Forum software has been updated!
- If you subscribed to Digests, click your name on the top right, then User Control Panel, then Digests tab and resubscribe.
Logging caches
- MotherWolf
- MGS Member
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:00 am
- 17
Logging caches
I know there are several cachers that will go on big cache runs & then it will take some time to log all of your caches BUT how much time should be an exceptable time frame?
My beef specifically are the EC that cachers grab along the way. Cachers will post found EC such & such, answers coming soon. Well how much time should be ok? Thats kind of a trick question & I know each CO will have their 'own' set time. I have always been really generous in the time frame BUT some folks have really taken advantage of that. Im sure not just with me either. I dont want to put a specific time frame on them but I it is coming to that. I dont feel it is fair to those that DO the EC & send answers right away that others should also get the [:)] when they technically didnt complete the task.
So just a suggestion......if you log a FOUND for a cache or EC & part of the requirement is to send info to the CO have a little respect & consideration for the CO & send your answers when you log your find or at least within a couple of days.
***Just as an extra little side note here....My 2 EC's in Md are Life on The Edge GC19WY9 & Living in a Salt Marsh GC19GVE They are out at CBEC (Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center) in Queen Annes County. For those of you that logged FOUND but have not yet sent your info please do so. I really dont want to delete your Thanks
My beef specifically are the EC that cachers grab along the way. Cachers will post found EC such & such, answers coming soon. Well how much time should be ok? Thats kind of a trick question & I know each CO will have their 'own' set time. I have always been really generous in the time frame BUT some folks have really taken advantage of that. Im sure not just with me either. I dont want to put a specific time frame on them but I it is coming to that. I dont feel it is fair to those that DO the EC & send answers right away that others should also get the [:)] when they technically didnt complete the task.
So just a suggestion......if you log a FOUND for a cache or EC & part of the requirement is to send info to the CO have a little respect & consideration for the CO & send your answers when you log your find or at least within a couple of days.
***Just as an extra little side note here....My 2 EC's in Md are Life on The Edge GC19WY9 & Living in a Salt Marsh GC19GVE They are out at CBEC (Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center) in Queen Annes County. For those of you that logged FOUND but have not yet sent your info please do so. I really dont want to delete your Thanks
- Sue-Cat
- MGS Member
- Posts: 2296
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:00 am
- 18
- Location: Frederick Watershed, MD
Re: Logging caches
I don't have any EC's but generally I think CO's are too lenient in allowing 'finds' to stay when the 'finder' hasn't sent answers. I often post a note when I do an EC and change it to a find when I send my answers...
I'd give them a week, if they're traveling/don't have time to send answers, they can do what I do, log it as a note initially. State the rules of logging on the cache page. Side note: some cachers will of course complain. So be it.
I'd give them a week, if they're traveling/don't have time to send answers, they can do what I do, log it as a note initially. State the rules of logging on the cache page. Side note: some cachers will of course complain. So be it.
Sue, Vinny & Sue Team
- MotherWolf
- MGS Member
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:00 am
- 17
Re: Logging caches
Ya know I hate to delete logs & I have only done a few in 10 yrs but with my EC's I put a ton of work into them. The requirements are clear send answers log cache. I dont like to send folks a note saying hey are ya planning an sending the answers or what.....Im really really soft when it comes to the answers to begin with. I want folks to enjoy themselves, hang out, unplug for just a bit but then how bout at least sending SOMETHING. You could really almost guess at the answers. When I get the email notice for logging if the answers are with it I keep that log in my inbox. Then as I get the answers I delete the initial note. Well I still have about 6 or 8 emails with sending info in my mailbox. A couple are caching friends as well & I kind of feel like Im being taken advantage of. Well I think Im going to add the note of if answers arent received within a wk your will be deleted without further notification.
-
- MGS Member
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:35 pm
- 15
Re: Logging caches
I've done a few EarthCaches and I'm working on a few myself. Here are the requirements I've seen:
In the end, I say go with what's in your cache descriptions. And don't feel bad about deleting entries. But certainly choose the option that causes the least amount of stress. This is a hobby; it shouldn't be stressful.
- Send entries within xx hours or your entry will be deleted.
- Send entries before logging. If the CO has a problem, they'll contact.
- Send entries before logging. Wait for CO response before logging.
In the end, I say go with what's in your cache descriptions. And don't feel bad about deleting entries. But certainly choose the option that causes the least amount of stress. This is a hobby; it shouldn't be stressful.
-
- MGS Member
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:07 am
- 13
Re: Logging caches
I'm not a CO, and probably never will be.
That said, and recognizing that mine will be the minority opinion...
If I had an Earthcache, I'd let anyone log it.
If they emailed the answers, I'd email back a congrats note.
If I had artistic talent, or knew someone with it, I'd craft an unofficial souvenir.
Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.
If someone lies about visiting the EC the loss is totally on them.
As I see it, the only 'bragging rights' issue is FTF, which doesn't really apply to an EC.
(FTF is easily proved with a FTF cert in the cache box.)
Like I said, this is my opinion, and no doubt it is the minority opinion.
I just don't see the point in policing the sport.
In ham radio, they do that, and I feel it causes more hard feelings and other issues than the occasional liar does.
That said, and recognizing that mine will be the minority opinion...
If I had an Earthcache, I'd let anyone log it.
If they emailed the answers, I'd email back a congrats note.
If I had artistic talent, or knew someone with it, I'd craft an unofficial souvenir.
Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.
If someone lies about visiting the EC the loss is totally on them.
As I see it, the only 'bragging rights' issue is FTF, which doesn't really apply to an EC.
(FTF is easily proved with a FTF cert in the cache box.)
Like I said, this is my opinion, and no doubt it is the minority opinion.
I just don't see the point in policing the sport.
In ham radio, they do that, and I feel it causes more hard feelings and other issues than the occasional liar does.
- MotherWolf
- MGS Member
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:00 am
- 17
Re: Logging caches
I can understand wanting to let anyone log their find & as I said above, I am extremely tolerant with not only excepting basically whatever answers are sent but also in waiting when someone logs the find to receive their answers. I want for people to enjoy their visit to the area foremost and so the couple of questions that I ask can pretty much be answered with common sense. However if the requirement is to send answers to the CO they should be sent & sent in a reasonable time (a few days at most). Some EC's require some lengthy answers so it is possibly inconvenient to respond to the CO at GZ but if you are going to do the EC then you need to adhere to the requirements the CO has set. Im just asking answers be sent when you log
I do respond to the cacher when I get their answers. If a person has posted 'answers sent or on their way' when I get them I respond. I keep the email until I get the answers, respond then delete the email.
When its been a month since I get the 'answers on the way' & there still are no answers......
or the cacher has logged with no note & no answers come I used to send a note asking if they would please send the answers.
Well since posting this I have updated my EC's with a ***Send answers before logging*** Im hoping it will help.
I do respond to the cacher when I get their answers. If a person has posted 'answers sent or on their way' when I get them I respond. I keep the email until I get the answers, respond then delete the email.
When its been a month since I get the 'answers on the way' & there still are no answers......
or the cacher has logged with no note & no answers come I used to send a note asking if they would please send the answers.
Well since posting this I have updated my EC's with a ***Send answers before logging*** Im hoping it will help.
-
- MGS Member
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 11:29 am
- 9
Re: Logging caches
Have the people posted pictures of themselves at the site? I agree that getting people to visit the area is most important. Having them learn something is a bonus. If they have photo proof of being there, I would cut them a ton of slack.I want for people to enjoy their visit to the area foremost and so the couple of questions that I ask can pretty much be answered with common sense
I send the answers to ECs before I log them. On some of the harder ones, there is no way I would be able to remember the answers to the questions 2 weeks later (or find the paper where I wrote the answers ).
- Sue-Cat
- MGS Member
- Posts: 2296
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:00 am
- 18
- Location: Frederick Watershed, MD
Re: Logging caches
Current guidelines don't allow photos being a requirement (aside from grandfathered virtuals), they can only be suggested.
Sue, Vinny & Sue Team
-
- MGS Member
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:26 pm
- 10
Re: Logging caches
I agree with beener. What's the point of policing it? Its a game and if you cheat you only cheat yourself. Besides, why make this the one honest element? People sonetimes "arm chair cache". But it is also very common for groups to also log caches individually. Am I to believe that all 6 found it independantltmy? Of course not, but it is,all in fun and you realky get nothing for claiming that smiley.
There was an extremely difficult cache placed near me a while back that took a long time, and many logged DNF's, before it was first found. But after it was found by one or two people suddenly the finds came regularly with only sporadic DNF's. Clearly there is A LOT of undisclosed help being given.
So its a game. The finds total means nothing. As a group geocachers have nothing on fisherman. Why go through the trouble and angst worrying about people cheating?
There was an extremely difficult cache placed near me a while back that took a long time, and many logged DNF's, before it was first found. But after it was found by one or two people suddenly the finds came regularly with only sporadic DNF's. Clearly there is A LOT of undisclosed help being given.
So its a game. The finds total means nothing. As a group geocachers have nothing on fisherman. Why go through the trouble and angst worrying about people cheating?
- Sue-Cat
- MGS Member
- Posts: 2296
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:00 am
- 18
- Location: Frederick Watershed, MD
Re: Logging caches
Policing logging doesn't need to involve worry and angst - that would be self created and is not necessary. Firm and fair guidelines, polite notes, clear communication, consistent application.
It's about integrity, honesty, respect. Maintaining the integrity of your own caches instead of making a mockery of them, as well as the game as a whole.
For caches with physical hides, it's signing the log that's important.
For earthcaches, just being there isn't enough. From the guidelines: "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." It's the whole point of the EC.
For virtuals, often just being there is enough, but some require some figuring out.
For webcams, just being there isn't enough, you need to be in a WEBCAM photo - gc.com will archive a webcam if it is obvious that the CO is allowing 'finds' to remain with only non-webcam photos.
It's about integrity, honesty, respect. Maintaining the integrity of your own caches instead of making a mockery of them, as well as the game as a whole.
For caches with physical hides, it's signing the log that's important.
For earthcaches, just being there isn't enough. From the guidelines: "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." It's the whole point of the EC.
For virtuals, often just being there is enough, but some require some figuring out.
For webcams, just being there isn't enough, you need to be in a WEBCAM photo - gc.com will archive a webcam if it is obvious that the CO is allowing 'finds' to remain with only non-webcam photos.
Sue, Vinny & Sue Team
- zekester
- MGS Member
- Posts: 361
- Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2006 1:00 am
- 17
Re: Logging caches
Policing is a broad topic.I get dozens of logs daily from folks who've clearly not met the intent, and are logging just for numbers, but most of that is related to travel bugs.
We make an effort to log all of our finds on any cache (as well as TB logs) the day of or within a day of making the find. We certainly recognize that not everyone can do that, and that life gets in the way. Keep in mind as well, that one's ability to quickly provide quality logs is diminished the you find many caches at a time. They all start to run together, and unless you've kept good notes, it just becomes more of a chore. All that being said, ere's the blurb we have in our one and only earth cache thus far:
"To claim a find for this earth cache, you must make a thorough examination of the area around the published coordinates, and provide answers to the questions below to the cache owner via the email link in our profile. Your answers should be sent before you log the find."
That's pretty clear direction; we'd not hesitate to follow through with a deletion if it were not followed (which has not yet happened. Keep in mind that a deletion is not necessarily the end of the transaction; a follow on email by the seeker with the proper answers could certainly lead to an acceptably logged find.
I will say that this may be something of a double standard for us. We have never bounced the paper cache log in any of our hides against the digitally logged posts. You have limited time here, and then you are gone. Want do you want to spend that time doing? Deleting logs is not a fulfilling or rewarding exercise for us....
We make an effort to log all of our finds on any cache (as well as TB logs) the day of or within a day of making the find. We certainly recognize that not everyone can do that, and that life gets in the way. Keep in mind as well, that one's ability to quickly provide quality logs is diminished the you find many caches at a time. They all start to run together, and unless you've kept good notes, it just becomes more of a chore. All that being said, ere's the blurb we have in our one and only earth cache thus far:
"To claim a find for this earth cache, you must make a thorough examination of the area around the published coordinates, and provide answers to the questions below to the cache owner via the email link in our profile. Your answers should be sent before you log the find."
That's pretty clear direction; we'd not hesitate to follow through with a deletion if it were not followed (which has not yet happened. Keep in mind that a deletion is not necessarily the end of the transaction; a follow on email by the seeker with the proper answers could certainly lead to an acceptably logged find.
I will say that this may be something of a double standard for us. We have never bounced the paper cache log in any of our hides against the digitally logged posts. You have limited time here, and then you are gone. Want do you want to spend that time doing? Deleting logs is not a fulfilling or rewarding exercise for us....
-
- MGS Member
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2013 10:20 pm
- 10
Re: Logging caches
It is not always possible to email the answer while standing at the EC coords but I want the caches to show in order. I will log the find and put a note that answer will follow shortly (most of the time that night) or will be coming from a single cacher in the party.Zepp914 wrote:I send the answers to ECs before I log them. On some of the harder ones, there is no way I would be able to remember the answers to the questions 2 weeks later (or find the paper where I wrote the answers ).
At this time I am pretty confident I have sent answers to all EC and Virtuals that I have completed but would hope the CO would send a "reminder" before deleting the find.
- MotherWolf
- MGS Member
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:00 am
- 17
Re: Logging caches
I understand that people may not for whatever reason log anything other than FOUND at GZ but they need to have some respect for the owner to then send answers within a few days. I actually got a post today 8-3-17 from a cacher that visited my EC back in April. That is a bit much. Its a shame we dont have a way to lock them until we get the answers then give them a code to put in to unlock for them to log.
I know its just a game & I want folks to enjoy what Ive done but as part of the rules for this game is to submit answers for any questions. Again each person plays differently.
I know its just a game & I want folks to enjoy what Ive done but as part of the rules for this game is to submit answers for any questions. Again each person plays differently.
- MotherWolf
- MGS Member
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:00 am
- 17
Re: Logging caches
OK I was a jerk. I accidentally mixed up 2 cachers. The cacher I referred to in my previously post did not log their find in April. This individual was part of a group who did mention the names of the group of folks. I caught my error after I sent the note realizing that I had sent it to the wrong person. I had every intention to send a note today but then we had a water pipe break downstairs & were busy getting that taken care of. In the meantime I received a note from the cacher I attacked. Well I sat & took my slap down & didnt complain. I had it coming. I did send an apology but I also wanted to post here as well. Im sorry for the mistake (and your loss).
Just a note to that person. Kinda in self defense....Im not always a jerk but when I am I really do it up big. I DO apologize. I hope that you at least enjoyed your visit. Mother Wolf
Just a note to that person. Kinda in self defense....Im not always a jerk but when I am I really do it up big. I DO apologize. I hope that you at least enjoyed your visit. Mother Wolf