joespaz

UPDATE: Between the dates of 2/12/10 and 2/20/10 I checked the caches in my area for TB that were apparently missing. I sent a note to each cache owner and the owners of the TB's. After one week here are the results: 2,000 caches checked: 151 caches with 201 TB's missing After one week: 63 caches with 81 TB's still missing 88 caches with 131 TB's marked missing about 60% success rate...not bad

You driving...I'm ready to go! I'm a big guy...300 pounds crossin a log, hope it doesn't break.

I had 275 finds and wanted to switch them to my personal account. I did them manually. Sign in as the user name you want to use. Open two windows on your browser. On the second window go to "Find a Player" and bring up the old user name. Click on the old players name, and then Geocaches, then all Geocache finds. Open each find and copy the text. Go back to the first window and log the find, pasting the info from the original cache find. Include a note at the bottom that explains: This log is meant to represent our combined history. This process might sound hard, but it actually worked well for me and I did 275 of them. Of course if you have 2,000+ that might really suck.

Last time I was looking for a micro in a tree my brother WRITE SHOP ROBERT gave me an idea that worked great. Instead of looking closely for the item mixed into the brances, I looked through the branches. I was looking for something that stuck out from the profile. This was at night so we shined the flashlight through the tree instead of checking each branch. I did the same thing recently using the sun. Does that make sense? Maybe someone else can explain it better.

BRING YOUR CAMERAS! SHOULD BE FUN!

See my edited post above. Looking at http://www.geocaching.com/my/geocaches.aspx I see my log text on the screen for all finds of a day. Would make searching and editing easier, I think. I was going to my public profiles, choosing "Your Geocaches," The clicking on each cache, scrolling down to my log, and then clicking (if needed) on "edit log," Then clicking "edit log" again, chainging the log, then click submit, then back click to the list and start again. I have found about 75 caches in the last two weeks and the list you showed me only shows 75. I can try the pocket querry idea if it looks like I have more that need to be fixed. I found about 15 logs that mentioned the event, they were all caches that I had visited and taken a TB from. I thought this made it semi relevent. In fact when I asked if I could have posted the following note, I was told it was okay because it didn't include a link. "I stopped by here after taking care of my rabbits. I picked up a TB that I will take to the "F.A.M.E. Travel Bug Photo Shoot" event." I guess it was listing the date/time/and website that broke the rules.

I wonder if a number of those caches belonged to the same person. If so, then when they received the same log multiple times, that's probably why it got reported and GS stepped in. I'm still wondering why they would step in on a geocaching related log like that. But rules are rules. It really was a mess. I appear to have misplaced my cache sheets from that day. I have been doing lots of caching lately and I realized that if I didn't log my finds while my memory was fresh I might forget which caches I had been to. So I logged them by memory with a generic note that I pasted into each...mentioning that when I find my notes I would edit them to represent my experience. The whole reason for going to the caches I did was to get TB's to bring to the event, so I thought I would mention it in the log. Boy oh Boy was that ever a mistake.

The boldened part is what I suspect also. Not only did the person possibly get several logs on caches he owns advertising the event, he might have also gotten one of those pesky emails about missing TBs and how joespaz is on a mission to have them removed from cache inventories. Adding on to all this, it is my assumption that all of the area caches are being cleared of TBs for this event by the OP. (I didn't check.) As NYPaddleCacher suggests, your advertising might be doing more to scare people away than encouraging them to come. I'm sorry to say that I would be running the other way after seeing some of your tactics. You seem obsessive and overbearing in your approach. I am sorry that you think that this is my goal. I like working with TB's. I like to help them on their goals. I like meeting other cachers. I thought hosting an event where I could meet a lot of cachers and get a lot of TB's off on the right track of their goals would be a good idea. I didn't realize getting lots of TB's together with lots of people with cameras that like working with TB's was a bad thing. While looking for caches I came to find that it is frustrating to see TB's listed that obviously aren't in a cache. So I wondered how to remedy that situation. I have been told that the thing to do is contact the TB and cache owner, then contact geocaching.com to have them removed from the inventory. I tried to write an informative note that wouldn't offend. I even went so far as to ask for help editing that note from the forum community. The reason I started keeping track of which emails I was sending was just so that I would not send annoying duplicates on accident. This is an activity that I can do from home at times that I can't be out caching. It is only meant to help TB owners and cachers that like hunting for them.

How are you coming with it? I'm afraid I thought of this a bit late, but you probably could have recruited some of us to help you search through your finder's logs, had you asked. I would have taken a chunk. That is a very kind offer. I think I'll just fix any that get deleted. Also, I'll be more careful how I word future logs.

Back on subject folks...the OP was talking about advertising. He should have been talking about if his type of advertising should have been allowed. And wheather the response from Groundspeak was fair.

I would like to make TB helper tags. I have purchased 10mil luggage tags that can handle 2x3.5" cards inside. Does anyone have a tag they have designed already that they would be willing to share?

What program can I use to make the words on the TB helper that I am designing go in a circle like the ones on the back of these coins?

You state my feelings better then I ever could.

I've decided that the best thing I could do is play the way I wish others did: Clean up a cache that needs help whenever I can. CITO as often as possible. Leave interesting logs at the cache site AND online. Hide the type of caches that I would enjoy looking for. Add a gaol tag to TB's that don't have one. Maybe if I play the game this way, I will enjoy it more. Thank you all for your input! I have learned a lot...I hope.

My short answer is yes. I think I have decided that the best way to play this game is to play it the way I wish others did. If your cache was in trouble would you appreciate someone else helping it out? Here are some examples I am considering: Clean up a cache that needs help whenever I can. CITO as often as possible. Leave interesting logs at the cache site AND online. Hide the type of caches that I would enjoy looking for. Add a gaol tag to TB's that don't have one. Maybe if I play the game this way, I will enjoy it more.

Lame caches breed lame caches. Size is irrelevant and I sure wish that we could keep that out of the conversation, Joe. But I do agree with you, given my changes. New cachers coming on the scene see what those of us that have been doing this for a while consider a "lame cache". They don't know that we have disdain for that style... all they know is that they find a lot of 'em, so... the vets must obviously love this style, so "let's put out some more and they are sure to love me!" That is a very real phenomenon, and the same logic extends all the way to those newcomers seeing all those "TFTC" logs, too. "Gee, they must like seeing TFTC in the logs!!" So...it seems like the best thing I could do is: Hide caches like the ones I like to find Write logs like the ones I like to read Treat people like I want to be treated Seems like my mom might have said this too!

NOTE: I am willing to agree that my link to the event. I guess I titled the discussion wrong. I should have started with "What kind of advertising should be allowed in cache logs?" I wouldn't mind if they played consistently. What about the "Eat, Stay, Play" deal...isn't that advertising? To get a free "Eat, Stay, Play" geocoin, you must drop their tokens in caches, then mention doing so in your logs. What about people that say "If you liked this cache, try and find this other cache GCXXXX (visit link)"

I would consider it inconsiderate if you purposefully left out only micros, particularly since that is all you have ever hidden yourself. As a cache owner I'm disappointed when I read a "Found it" or "TFTC" log, because I put extra effort into most of my containers and cache descriptions. I like to hear a little something about my particular cache, not just where they and their family/friends had lunch. If I had a film canister in an LPC however, I'm fairly certain it would all be "Found it" and "TFTC" and "Thanks for the PnG" unless something particularly unusual happened while the person was lifting the skirt. As a finder, I do try my best to come up with something to say. In fact I very recently found two LPC's and made a comment about not having realized there were caches in that shopping center. Not very exciting but I hate to JUST say TFTC When assume things...etc. I actually have hidden many caches that aren't micros, but by using other usernames. Also, the micro's that I hid under this name were special because 35 new caches all released on one day in one town was a big deal in 2004. Lastly, I have learned a lot since then, and feel I am allowed to change my opinion. I have noticed that in the middle of our regional parks people are hiding micro's along the trails. It just seems like they could have made a slightly greater effort to hide a cache worth finding. I know, I know, some micros are worth finding, but I hope you get what I mean. psst...whats a LPC...it's been a while and I don't recognize the term. An LPC is a lamp post cache. My apologies for posting wrong information but we have no way of knowing you have multiple accounts. Do know I showed great restraint in my post because like someone else has now pointed out, I also discovered that you had a great deal of abandoned caches (of various sizes come to find out) and that is a pet peeve of mine. That said, I didn't want to assume that you were in a position to adopt out or care for your caches at that time. You never know what someone has gone through. My thinking is that you should express your gratitude to all cache owners who have not only hidden a cache (even little ones take some time and effort) but are also maintaining it and eagerly opening up their email to read the latest log on their cache I'm with you on the micros along park trails making me sad. I cache with up to four of my small children and a perfect day for us is finding a nice park full of swag-capable caches Good points! I guess what I would really like is to somehow get together with new cachers and help them realize all the types of hides that are available. Then they could make their own judgments as to what kind of hides they want to hide. I have this sick feeling that micro's are breeding micro's. Maybe it's my fault for starting this all 5 years ago! I agree...express your graditude for the effort. Or...I could always choose not to go for them. I wish there was a way to rate caches so we could know which ones might be more enjoyable then others.

Teeheeeheee!! And you look so... so... innocent!! LOL! Additionally, all of those micros had an obvious agenda: Help me celebrate my 35th birthday and were abandoned for the community and reviewer to sort out. They weren't abandoned. They were asked to be removed by the communitty. You have no idea what things transpired in my life at the time, so please don't make judgements. I guess I could have just archived them all and left a pile of trash out there. Plus that was 5 years ago...let it go. I think the only reason that you are seeing some judgmental responses is that your OP was a bit judgmental about a particular cache size that many of us have hidden. (not that yours is the first judgmental post about micros by a long shot!) By stating that all micro caches deserve a lame log puts many of us on the defense. SO then the simple answer is ..yes it would be rude.

MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT ME THIS EMAIL INSTEAD: It has come to our attention that there has been some advertising in your logs. This is a violation of section 4 (e) of the Terms of Use. It states: "You agree not to: (e) Upload, post or otherwise transmit any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation." An example of this is listed here: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LU...36-fb76a08ac1ed "joespaz found Holey Moley Batman, #499 (Traditional Cache) I was out "bug hunting" today. I'll try to add comments after I find my notes. If you are reading this I hope you can make it to the: F.A.M.E. "Travel Bug Photoshoot" Event on Sunday February 28, 2010 GC23TCQ (visit link)" This includes email, logs and all other forms of communication on our site. Cache owners have permission to delete logs that violate the guidelines. To remedy this situation you may either edit your current logs, or re-log them without violating the terms if they are deleted. DOESN'T THIS SOUND LESS THREATENING?

Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for the suggestion. Too bad I already deleted about 20 log entries that included interesting stories. How sad it is that some people have to take things to the extreme. (So I say as I look in the mirror)

Teeheeeheee!! And you look so... so... innocent!! LOL! Additionally, all of those micros had an obvious agenda: Help me celebrate my 35th birthday and were abandoned for the community and reviewer to sort out. They weren't abandoned. They were asked to be removed by the communitty. You have no idea what things transpired in my life at the time, so please don't make judgements. I guess I could have just archived them all and left a pile of trash out there. Plus that was 5 years ago...let it go.

Some would argue that 'found it' is sharing your experience, but I don't really think so. Just be honest and share your experience whatever the experience is, regardless of the cache size. Found it, or tftc, beats "This was the lamest cache I found today. I mean really! You could not come up with something better than an old Chinese food container? And what's up with this location? Not every outhouse in the city dump needs a cache you know. One more thing, be careful when you type in the coordinates 76 feet off is a bit much. Left hand sanitizer and took...well I didn't take anything as it all had the bio-hazard symbol on it." The longer version may be more interesting but the CO is only going to delete it anyway. I agree with those that say let the experience be your guide when logging. I am 100% genuine when I say that if someone logged something like on one of my caches, I would totally leave it and thank them for being honest. I've gotten logs like that and I've appreciated it. It took logs like that on my first cache for me to realize that the cache wasn't a very good idea and I'm a better hider because of it. I agree...I learned a lot by reading the logs for my Happy Birthday JoeSpaz series in 2004. The series idea, and releasing them all in one day was a great idea. The bad coords, the caches "dropped in the mud," and the bad containers...BIG MISTAKE. I hate to talk negative about peoples caches because so many people are so sensitive here. What did my mom say "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."

I would consider it inconsiderate if you purposefully left out only micros, particularly since that is all you have ever hidden yourself. As a cache owner I'm disappointed when I read a "Found it" or "TFTC" log, because I put extra effort into most of my containers and cache descriptions. I like to hear a little something about my particular cache, not just where they and their family/friends had lunch. If I had a film canister in an LPC however, I'm fairly certain it would all be "Found it" and "TFTC" and "Thanks for the PnG" unless something particularly unusual happened while the person was lifting the skirt. As a finder, I do try my best to come up with something to say. In fact I very recently found two LPC's and made a comment about not having realized there were caches in that shopping center. Not very exciting but I hate to JUST say TFTC When assume things...etc. I actually have hidden many caches that aren't micros, but by using other usernames. Also, the micro's that I hid under this name were special because 35 new caches all released on one day in one town was a big deal in 2004. Lastly, I have learned a lot since then, and feel I am allowed to change my opinion. I have noticed that in the middle of our regional parks people are hiding micro's along the trails. It just seems like they could have made a slightly greater effort to hide a cache worth finding. I know, I know, some micros are worth finding, but I hope you get what I mean. psst...whats a LPC...it's been a while and I don't recognize the term.

Some "whiner" complained because you used his cache as a platform to advertise your event rather than to comment on his cache. Forget the link. The weekly geocaching newsletter will let them know of the event, as well as word of mouth and premium member's notifications. You might want to take a look at how Mega events such as Geowoodstock are promoted if you really feel that your event needs more promotion than that. Dirigibles and billboards are always a possibility. Old log: No school on Tuesdays so I checked the local area for caches with TB's. I made a nice circle around Fremont and Union City then home. I'll be taking any TB's I find to the to the F.A.M.E. "Travel Bug Photo Shoot" (GC23TCQ) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...29-fc80c64e2893 with me. Read on to enjoy my adventures for the day: iCache - Fremont: I knew exactly what parking lot to drive to to retrieve this cache, as any one from the neighborhood would. I parked a little farther then need be, but I didn't see anyone around anyways. Once at GZ I was surprised by the packaging the cache was in. I am really afraid this will get extremely wet when the rains come. It might be a good idea to put the existing container into a quart sized zip lock bag. In side the packaging was another really cool container choise. While I was there I retrieved TB21FE3 Keruso's Rocket Car http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.as...8f-3552a45434f9 and will take it to the F.A.M.E. "Travel Bug Photo Shoot" (GC23TCQ) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...29-fc80c64e2893 with me. Next cache for me today: Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum (GC1JBY2) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...b9-cb276df87acf Previous cache for me today: Saint Joseph's 36th Birthday Cake: (GCN5YF) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...6e-75b67797ed0b New log: Found it Now there is no reason to complain. Woo Hoo! LOL...now I'm a whiner.