and also take a trip to the state office of the BLM. One must also be familiar with the situation on the ground, which in itself is a complex issue, and have a good working understanding of the law applying to the area of interest, et cetera ad nauseum.

An example of an important caveat is the 90 day time period between actual claim location and filing requirements, so often a valid active mining claim may exist on the ground and this status will not yet be reflected in the government accounting at the time of inquiry.

There are many areas in the database that have been encumbered by Acts of Congress that are over 20 years old and still not reflected in the database.

Also, the description by subdivision in the government database may not accurately reflect the actual area described on each individual Mining Claim Location Notice due to entry errors by employees at the BLM, giving a false impression that one quarter of a particular section of surveyed land is open to location under the General Mining Laws, while another quarter is encumbered by an active mining claim.

All of this is likely to be way too complex for the average hobbyist to comprehend, and the legal ramifications of trespass and theft can be severe, which is why a link to the GeoCommunicator database on mindat.org is of little usefulness to most of the users here. It may be helpful, in part, to a professional, but it will likely only confuse the neophyte.

I personally find Jolyon's disclaimer much simpler and straight forward than that of the government. It's really up to each individual user to do their own homework beforehand.

Mindat disclaimer:

This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

The disclaimer on the GeoCommunicator site:

The graphical display of land and mineral parcels and mining claims are NOT a substitute for the official BLM record. Most of the cases from the BLM's National Integrated Land System and the BLM's Legacy Rehost LR2000 (LR2000) are displayed in GeoCommunicator, although not all. Therefore, there are land and mineral records and mining claims issued or recorded by the BLM and maintained in LR2000 and other systems that occur on the land but are not in GeoCommunicator and therefore do not show up on the map viewer. Please refer to the LR2000 reporting system (http://www.blm.gov/lr2000) for a complete list of land and mineral records and mining claims. Unpatented mining claims are generally 'nominally' recorded to the quarter section. The actual location of the mining claims is somewhere in the mapped area. See "What's New" and "About" under each section for more information.

Many of our map layers include data from other agencies including abandoned mines, surface management agency boundaries, USFS range allotments and regulated uses, Topo maps, imagery, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. The USDOI does not control the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of information provided by other agencies, and therefore, provides no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of furnished data. For additional information regarding abandoned mine activities, please contact the Land Management Agency responsible for the public lands where the mine is located.

The data on GeoCommunicator can be used for information, mapping, graphics, and planning purposes only. No warranty, expressed or implied, including accuracy, relevancy, timeliness, utility, or completeness of the data, maps, or information is made by the BLM. nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty for individual or aggregate data use with other data. The BLM shall not be held liable for improper use of the data described and/or contained herein. By using this data you hereby agree to these conditions. The BLM survey data is intended for mapping purposes only and is not a substitute for an official land survey. Please read the DOI disclaimer for more information.

Paperwork reduction and plain english in full effect! :S

Scott]]> Scott L. Ritchie New Features Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:53:42 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156356,156356#msg-156356 Links to Lr2000 system geocommunicater http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156356,156356#msg-156356 Matthew Boeck New Features Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:34:08 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156283#msg-156283 Re: Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156283#msg-156283
Quote

I agree with Ken and Debbie, and I believe that some minerals have too many pictures in their photo galleries. There are some collectors that add ten or fifteen almost identical child pictures of a certain specimen.

On the mineral photo gallery from the locality page, only the top ten parent photos of a mineral are displayed in the gallery (you can go to a subsidiary gallery that displays all of the parent photos).

The photo search will display all of the photos, including the child photos.]]> David Von Bargen New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:45:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156254#msg-156254 Re: Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156254#msg-156254
  • view specimens from a representative sample of locations, eyeballing the page numbers from the first letters of the country names, without having to navigate the location hierarchy (with sometimes thousands of entries),
  • answer questions such as, what other species have been seen in association?, again without walking locations,
etc.

That said, I have no objections at all against a different default sort order as long as there's a way to re-invoke the present ordering as an alternative.]]> Gerhard Niklasch New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:27:46 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156251#msg-156251 Re: Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156251#msg-156251
In many cases the fact that one photo has more "hits" than another simply means it has been posted for a longer time. "Hits" alone is not the answer.

Just my 2 cents worth!]]> Henry Minot New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:57:40 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156241#msg-156241 Re: Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156241#msg-156241
I also believe that there should also be something like "a quality sheck" before a picture could enter to the mineral photo gallerys. For example Romania suplied us with many good specimens in the past , but when you see the Romanian mineral gallerys of Calcite, Quartz, Berthierite,... 90% of the pictures ad specimens from these minerals are junk.

Like Ken and Debbie said, a new search facility to have a easier acces to decent pictures would make a big difference when browsing thrue many thousand pictures.

Regards,
Mario Pauwels]]> Mario Pauwels New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:11:59 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156228#msg-156228 Re: Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156228#msg-156228 David Von Bargen New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:02:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156226#msg-156226 Re: Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156226#msg-156226
That's an interesting suggestion, I hope many member will respond with their thoughts. I don't agree with your interpretation that lesser hit photo's are inferior to those with the highest views.

"maybe listing images according to the number of views so that the more frequently looked at images - thus those that are likely better quality and more representative of the given mineral species would be at the top".

Aren't the images at the top of each locality the popular vote anyway ?

Perhaps a new search facility in a drop down menu for 'most viewed photo's' would be more appropriate.

:)]]> Debbie Woolf New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:25:46 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156217#msg-156217 Change photo order? http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,156217,156217#msg-156217
The current method, listing the images in alphabetical order of the geographical location seems quite redundant to me since there is already a search available to find images of a given mineral for a specific location.

I'd like to suggest using a different method . . . maybe listing images according to the number of views so that the more frequently looked at images - thus those that are likely better quality and more representative of the given mineral species would be at the top. There could even be a section at the top of each gallery to show the most recent image(s) submitted for that species.]]> Ken Hansen New Features Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:30:43 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,154626,154633#msg-154633 Re: Only see ads for dealers in your countrry http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,154626,154633#msg-154633
When I wrote this, It was in reference to the small color "banner" ads that appear on most pages.]]> David Weiss New Features Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:09:08 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,154626,154628#msg-154628 Re: Only see ads for dealers in your countrry http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,154626,154628#msg-154628 David Von Bargen New Features Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:40:00 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,154626,154626#msg-154626 Only see ads for dealers in your countrry http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,154626,154626#msg-154626 option of only seeing ads from dealers in your country (or countries you select/specify).

I've clicked on many ads in Mindat only to find that the dealer is located somewhere very far away overseas...

I have nothing against foreign dealers, I just have no interest in paying overseas shipping costs, duties and any other fees that may be associated with international mail.

Also it's kind of difficult to go after a Chinese dealer who sells colored glass that was supposed to be Fluorite when I'm here in the States.

(For example - I'm not singling out Chinese dealers)]]> David Weiss New Features Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:35:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,153982,154086#msg-154086 Re: Fossils http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,153982,154086#msg-154086
This has been discussed a few times in the past and is not going to happen.
Have you seen these websites, here and here.]]> Bill Gordon New Features Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:44:12 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,153982,153982#msg-153982 Fossils http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,153982,153982#msg-153982 I think that it would be great if a fossil section could be added to the site. I don't want to ask for so much, but I haven't seen anything else on the web, and I think it would help a lot for many people.
I have some ideas of how this could be worked out.
You can contact me at zachrichard@ymail.com :)]]> Zach Richard New Features Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:03:49 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,152463,152471#msg-152471 Re: Did you mean? - New feature! http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,152463,152471#msg-152471 Rob Woodside New Features Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:35:29 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,152463,152463#msg-152463 Did you mean? - New feature! http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,152463,152463#msg-152463
It works on the popularity of pages - the page with the most visits is offered. It may not work every time, but most examples I've tried so far work well.

For example, previously finding the 'Red Cloud Mine' was a bit hit and miss. Now the 'Did you mean?' takes you straight to the right one.

Jolyon]]> Jolyon Ralph New Features Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:31:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,152445,152445#msg-152445 Improved locality search http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,152445,152445#msg-152445
Now. you get the following results on your search page

Search returned: 0 items

There are 108 search results for the search term 'tip top', click here to view.


After providing you with the normal results It tries to simplify the search you provided by removing the following words:

"mine","co.","quarry","township","grube","workings","wheal","property","deposit","prospect","group"

If there are more results using this simplified search than the one you provided, it gives you a link to that search page.

This should help make search better.

Also... because many locality strings are now so long, I've (experimentally) changed the search pages to use a single column of results rather than two. I'd appreciate feedback on this.

Jolyon]]> Jolyon Ralph New Features Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:45:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,151923,152065#msg-152065 Re: Outdated Browser Message... http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,151923,152065#msg-152065 Steve Sorrell New Features Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:48:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,151923,151952#msg-151952 Re: Outdated Browser Message... http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,151923,151952#msg-151952 Steve Sorrell New Features Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:26:36 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,151923,151940#msg-151940 Re: Outdated Browser Message... http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,4,151923,151940#msg-151940
Jolyon]]> Jolyon Ralph New Features Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:41:44 +0000