I have recently (well 4 years ago) uploaded a video explaining why new virtual caches are no longer published on geocaching.com. You can view the video
.
That video just states the basic "go to Waymarking.com" stuff. I don't want to go to Waymarking.com. It is not as upgraded as geocaching.com. I'm fine with not getting a smiley for a virtual, but I just want virtuals to stay on geocaching.com.
You missed the point of the video, which enumerated the many problems that virtual caches had. If I were making this video today, I would not emphasize Waymaking so much. I believe the video does point out that Waymarking is lacking in several aspects including very little integration with the Geocaching.com site. I agree with you that having to go another site and deal with virtual/waymarks in a completed different way than you deal with geocaches is not satisfactory to those who want all their geolocating experience in one spot.
I noticed that at the start of this thread I posted that I find the whole bring back virtual discussion have gotten boring. It's the endless petitions like this with no attempt to address the issues that virtual cache had that I find boring.
Virtual cache were grandfathered for a reason. Several reasons. Watch the video again and learn of the problems they caused reviewers and others. At least try to propose some change to overcome these problems. Starting a petition that doesn't address these issues is a fool's errand.
Just one more note of warning. If you think you have a solution for these problems, think again. That solution has probably been proposed and shot down. The most likely solution we have heard so far, is to replicate EarthCaches and have an outside group of experts handle the virtual caches in some category like HistoryCache or ArchitectureCache. However, AFAIK, nobody has followed up by finding a qualified group to manage a new category of caches.
The thing about looking for EarthCaches is that they are rare in my area. They are probably rare since they are actually hard to place because Groundspeak is picky of where an EarthCache is located. What Groundspeak should do is encourage more EarthCaches to be placed, that way everybody is happy. How will they do that? I'm not exactly sure at this point. But, you're definitely right, EarthCaches are like VirtualCaches.
