TheGreatFinders

Thanks! Was on the right track - had tried to add them to the Watched List... Appreciate the quick reply! -Chris

I've tried searching this and other forums for an answer to this question, but haven't been able to find an answer. The goal is to have a pocket query that shows ALL caches I've hidden - archived or active. When I created a pocket query for any caches that "I own" - that query only shows my caches that are still active. I have tried to also check "Is not active" to pick up those that have been archived, but it yields 0 results. Is there anyway to catch my inactive caches in a pocket query? -Chris DadGreatFinder

Also affected. My Finds is only 270. Tried creating and running a query with only My Finds; only showing 183 and still not downloadable. Server error. -cmd

The correct date shows on the log via the website. When the finds are downloaded to GPX for use in stat generators, a different timestamp is shown. Will try re-entering the date. Appreciate the help. -cmd

Only logged it once. Did log it using iPhone... how does that make a difference? Appreciate the help. -Chris

I've tried using a couple of different cache statistics generators (GSAK and CacheStats). Both are showing dates for some finds that are different from what's shown on the website. For example, this find - http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LU...ac-a42dbc80dd07 - logged on 11/18 shows up as found on 11/19. This find - http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LU...cb-1fde99956ffa - logged on 11/19 shows up in the stat generators as found on 11/20. Anyone know what the issue is and/or how to fix it? One of the things we've done to get back into caching and to enjoy it is to try to keep a personal, daily find streak going and to beat/tie our maximum finds in a day. These errors prevent the stats (and streaks) from being calculated correctly. Thanks, Chris

As you cache more, you'll start recognizing geocacher names, and you'll know which ones typically contribute good hides and/or the type of hides that you enjoy doing. We started recognizing names within our first 30 finds; we know that those by X will be a little harder but enjoyable; cacher Y usually places crappy micros everywhere; cacher Z likes to stand at the edge of the path and launch a nice ammo box into the briar patch. etc... You'll get familiar with the hide habits of cachers in your area - especially if you're purposefully paying attention to it. -Chris DadGreatFinder of TheGreatFinders in Houston, TX

EasyGPS is free software; it can load GPX or LOC files into the GPSr. http://www.easygps.com/ If you have an older PDA (Palm OS 4 or <), I also recommend CacheMate; it's a very well spent $8 for paperless caching. I've never used GSAK personally, and the $20 price tag has been a deterrent for me. -Chris

We went with the Garmin eTrex Legend. We had used the basic Garmin model before, and I found the Legend with the PC cable for $115. Wasn't able to find the Magellan WITH the cable for that price. -Chris DadGreatFinder

We just started in April, and in all the shopping I did for our GPSr, we started with the Garmin eTrex Legend (blue); I found it on Amazon for $116 WITH the cable to connect to the PC. The cable is the most critical feature, in my opinion and I think there's probably a general consensus that it's a very basic requirement for geocaching. We didn't start geocaching with a GPSr though. I wanted to give it a good try before investing money into it. So, I used Google Maps hybrid view to map several caches. Of course, I had to find caches that were not in heavy tree cover and in areas that were already developed when the satellite pictures were taken (3 years ago) to make sure that we had enough landmarks to go by to find the caches. The first 3 we found used that method. Then we borrowed a GPSr from friends. Just started asking friends at work and neighbors if they had a handheld GPSr; neighbors happened to have one. Gave it a good try that way also.. finally bought one. If you do happen to buy one at the outset, the Garmin eTrex Legend is a good buy since it has basic maps built in and can accept more detailed maps via the PC cable. You'll find use of it even if geocaching doesn't pan out. -Chris DadGreatFinder

I've been waiting for the caches along a route tool... am excited to see it... and a call to programmers... I originally posted this in local geocaching forum, and wanted to look for input here as well.... Using GoogleEarth to create a specific route may require selecting shorter segments of the route to get the highways you truly want. For example, if you do a route from my home zip) to my work zip - it takes the most direct route which is into the teeth of Houston rush hour traffic. If I want to see the route I take during rush hour, I have to break it into three smaller segments. What is needed, I think, is something like EasyGPS Companion that will combine those three smaller route segments into a single route file that can be uploaded to gc.com for caches along a route. -Chris DadGreatFinder, Houston

It's all in your location I guess... I've found two local surplus stores (Houston, TX) that have started keeping good supply of ammo boxes... 30 cal for $4.70 each and 50 cal for $6.20 each. I've looked online - shipping is a killer most of the time. -Chris DadGreatFinder, Houston

ahh.... life itself Dear Mr. Adams.... you see the Letterman interview with Adams just before the movie was released? -Chris "DadGreatFinder"

This is the news page I usually refer people when introducing them to geocaching... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/10/...in1487111.shtml It's an April 10, 2006 CBS Evening news piece. -Chris "DadGreatFinder"

Setup a gmail (or other) account and use that to send all your notifications to. On the gmail account, configure it to automatically "forward" all messages to the list of email addresses you mentioned. Great workaround... don't know why I didn't think of it... THANKS! -cmd

Would love to be able to, in our profile, list multiple email addresses (comma or space or semicolon separated) that would enable multiple users of that account (Mom & Dad & Kids for a family group) to receive the owner notifications and weekly emails. -Chris DadGreatFinder of "TheGreatFinders"

Logging as a group should not replace or prevent individual logging. Seems as though (but can't tell for certain) a few replies have assumed that group logging would replace individual logs. That wasn't my suggestion or intent (sorry if it wasn't clear enough). The group logs are simply a way to add another element of caching community to the site; "site programming" would not change per se for individuals, everything would operate as it always has for individuals; groups, however, would have additional options. Keeping that in mind, from what I've seen just in our first 3-4 weeks of caching, the nature of many logs is overestimated. This may be a regional/area issue, but most of the logs we see do not have funny stories about what Joe did, neat pictures, etc. There are some, and we have posted a few lengthy logs with commentary and pictures. But, many of them are only a few words longer than "TNLNSL. TFTC!" I think the group logs are as likely to improve/enhance logs as they are likely to detract from them. Good ideas. ---- As a family with small children, it's not an issue for us currently. But , as the kids get older, I know they'll want their own accounts which certainly is not a problem. When that happens though, I'd like for us to be able to post as a group and report our geocaching as a group; that's what we are. The group option would allow that while still maintaining the option for our kids to to post as individuals with their own accounts, once they're old enough. And, with the group feature, they and their friends could form their own groups as well. Forming group identities, I think could add to the "sport." If it's an idea that's already being kicked around, sorry for the double post. We're relatively new and not extremely familiar with Waymarking.com (certainly not aware that group logs is a function of that site). -Chris

To me, geocaching is all about community - small groups (families, friends) to large groups (regional GC associations) to the masses. As someone that works with building online communities (on the psychology side of it, not the programming), I believe's there's a number of features that could be added... I'll describe the most important first and only list others. When a group of 5 cachers with individual accounts go caching together, the result is five different log entries for the cache. Seems like it would make sense to allow a log to be entered as a "Group Find." One member logs the entry, but is able to select other users (perhaps from a Geo-Friends list) that found the cache with them. When the log is entered, it shows that it was a group find (displaying a group name entered by the logger) and automatically logs the find in each finder's profile (again listing it as a group find and showing the group name and other members). As someone that works with building online communities, it would be a very beneficial feature. I'm sure most forum readers can imagine a number of ways that feature might enhance the geocaching community, so I won't list them here. Why should an activity which fosters the natural development of groups and communities be limited to individual reporting of caching activity? There's a broad range of community building features that could be added, but I think "Group Finds" is the most appropriate first step. These and other ideas are below. -Chris Group Finds (by manually entering the group name for each log) Geo-Friends (list of gecoaching friends/other users with quick access to profiles) Group Finds ver2 (by establishing groups in the database to which individuals can be added by group owner) Geo-Friends ver2 (integrate friends with the database, show which caches founds with certain friends)