geoSquid

Yes, there are good points all around in this thread. Glad you came to a decision you are comfortable with!

Just because something is really good, doesn't mean it should last forever. One of the risks, I think, that geocaching has is that it can become stale. By archiving old caches three things happen: 1. cache density is reduced (freeing up the spot). Although density isn't a problem EVERYWHERE, reducing cache density helps prevent it from becoming a problem anywhere. 2. archiving a cache and removing it after a few years allows the area to return to its natural state (social trails fade, etc.) This sort of concern is pretty much above reproach by those who would have geocaching banned. It makes it really, really hard for detractors to argue a lack of concern for the areas around cache hides if caches are removed after a fruitful life rather than kept up forever. 3. it allows a new cache to be placed there, with a different theme, puzzle or style of hide, contributing to freshness of the hobby. Freshness, I think, gives this hobby a good image to people outside the hobby who might otherwise think of us as littering weirdos. There really is no downside to archiving a cache. I guess I don't understand the logic of keeping a cache forever.

Archive it. If you have to ask the question, it's probably time to archive it. It's a nagging doubt that made you ask. Go with your guts... It brought a lot of people pleasure, but a little change never hurt anyone either. Archiving the cache opens a spot and allows some fresh cache to be set up there. It also gives you a bit more time to think up and set up your next 5-year cache!

What law would it be that is broken?

I'm fairly certain she won't take up blogging again...

This is also untrue for most geocoin brokers. We (CoinsAndPins) consider any coin designs we re-sell as still owned by the client. If we wanted to make more, then we ask for permission from the client before proceeding, and offer additional compensation. But it is definitely true of enough brokers that it is a very easy thing to come across. Just because you don't do it doesn't mean it isn't done. And it's not necessarily a bad deal: the customer can get their coin out, possibly a lot more cheaply, by selling all or some of the rights to their design as part of the coin manufacturing deal. However, many (most?) customers probably don't realize what it means to sell the rights... most will just see a sweet price deal on a coin. Yes, I too have seen coin manufacturing deals wherein the broker has terms like "we reserve the right to sell coins of this design in the future". Because I consider my little squid to be like a trademark, I could not accept such a deal.

Not that I recommend doing so, but it is possible to build a device from a television flyback transformer that operates much like an electric fence, and install it on your car. When functioning, it would send a soft "warning" jolt to someone touching your car. Should the creature touching the car continue, it will respond with up to 50,000 volts as a clear message to "please go away". I recall seeing it in Popular Electronics many years ago.

I did ask about it, but they lost it sometime in the past 15 months.

All is well. Got to meet a bunch of them, and they paid up. They looked pretty humble too. In Ontario, you own your plates and are responsible for registering them as attached or not attached to a vehicle.

I am meeting with the young people in question in a little over an hour, whereupon they have agreed to present me with the $100. It seems that the person who posted those pictures has not been happy with her newfound infamy and has been motivated to reach a peaceful and expedient solution to this matter. As was noted in the newspaper article, I work in the security industry. Believe me, I am not above marching into the JP with my evidence, swearing out a charge, having a warrant issued and heading down to the police station with a "please execute" look on my face. It would not be the first person I've had arrested by a long shot I used to work for the military police in technical security (although I was not a cop). Aside from that, how many Ottawa police do you think read the newspaper. You can bet that SOMEONE is waiting for my call over at the cop shop I was also a bit of a hellraiser when I was young, and I appreciated the second chances and opportunities to apologise and make good. As an old, fat guy, I feel it would be hypocritical to get out the big stick when pointing a finger will do. But I keep the big stick handy, just in case. I also DID go to the university registrar with a question about "what exactly do you do to keep your students in line over there and how can I get in touch with <student>?". Unbeknownst to me, someone else sent the story - pre-newspaper-article - to the university's PR department. I have no doubt that those actions combined with the Ottawa Sun article contributed to a speedy resolution that didn't involve people being arrested. Personally, I think she and her friends are learning a valuable lesson right now. Public embarrassment will do more than the justice system ever could. I must also admit, the elapsed time has tempered my response. If they had spelled "geosquid" as all one word in their stupid caption for the picture, I'd have found it in a few days - while I was still flaming pissed-off - and likely would have announced my displeasure with police at her door. I have mellowed with age, or something like that.

As a westerner transplanted to Ottawa, I say "pbbbt" to the snow. Let BC keep it. Winter should be a time of poor golf, not a daily chip-your-car-out ritual

Congrats to the winner! Email me your addy. Yay Lions!!! Dang, I was off by a strike or a basket or whatever is appropriate to the sport.

July 18

17

First Guess: 147 Second Guess: 87

Think of it as an educational opportunity to broaden your horizons...

I just got home from my winter trip and found the SantaOak in the mail. Thanks for a nice surprise!

I use Visio, Photoshop and Imageready for most of my coin design needs, assisted by my Wacom pad. I actually start with pencil and paper before I get to software.

I got the SantaOak today! Thanks!

I've sent several emails, but to no avail. And no, it wasn't a real $10 bill, just a one-sided photocopy, although it's been pointed out to me that I probably broke the law by photocopying money. I drive over 100 km/hr on the freeway as well. In Canada, it is not against the law to photocopy bank notes provided you photocopy only one side (i.e. not a two-sided copy), the reproduction is reduced or enlarged at least 25% (I think it's 25% anyway, it has to be significantly changed in size), and that you do not try to pass it as real money. In fact, the photocopying thing isn't so much against the law as a copyright violation. The illegal bit is the last item.

I have lost 5 out of 25 coins released. That is about what I would have expected.

Since 1 Oct 2006 Time Traveller 33483 km (+923 km) Hail to the Chief! 13899 km (even) geoSquid's Parents of SAM Geocoin #1 8608 km (+5037 km) geoSquid's Wales Geocoin #1 7973 km (even) geoSquid's Suncatcher Geocoin - Summer #2 7858 km (+7858 km) geoSquid's China Geocoin #1 5569 km (+86 km) geoSquid's Twin Peaks Personal Geocoin #2 4425 km (+503 km) geoSquid's 2006 Kiwi Geocoin 4186 km (+191 km) geoSquid's Tracking Time Geocoin #1 2080 km (+2197 km) Resurrected copy of GAGE 8 Geocoin #198 - geoSquid 3891 km (+9 km) geoSquid's 2006 Compass Rose #1 3203 km (+262 km) geoSquid's Denmark Geocoin #1 1812 km (+784 km) Dread Plush Cthulhu 2043 km (+27 km) geoSquid's Portugal Geocoin #1 1932 km (+121 km) Howling through the wires. 1957 km (+1050 km) geoSquids 41st birthday geocoin 1159 km (even) Bailey's Nippon 2006 Geocoin - geoSquid #1 1075 km (+483 km) ** STOLEN ** GAGE 8 Geocoin #199 - geoSquid 1038 km (even) geoSquid's BTFI geocoin 583 km (+66 km)

Oh please! Your really going to blame the victim for the crime? Having insurance promotes criminal activity? If there were no speed limit signs, no one would speed? I'm glad you added the seriously, otherwise no one would have know to take it that way. Ok, I'm guessing reading isn't your strong suit, so I highlighted the relevant bit in red. Yes, if you put a sign on your lawn extolling the virtues of your awesome insurance coverage, I think it is reasonable to say that you will encourage scumbags to some "free shopping" in your living room because they will be sure that you won't suffer any loss. If you can't see how that would be the case, then by all means, try it for a couple months and see what happens. Your solution is to deprive many who like to hunt the coins either for the icon or some other unknown reason the ability to do so rather than come up with a reasonable comprimise. Then it's settled. If you find one of my coins, you can show your displeasure and not log it. Yes, that is my solution. A copy coin is not a reasonable compromise, it is a cheat, a fraud, a nefarious way around the virtual travel bug rule. I promise never to log your (presumably fake, cheesy copy) coins.

No. This is a hobby, not government budgeting of tax dollars. It's really nobody's business how much money is, or is not being made. All that should matter to the newbie, or anyone else, is: Do I think this coin is worth the price being charged? If the answer to that is "yes" then purchase the coin. If the answer is "no", then shrug it off and move on. The philosophy of how the coin is made and distributed is the domain of the maker and distributor.