canadazuuk

When you are here: http://www.geocaching.com/ and click on 'DISCUSS GEOCACHING' why do you still end up here first: http://www.geocaching.com/forums/register.aspx rather than just straight into the forums?

Canadian geocoins can be tracked and logged (and purchased) at: http://www.geocoins.ca They are well distributed around the globe now, with shops selling them in other countries. I have sent 4 coins to Finland and another couple to Australia...

I think you've been in the US too long recently. Their sensibilities must have irritated you somehow.

Not sure about the 'phylos', but the Magellan330 is sorta 'phallic' isn't it? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Let my door hit my butt on my way out...

At first glance, and with the information you provide, I'd have to agree with tlg. A vacation virtual is NOT going to be approved. The virtual itself is not likely to be approved on it's own; the fact that you live far away makes it only worse. Would I like to visit there? No doubt. It would be of interest. But someone a bit closer could easily place a traditional cache nearby.

This is the reason gc.com has rules: Because not everyone takes the time and care that is needed when hiding caches. Not everything is permissible.

Yes, very very cool.

The $30 goes towards covering the extensive costs of the bandwidth that keep this site available. Yes, the pocket queries are an added bonus for those that cache regularly.

In all fairness, MJDJ, you were asked several times to stop attempting to hijack every thread you posted to with more whining about your cache that wasn't approved. Even The Sandbox has posting guidelines, albeit pretty liberal ones, and, despite several warnings, you decided to keep pushing it. Don't be trying to blame others for your downfall - your behaviour even managed to turn the people that initially supported you against you. I can assure that I reviewed each and every point and counterpoint these guys made (at the sandbox), without ever posting to the threads, and it is no doubt in my mind that MJDJ was treated very poorly. (at the sandbox) He was used, and then when the pony was obtained by the sandbox crew, he was spat in the face so to speak. Who needs enemies when you have friends like these. Hey - isn't this thread supposed to be in the off-topic section? Or just closed?

Did you write that, or did the FSDS write that?

Here's one or two accounts of the evemt: http://www.bcgeocaching.com/modules.php?na...viewtopic&t=385

In all fairness to those who think media exposure is bad, I'm not certain that we have stated why media exposure is good. Stating why media exposure is not bad might not be the same as stating why it is good. (Although, maybe it is just a matter of semantics?) Why would media exposure of geocaching be good?

Actually, I think the topic has the most to do with geocaching and media exposure in general, than it does about the other peripherals that have come up.

The analogy would be stated better: You are a fisherman, you like fishing, and you like fishing with your buddies. Would you like to keep fishing a secret from the rest of the world? I agree with you Gorak, about 'where' you fish, and maybe you wouldn't advertise all your secrets if you were a fisherman. But the difference with geocaching is that, unlike fish, geocaches are left behind even after someone has enjoyed their day in that great spot. A further irony, is that geocachers by the very nature of the hobby, explicity share their favorite places with others.

While I agree with you that geocaching.com cannot directly control the actions of geocachers, they DO control the listings, and the guidelines used to approve listings. Since 99% or more of the geocaches around here are on geocaching.com, it is an easy conclusion to make that the game a} has guidelines and b} caches are monitored to ensure they don't contravene the guidelines. Again, what does this mean in relation to 'media exposure'? It means I am not worried about new cachers taking up the hobby and flooding the area with bad caches, and/or caches that would contravene the guidelines and bring the hobby into disrepute. While some may argue that media exposure will bring the wrong kind of person into the hobby, I totally disagree. To say that we only want a certain kind of person taking part in geocaching is elitist, and I don't think that's the position even those who are against media exposure want to take. Everyone is welcome to geocache.

One of the reasons I am not hesitant to see geocaching being covered by the media, even TV media, is that I have confidence in geocaching.com's well founded guidelines and operating structure. Through the efforts of the full-time staff and the many volunteers, the community at geocaching.com almost seamlessly puts forth it's best foot when issues arise. Take for example, a recent incident where a well known geocacher tried to bring undue grief upon gc.com and another cacher, by contacting the Burlington Northern Railway, and saying that gc.com allows caches to be placed on railway property, or near train tracks, thus potentially causing legal concerns for the various parties. One account of this incident that I heard was that this 'complaint' was refuted very quickly with an exacting response, and that the BNR was very satisfied with the guidelines and approval process that gc.com has. Now I realize this recent incident isn't neccessarily 'media related' (though it could have been...), the point I am trying to make is that gc.com has a very functional set of guidelines, and I'm not worried that a so-called flood of new cachers are going to water down the hobby... If media exposure does indeed bring new cachers to the hobby, it is only for the benefit of the hobby. The system gc.com has to deal with cache approvals works. Some say media exposure may attract cache rogues/pirates/thieves. I can't say that this is or isn't the case with 100% certainty, but I am highly suspicious of the idea that media exposure will cause someone to go out and buy a $250 GPS so they can steal $10 geocaches.

I'm curious to know how it was that you heard about geocaching? It wasn't on TV by chance was it?

Are you suggesting we just try to keep it a secret until they do find out, and just say 'no thanks, take your hobby elsewhere'?

Looking for a broad based response regarding geocaching and media exposure. It would be preferable to see many replies from many areas, and not just replies from those in BC who were either 'for' or 'against' media exposure on a recent secret topic at the BCGA website. Media exposure: Is it good, or bad? And more importantly, why?

Hey spuddy, let's get together for lunch sometime, and I'll give you the key that'll unlock the door to all the geocaching secrets (that I know)... I can help you with the 'Inbox' cache, and projecting waypoints too.

Same problem...

Why stop?

YUCK -- Disgusting, Ghastly and Frightening

I don't recall the issue being the SPEED of the approvals, but rather the possibility of denials stemming from a lack of knowledge or understanding of the locality. Although there are those who suggest that terrain is terrain is terrain.... Can you provide an example of where this *MIGHT* have happened, even if just for a hypothetical *WHAT IF* analysis?