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Paulcet

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Posts posted by Paulcet

    The First Circumconus Travel Bug Race

    in Trackables

    Posted

    My Crapper TB was picked up in Ohio 7/11/2007 with a goal to go to Minnesota. It sat for almost 2 years and was dropped off in Hawaii. Wow......................

     

    I thought your TB was dead. Then I see that it went to Hawaii?! Y'know, if it is in someone's possession for almost two years, I would expect them to figure out where it is supposed to go.

    Pictures - Cool Cache Containers (CCC's)

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    As a professional Firefighter/EMT, I can only say that given the number of accidental electrocutions and electrical fires I respond to in any given week, I am personally dead-set against ANY cache that is intentionally engineered to resemble electrical utilities of any kind.

     

    We've all seen the evidence of outlandish cacher searches: eventually you're going to see a cacher fatality after they tried disassembling a high voltage junction box or transformer in the quest for a bitmap grin.

     

    My opinion counts for naught, but I would offer that Groundspeak and Geocaching.com ought to ban this type of hide before it becomes a fatal DNF and a indefensible prosecution.

    Of course we can all submit our opinions, and even call for a ban on any particular type. We can also submit what we think are cool cache containers (thanks for trying to get the thread back on track Stuey)

     

    So I think caches disguised as electrical utilities are cool! Specialized tools shouldn't be necessary of course.

     

    Someone who pries the cover off of a real electrical box, then sticks their fingers in there is just as likely to get themselves killed or hurt by walking off of a cliff, getting bitten by a spider or snake, or any number of other dangers we may face while caching.

    More On Rural Cachers

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted · Edited by Paulcet

    6 caches total within 25 miles of my home. One is mine, for a %'age of 17.

     

    Working on my second hide, a multi.

     

    <edit:> Not counting temporarily disabled caches, that's 4 total within 25 miles of my house. Within 25 miles of 30458, there are 7 total.

    New Way To Seek Caches.

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Let's see . . . 10 MB download and 24K connection speed over dialup . . . Nope, not gonna be able to find that cache . . . ;)

    Oh, geez! 10MB? I'm on dial-up also. I figured the podcasters would turn the audio quality down to "bad AM radio" since the task could be accomplished without Hi-Fi.

    South Carolina Senate Activity

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted · Edited by Paulcet

    Is this a new arcticle or an editorial?  If its supposed to be a new story, I've rarely seen one so slanted. There was absolutely no attempt at balance. And for a "reporter" to urge readers to contact senators to support a piece of legislation in news story is an unconscionable breach of journalistic ethic.

    Rachel Haynie is the "Society Editor". So I suppose she is not a "reporter". Maybe that means she doesn't have to actually investigate or research what she writes about?

     

    I have an e-mail addy that may or may not be current for Ms. Haynie.... Anyone want it? (I'll just tell you how to get it)

     

    EDIT: Wonder if any of their advertisers are affiliated with geocaching and would be interested in the inaccuracies presented.

    South Carolina Legislation Meeting

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    I know Groundspeak never returns my emails, so I guess it is within the realm of possibility.

    Clicking on the "Notify us" link goes to an email form which has a drop-down box.

     

    There should be a choice in that drop-down for "inappropriate cache placement" or something to that effect.

     

    While they may be busy, TPTB should get on it, like, yesterday.

    I will give you an example of how the contact process works for inappropriate cache placements.

     

    Last week, Groundspeak received an e-mail at the contact address from a land manager somewhere in the territory where I review caches.

    <snipped>

     

    Other examples like this one are handled in the same way, every single day, all over the world. The system works, at least from where I'm sitting.

    Thanks for showing that it works.

     

    I guess I shouldn't be as adamant about doing it right away. My point is that if I was a land manager, had a tupperware box on my desk with god-knows-what assortment of stuff in it, and wanted it removed officially, I would try to contact Geocaching.com through the contact link on the home page. Then there is the notify us link at the bottom of that page. Then there is a topic list, but "my topic" is not in that list.

     

    I just think it would be beneficial for land managers to find it easy and intuitive to contact the responsible parties.

    South Carolina Legislation Meeting

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted · Edited by Paulcet

    I know Groundspeak never returns my emails, so I guess it is within the realm of possibility.

    Clicking on the "Notify us" link on the Contact page goes to an email form which has a drop-down menu box.

     

    There should be a choice in that drop-down for "inappropriate cache placement" or something to that effect.

     

    While they may be busy, TPTB should get on it, like, yesterday.

    South Carolina Legislation Meeting

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    My letter to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism:

     

    To Whom It May Concern:

     

    I am writing to express my opinion about SC House Bill 3777. But first, a definition.

     

    The definition of Geocaching from www.geocaching.com:

     

    “Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for GPS users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.”

     

    The original intent of H.3777 was to eliminate Geocaching (as defined above) in cemeteries, archeological sites and historical properties. Apparently the bill was brought forth by Representative Ceips due to some concerns of her constituents regarding a Geocache in or near a cemetery. Rather than pursuing the avenues of trespassing laws and direct communication with the Geocaching community, Ms. Ceips has introduced legislation seeking to criminalize the activity of Geocaching in many other locations as well. The bill would damage tourism in the state of South Carolina if it were to pass the state legislature and the governor’s desk.

     

    This bill, as it is currently written, defines any activity wherein a GPS receiver is used to find a location as “Geocaching”. Further, it seeks to make Geocaching a misdemeanor if it is done in a cemetery, archeological site, or historical property. As you know, much of South Carolina is considered historical property as listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

     

    This bill is too broadly defined, and would make it illegal for anyone to use a GPS receiver in those areas to locate any place for any reason.

     

    As one who has traveled to South Carolina on several occasions, and has used a GPS receiver to navigate to specific places while in the state, I worry that H.3777 would make the activities of my family and myself a crime. Tourists, whether from within the state or without, will use GPS navigation in increasing numbers for the next several years. Should GPS navigation be outlawed in the historical districts of Charleston and Columbia, for instance?

     

    To the extent that you advise legislators on these matters, I ask that you recommend H.3777 not be passed.

     

    Thank you for your consideration.

    South Carolina Legislation Meeting

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted · Edited by Paulcet

    Baruba Juba,  I'll second your sentiment.  In reading this over, I can't understand why the geocachers at the first meeting looked at these rather tame pictures and agreed that they were appalling and "indefensible".  That point should never have been conceded.  When I read that article my response was:

     

    Is that IT?  This is the WORST thing they could find?  <snip>

    You have to remember that from the very beginning the sponsor of this bill painted the picture in the worst possible way. And seems to have presented everthing out of context. The geocachers at the first meeting did not expect lies and spin, but instead expected a rational debate. So if their mind-set was such, they would certainly concede that the picture painted by Cieps was ugly and appologized for any wrong-doing and promised to get to the bottom of the issue.

     

    TinSparrow and the others there didn't have the luxury of seeing the bill sponsors' "evidence" before the meeting. Therefore, they didn't have their counterpoint at hand.

     

    So now that we see the whole story, we can look back with 20/20 vision to see that the better course of action might have been to confront each point with facts.

     

    EDIT: paragraph 2

    South Carolina Legislation Meeting

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    ...
    <snip>...Your conduct is trespassing and vandalizing.  Those who have already entered into the property will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law' date=' as will those who have acted in concert with them.[/quote']

    It looks like they are threatening to prosecute anyone who has ever been to that cache.

     

    Question: Was there a "No Trespassing" sign there? Or is one required there?

     

    If there was one, maybe they can prosecute. If not, maybe it is just some sabre-rattling.

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