Why does it have to be so difficult? The ability to send Private Messages (PM's) to other registered members of a discussion forum has been around for ages. Trying to help new GBs when they're just getting started would be a lot better than them getting an email about how a price post has been deleted.
Of course, too, it would be very nice to be able to organize a local GB meeting. Springfield has enough participants, but there's no way to get in touch with them. Why not?
Of course, too, I don't understand why the guidelines are not more prominent. It's just human nature to jump in and start posting prices. That's what I did two years ago.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
New preliminary favorites list..
It's at the same place, http://myramp.us/GB I'm expecting some revisions and corrections, but it's a starting place with the new rules in mind. Please feel free to comment here or on the GB forum.
As I posted on the GB forum, we've got a problem on the MSL. Two of our Shell stations have been deleted and replaced as Jiffi Stops, which, of course is not correct since we use the brand of Gas to identify stations. I hope Jman83 or someone that reads the forum can get this corrected and the individual notified about the rules.
I'm pretty sure we had the two stations on Clear Lake and Sangamon Avenue on the MSL and verified, but they're gone now. It would appear that our enthusiastic new price poster who hasn't been shown the rules is now working on the MSL. Not a good thing. I'm all for enthusiasm, but it needs to be directed in useful directions. I know. I was like that a couple of years ago.
As I posted on the GB forum, we've got a problem on the MSL. Two of our Shell stations have been deleted and replaced as Jiffi Stops, which, of course is not correct since we use the brand of Gas to identify stations. I hope Jman83 or someone that reads the forum can get this corrected and the individual notified about the rules.
I'm pretty sure we had the two stations on Clear Lake and Sangamon Avenue on the MSL and verified, but they're gone now. It would appear that our enthusiastic new price poster who hasn't been shown the rules is now working on the MSL. Not a good thing. I'm all for enthusiasm, but it needs to be directed in useful directions. I know. I was like that a couple of years ago.
I'm still confused.. That's hardly news... :-)
Here's the source of part of my confusion about station address formats.
In TB's Guidelines it says, in part:
"STATIONS: The name of the station should be obtained by using the dropdown window in the left column under either “Report a Gas Price” or “Search for a Gas Price”. If the brand of the station you wish to post is not listed, use the "other station" column to the immediate right. Be sure to capitalize the first (and only the first) letter of each word. If there are a few or more of this brand of station, we can suggest to the administrators that it be added to the dropdown list. You may notice gasoline brands, clubs, and convenience chains in the dropdown.Please post each price only once. If the station happens to be in the list twice, such as Citgo AND 7-Eleven, please use only the gasoline brand name first when available.
Example:
Citgo 123 Main St & Cross St (7-Eleven)
or
Citgo 123 Main St & Cross St (Delta Sonic)"
But then I see Jman83 saying in the thread at http://illinoisgasprices.com/Forum_MSG.aspx?master=1&category=1195&topic=269143&page_no=1&FAV=N
Method #2 is correct. Actually, the preferred way would be:"Stanford Ave & 5th St"...numerical and directional ordinates aren't needed until we start using the MSL.
I see most folks including the street number. I had removed them from my favorites, but am afraid that I'll be causing some dupes by doing that since it differs from common current usage by most posters here.
Which is it?
UPDATE!! OK, I'll be editing my favorites list to get into compliance with the new rules as best I can. When I'm done, I'll be posting it somewhere that you all can see it if you want to use any of the information there. It won't include all the stations in Springfield as there are some that aren't on my usual paths.
In TB's Guidelines it says, in part:
"STATIONS: The name of the station should be obtained by using the dropdown window in the left column under either “Report a Gas Price” or “Search for a Gas Price”. If the brand of the station you wish to post is not listed, use the "other station" column to the immediate right. Be sure to capitalize the first (and only the first) letter of each word. If there are a few or more of this brand of station, we can suggest to the administrators that it be added to the dropdown list. You may notice gasoline brands, clubs, and convenience chains in the dropdown.Please post each price only once. If the station happens to be in the list twice, such as Citgo AND 7-Eleven, please use only the gasoline brand name first when available.
Example:
Citgo 123 Main St & Cross St (7-Eleven)
or
Citgo 123 Main St & Cross St (Delta Sonic)"
But then I see Jman83 saying in the thread at http://illinoisgasprices.com/Forum_MSG.aspx?master=1&category=1195&topic=269143&page_no=1&FAV=N
Method #2 is correct. Actually, the preferred way would be:"Stanford Ave & 5th St"...numerical and directional ordinates aren't needed until we start using the MSL.
I see most folks including the street number. I had removed them from my favorites, but am afraid that I'll be causing some dupes by doing that since it differs from common current usage by most posters here.
Which is it?
UPDATE!! OK, I'll be editing my favorites list to get into compliance with the new rules as best I can. When I'm done, I'll be posting it somewhere that you all can see it if you want to use any of the information there. It won't include all the stations in Springfield as there are some that aren't on my usual paths.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Price spike..
Hardly a surprise other than why it took this long. I'm seeing $3.29 at a lot of stations, but a few seem to be lagging. We topped off both our personal cars last night and I filled the company car this morning for $3.09 so our timing appears to have been good.... This time.
I still haven't heard back from Jman83 regarding what problems he sees with my favorites list, but he's a busy guy. What I'd like to do is to be able to post a list on the http://springfieldgas.googlepages.com site with "approved" addresses for most of the stations around town so it can be used as a reference by others once we really figure out what's satisfactory.
Of course, one problem with that is that almost nobody knows about the site. The other ongoing problem is that new folks to posting prices haven't read the posting guidelines as they are not particularly visible. The guidelines are great, but there are exceptions and interpretations. A true MSL, if it could be implemented, whereby it's a pull-down menu, or a Master Favorites List (MFL) so nobody free-hands locations, is the ideal, but it's just not going to happen any time soon.
I still haven't heard back from Jman83 regarding what problems he sees with my favorites list, but he's a busy guy. What I'd like to do is to be able to post a list on the http://springfieldgas.googlepages.com site with "approved" addresses for most of the stations around town so it can be used as a reference by others once we really figure out what's satisfactory.
Of course, one problem with that is that almost nobody knows about the site. The other ongoing problem is that new folks to posting prices haven't read the posting guidelines as they are not particularly visible. The guidelines are great, but there are exceptions and interpretations. A true MSL, if it could be implemented, whereby it's a pull-down menu, or a Master Favorites List (MFL) so nobody free-hands locations, is the ideal, but it's just not going to happen any time soon.
Monday, July 9, 2007
I'm baaaack !!!
We got back last night after a very nice drive from Minneapolis to Springfield. We decided to eschew the Interstates and took the Great River Road along the Wisconsin side of the Missisippi. I heartily recommend it as a wonderfully scenic and interesting drive if you are up that way and have the time.
Back to gas prices.. {{sigh}} First, I see the prices jumping this afternoon here in Springfield, no big surprise. We actually bought premium yesterday at a little Git-N-Go convenience store for $3.09.
I'm going to be working on my favorites list (again). I just can't seem to really get it right, but I'll keep trying. I'm stubborn....up to a point. I see that I need to add the street number which I had, for some reason, taken off my favorites thinking that the important thing was to have the main street and a cross street, if there was one, and only included the street number for the stations that have no cross or "T" street.
I think we did get it straight that Springfield has two Grand avenues, one North Grand and the other South Grand, that do not, at any point connect.
I'm rather getting the feeling that we should steel our selves to the fact that dupes are going to happen and just live with it since newbies are always just going to start posting prices and giving locations as they would normally say them. The guidelines are not obvious and people are not likely to go looking for them. I didn't notice the discussion forums for months.
Anyway, we're glad to be back from a very nice time in Minneapolis and hope that, in the unlikely event anyone is actually reading this little blog, that you also had a pleasant and satisfying 4th of July.
Back to gas prices.. {{sigh}} First, I see the prices jumping this afternoon here in Springfield, no big surprise. We actually bought premium yesterday at a little Git-N-Go convenience store for $3.09.
I'm going to be working on my favorites list (again). I just can't seem to really get it right, but I'll keep trying. I'm stubborn....up to a point. I see that I need to add the street number which I had, for some reason, taken off my favorites thinking that the important thing was to have the main street and a cross street, if there was one, and only included the street number for the stations that have no cross or "T" street.
I think we did get it straight that Springfield has two Grand avenues, one North Grand and the other South Grand, that do not, at any point connect.
I'm rather getting the feeling that we should steel our selves to the fact that dupes are going to happen and just live with it since newbies are always just going to start posting prices and giving locations as they would normally say them. The guidelines are not obvious and people are not likely to go looking for them. I didn't notice the discussion forums for months.
Anyway, we're glad to be back from a very nice time in Minneapolis and hope that, in the unlikely event anyone is actually reading this little blog, that you also had a pleasant and satisfying 4th of July.
Monday, July 2, 2007
MSL moving target again..
See the exchange at http://illinoisgasprices.com/Forum_MSG.aspx?category=1195&topic=193023 for 7/2/2007. I wouldn't want Jman83's position for the world. It's a very tough job and clearly requires a lot of his time and energy. Thanks for doing what you do, Jman83.
While there is a good guideline published by TB, there is considerable confusion, at least on my part, about the Master Station List (MSL). I innocently figured that the MSL represented the way that GB management wanted the stations identified. I was making a bad assumption.
I've edited my Favorites, http://www.myramp.us/GB/ ...again. to reflect Aaaa St. & Bbbb St. without street numbers except for a very few instances where there is no cross street or "T" street. I'm still unsure about those, but am sure it will get resolved. There may be a few tweaks, but I hope I'm close to something acceptable.
Now, back to the MSL, what good is it if it's wrong? I assume (assuming again) that the idea is that eventually the MSL will be the defining document as to station locations and folks will no longer be allowed to "free-hand" the station locations, but will pick them from the MSL so as to avoid the dupes. Since I an older guy I'm doubting that I will see it in my lifetime. It's a formitable task, especially if one has to rely on volunteers to do it. It seems to me that someone has to be designated as the "Keeper of the holy MSL" and not allow random editing. No, let me be very clear that I'm not volunteering. I have a life.
About dupes, I wonder how sophisticated the dupe checking software is? Any chance of improvements there?
Anyway, these are just my own observations about this. My opinions are worth what you paid for them.
Everyone have a nice week.
Rajah
While there is a good guideline published by TB, there is considerable confusion, at least on my part, about the Master Station List (MSL). I innocently figured that the MSL represented the way that GB management wanted the stations identified. I was making a bad assumption.
I've edited my Favorites, http://www.myramp.us/GB/ ...again. to reflect Aaaa St. & Bbbb St. without street numbers except for a very few instances where there is no cross street or "T" street. I'm still unsure about those, but am sure it will get resolved. There may be a few tweaks, but I hope I'm close to something acceptable.
Now, back to the MSL, what good is it if it's wrong? I assume (assuming again) that the idea is that eventually the MSL will be the defining document as to station locations and folks will no longer be allowed to "free-hand" the station locations, but will pick them from the MSL so as to avoid the dupes. Since I an older guy I'm doubting that I will see it in my lifetime. It's a formitable task, especially if one has to rely on volunteers to do it. It seems to me that someone has to be designated as the "Keeper of the holy MSL" and not allow random editing. No, let me be very clear that I'm not volunteering. I have a life.
About dupes, I wonder how sophisticated the dupe checking software is? Any chance of improvements there?
Anyway, these are just my own observations about this. My opinions are worth what you paid for them.
Everyone have a nice week.
Rajah
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