Sparky-Watts

Hmmm....I like that rule!

Just another reason to use the Pocket Queries. Run the PQ through a program like Watcher before loading it into your GPS. If you know you don't like to do caches by team XYZ, add them to watcher's ignore list. If you don't feel like hunting micros with the kids today, filter micros out. Want a more challenging cache? Filter out 2/2 rated caches and lower. Most of the "problems" people seem to have with the site already have solutions, some people are just too lazy or too cheap to use them. It's easier to make up a "rule" so they they don't have to be bothered doing 30 seconds extra work. Yup. Since I usually only have half a dozen or so caches on my list when I go caching, it's simple for me to filter out the ones I don't want to do without any of the extra programs. So I save a lot more time by just not loading those caches into the mix to begin with. I can see where the uber-cachers who will take a 500 cache pq on a trip would need to do that, though.

I'm thinking the accuracy and efficacy of this system is based more on the numbers of people that would use it. I certainly wouldn't bother using it, and I'm sure I'm not alone there. So, if it is only being used by a small percentage of cachers, then the numbers will certainly be skewed. And I will go along with the prevalent opinion that the ratings are still subjective to the person giving them, and still open to abuse.

I've seen a handful of them in caches, and only once have I come away with one in my bag (it was a fierce battle with Fergus, but fortune smiled upon me and I evetually won the day). Laser pointers are very cool, have many uses, and aren't nearly as dangerous as the labels make them sound - the manufacturers just have to label them as hazards to prevent people from suing them. The vast majority of the pointers that are inexpensive enough to be found as swag will only cause eye damage of you're determined enough to sit and stare into the beam for a while. I can personally attest to the hazards of the laser pointers. I free-lance on the PA for a variety of gigs at county fairs and racetracks around Indiana. When the first few lasers hit the streets they were often fairly powerful items and VERY popular among the teeny-bopper set. While calling a race I happened to glance across the track and was hit in the eye by someone's pointer. They had been trying all evening to hit people and got me good. The flash felt like a punch in the socket and all but dropped me in my tracks. I had major spots in my right eye for a day or two afterwards. The newer, dollar store versions are a lot less pwerful, thankfully. These are also illegal to possess in some areas and buildings. Our Police Chief unsuccessfully tried to make them illegal here when I was on the city council a few years back. He made a good argument, but it wasn't meant for a small town. Other cities in the area have banned them from public areas. His argument was that they can be mistaken for laser sights on a gun in a riot or other large disturbance, and there have been instances of people getting shot by police because the cop thought it was a laser sight on a handgun. But, in a town of 900 people, we just don't have riots.....haven't had a shooting since the early '70s, either. BTW, my cats love them, and I'd love to find one in a cache! Knives in caches=bad Software in caches=bad Business cards in caches=bad and lame Computer hardware in caches=probably bad Personal Pictures in caches=Why would I want a picture of someone else? Unless they were <family friendly> and <family friendly>

We have a hider in our area that has a lot of hides. I will often skip his on my list, and when I get bored or run out of others to do, I will go get his. They vary from very good to very lame. That is why I hold them out to do other caches first. I never quite know what to expect when finding his. At least they get me out of the house. If the guy you're talking about has ALL lame caches (by your standards), then just don't hunt them. How hard is that compared to making more rules that would hurt the good hiders? I don't see the problem.

I snapped a pic of this cute little guy from about 200 yds up in Nebraska. They say they don't come this far south, but he must've been lost.....

Yup, that's a great idea. I know who my approver is, just because I've placed a few caches. But, I've also seen lots of threads started by noobs asking who their approver is, or how to find out who their approver is. It would be a very helpful thing to have. I'd like to see it, just out of curiosity, too.

I agree in part. Every virtual cache I've found, I found without a GPS. There is one I'm working on now that is a 14-stage multi-virtual that I will need a GPS to find all the stages. But, for the most part, every one of them within 50 miles of me could be found without a GPS, except the multi I mentioned. As for "WOW", no....none of them I've found have any wow, at least not to me. Nothing "WOW" about a road sign on the interstate. Nothing at all......

That's pretty cool! I love stereograms, and have never had a problem seeing them at all. Usually, within a few seconds, I can see them. I couldn't make out any of the numbers in the colored one, I think it's because I haven't had enough coffee this morning, but I could very easily read the b&w image. So, where do you get software to do this sort of thing?

Hubba-hubba!!!

I think the major drawback to leaving any type of software in a cache is the number of unsavory cachers (those who like to ruin the game for everyone else by trashing, stealing, trading down, etc.). I certainly wouldn't put any software into my computer that I got from a cache, simply for the fear of viri that may be on it.

I didn't even know what a blog was until a few days ago.

Yup, pretty much. Don't leave something that is going to be another piece of trash rotting in the bottom of a cache. I've found a couple paper items that were ok, one from Lone Duck (I think) that had a pic of Daffy (or a similar kind of duck) that was laminated with a good laminator. Others, like I said, were just cheap, tacky business cards that were mush at the bottom of the box.

That nasty mess of mildewed pulp at the bottom of the tupperware cache container is a conglomeration of too many overly ambitious but extremely uninventive cachers' signature items: tacky business card-sized notes proclaiming who they are. Ya want it? You can have it. There are plenty of those moldy messes here in Kansas you can have.

The title of this thread is not asking the forum posting community for input. It is a statement and it sure read like a complaint. Explanation points have that ability. My Cache Denied For Not Logging Online! The title isn't the thread, though. Putting a title like that has garnered this thread 2389 views, whereas a soft title like "What do you think" or "Question" would not have drawn as many views, or responses. I don't see a problem with posting a title to your thread to draw attention to it.

But what does that have to do with the topic of the thread? Do you know anyone that has quit because of their P/F ratio?

I agree with CR.....there are times when it's best to give yourself a self-imposed ban. I have done it before myself, though when I did, I wasn't missed. Also, it's best not to announce that you are leaving the forums for a while. Then there isn't a big stir and threads about "Sparky's Geocide".....once you get that hullabaloo, then you come back, everyone starts threads about "Sparky's Shortlived Geocide" and make fun of you for not sticking to your guns. Also, by not mentioning it, people will start threads asking where you are, and wondering if you've been banned. For the record, I did not send ED a wet cat..

My ears just popped.....hmmmm....must've been the vacuum associated with that big slurping sound I just heard!

Does it really matter? How about a find to fun ratio? I think that's a bit more important. Find to fun ratio.....now I like that!!!!! I can remember when my post to find ratio was over 100 to 1....I've been slacking a bit, because now it's closer to 50 to 1........guess I better blow the dust off the keyboard and get back at it!

I don't think it was just the one word. It was the entire derogatory, condescending tone of his post (many words slung together) that most are finding to be insulting.

Many congrats from the Heart of Tornado Alley, and best wishes!!! My wife and I are adopting 5 kids this week. 2 of my nephews and 3 nieces are spending the week with us, ages 5 to 12.

Most definitely, after seeing that pic.....Those were always the accidents where there was a collective "OH, S***!!!!" from the crew as we pulled up!

[Homer voice]Mmmmm.....polished wafers......[/Homer voice]

Dude, I'm so glad you're here to tell about it!!! Last summer, there was a similar incident involving a confused elderly lady and a local cop. She got on the wrong side of a 4-lane here in my town (no barriers between lanes, just a wide median ditch), and had driven about 12 miles the wrong way in heavy traffic. The cop from a small town up the road from us was west bound to try to intercept her, another trooper was eastbound in the east-bound lanes following her trying to get her attention, but couldn't find a good spot to cross to get in front of her. The city cop was coming up behind a van, but was in his private car, so no lights to clear traffic. The van swerved to the right, and there was the old lady....70mph head on collision before either had time to react. Killed the woman instantly, put the cop in the hospital for several months, and he's still in rehab. They say the woman was confused and trying to find her doctor's office in Wichita. She got on the highway 25 miles from Wichita.....no one is really sure what she was doing way out here..... Anyway, thank God you are still alive. My prayers will be with you for a speedy recovery.

Very well put, MH. I've actually learned a lot from you in the past week....a lot about myself, that is. You seem to be a good voice of reason, which lately has been pretty scant in the forums. Nice touch.