==Re what is pinging, also: have a nice trip== 

 Pinging was originally computer jargon for...poking another computer, see Ping (networking utility). (Hey! Hey! You there? No? OK, I'm reporting you as dysfunctional!) Then it evolved into poking people. On Wikipedia, it's used as a slangy reference to WP:ECHO, the feature that adds to one's little red message button. Hope your field trips are pleasant...good weather, good finds...and that people keep their cries for "WILLSSONNN!" to a minimum (I would have a hard time with that). Best wishes,