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heartradio

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Posts posted by heartradio

    Let’s talk some more about geocache quality (survey)

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    The problem I have with this survey and any implementations that may come as a result of it, is that 'quality' is subjective. I enjoy longer walks and not C&Ds or power trails, but that doesn't mean others can't enjoy power trails. I may not like them, but I don't HAVE to do them and so I wouldn't like to see anything changed to stop people going out and finding or hiding large numbers of caches if that's what they want to do, and can maintain them.

    I don't think an outright limit on caches placed is helpful at all - some cachers can keep track of 1000 properly, some can't keep track of one properly. Also, if I do by any chance continue caching until I'm in my old age, that's another 60/70 years or so, goodness knows how many I could theoretically have placed by then.

     

    I feel it is important not to only focus it on making it simpler or more defined for newbies as to what they should and shouldn't be doing when hiding caches, but to listen to what more experienced cachers like and value about Geocaching too. I noticed that when it asks how many caches you have found, the top bracket is 500+. 

     

    • Upvote 1
    • Helpful 1

    Release Notes (Website: Progressive release, new Search/Map) - September 14, 2018

    in Geocaching HQ communications

    Posted

    22 hours ago, The A-Team said:

    Basically, what I'm wanting is what we have now: the ability to browse the map. The current proposed implementation drops this ability and replaces it with a search function, such that browsing is significantly more difficult. Browsing accounts for 90+% of my map use, so losing this ability or making it more difficult will significantly impact me.

    Agreed. That is what I like about the current map. If I want to search from a specific location, that will normally be while I'm out, in which case I will be using Cachly anyway, not the website. At home when I use the website, I like to be able to browse around, easily spot trails and clusters of caches in locations I want to visit. I travel a fair distance for days out, if it's somewhere I want to go, so I generally want to be able to see a large number of caches at a time. Hopefully I can stick with the old map for a long time yet!

    • Upvote 1

    Release Notes (Website: Progressive release, new Search/Map) - September 14, 2018

    in Geocaching HQ communications

    Posted

    Unfortunately I can't say I'm a fan of this new map and search. I tried it for a bit and then opted out, for a few reasons. I would like to be able to access the LIST and MAP separately as before. I noticed that there were a couple of options on the new sidebar list that you couldn't sort by: placed by date, and last found date. 

    As an avid walker who lives in countryside with complicated footpaths, I like to be able to use the Greasemonkey plugin so I can use Ordnance Survey maps, or at least have Open Street Maps. I'm afraid the 'Geocaching' map doesn't suffice for the routes I plan. 

    • Upvote 2

    Geocache Quality

    in User Insights

    Posted

    • In your mind, what is a high quality geocache?

    For me, I like a scenic walk and/or a puzzle and/or an interesting container. 

    • In your mind, what is a low quality geocache?

    I don't tend to like thinking about the term 'low quality' when it comes to Geocaching - I have a choice over whether I find a cache or not, and so I tend to target those I like the look of. Obviously a poorly maintained cache will be a lower quality one, and it perhaps provides less satisfaction from finding than a pristine, well-maintained one.

    The location of a cache also plays a part in the quality, and I tend to like locations that show me something interesting - a nice view, something historical or something geological for example. 

    • What steps can the community take to improve geocache quality?

    I think that it is all too easy to blame a CO for a cache that you don't like. YOU might not like it, but somebody else might, so move on. Yes, if a cache very clearly isn't being maintained then you should log a Needs Maintenance and then eventually a Needs Archived, but again there are reasons why people cannot maintain caches so it is important to give a period of time before any further action is taken by a reviewer

    • What steps can Geocaching HQ take to improve geocache quality?

    There are many suggestions that have appeared here so far, some of which I like and some of which I don't. There is the sense of 'quality not quantity' however I don't feel there should be a limit on the number of caches a CO can place. I'll use a couple of examples - firstly a man who lives fairly near me, who places many series on lovely walks. He owns 1000 caches or so, but they are all excellent in my view and I've never found one badly maintained. Secondly, I'll use myself as an example - say I keep caching for another 60 years until I'm in my seventies, I will possibly amass a large amount of caches placed, even if not all are active. 

    I think that the Virtual reward system is OK, but I think it has discouraged people from logging DNFs/NA/NM for fear it'll affect the 'health score', something which I for one don't understand! 

    Another thing with geocache quality is the guidelines. People start generating new and wacky ideas to make their caches interesting, and these I imagine would be quite hard to review, and are often likely to be knocked back. Therefore, I suppose some people may believe trads in lay-bys are easier to place and get published which may discourage them from doing something more complex. 

     

     

    One very important thing to consider too is that geocaching is fairly inclusive - some cachers may not be able to walk for miles up a hill to find a big box. They may only be able to do short walks, or caches near public transport, etc. So it's important that there are still caches available for all people to find - it's better to have things and then be selective, than not to have things at all.

    • Upvote 3

    Corrected Coordinates of Owned Caches / Message Alerts

    in Website

    Posted

    As a CO of lots of multis and puzzles I find this feature very useful for maintenance and when placing new caches so I know the proximity. Just because not everybody uses it, it doesn't mean it isn't valued by those who do. 

     

    It doesn't harm anyone to have it there -  even a little help thing like that on the personal cache note box, just to explain what the feature does, would benefit the newer cachers who do not understand, while still keeping the feature there for those who use it.

    • Upvote 2

    Two feature suggestions!

    in Website

    Posted

    Go to your log, click upload image... that's all it takes, no dates are changed, the log date remains what it was before the image was uploaded.

     

    Yes, but the date for the image in my gallery would show as wrong.

    Two feature suggestions!

    in Website

    Posted

    I have two suggestions for features:

     

    1. When I remove a spoiler image on one of my caches there is a little box asking for a 'reason'. I for one would find it useful if this box popped up when I have to delete a spoiler, invalid (they haven't signed the log) or duplicate log as well as it saves me sending a separate email. :rolleyes:

     

    2. As well as being a geocacher I am also a bit of a photographer and often after a long day of caching I won't get round to photo uploading until the day after. It would be useful if I could change the date when uploading an image (like you can with a log), as at the moment I have to upload then go back in and edit it manually. :unsure:

    Related Web Page link... GONE!

    in Website

    Posted

    I can't find the option to add a related web page when submitting a cache. As I have an idea for a cache based on this feature, I don't appreciate the fact that it has seemingly disappeared! :( I also started a national series with numbers, so on each cache I/whoever places the cache puts the 'number requesting website' into the related web page box.

     

    Can anyone else see it or has it gone for good?

     

    heartradio

    Email problems

    in Website

    Posted

    I have had a go at this and this is what happens:

     

    Received: from mail03.Groundspeak.com (63.251.163.228) by rgin16.bt.int.cpcloud.co.uk (9.0.019.04)

    id 5782CFDA01F2713C for [bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]; Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:16:01 +0100

    Received: from appint02 (bigip-lb1.Groundspeak.pub [172.22.16.1])

    by mail03.Groundspeak.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6DFCB8805B1

    for <[bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]>; Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:24:33 -0700 (PDT)

    DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=geocaching.com;

    s=mail; t=1468221873;

    bh=PXbzKciwD+UDS5xWgu/CAwhBWbQ9JjiIWfBRg717kyg=;

    h=From:To:Date:Subject:From;

    b=RddnW6twQ/ADGQi+yI0F1pkBHH2tcuDzV4Xfx5SNANNIg5cT6szsIcr3HrTYb7EB4

    jKDYni0sYT5pSbzJExc7HFu5tiq4moRpKF2hTnrPlKKudfSyMNr1JNBxGeouaOrxyy

    sPTl7U12VcWW2leDnZudE0Bbmjmnj3CwbZ9QQtDc=

    MIME-Version: 1.0

    From: "Geocaching" <noreply@geocaching.com>

    To: [bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]

    Date: 11 Jul 2016 00:24:32 -0700

     

    I do not have a clue what this means - can anyone see from this where the problem is?

     

    Corrected to the same timezone:

     

    Received: from mail03.Groundspeak.com (63.251.163.228) by rgin16.bt.int.cpcloud.co.uk (9.0.019.04)

    id 5782CFDA01F2713C for [bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]; Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:16:01

    Received: from appint02 (bigip-lb1.Groundspeak.pub [172.22.16.1])

    by mail03.Groundspeak.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6DFCB8805B1

    for <[bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]>; Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:24:33

    DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=geocaching.com;

    s=mail; t=1468221873;

    bh=PXbzKciwD+UDS5xWgu/CAwhBWbQ9JjiIWfBRg717kyg=;

    h=From:To:Date:Subject:From;

    b=RddnW6twQ/ADGQi+yI0F1pkBHH2tcuDzV4Xfx5SNANNIg5cT6szsIcr3HrTYb7EB4

    jKDYni0sYT5pSbzJExc7HFu5tiq4moRpKF2hTnrPlKKudfSyMNr1JNBxGeouaOrxyy

    sPTl7U12VcWW2leDnZudE0Bbmjmnj3CwbZ9QQtDc=

    MIME-Version: 1.0

    From: "Geocaching" <noreply@geocaching.com>

    To: [bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]

    Date: 11 Jul 2016 07:24:32

     

    Send by GS: 11 Jul 2016 07:24:32

    Internal handling: Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:24:33

    Arrived at your mailbox: Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:16:01

     

    All times UTC/GMT

    There's a 6 hour "gap" between mail03.Groundspeak.com receiving the mail and delivering it to your mailbox.

     

    Thanks for that - makes it a bit clearer for me. :) Does that mean the problem is with BT rather than Groundspeak? If so, what should I do about it?

    Email problems

    in Website

    Posted

    I am having problems with any emails from Groundspeak (notification emails and emails for logs on my caches), as they are arriving, but they are delayed by several hours, sometimes even days. None are going in my spam folder and I have added GS to my contacts so my email provider doesn't think they are spamming me!

     

    I had this problem a couple of years ago, but it rectified itself after a day or two - this has now been going on for nearly a week and I'm not sure what to do about it - I don't know if it's a problem with my email provider (BT) or if it's something going on at Groundspeak's end. I am also aware of another cacher having the same problem as me.

     

    Look at the email's headers so you can see when the message was send, what route it took and what time it arrived at your mailserver. This will give you an idea where the problem is.

     

    Return-path: <noreply@geocaching.com>
Envelope-to: xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxxx
Delivery-date: [b]Wed, 22 Jun 2016 18:07:40 -0400[/b]
Received: from mail04.Groundspeak.com ([63.251.163.229]:36294)
by xxxx.xxxxxxx.com with esmtps (TLSv1.2:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:256)
(Exim 4.87)
(envelope-from <noreply@geocaching.com>)
id 1bFqJ7-0007Dp-A1
for xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxxx; [b]Wed, 22 Jun 2016 18:07:40 -0400[/b]
Received: from appint03 (bigip-lb1.Groundspeak.pub [172.22.16.1])
by mail04.Groundspeak.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 5081B8C0065
for <xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxxx>; [b]Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:06:55 -0700 (PDT)[/b]
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=geocaching.com;
s=mail; t=1466633215;
bh=iIEeXpbapAWwcb7Xaly/+9sjJtYmkmpwXNj3KmgFsNg=;
h=From:To:Date:Subject:From;
b=NqTOrZU91qBxrFf5/8IcOO2UDVjUKgU4BpowIwsnjKldT9uWcwx0Wa+hmHT3irvwx
 6OkwTJjcRiAMjwoNb9kGHy1RG0ylhgahUPoufM0WXwN8WxmLRejhmRhGfnlttXlu73
 dsm3y4yeVz3ULC34UOcAKZ9rwceA7Ka5An6kU5jg=
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: "Geocaching" <noreply@geocaching.com>
To: xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxxx
Date: [b]22 Jun 2016 15:06:54 -0700[/b]

     

    This is almost "instant".

     

    I have had a go at this and this is what happens:

     

    Received: from mail03.Groundspeak.com (63.251.163.228) by rgin16.bt.int.cpcloud.co.uk (9.0.019.04)

    id 5782CFDA01F2713C for [bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]; Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:16:01 +0100

    Received: from appint02 (bigip-lb1.Groundspeak.pub [172.22.16.1])

    by mail03.Groundspeak.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6DFCB8805B1

    for <[bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]>; Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:24:33 -0700 (PDT)

    DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=geocaching.com;

    s=mail; t=1468221873;

    bh=PXbzKciwD+UDS5xWgu/CAwhBWbQ9JjiIWfBRg717kyg=;

    h=From:To:Date:Subject:From;

    b=RddnW6twQ/ADGQi+yI0F1pkBHH2tcuDzV4Xfx5SNANNIg5cT6szsIcr3HrTYb7EB4

    jKDYni0sYT5pSbzJExc7HFu5tiq4moRpKF2hTnrPlKKudfSyMNr1JNBxGeouaOrxyy

    sPTl7U12VcWW2leDnZudE0Bbmjmnj3CwbZ9QQtDc=

    MIME-Version: 1.0

    From: "Geocaching" <noreply@geocaching.com>

    To: [bLANKED OUT MY EMAIL]

    Date: 11 Jul 2016 00:24:32 -0700

     

    I do not have a clue what this means - can anyone see from this where the problem is?

    Email problems

    in Website

    Posted

    I am having problems with any emails from Groundspeak (notification emails and emails for logs on my caches), as they are arriving, but they are delayed by several hours, sometimes even days. None are going in my spam folder and I have added GS to my contacts so my email provider doesn't think they are spamming me!

     

    I had this problem a couple of years ago, but it rectified itself after a day or two - this has now been going on for nearly a week and I'm not sure what to do about it - I don't know if it's a problem with my email provider (BT) or if it's something going on at Groundspeak's end. I am also aware of another cacher having the same problem as me.

     

    heartradio

    Life's a Beach

    in United Kingdom and Ireland

    Posted

    I have started a little series of caches called "Life's a Beach", and if anyone would like to expand the series and add more caches, you would be more than welcome to do so. The idea is to have caches at beaches or seaside towns around the UK. These will preferably be multis so that cachers can find out some more information/history about the location they are visiting to find the cache. :smile:

     

    If you want to expand the series, visit the series website

    SP's Summer 2016 Remote Event/s

    in United Kingdom and Ireland

    Posted

     

    Think that is the way I've read the page and ferry to St Martins is as such a day trip.

     

    Is there a link to pre book the St Martins Ferry?

     

    St Martins Ferry will be a day trip from St Marys. Boats usually go 10:15 ish and return around 4:30 from the Quay. No need to book, just turn up if going with the Boatmens Association. See their website for more details.

     

    heartradio

    Guide to EarthCaches Feature

    in Website

    Posted · Edited by heartradio

    It may already have been implemented, but it could be useful to have a short video or something detailing about EarthCaches and how to log them. I've had several new cachers log finds without emailing answers recently because they don't know what to do. I also had someone log a DNF a couple of days ago, as they were expecting a physical container at the coordinates. It would hopefully help novices understand this type of caches and mean we cache owners don't get too many of these logs.

     

    heartradio

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