Tracking News – Page 14 – SantaTrackers.net

Chat with Elf Crash Murphy

February 17, 2024/1 Comment/in Chat Recap, Christmas Newswire, Tracking News/by Elf Winslow

Elf Crash Murphy came to Elf Chat today, despite a mix up in the scheduled times. He was supposed to talk about plans for tracking Santa in 2024 but he admitted that he has yet to meet with Santa this year and does not yet have a lot of specific information.

But there are things going on that he was able to update us about. Here is a transcript of that lively conversation:

Elf Crash Murphy	Howdy
Elf Max	Hi Crash. I apologize. I messed up the time of the chat today
Elf Crash Murphy	Ya did? I am I here at the wrong time?
Elf Max	Yes, we’re an hour late.
Elf Max	I posted it for 9am EST but told you 10am
Elf Crash Murphy	Well good golly. I’m not sure I could have been there that early! This is early enough
Elf Ulan	Hello! XD
Elf Trixie	I didn’t even look at the time, I just assumed it would be 10am
Elf Max	That’s what I did too
Elf Crash Murphy	Well there’s 4 of us here. We can talk anyway
Elf Max	Hi Elf Ulan. I’m so sorry!
Elf Crash Murphy	I just looked at that events thing and I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about Santa’s plans this year anyway
Elf Trixie	You don’t know Santa’s plans either?
Elf Ulan	No problem! Please don’t be sorry, Elf Max. I’m here, lol
Elf Crash Murphy	Not yet, no. Well, not exactly I should say. I know we’re flying.
Elf Max	You haven’t met with Santa?
Elf Crash Murphy	No, he’s taking his sweet time of things. I think it is another week until my appointment with him.
Elf Trixie	That’s the story with everyone. I think Santa is making up for time he missed last year
Elf Max	So you have heard this too, Trixie?
Elf Trixie	Yes! That’s kind of why I came today. I’m snooping around for some answers
Elf Crash Murphy	Hahaha. You won’t get much from me!
Elf Max	Then what are we going to talk about, Elf Crash?
Elf Crash Murphy	I dunno.
Elf Trixie	Hahaha
Elf Max	I thought we would have a new podcast from you and Elf Frank by now.
Elf Crash Murphy	Well, funny story about that.
Elf Ulan	Tell us!
Elf Crash Murphy	We sat down, had a list of questions and stuff, and started talking
Elf Crash Murphy	And we got into about a 25 minute discussion about ramen.
Elf Ulan	Lol
Elf Trixie	Ramen? You mean…noodles?
Elf Crash Murphy	Yeah, and we realized it was a weird tangent and decided to scrap the whole recording
Elf Crash Murphy	Then Frank got laryngitis and lost his voice and we put it off until he got better
Elf Max	Oh, I’m sorry to hear he got sick
Elf Crash Murphy	He’s better now but he’s been off at some knitting championship or something
Elf Trixie	Knitting?
Elf Crash Murphy	Yeah, that’s a thing he does
Elf Max	I didn’t know they had championships for that
Elf Trixie	Knitting?!!!
Elf Crash Murphy	I know. Frank is a deep guy….
Elf Max	We need to schedule another chat with him!
Elf Ulan	What did he knit?
Elf Crash Murphy	He’s going to kill me for sharing that….
Elf Crash Murphy	You know what, Elf Ulan? He’s never shown me anything that he works on. I don’t know what he makes.
Elf Ulan	Nice! Interesting!
Elf Trixie	There’s a story here….
Elf Crash Murphy	Oh boy…put your reporter hat off, Elf Trixie. I’m not sure Frank wants that in the news.
Elf Trixie	Too late!
Elf Ulan	I’ll ask him someday. I knit too! XD
Elf Max	Where do they hold knitting championships?
Elf Crash Murphy	I dunno. Minnesota maybe.
Elf Trixie	Minnesota?
Elf Crash Murphy	Yeah, they got a lot of old ladies there….
Elf Trixie	Hahaha
Elf Max	Oh boy….that’s a scream
Elf Crash Murphy	Really, you guys. Don’t tell him I told you. I’m gonna have to deny it.
Elf Trixie	He’s going to know Crash
Elf Max	Wow, ramen and knitting. You guys cover a lot of ground.
Elf Crash Murphy	Dagnabit.
Elf Trixie	Hahaha. This is better than Santa’s plans for 2024.
Elf Ulan	Knitting is great!
Elf Max	Yeah, we can just have Elf Crash come dish on everyone at the North Pole.
Elf Crash Murphy	Now you know I won’t do that.
Elf Max	Why wouldn’t Frank want to talk about this hobby of his?
Elf Crash Murphy	Probably because he’d get teased about it, like we’re teasing him here.
Elf Ulan	Elf Crash, did you eat ramen on Christmas Eve?
Elf Trixie	I’ll admit – I’m surprised. Frank has always seemed to be kind of a burly dude, you know?
Elf Crash Murphy	I’ve eaten ramen on Christmas Eve but I wouldn’t say it is a habit or a tradition.
Elf Crash Murphy	We started talking about it because Frank was visiting with some family in the USA and went to a Costco where they have all these fancy ramens.
Elf Crash Murphy	He bought one of everything they had and ate nothing else for like a week. Said he loved it.
Elf Crash Murphy	I eat ramen not because I like them a ton but because I live alone and I don’t like to cook much.
Elf Max	Same here.
Elf Trixie	Yeah, me too
Elf Crash Murphy	But I guess Frank is a next level ramen eater.
Elf Ulan	Me too! Lol
Elf Max	Well, Crash – we’ve all been out of touch for a while. What IS going on for this year so far?
Elf Crash Murphy	Things are happening Max. There just hasn’t been a lot of stuff shared in the news.
Elf Crash Murphy	Santa has been spending a lot of time with the workshop teams and he’s only getting to us and the teams from Flight Command now.
Elf Max	So what have you been working on…besides ramen and knitting?
Elf Crash Murphy	Well, I got the Elf Supervisors together and we’re wrapping up points and evals from last year. We’re talking some stuff we can do before Santa gives us plans.
Elf Max	Ok. Like what?
Elf Crash Murphy	The Elf Supervisors would like some suggestions from each sector about where to put the Regional Tracking Centers this year. Those scout teams go out soon to start the selection process.
Elf Max	Oh, that would be cool.
Elf Crash Murphy	I think it is a great idea as well.
Elf Max	When do the regional tracking centers have to be ready?
Elf Crash Murphy	Usually by the end of July. Last year Santa wanted them announced as part of Christmas in July and we did that and it worked out great.
Elf Max	You think he will want to do that again this year?
Elf Ulan	I’m curious about where they put the tracking center!
Elf Crash Murphy	I have no idea, because we haven’t talked about it. That’s why the Elf Supervisors have held off on asking for suggestions.
Elf Crash Murphy	We want more input from trackers on this .
Elf Max	that’s honestly way cool. I hope you tell Santa that.
Elf Crash Murphy	It’s on my list.
Elf Max	What else is on your list?
Elf Crash Murphy	What SHOULD be on my list?
Elf Max	A bigger server for the website.
Elf Crash Murphy	That is on my list!
Elf Trixie	Do you really think Santa will want a lot of new or different things this year?
Elf Crash Murphy	No, Trixie. I don’t know what he’s thinking, honestly. I’ve seen him exactly twice since Christmas.
Elf Crash Murphy	He was really happy with how last year turned out. I think if he had huge concerns we would have met already.
Elf Ulan	Do you think Santa will replace the elves with another department thus year?
Elf Crash Murphy	I don’t think so. We made a lot of changes last year and I think Santa wants to keep things fairly static for a while, Elf Ulan
Elf Crash Murphy	I hope he won’t fire me.
Elf Trixie	Awwwww….
Elf Max	Why would he do that?
Elf Crash Murphy	I’m still a rookie at this whole director thing.
Elf Max	I think you’re doing great.
Elf Trixie	Yes, you did an AWESOME job last year.
Elf Crash Murphy	Thanks you guys. I was worried I was going to have to take up knitting.
Elf Max	LOL
Elf Ulan	Thank you, Elf Crash. All of the elves at the North Pole are very important for Santa!
Elf Trixie	So when do you meet up with Santa?
Elf Crash Murphy	February 29th.
Elf Max	Oh, that’s about two weeks away still.
Elf Crash Murphy	Yes, very late. Santa is moving at a different pace this year.
Elf Trixie	So is Mrs. Claus.
Elf Max	Really, Trixie?
Elf Trixie	Really.
Elf Crash Murphy	Mrs. Claus is having fun. Santa is giving her a break. She worked very hard last year.
Elf Trixie	Yes, night and day difference this year versus last year.
Elf Max	Do you meet with Mrs. Claus?
Elf Crash Murphy	I did a lot last year because Santa was gone. But now…no. She’s occupied with other stuff. Trixie could tell us what’s she’s doing. But she’s not meeting with me.
Elf Trixie	It’s true. She’s leaving all the reviews and meetings to Santa. So far Mrs. Claus is really focused on the North Pole this year.
Elf Ulan	Elf Trixie, do you know what Santa gave to Mrs. Claus for a Valentine?
Elf Trixie	No Elf Ulan, I don’t. Santa took her away somewhere and they were gone for TWO days.
Elf Crash Murphy	That doesn’t surprise me.
Elf Max	What do you mean, Crash?
Elf Ulan	Oh, so they had a wonderful time! XD
Elf Crash Murphy	Santa and Mrs. Claus are crazy about each other.
Elf Trixie	Yes, this is true
Elf Max	So Santa gave Mrs. Claus a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day?
Elf Trixie	Yes, I think it is safe to say that.
Elf Crash Murphy	Well, that’s nice.
Elf Max	Crash…dare I ask how your Valentine’s Day was?
Elf Crash Murphy	Ramen.
Elf Trixie	Hahaha!
Elf Max	Is that bad?
Elf Ulan	Ramen? To who?
Elf Crash Murphy	No. Just another day.
Elf Crash Murphy	Ramen just to me.
Elf Trixie	You’re an elf after my own heart.
Elf Max	My Valentine’s Day was Pop Tarts.
Elf Trixie	Hahaha.
Elf Max	Crash, we’re out of time for today. But can we do this chat again…maybe after you talk to Santa?
Elf Crash Murphy	Yeah, that’s a good idea. Maybe we can get Frank to come on to tell us how he did at the championships.
Elf Max	Hahaha – that would be great too. Thanks for being with us today and again, sorry about the mix up on the schedule.
Elf Ulan	Yeah, let’s do that!
Elf Crash Murphy	No worries, Max. You’ve been a busy elf. The website is looking awesome.
Elf Trixie	It really is, Max. I love it!
Elf Max	Thank you. I’ll touch base with you on a date to do this again.
Elf Ulan	I love it too!
Elf Crash Murphy	Okay. Bye everybody!
Elf Trixie	Bye Crash!
Elf Ulan	Thank you, Elf Crash!
Elf Max	Bye Crash. Thanks everyone for being here today!
Elf Ulan	Thank you Elf Max!
Elf Trixie	Thanks Elf Ulan and Elf Max!
Elf Ulan	Thank you Elf Trixie!

Membership Update

January 25, 2024/3 Comments/in Site Support, Tracking News/by Elf Moe

Here’s a little reminder that Membership routines continue even as Elf Max revamps the website.

We are at the time of the month where we give a cleaning to our membership roles, meaning those accounts who have not logged in for 90 days get deleted. This practice, while frustrating for some elves, is necessary to keep the most serious elves among us. So, as we frequently experience at this time of the year, you will see our numbers dwindle before they expand.

When will we open the gates of registration again for new elves? That is a topic of much discussion among elf leadership. Even Santa is weighing in on it. I have no news at this time to share but as soon as I do, I will let you know.

As always, we encourage every elf to have a complete elf profile. Elf Max assures me that the work is done on the new set up for profiles. He made an adjustment to elf names, leaving just one field to set up or edit in your profile. Where it says first name, just put in “Elf” and whatever your elf name is. You can look at my profile as an example. It says simply “Elf Moe”. That’s how we want every profile to look.

We remind you that you need a “cover” image and an “avatar”. There are many examples of elves who have done this correctly. I believe the new elf profile interface makes it clear and easy to do this. But if you need help, just let one of us know and we’ll assist.

We strongly encourage ALL active elves to update their profile with the new set up and freshen up the look you have for yourself.

Finally, as you work to get your profile the way you want it be sure to look at the little images to the right of your name. We want to get those right for every elf as well. If you are missing the red check of a verified elf or other designation please let me or Max know. Those images are pretty cool – if you hover your cursor over them a little text box pops up to explain what the image means. We want that for every everyone, so let us know what you’re missing and we’ll get it working.

While we anticipate a lot of adjustments to the website still in the coming weeks we anticipate more bugs and fixes. Please do not be shy in testing things out and sharing what you find. We want to fix everything and make it better and we believe it is going to take the efforts of everyone to get it right.

Thanks!

Elf Community Upgrades Begin

January 24, 2024/4 Comments/in Christmas Newswire, Site Support, Tracking News/by Elf Max

The first in a series of Elf Community upgrades is in progress. As you login you might notice some new features while other regular site offerings are suspended.

The following are features not currently operational that will return very soon:

– Elf University
– Tracker Reports
– Elf Jobs
– Tracker Elf Registration
– Elf Points Summaries (points building has returned and is being renewed)
– Sector News Pages

The Elf Community software has been upgraded and these new features are now active:

All new Elf Wall
All new Elf Groups
All new Elf Events
New profile features and upgrades
New messaging system
New friends and followers features
New News Page
New Podcast Page
New emojis and elf role icons

Our desire right now is to continue working while the Elf Community is open. We have spent the past two days working to get to this point, but we know a lot of work remains to be done.

We encourage you to help with this project doing the following:

Update your profile. There are many new items not previously available.
Update your avatar. (Many have lost the avatar they were using)
Update your profile cover image to something Christmasy.
Try everything. Tell us what works and what doesn’t for you.
Ask questions.

We greatly depend upon your feedback to test everything out as we go along. Don’t be shy in posting on the Elf Wall or sending me a message.

Thank you!

Site Upgrades Starting Soon

January 19, 2024/1 Comment/in Tracking News/by Elf Max

Some necessary site changes are underway. You may see some downtime in site access over the course of the next three to four weeks as a result.

There will be many changes, so be patient as we work to roll them out. We will try to post updates about our progress on the changes and what it will mean to the Santa tracking effort going forward.

The site team is working though many suggestions, as well as testing new functionality. It is likely that the look of the site will be upgraded as well.

We appreciate your patience as we work through these issues.

Take our 2023 Survey

December 26, 2023/1 Comment/in Christmas Newswire, Tracking News/by Elf Crash Murphy

My Fellow Trackers of Santa,

Thank you and Merry Christmas! Santa’s record-breaking ride in 2023 came as a result of a lot of work.

Much of that work came from you, the unseen and unheard-from heroes of Operation Merry Christmas.

North Pole Flight Command took in over 30 million reports from trackers in the past year, which represents billions of tiny bits of information fed to Santa so that he could move more efficiently and safely on Christmas Eve.

In setting a new record this year Santa gave credit to his trackers first.

Ahead of the Sleigh Designers, ahead of the reindeer, ahead of anything and everything else. I want you to know that.

I also want you to know that you hung with us despite some problems we had.

We will get together next week to begin sorting through everything that went right, everything that went wrong, and just what we can do better in our efforts ahead.

To that end, I’m posting a survey we would like you to take.

We want to know not only about your tracking experience but also your ideas for doing better going forward.

I look forward to your candid responses to this survey.

I want to especially give a tip of the elf hat to Elf Max, who likely hasn’t had any kind of sleep for more than a week. That guy not only pulled out all the stops in supporting SantaTrackers.net but he worked tirelessly behind the scenes with issues at SantaUpdate.com. And I know he has lots of ideas for the work going forward too.

I also want to thank you for all the personal things left for me this Christmas. So many of you made sure there were cookies and eggnog and candy canes and other treats marked for me, just as you do for Santa.

That touches me like you would not believe and I’m grateful you would remember me. I’m overwhelmed by it all (and I don’t know how Santa eats all those cookies). Thank you as well for remembering MY reindeer, too. They, like me, were so surprised by your kindness.

I’m excited already for next year and can’t wait to track Santa for Santa again.

Time to Stand Down Sector 5

December 24, 2023/3 Comments/in Christmas Newswire, Sector 5, Tracking News/by Elf Pinky

Trackers in Sector 5 – I know Santa’s not even touched our sector yet but Flight Command just sent the word that we can start to stand down. This will vary – those in the east are nearing bed time, while those way out west in Hawaii and Tahiti are going to be up for a while.

For those out west, we’re not anticipating any needs, so your judgment is best for when you need to stand down. Santa just requests that you don’t stay up too late tonight!

Thank you all for an outstanding year!

Merry Christmas!

Sector 4 Can Stand Down Now

December 24, 2023/1 Comment/in Christmas Newswire, Sector 4, Tracking News/by Elf Tubby Ryder

Friends in Sector 4 – the official word has come: it’s time for us to call it a year. The stand down order is in.

Fortunately, our work in the preseason make it so we didn’t have much to do today. It was fun just watching Santa cross the world.

Thank you for your many efforts this year!

Merry Christmas!

Santa Wants a Weather Update

December 24, 2023/1 Comment/in Sector 5, Tracking News/by Elf Pinky

Elves,

Are you watching this? Santa has these sudden bursts of speed – he literally tore through Australia in under an hour. Amazing!

The word I’m getting is that he is totally focused on breaking this speed record this year. He’s going to go through our sector just as fast. He’s moving like crazy!

Let’s help him out by sending him the most current weather forecast you can find. Get screen shots, take pictures – do whatever you have to do to get him the latest from your area.

Here’s the report:

Standing Down in Sector 3

December 24, 2023/1 Comment/in Christmas Newswire, Sector 3, Tracking News/by Elf Rolf Janssen

Trackers,

As the bedtime advisories pile up so do the orders to stand down in Sector 3. It appears our work for this year is over as Santa is advising us to call it a night.

Merry Christmas, elves and THANK YOU for your merry efforts.

Stand Down in Sector 2 Beginning

December 24, 2023/1 Comment/in Sector 2, Tracking News/by Elf Clif Moyer

The first of our stand down orders in Sector 2 are coming in.

All trackers in Asia and the Middle East are advised to “stand down” – that is, stop sending in reports – as the bedtime advisories closest to you are posted at NorthPoleFlightCommand.com.

That means our work in Sector 2 is coming to an end for this year.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Stand Down Coming for Sector 1

December 24, 2023/1 Comment/in Christmas Newswire, Sector 1, Tracking News/by Elf Randi Hume

Trackers it’s been a long but fun day. But as always it comes to an end and word is starting to come down from Flight Command for trackers in our sector to Stand Down.

As you hear or read of the bedtime advisories via North Pole Flight Command or Kringle Radio for your area you will be considered “logged out” for the day.

Thank you for your service. It appears, so far, that Santa’s flight in our sector has been successful. This can only happen with your help. Good work!

Merry Christmas!

Air Traffic Report Needed

December 23, 2023/0 Comments/in Christmas Newswire, Sector 2, Tracking News/by Elf Clif Moyer

Elves of Sector 2, North Pole Flight Command has requested an air traffic report for all areas of our sector. Please supply the information requested below if you can:

Chat with Elf Crash Murphy

Membership Update

Elf Community Upgrades Begin

Site Upgrades Starting Soon

Take our 2023 Survey

Time to Stand Down Sector 5

Sector 4 Can Stand Down Now

Santa Wants a Weather Update

Standing Down in Sector 3

Stand Down in Sector 2 Beginning

Stand Down Coming for Sector 1

Air Traffic Report Needed

Official North Pole Websites

About Santa Trackers