Site Updates

Recent Changes To AustinExplorer.com

June 10, 2008

Enhanced the add a log page to set the default date to today and also added a popup calendar picker as an alternate date selection method.
Fixed an error that occurred when editing a log entry that included a rating that was not previously set.
Improved the ability to search for hikes or sites using keywords.
Added a new registration page that allows for quicker signup.
Added several help pages to assist with various activities and operations on the site.
Added Terrain view option to Google Maps on the site.
Fixed the page to add a link to the links database.

Mar. 16, 2008

Fixed the "list them" pages on the My Explorer page so that it does not lose track of whose logs it's sorting. Also added a link to the user's page at the bottom of the table. This change also makes the page suitable for linking to.
Fixed a problem some people were having when logging in, particularly when going directly to the login page.

Jan. 27, 2008

Added a link from the geocache log pages to the log a cache page for that cache on Geocaching.com. Now it's easier to log cache finds on both sites.
Added the ability be able to automatically find your lost login name and to change your password on the login page.
The add a log pages now have some code in place to try and prevent duplicate log entries when pressing the submit button more than once.
Cleaned up the view log page so that the text of comments flows more nicely around any pictures that the user may have uploaded (example).

Dec. 30, 2007

Fixed the Print A Hike links from hike writeups.
Miscellaneous other minor fixes and tweaks.

Dec. 9, 2007

Fixed a bug in the Find A Hike/Cache/Site pages that prevented some items from being displayed in the results.
Fixed virtual cache confirmation page and the contact us pages so that emails will once again be sent.
Users can now submit articles, including trail and site writeups. To submit a writeup for a hike that does not have one just navigate to the hike and press the link that says "Submit a writeup". WYSIWYG editing will come in a later rollout.
It's now possible to edit the captions and descriptions of your uploaded photos.
You can now submit news headlines for others to see.
Added a login and registration help file.
Many of the main pages have been cached so that they update no more than once per minute. This was put into place to help cut down on server load.
Re-added the "Update Stats" link on your My Explorer page in case the stats are not properly updated.

Sept. 3, 2007

Look for the "BOOKMARK" button on site detail, article or log pages. They provide an easy way to save a page in which you are interested on social bookmarking sites such as del.icio.us or Digg.
Better support for Firefox browsers. It's now used as part of standard testing.
Rollout of Google-based mapping. Google maps are also used in place of the old Tiger census maps on undocumented hikes (example here). Note: Firefox browsers show the markers faster than Internet Explorer.
Added the ability log and display hike duration.
Enhanced all of the search pages. More input validation is done to the parameters to ensure a valid query. A "Clear Fields" button allows for easy refresh for starting a new query. Search results have a cleaner look and are easier to read.
Search pages include new search options. The Find A Hike page now includes the hike enjoyability rating in search criteria. The Find A Site and Find A Cemetery pages now includes the ability to search by keyword.
Find A Hike results have a cleaner look and are easier to read.
The list of hike logs returned by the "List Them" link on the "My Explorer" page now includes a link on the hike name (which brings you to the hike details page) and the date of the hike (which brings you to the specific hike log view page).
Enhanced options on the view hike and geocache log page. Now it's possible to edit the log, upload photos or delete the log from the log view page. This no longer has to be done from within the hike or geocache details page.

Maps display slower using Internet Explorer.
For a better experience give Firefox a try.