|
I was browsing through some archived material and found this thread from several years back discussing some views towards the database. From my personal observations, the database is rarely updated, and when it is it's usually by a lone explorer maintaining a small geographical area. There doesn't appear to be any large scale community updating going on. I figured now was as good a time as any to spark a discussion on the topic- how does the modern community see the database in the current urbex climate? As a tool for historical documentation? As a method for fostering community through sharing common locations? Or do we see it as just one more liability that will destroy any location added to it?
"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there. |
|
My three cents: 1 - The map is fucked. I just edited a location last night that was in the wrong state. I only did one, but I found several. 2 - "Finding" things on a map is just no fun. My favorite locations are found either by research/Google maps or by "oh shit, flip a bitch". 3 - Even if the DB was for full members only, and even assuming all full members are benevolent photographers, it's just not necessary.
The #1 rule about poking things with sticks is never use your finger. |
|
You're right it is pretty quiet lately. There are new locations always being added and updates always being made, but I don't think that many site users are paying attention. For my region it's an indispensable research tool and there are about three of us keeping it updated, and I doubt anyone else glances at it.
|
|
I keep my area pretty current. I won't add things that are good but when something is demolished or renovated I will change the entry to reflect that. Really though, the database has been known to be mostly unreliable for over a decade. Im surprised the topic comes up as much as it does.
https://www.flickr...62837453@N07/sets/ http://www.tfpnj.blogspot.com |
|
Posted by EsseXploreR Really though, the database has been known to be mostly unreliable for over a decade. Im surprised the topic comes up as much as it does.
|
Very true. There was a huge dropoff when some of the earlier functions were taken out, such as rating locations (which resulted in a new star). And whatever happened with readstates, meaning a creator could no longer track when there are new comments on their entries.
|
|
Dead? I never check...
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in. |
|
I've cleaned up my area, although a double post is still marked for deletion close to a year now. I have also updated locations that have grabbed my interest in other areas, even overseas. History is easily researched. I already figured out a while ago that the DB is dead when compared to the activity here 15yrs ago, and don't really care. I enjoy researching, cleaning, and updating, regardless of whether anyone cares or even notices that I do it or not...
[last edit 9/10/2019 4:41 PM by Mr. Bitey - edited 1 times]
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature. Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. |
|
Posted by Steed And whatever happened with readstates, meaning a creator could no longer track when there are new comments on their entries.
|
God how I miss the old readstates.
Here's a lockpick. It might be handy if you, the master of unlocking, take it with you. |
|
Posted by Boffo God how I miss the old readstates.
|
I miss it too and wasn't even here. At least I think I know what you are referring to. The epic banter on some posts is, well epic. Epic banter is epic. Many a whiskey and wine hath been spitith upon my wall from ye DB comments.
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature. Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. |
|
I've found there's a fair number of locations that are in the DB that no longer exist or only the foundation remains
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/xlookex/ |
|
Posted by xlookex I've found there's a fair number of locations that are in the DB that no longer exist or only the foundation remains
|
The locations in the DB for non full members mostly non longer exists, but I think it's always cool just to wander around the DB and take a look at the old spots your area had before..
|
|
Posted by Mr. Bitey I've cleaned up my area, although a double post is still marked for deletion close to a year now. I have also updated locations that have grabbed my interest in other areas, even overseas. History is easily researched. I already figured out a while ago that the DB is dead when compared to the activity here 15yrs ago, and don't really care. I enjoy researching, cleaning, and updating, regardless of whether anyone cares or even notices that I do it or not...
|
Yeah, the deletion queue is very slow.
|
|
Posted by decayed state
The locations in the DB for non full members mostly non longer exists, but I think it's always cool just to wander around the DB and take a look at the old spots your area had before..
|
Truth. UE history. Best of all, no one can destroy what's already gone.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in. |
|
Posted by xlookex I've found there's a fair number of locations that are in the DB that no longer exist or only the foundation remains
|
Really youre kidding! (if you will look many locations in the DB that "no longer exist" have been marked demolished. If they are not its because some members do not have enough sense to mark it or notify a moderator once its gone. Even so, it still belongs in the DB even if it was explored and logged in 2004 but demolished in 2019 why would it not? The DB does not exist just to give lazy explorers a safe way to find stuff now does it?) And I would agree Aran theres no widespread DB updating going on because I have not been able to get to Indiana or Oregon lately to update their locations. And maybe no New York or our proud Canadian explorers have had time to recheck those troublesome New Mexico and Georgia locations. At one point one of the former mods went through the whole DB and cleaned out a crap-ton of duplicate, incomplete and obvious bogus locations. A couple of members even helped him with the effort. AvatarX does not trust his moderators to complete this task however so they stay in the que to be deleted until he finds the time to do it or agrees with the mod. Garbage in garbage out as they say. If more members would update and maintain it we would not need so many members to whine about it.
|
|
Posted by corvidcache My three cents: 1 - The map is fucked. I just edited a location last night that was in the wrong state. I only did one, but I found several. 2 - "Finding" things on a map is just no fun. My favorite locations are found either by research/Google maps or by "oh shit, flip a bitch". 3 - Even if the DB was for full members only, and even assuming all full members are benevolent photographers, it's just not necessary.
|
whats flip a bitch some sort of game of chance? yeah the DB isn't necessary but then again neither is UER and its trust based system of Full Members LOL
|
|
I like to think of the DB as a wonderful relic from before the days of social media... didn't we have this discussion this spring over the DB and site in general?
|
|
Posted by Samurai I like to think of the DB as a wonderful relic from before the days of social media... didn't we have this discussion this spring over the DB and site in general?
|
I believe you are correct, we have it every year when some noob discovers it or brings it up relic? maybe it is but I think of it as more of an archive, not a tourist guide. the fact that some people can't understand that amazes me but whatever... My 1986 Jeep is a relic too but its still a motor vehicle that goes down the road and the wheels still roll etc. stuff people post on social media doesn't last hopefully the DB will as long as our leader believes its worth maintaining, or hire Mike Dijital back and give him authority to make changes as needed he did a pretty good job I think
|
|
Posted by Samurai didn't we have this discussion this spring over the DB and site in general?
|
Did we? I went looking through the search tab for keywords such as "database" and no discussion threads like this came up, so I thought I was imagining it.
"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there. |
|
Posted by 2Xplorations
whats flip a bitch some sort of game of chance?
|
That sounds like a lot of fun, but no, it's just when you're driving around, see something, and turn around to go see it. "Flip a bitch" means do a u-turn.
The #1 rule about poking things with sticks is never use your finger. |
|
Posted by 2Xplorations
Really youre kidding!
|
I guess my bad for only being in this forum for a year.. (not really though)
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/people/xlookex/ |