Goat6500

O.K. yeah, scratch the "500,000th Active Cache" and replace it with simply "1,000,000th Cache". That'll probably take another year or so but trying to get on an ex-president's schedule probably isn't a quick thing. In fact, I think Clinton is notorious for sky-high public speaking rates(like $100K) so getting him do do something for GC without bankrupting Groundspeak is probably may not be realistic. Still, it would immensly satisfying to find out if old "Wild Bill" knows how many people were affected by one nondescript bill that one of his advisor's probably shoved in front of his face and said "Sign this Bubba, trust me..". I mean, 1.5 million people, and to some people, this is their lives! Now adays, you just can't get more wholesome, outtdoor greeney,family oreinted, good old-american fun than geocaching.

Ah, the cacherstats.com I think will allow me to do what I need. Someone can easily search through, by state, cachers with a favorites Bookmark list and more, or less, find the Premo-caches. And if they don't have one, you can always just ask. Thanks everybody!

Caches/cachers...double whoopsie! At any rate how about this challenge to the GS Staff for the 500,000th cache: Get Bill Clinton(the pres, not the musician) to do a photo op/internet video speech/Internet Q&A/or something for Geocaching.com. Technically, he was the beginning of G.C. when he signed the bill to remove Selective Availability from GPS's. It's not like he's that busy any more and I'm sure his press agent would perk up at the offer to reach out to 1.5 million voters for whatever political agenda he's pushing nowadays. Or if he's busy, maybe we could settle for Bill Clinton the musician....

Oh, on the front page it says '452,000' active cacher's worldwide. I guess it's possible it had previously passed 500K but I can't tell. Woopsie!

Hey, before too long GC will have reached 1/2 a million cachers! Does Groundspeak have any special plans to celebrate or commemorate this?

Sorry, didn't mean to insinuate that 200+ cachers are "limited" in any way. However, 28K is only 5% of all geocachers out there so, relatively speaking, it's a manageable. It doesn't really matter anyway: Only Jeremy can speak on what's practical or not. I like your Bookmarked caches listing and would like to do something of that for myself. However, for an out-of-towner coming to PA looking for a 'reccomended cache list' to find you, that's kind of a "have-to-know-someone" kinda thing that Terracaching which doesn't appeal to me. Wait, is there a "top 10 cachers in the state" thing or something? Say I'm going on a trip and I need for find the Arizona version of you with a "bookmarked cache listing". How hard would that be? Sorry if this is a dumb question... BTW, where did you get that statistic, the number of cachers with 200+ finds? Is that a Premium Member Function? I'm curious about a few things, to consider getting back into this game again. If it's not publicly available, can you tell me: # of Premium Members # of Premium Caches Thanks!

Thanks for the input! There's a limited number of cachers with more than 100 finds so I guess 10% could still work. I couldn't imagine managing a list of more than 10 favorite caches but then again, I have a long way to go before the millenium mark. I would vote for the 10% just so long as implementation is practical. Regarding the "watched caches" search function: Obviously, some people watch caches that they don't consider "cool" but for the most part, that's what people use it for. Something about that cache intrigues them and they don't mind the extra emails regarding it. For example I have 3 active caches right now(for some reason, my profile is showing only 1, WTH?). Two of them only have 4-6 users watching them but one has 37 because, frankly, it kicks butt. We can all debate this till we're blue in the face but the bottom line is the "watched caches" search function is a lot closer to a reality than anything else: 1.) The Data is already in the data tables for GC.com, nobody needs to change what they do on the front-end. 2.) It moderates itself. If you want the extra emails, go right ahead and watch as many caches as you want. Definitely make it a premium function only though. New Cache hiders need some kind of equal opportunity for people to find their caches, but long-term users are getting frustrated and dropping out(like me & my friend). We definitely need this. I'd totally pay the Premium Membership if it had this. NOTE: I did check out Navicache & Terracaching. com. Neat concept and has potential but I still prefer old GC.com and would like to keep my game in one place. Thanks again for everyone's input!

Whoah, I just realized that discusion you linked went on for over 2 years! It was very encouraging as I could see that Jeremy was responding with encouraging comments. However, this has left me confused: So what's the status on this? Is there a"Top 10 caches" thingie in the works or no?

Dude, if the powers that be are reading this thread, here's my feedback: 1.) I think that idea about people selecting "Top Caches" in their profile and being able to search on that is a great one a very practical. As long as it's limited to 5% of their total caches found and a maximum 10. Archived caches fall off their lists automatically. Nobody can possibly get offended or discouraged from that and it should help. 2.) I also like the idea to be able to search on what caches people are "watching". It should be simple enough and face it: Nobody watches a cache unless it's awesome and they like hearing about it. They wouldn't put up with all the extra emails. All the data's there. Actually, is everybody certain that isn't a function of the Premium Membership? Again, that's what I was originally asking about in this email.

Hello, My friend and I used to really be into caching locally and in travels/vacations. We've cooled it recently and haven't been caching in quite a while, actually. One of our main frustrations, inronically, has been the increase in popularity of GC. We like it in one respect but it also makes it harder to sift through and get the truly 'premium caches'. Now, I don't mean to say we think a lot of caches s*ck, in fact I have yet to find a cache that didn't enlightend or entertain me in some way. However, we have so little time to cache now, we really look to make the most of it and that the caches are real barnstormers, one-in-a-million or one that just makes you think "this is the coolest thing ever!". It'd be great if cachers could rate caches when the log them and then search for the highest ranked but I understand why that's not a good/practical idea. I think I understand most of the premium membership functions that can help by allowing you to search by: a. terrain/difficulty b. cache container size/type c. Premium membership caches d. Search for caches along a route But are there additional functions in a PM that can help me find the 'premium caches', like: a. Search by caches with most logs in an area b Search for caches with most smilefaces or something? Let me know if there is or you have any other ideas to help us. Thanks!

Oh, and IE version 6.0 is what we're using. So everybody is having this problem as well? I'm really surprised I didn't see any other topics referencing this. At there very least I thought they would just remove that whole function from the map rather than leave an ugly error message like that if everyone's getting it. Oh and what do you mean "use Google maps"? Is there a function on there to display geocaches? Please elaborate....

My friend and I both are coming back into GC after a year layoff and we're both getting the following erroron both of our home and work computers. It's when we pull up the state map, which initially looks fine. But when you xoom in close enough to see the cache names, it doesn't produce a clickable hotlist of the displayed caches below them map. In it's place is says: Microsfot VBS runtime error "800a0046" Permission denied /map/maplib.asp, line 191 Like I said, we're getting it consistently on a variety of computers(Microsoft 2000, XP, Vista). Anyone else getting this or know what the problem is? I really like using this map function.

A find of one of my caches left a "practical joke" for me. I was flipping through the developed photos in one of my cachecams and came across my friend(a fellow cacher's) face. I thought, "Oh, nice! I didn't know Marty hit this cache, I wonder why he didn't tell me?" Of course the next photo in the developed pile was a nice, close-up shot of his naked, hairy @ss. Mystery solved, bleah....

So I guess it wouldn't be that easy, huh. I'm sorry for the hooplah but just but to ease everyone's worries, I'm not going to do this and(as I said)I seriously wasn't planning on doing it. It just came to me in a wierd realization. Personally,I respect and follow "The Rules" and since the message was not deleted in the first place, I guess you all agree that discussing this idea was a good...er, idea. As for the personal attacks: UMC- Relax, it's just a game. Breaktrak - Huh? Septc_tank - Relax, it's just a game. Jeremy - you can...have a wonderful and prosperous weekend because you're the bestest Webmaster I know and I apologize for any inconvenience I've caused you or GC(smooch!). Feel free to discuss this further but I'd sincerely appreciate no more soiling of the good Goat6500 name. Thank you.

Hey, I just had an idea: There are certain public "areas" that are off-limits to GC and we know that "The Man" uses the GC website to patrol these areas virtually. (I despise multi-caches but...)A way around this is to place a micro in a non-off-limits area that gives the final co-ordinates of a cache placed in a highly desireable, but still off-limits public location. That way "The Man" won't know unless they go to the trouble to get a GPS and actually do all the multi's in an area(and if they take the time to do that, I'm writing my congressman!) I just watched the movie "Groove" the other night and this is kinda how they let everyone know about their underground raves on-line without getting busted. Or maybe this is unspoken GC logic and the reason why so many people do Multi-caches now? Oh who am I kidding? I don't have the motivation to do this. I'm so frickin disheartened and lazy, I have a new cache sitting out in the woods that I haven't bothered to register for about 3 months cause I'm too lazy to find my Etrex. It'd still be interesting to see how long the GC Admin lets this idea stay posted.....

Rookie Mistake storie: I remember this one was a cache placed out in a wilderness preserve that contained nothing but dog biscuits/treats/etc.(the cache was for cachers with dogs and the idea was to trade dog treats for dog treats). The cache was was archived with no finds and I can't imagine what every could have happened to a container of animal food in a woods filled with hungry animals....

Haw Haw! My thoughts on the "Nudecacher": 1.) It's hilarious 2.) You guys need to relax. This is an informal game and weird/offensive stuff like this makes it interesting (kinda like life). Personally, I like adult humor/danger/fun stuff/etc. and think that this game was a lot more fun when there were less rules and opinions. 3.) I think the "Nudecacher" should place a cache in a nude camp/area so that cache seekers would have to be naked to hunt. That would definitely be a one-of-a-kind cache.

Pitufo and I haven't cached in a while and want to spend a day or two this weekend doing some caches in Ohio or nearby. We'd like the old-fashioned caches: challenging with a really cool location. We have a Kayak, too. Suggestions anyone?

Travel bugs are a good idea in theory but all they have ever brought it heartache. The only thing you can do it email them and hope for a respose. Wait three weeks then sign their email address up for all the spam you can find.

Dude, I'm sorry, but what does that have to do with my question? I didn't say Multis were wrong, but breaking each Multi-cache into an individual cache page makes it difficult for people who aren't looking for Multis to find caches they want in an area. This is done for no apparent reason and has even caused some people to blow a mental gasket because they aren't allowed. What is the point? Why CAN'T you just put it onto one Multi-cache page? Now with that in mind, go ahead and take another stab at answering this.....

Question: Why would anyone NOT want to use a Multi-Cache designation? 1.) It's efficient 2.) Saves time and space so you don't have to creat a zillion webpages 3.) Saves time and space for the people that don't do Multi-caches(like myself). Seriously dude, it's really hard to use the map if you're NOT looking for a Multi-cache. Personally, this is one of the reasons I don't cache very much any more. It just seems hard to find a cache that is worthwhile(unique/intersting locations, mild physical challenge, etc.) any more. I probably won't get much support on this since my "demographic" usually doesn't peruse the discussion board, but whatever.

Oh. I guess someone at the Groundspeak marketing department was really thinking ahead when they did that. Good for them, too bad for my cheap-@ss. Poo. Still, how does everyone feel about these psuedo-multi/Series caches. I know this is an informal game and we all hunt for different reasons, but some of these and other "tradidtional" caches just seem kind of pointless. I guess I'm just frustrated because I haven't seen any new caches with a cool location(MY incentive for chasing down little hidden boxes of junk around the country) in quite some time. (Sigh!) I guess this discussion turned into one big pointless complaint as well. Oh well, let the comments ensue....

2 suggestions: 1.)Would it be possible to create some tool to sort or filter a cache search within a region? For example: Only search for traditional caches above a 3 terrain rating or only search for locationless caches? 2.)Cut down on "Multi-caches" that have a separate web page for each stage? Reasons: I make these sugestions for practical, business reasons. My friends and I have found the GC website cluttered lately and it's hard to find the type of caches you want look for, expecially if you don't have a fast internet connection. You probably won't hear from people who feel this way because they've probably stopped playing. I know we don't find this game as much fun anymore for that reason. Also, It should streamline the site's bandwidth. Response from GS or opinions from the Peanut Gallery?

http://www.geocaching.com/track/track_detail.asp?ID=5631 Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that helped out, especially Team ETrex. Anyone else have cool Travel Bug success stories they'd like to share?

Example Situation: Someone wants to place a cache in a particular area. Unbeknownst to them, attempts already been made to place a cache in that area but have failed due to Rangers/Kids/Environmentalproblems/etc. Question: Is there a way for someone to do a search in a particular area for archived caches so they can determine if putting a cache in the same area is a good idea? If there is a way, I think it would be good to note it on the "How to place a cache" page. Having this knowledge could benefit the game by 1.) Reducing the risk a cache will be lost and 2.) Reduce the risk of irritating "The Man" by have several people trying to place a cache in the same area after they have "already been warned"(which HAS happened to me). Anyone?