Old, obsolete, and non maintained poi's

 

There seems to be a fair amount of poi files that are either obsolete or not maintained any more.

I suggest that the pois that are no longer used and updated be removed from the site. An example of these pois would be the individual rest area pois that are now combined in to the "rest areas combined file".

I also believe that if a file is abandoned (maintainer left site, etc) that they should be put up for adoption. An email could be sent to the maintainer to see if they would continue to maintain or give it up.

This cleaning up will take some time, but we should have more accurate files for the site.

Paul

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.
Page 1>>

Agree

I agree with this concept.

Since we each have our own "favorite" files there is obviously some way to tag a POI file.

Another reason to follow some procedure that keeps track of when a file was last updated is that some new person who downloads an obsolete file will react negatively to our content if the location he/she knows to exist is not present or is in a new location.

Old, obsolete, and non maintained poi's

I also agree to most of this thread but there are times when a poi may be made and then there are no changes because the business hasn't opened or close and locations. If that is the case then there is no need to reupdate the poi. One thought is maybe a requirement to do a review on each poi at least every two years would help/

--
johnm405 660 & MSS&T

UPDATE

I have noticed that some POIs have been updated but still show the original date. What would cause the date not to change with the update?

--
1997 Triple E Empress, Freightliner CAT 3126B, Allison MD-3060, 6 Speed 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Blue Ox tow bar And I am loving it. God -> Men -> Government. Proud member of the Tea Party. “In God We Trust;” in Liberty we thrive.

UPDATE

If I am not mistaken the date is when is was originally poste. You have to enter and updated date when you update to show the most current change or review.

--
johnm405 660 & MSS&T

My thoughts on this....

Yes we have lots of files in the catalog that are no longer needed.

For me it is an issue of respect that I am struggling with.

Lets say that you have been around for years and in the beginning you made a state file for a chain. Some new user comes along and makes a combined file that makes your file obsolete.

It is very hard for me to go to the original member and tell them that I am taking their file down because it is no longer needed.

I try to be very aware of not stepping on the toes of our community members. You guys spend a lot of time and energy on your projects and I don't want to create a situation where you feel like your efforts are not appreciated or valued.

I have been avoiding this conflict in my brain for months now.

I think it is time to face the music and work on clearing out some of the non needed files.

I just don't want to be hurting anyone's feelings after they have worked so hard on their projects.

I know that part of being a good manager is calling the shots and making the choices that are best for the community.

I would like to build a better system for teamwork so that we can have teams of people working on one project so that there is not just one person updating a file.

Jon and I are talking about all of these things right now and working on some solutions.

There needs to be changes made to our system. I am very happy that we are having this discussion. It has been weighing heavily on my mind lately.

What suggestions do you guys have for the way this is managed in the future?

Miss POI

Old Files

One cannot just eliminate old files for that reason only for if you take Frank Lloyd Wright Works as an example, it may be old and get older but since he is not building any more homes there will not be changes made in that file unless one of his homes were to be destroyed.

I only have an interest in

I only have an interest in making sure that there is not duplicate projects on the site.

I also would not remove a file from the site without contacting the manager of the project to discuss why it is being removed.

Miss POI

I agree

miss poi wrote:

I only have an interest in making sure that there is not duplicate projects on the site.

I also would not remove a file from the site without contacting the manager of the project to discuss why it is being removed.

Miss POI

I agree this is the way to go.

--
All the worlds indeed a stage and we are merely players. Rush

some thoughts

miss poi wrote:

Yes we have lots of files in the catalog that are no longer needed.

For me it is an issue of respect that I am struggling with.

Lets say that you have been around for years and in the beginning you made a state file for a chain. Some new user comes along and makes a combined file that makes your file obsolete. ...

I have been avoiding this conflict in my brain for months now.

I think it is time to face the music and work on clearing out some of the non needed files.

I just don't want to be hurting anyone's feelings after they have worked so hard on their projects.

I know that part of being a good manager is calling the shots and making the choices that are best for the community.

I would like to build a better system for teamwork so that we can have teams of people working on one project so that there is not just one person updating a file.

Jon and I are talking about all of these things right now and working on some solutions.

There needs to be changes made to our system. I am very happy that we are having this discussion. It has been weighing heavily on my mind lately.

What suggestions do you guys have for the way this is managed in the future?

Miss POI

As an example of some of the files being added I have noticed are new files which are already part of a combined or consolidated file. In particular, some of the fast food files. We have some excellent national lists, but then someone will post a list of the same chain's locations in a particular state. Needless duplication. If a person wants, or needs, only the locations in and around their area, editing the combined file is much easier than building a new file and then not keeping it in sync with the combined. Or what about those that take several individual files that are actively maintained and create a combined file from the individual files?

Managing a website and monitoring its content is a difficult job. I fully understand the dilemma you face with all the submissions and desiring to be fair to all regarding their submissions. There are times when you need to make a decision and question whether or not a file should be added. While it is still more work on your part, when you are faced with that decision about whether to make a file available or not, ask the submitter to justify the reason for submission. This can be of great help in working with both the older files and those that have either active component files or that are files which can be derived from some of the combined files with an active manager.

Good luck with coming up with a process, but I will support your decision regarding any of the files I maintain.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

I am working on this project

I am working on this project right now. I have taken care of Sonic Drive-Ins and now I am working on the Hardee's project.

I will continue to work on this for the rest of the day.

Miss POI

Undaunting task

miss poi wrote:

I am working on this project right now. I have taken care of Sonic Drive-Ins and now I am working on the Hardee's project.

I will continue to work on this for the rest of the day.

Miss POI

I will also support whatever the decision is. There are to many files that are duplicates or parts of other files that are not kept up.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

If you mean

Are you going to combine Hardee's & Carls Jrs same place different name? Also I agree with posting them, the old ones, to a page I know I can take on some more.

I'll Start

Miss POI - you can delete my file for the Up The Creek restaurant chain. All locations have been closed and their website no longer exists.

arrow http://www.poi-factory.com/node/18622

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

done

Gary A wrote:

Miss POI - you can delete my file for the Up The Creek restaurant chain. All locations have been closed and their website no longer exists.

arrow http://www.poi-factory.com/node/18622

Done, thanks;)

I think that we have a truck

I think that we have a truck stop file that needs to be removed because the companies merged. Can someone please link the page that needs to be removed when you have a second?

Thanks,

Miss POI

Rush Radio

miss poi wrote:

I am working on this project right now. I have taken care of Sonic Drive-Ins and now I am working on the Hardee's project.

I will continue to work on this for the rest of the day.

Miss POI

I have emailed you twice regarding this file and the mistakes I am finding. I am 3/4 done with the corrections but wonder how I am to proceed once completed. There are numerous additions and some deletions, I don't want to take away credit from the original poster/maintainer but it is doing little good the way it is now. Can I email it to you and have you replace the current file or do I create new content and have you just replace it from there?

I Figured

miss poi wrote:
Gary A wrote:

Miss POI - you can delete my file for the Up The Creek restaurant chain. All locations have been closed and their website no longer exists.

arrow http://www.poi-factory.com/node/18622

Done, thanks;)

I figured by posting here you would see my COW award from a week ago and take it away. LOL! mrgreen laugh out loud

(Now back to your regularly scheduled topic)

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

truck stops

Actually you have several. Flying J and Travel America or T/A merged with Petro and Pilot. Check the logs of these files that's been posted.

The Pilot/Flying J merger resulted in several locations going over to Love's and the current files for those three chains reflect the merger.

There may be locations still displaying the Flying J or T/A signs, but they are in the other Pilot or Petro file.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

Delete a POI

Miss POI you can delete my poi on Chipotle Mexican grill for ut. Mahoney ans them all in his combined file so no need for mine. thanks

PS: Sorry forgot the other ones for Al, IA, WY they can be deleted as well

--
johnm405 660 & MSS&T

Have you contacted the project manager?

pierrenaples wrote:
miss poi wrote:

I am working on this project right now. I have taken care of Sonic Drive-Ins and now I am working on the Hardee's project.

I will continue to work on this for the rest of the day.

Miss POI

I have emailed you twice regarding this file and the mistakes I am finding. I am 3/4 done with the corrections but wonder how I am to proceed once completed. There are numerous additions and some deletions, I don't want to take away credit from the original poster/maintainer but it is doing little good the way it is now. Can I email it to you and have you replace the current file or do I create new content and have you just replace it from there?

I am not able to find the emails you are referring to. The user that manages that file http://www.poi-factory.com/node/4719 is an active user that needs to be contacted first before you contact me.

Please let me know what sort of response you get from them and I will work with both of you to get the project updated.

Miss POI

yup

Gary A wrote:
miss poi wrote:
Gary A wrote:

Miss POI - you can delete my file for the Up The Creek restaurant chain. All locations have been closed and their website no longer exists.

arrow http://www.poi-factory.com/node/18622

Done, thanks;)

I figured by posting here you would see my COW award from a week ago and take it away. LOL! mrgreen laugh out loud

(Now back to your regularly scheduled topic)

Yup, I guess I missed a step this week;)

Miss POI

JUST TELL US

Just tell us what needs to be done and we will take it for there. smile

Also I received an email that my CSV file, US Firearm Dealers, is not compatible with POI Loader 2.6.0. Would you take a moment and let me know what I am doing wrong.

I do not use the Loader. All of mine are basically for .ov2 files but easier to write in CSV. However, I do want to do it right for all users.

--
1997 Triple E Empress, Freightliner CAT 3126B, Allison MD-3060, 6 Speed 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Blue Ox tow bar And I am loving it. God -> Men -> Government. Proud member of the Tea Party. “In God We Trust;” in Liberty we thrive.

UPDATE

johnm405 wrote:

If I am not mistaken the date is when is was originally poste. You have to enter and updated date when you update to show the most current change or review.

Stupid question, but, where do I enter the current date?

--
1997 Triple E Empress, Freightliner CAT 3126B, Allison MD-3060, 6 Speed 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Blue Ox tow bar And I am loving it. God -> Men -> Government. Proud member of the Tea Party. “In God We Trust;” in Liberty we thrive.

Suggestion

OneRVer wrote:

Just tell us what needs to be done and we will take it for there. smile

Also I received an email that my CSV file, US Firearm Dealers, is not compatible with POI Loader 2.6.0. Would you take a moment and let me know what I am doing wrong.

I do not use the Loader. All of mine are basically for .ov2 files but easier to write in CSV. However, I do want to do it right for all users.

Just a suggestion.The file is 3 columns now.Insert another column for c and put just the name of the dealers in it with no commas.Take names out of your new column d that you put in c.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Update

OneRVer wrote:
johnm405 wrote:

If I am not mistaken the date is when is was originally poste. You have to enter and updated date when you update to show the most current change or review.

Stupid question, but, where do I enter the current date?

The upadte date is generated when you update the file to the site.Most users put notes at bottom of the sheet on why the change was made and the date.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Update

charlesd45 wrote:
OneRVer wrote:
johnm405 wrote:

If I am not mistaken the date is when is was originally poste. You have to enter and updated date when you update to show the most current change or review.

Stupid question, but, where do I enter the current date?

The upadte date is generated when you update the file to the site.Most users put notes at bottom of the sheet on why the change was made and the date.

My finger was faster that my typing. I forgot to say that what charles said. I just update one of mine and it posted the updated date and showed my note at the bottom. (Senior Moment) grin

--
johnm405 660 & MSS&T

Open in excel

OneRVer wrote:

Just tell us what needs to be done and we will take it for there. smile

Also I received an email that my CSV file, US Firearm Dealers, is not compatible with POI Loader 2.6.0. Would you take a moment and let me know what I am doing wrong.

I do not use the Loader. All of mine are basically for .ov2 files but easier to write in CSV. However, I do want to do it right for all users.

Open it in excel. As already suggested you should add a 4th column so you have A,B,C,D. Column C is blank at the moment. Copy and paste the Dealer name in to column C (make sure there are no comma's). Save it and then reload it to the site.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

UPDATE

pwohlrab wrote:
OneRVer wrote:

Just tell us what needs to be done and we will take it for there. smile

Also I received an email that my CSV file, US Firearm Dealers, is not compatible with POI Loader 2.6.0. Would you take a moment and let me know what I am doing wrong.

I do not use the Loader. All of mine are basically for .ov2 files but easier to write in CSV. However, I do want to do it right for all users.

Open it in excel. As already suggested you should add a 4th column so you have A,B,C,D. Column C is blank at the moment. Copy and paste the Dealer name in to column C (make sure there are no comma's). Save it and then reload it to the site.

Thank you, You are saying that column C is blank. It is colum D that is blank. So I need to fill in column D and remove all of the comma's? Correct? Should I replace the comma's with a semi colon or something else? Again, Thank you.

FYI, Copilot only reads Column A, B, and C. That is why I leave column D blank. But I will change that somehow.

--
1997 Triple E Empress, Freightliner CAT 3126B, Allison MD-3060, 6 Speed 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Blue Ox tow bar And I am loving it. God -> Men -> Government. Proud member of the Tea Party. “In God We Trust;” in Liberty we thrive.

For excel go to the top of

For excel go to the top of page where you see column c.Right click mouse and select insert and left click mouse.Now you have a blank c column.Copy name from D and paste to c.No commas in column c.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Name

charlesd45 wrote:

For excel go to the top of page where you see column c.Right click mouse and select insert and left click mouse.Now you have a blank c column.Copy name from D and paste to c.No commas in column c.

Just copy the Name into column C and leave the address and phone number in Column D?

--
1997 Triple E Empress, Freightliner CAT 3126B, Allison MD-3060, 6 Speed 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Blue Ox tow bar And I am loving it. God -> Men -> Government. Proud member of the Tea Party. “In God We Trust;” in Liberty we thrive.

yes

just address and phone number column d.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

You should have

OneRVer wrote:
charlesd45 wrote:

For excel go to the top of page where you see column c.Right click mouse and select insert and left click mouse.Now you have a blank c column.Copy name from D and paste to c.No commas in column c.

Just copy the Name into column C and leave the address and phone number in Column D?

You should now have 4 columns.
A is longitude
B is latitude
C is name
D is address and phone, etc

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

Thank You

Thank you pwohlrab, I am learning something new everyday.

--
1997 Triple E Empress, Freightliner CAT 3126B, Allison MD-3060, 6 Speed 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Blue Ox tow bar And I am loving it. God -> Men -> Government. Proud member of the Tea Party. “In God We Trust;” in Liberty we thrive.

Orphaned files

Miss POI.

One of the issues I see as an end user is identifying orphaned files.

If possible, it would be a useful tool if there was a way for you to search for all pois created by users, where the user has not been active, or even signed on, in some period of time, say 6 months or a year. Once that period passes, a file can be declared orphaned. After this declaration end users could browse a page of these orphans and if they find any there that they would like to update, they can contact you about taking the file over. If you want to get really slick, you could have anyone who has a certain rank, say GM, click on a radio button next to the file name and the site automatically transfers ownership to the new person.

I think after this entire thread that this could be one of the first ways to start clearing out the unused files or obsolete files, or at the very least, getting them updated, if need be.

Just one idea to reduce your workload...

--
Drivesmart 66, Nuvi 2595LMT (Died), Nuvi 1490T (Died), Nuvi 260 (Died), GPSMAP 195

an archive section?

maybe there can be a place to store old, ancient, long-unused files that may have some future need?

--
non-native nutmegger

Call it "Out to Pasture'

Put the link below the active forums, above the windmill, like being in POI Heaven.

This is a good suggestion

rocknicehunter wrote:

Miss POI.

One of the issues I see as an end user is identifying orphaned files.

If possible, it would be a useful tool if there was a way for you to search for all pois created by users, where the user has not been active, or even signed on, in some period of time, say 6 months or a year. Once that period passes, a file can be declared orphaned. After this declaration end users could browse a page of these orphans and if they find any there that they would like to update, they can contact you about taking the file over. If you want to get really slick, you could have anyone who has a certain rank, say GM, click on a radio button next to the file name and the site automatically transfers ownership to the new person.

I think after this entire thread that this could be one of the first ways to start clearing out the unused files or obsolete files, or at the very least, getting them updated, if need be.

Just one idea to reduce your workload...

This would let members take on some of the workload

Old Files

schmidwr wrote:

maybe there can be a place to store old, ancient, long-unused files that may have some future need?

I was thinking the same thing. That way the files would still be available to anyone who might want one.

This

Bogarts_Falcon wrote:
schmidwr wrote:

maybe there can be a place to store old, ancient, long-unused files that may have some future need?

I was thinking the same thing. That way the files would still be available to anyone who might want one.

Archiving old files is actually quite a good idea. I know there was at least one occasion where an old file served me well in creating a new one.

I though have an (old) thought regarding the bitmaps used for POI files. Is there a way to alter the icon page so that it's not links to the bitmaps, but the bitmaps themselves? The page would function like Google Images in that it displays a copy of the actual bitmap.

--
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams

Agreed

Pretty much agreed with the above--for places that still exist but whose POIs have been effectively orphaned (I'd classify, for example, IHOP's POI in this--it's not been updated in over two years as far as I can tell, and there's been a number of new IHOPs since--heck, I know I've personally submitted one or two new POI entries to the discussion list) I'd like to suggest an adoption program--because there is interest in keeping some up.

Also, probably need to remove redundant POIs (I know there are at least two POI sets for The Fresh Market, only one seems to be actively maintained, though--the state rest area POIs vs. the main rest area POI is a similar state).

As for the POIs that are legitimately dead rather than orphaned (no maintainers, POIs are for businesses no longer in existence, and so on) I like the idea of the "out to pasture" section. grin

A llist of "Pasture Candidates" and "Adoption Candidates"

OK, just as a note to the maintainers, here's a list of POIs that probably need to be "Put To Pasture" as they are for chains that are now defunct or out of business:

DEFUNCT CHAINS:

Steak & Ale: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/11891 (not updated since March 2008)
Per Wikipedia, chain went out of business July 2008 and there is not (yet) a licensing agreement for former franchisees to use the name (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_and_Ale).

This does NOT affect Bennigans (whose non-franchise restaurants closed in the same bankruptcy); there is an active maintainer for Bennigan's franchisee locations' POI.

In addition, here's a list of apparently orphaned POIs:

APPARENTLY ORPHANED:

Beef O'Brady's (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6118). Not updated since 04/28/2008, am personally aware of several openings just locally since.

IHOP (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/1439). Not updated since 04/29/2009 and large number of submissions to IHOP POI forum in meantime--including practically all IHOP locations in Kentucky.

Max & Erma's (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/20046). Not updated since 07/13/2009, aware of one closure.

Taco Bueno (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/11446). Not updated since 03/13/2008 and know of multiple expansions and closures (some of the same locations!) since this date.

J. Alexander's (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/13311). Not updated since 05/05/2008.

ALL ham radio repeater POIs are also essentially abandoned, and at least some are notably out of date (then again, probably the best resource for these aren't POI Factory but rather a dedicated database like ArtSci or the ARRL repeater directory).

Been there done that

miss poi wrote:
pierrenaples wrote:
miss poi wrote:

I am working on this project right now. I have taken care of Sonic Drive-Ins and now I am working on the Hardee's project.

I will continue to work on this for the rest of the day.

Miss POI

I have emailed you twice regarding this file and the mistakes I am finding. I am 3/4 done with the corrections but wonder how I am to proceed once completed. There are numerous additions and some deletions, I don't want to take away credit from the original poster/maintainer but it is doing little good the way it is now. Can I email it to you and have you replace the current file or do I create new content and have you just replace it from there?

I am not able to find the emails you are referring to. The user that manages that file http://www.poi-factory.com/node/4719 is an active user that needs to be contacted first before you contact me.

Please let me know what sort of response you get from them and I will work with both of you to get the project updated.

Miss POI

If there is no rely, what then?

If the user does not reply

If the user does not reply by tomorrow I will work with you to get the file updated.

Miss POI

Thanks

miss poi wrote:

If the user does not reply by tomorrow I will work with you to get the file updated.

Miss POI

Thanks

To all users AND Miss POI !!!

Hi, i have created many POI files but have not \been able to keep up with many of them..

I* would like to ask anyone that would like to take over the existing ones below that I created but do not have time to update any longer they are:

1. Mideval Times Dinner and Touraments Locations
(Last update was 2007

2. Guide To Classic Diners in the USA
(Last update 2007)

3. Heartland Brewerys Locations (last update 2007)

4. Putt-Putt Fun Centers (Last update 2007)

5. Ripley's Believe it or not (Last update 2007)

6. Leagl Seafoods Restraurtnts (Last update 2008)

To Miss POI,

It you would like to remove all the "Tourest POI by state files - The ones without the year behhind them since they are very old and was my 1st try at the poi business. i will be creating new ones for each year and will place a year after them.

also my off beat tourest attractions and Auto Repair Shops I will continue to update ..

Miss POI, If I missed any, Let me know..

Thanks all for all your support and will continue to make new poi files and icons..

bob

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

Old files like mine

kurzemnieks wrote:

One cannot just eliminate old files for that reason only for if you take Frank Lloyd Wright Works as an example, it may be old and get older but since he is not building any more homes there will not be changes made in that file unless one of his homes were to be destroyed.

I have some old files that I made when I went to Europe. They are as uptodate as I can get them as I will not be going again to the same area.

With files like these the only way to update them is if someone from the site uses them on vacation and sees something needing changed and notifies me.

Any other suggestions on files like mine will be appreciated.

--
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Sounds Familiar

@mgarledge

Sounds familiar. Canada Rest Areas was created without me stepping foot into Canada (unless using Google Maps counts), so it's a bit difficult for me to update it. grin

--
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams

same here

bobkz wrote:

Hi, i have created many POI files but have not \been able to keep up with many of them..

I* would like to ask anyone that would like to take over the existing ones below that I created but do not have time to update any longer they are:

I have worked on a number of files and some members have sent updates and corrections. I have been unable to keep up with these and correct the files. My workload has not allowed me to do anything with the POI files in a long time.
I am happy to work with anyone who can update them.

1. OshKosh B'Gosh
2. Meijer Stores
3. Chili's - All States
4. Chuck E Cheese's
5. COSTCO Gas Stations - IL

Thanks.

wow...

I guess I should check out some of my poi files as well.

Kicking a dead horse?

Evidently there has been no movement to clear these old and/or abandoned files up.

It was suggested to put up another tab for "up for adoption". I believe that is a great starting point.

Another idea that should be done is to try contacting the maintainer (if there is a contact tab) and asking if the file is given up or (in the case of individual files maintained in a big file) if the individuals can be taken down.

I know Miss Poi is quite busy maintaining this site. God bless her for all the hard work. Is there any way that we (as maintainers) can help her? smile

I suggest that if we do connect with another maintainer and they tell us "it is abandoned" or "take the file down", that is confirmation enough and we send that email to Miss Poi for her confirmation. At that point she can do what she needs to make the change.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.
Page 1>>