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Thread: Geocaching.com killed the Google Earth KML

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    Angry Geocaching.com killed the Google Earth KML

    In case many haven't noticed yet, the KML for viewing caches in Google Earth has officially been killed by GC.com

    Here's the official word:

    Groundspeak has discontinued support for Google Earth KML.

    There are a couple reasons for the removal of the network KML. The network KML was implemented before we had a proper online mapping tool for Geocaching.com. Some of the more tenured cachers may recall the old GeoMicro maps that would reload the page every time you panned or zoomed (and how tedious that was). The subsequent introduction of full-featured Geocaching.com Google Maps has made the KML link somewhat redundant.

    Another reason for the removal of the network KML is that only about 200 users regularly accessed the Google Earth KML, and the performance hit to the site was grossly out of proportion with the return. In other words, it was making the site run quite slowly. Groundspeak hesitates to inconvenience even a small number of geocachers. However it is sometimes necessary for us to identify areas of performance loss as the site grows in order to keep the site responsive and available at all times, even if it means sacrificing a feature that some found useful. Obviously we would rather introduce new features than take them away, so we hope you can understand the uncomfortable situation we were in.


    Please keep in mind that you can still use Google Earth to import .GPX files from Pocket Queries. In fact, the accuracy with this method will be much better since the network KML had always randomized locations to some extent anyway.



    My 2 pennies... a carefully written piece for sure but does anyone else get the feeling the true reason was $$ ? The GE kml worked for anyone, premium member of GC.com or not. Now to get good live mapping you need to pay.
    How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

  2. #2
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    Nicely said - and it's interesting - those of us who care - seem to be the paying members anyway. Hum? So where does this 200 user number come from? I suspect from Maine and NH alone I could find 200............

  3. #3
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    Funny, I just replied to a similar topic in the NH forums.

    I liked the KML file as well, especially when planning a trip out of state. It saved having to download PQs until you were sure of your route. I was reminded that the GE KML's waypoints floated some; you could not rely on their accuracy.

    I think like any business, the value for dollar for them made the kml unworthy. Same reason some stores don't sell some products you may love - if they can't sell enough to make it worth their while, it won't make them money. And while 200 seems awful low to me, it probably was a low number and the load on the servers had to be high.

    There is the geocaching.com Google maps. You can use those to find parking areas and the like.

    Locally, if you do get PQs, you can load those into Google Earth. I even made a macro so I could see the caches and their .1 mile radius...

    DNFTT! DNFTT! DNFTT!

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  4. #4
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    All of this reaches a technical level that is currently beyond me. To be honest, I don't really know what a macro is or a kml. I just sort of pick an area, pick out caches and hope for the best. I need to take a class!
    Geocaching Parrotheads

    Why can't we get a government sponsered tick eradication program?

  5. #5
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    I wonder if the calculations of making the GE KML vary locations was the cause of the server load... other than that it displayed the exact same information as can be seen with the GC maps.

    Nice macro by the way... are the colors indicative of cache type?
    How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

  6. #6
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    fins, I can relate! I was once where you are and just started reading. I'm pretty comfortable with what a lot of this "tech" stuff and how to use it is but still can't create a lot of it... like the macro brdad mentioned
    How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

  7. #7
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    I use topo 8 for similar. I export each level of difficulty from GSAK w/its own color. Then I import each of them as a different layer in Topo 8. It's cool to see all the varying types and their locations. If I'm on a straight line run somewhere.... w/just a click...I turn off the harder layers so I can see the easiest finds. Of course that's all dependent on caching w/a Laptop.
    I'm just nuts about geocaching!!

  8. #8
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    HEY Dave you seem to be making and using a lot of macros lately. Are they being published in GSAK and being used by others or are you keeping them all for yourself?.... I find macros a big help sometimes.
    Just smile it won't crack your face

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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Haffy View Post
    HEY Dave you seem to be making and using a lot of macros lately. Are they being published in GSAK and being used by others or are you keeping them all for yourself?.... I find macros a big help sometimes.
    Haffy.... looks like you're hoping to make a friend there There are Tons of tips and tricks shared back channel in any arena. It Never hurts to ask!

    I've greatly appreciated the helpfulness so common to geocachers I've met from All over the World. Maine offers such a variety that we can meet many of them out on our trails.

    "Smile....it increases your face value"
    I'm just nuts about geocaching!!

  10. #10
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    For all the time I've spent reading and learning about software, different file types, and how to share information between programs, writing macros is something I haven't even begun to tackle. I'm constantly amazed by what can be done with them but many, while neat, don't seem to offer any practical use from what I can see.
    How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

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