[CavScout Earthcaches Archived?]

I hope someone is listening. We shouldn't lose all these great ECs. I know how much research goes into just one. It would be a shame that we as students of the earth be punished by having them archived. I would really like to see Joranda et al be able to adopt them until Cav Scout is activated again.

[Oregon 400t Custom poi icons?]

Success! Thanks for the help. My problem was a double extension on the bmp file. Stupid mistake, lesson learned.

Life is Good!

[Oregon 400t Custom poi icons?]

I just downloaded both recently

 

pio loader is 2.5.3.0

and the oregon firmware is the beta 2.98

[Oregon 400t Custom poi icons?]

That should work -- did you happen to rename the original file on the Oregon to something other than poi.gpi so it is still showing up and shadowing your new file?

 

the poi.gpi is the only file in the poi folder. Does the bmp file need to be placed there separately or is it combined into the gpi with the gpx?

[Oregon 400t Custom poi icons?]

On the computer, you put the icon files in the same directory as the POI files. If they have the same name they will be transferred and used with the POIs.

 

For instance.

 

example.gpx

example.bmp

 

That's what I did, but I only have the gray dot instead of the custom icon. Both files have the same name, and are in the same folder. I used the POI loader. No custom icons on the Oregon.

[Oregon 400t Custom poi icons?]

I've loaded several custom POIs into the Oregon 400t. I have custom bmp icons I would like to use with these. Is there a way to change the default little gray dot on the custom poi icon?

[Here's Your Sign]

Racer2814 and I saw this sign near Poor Boy's Country Store. Needless to say, we did NOT grab a bite while there! Any other unusual signs found while caching?

 

[Post a picture of your 4 legged geocaching partner.]

 

Sun and his four legged brothers (Miss Kitty and Polk Salad) can take the short legged hikes.

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

You seem to be ignoring the folks that think those logs would make a great blog. I agree with those people. You really ought to have a blog going.

 

If you really don't want to do that, why not just write those ultra long logs ONCE on the first cache of the day's adventure and add a link to that log in the rest of the caches for that day.

 

Come up with a short, sweet cut and paste log for the rest of the trip if you really must and add something personal to each log. Something like:

Thank you for having this cache out her to find. It was cache # __ for me" and then whatever personalization you can think of.

It can be as simple as "We were hungry by the time we found this, and so we had to put off finding ___ cache until after we fed the stomach monsters"

(with the reference to the next cache on your list being potentially helpful to other cachers trying to plan their caching day)

Blog. No. Interesting idea, but Sorry. If you check my profile, this is the first time I have become involved in a forum thread to any extent, and I can only do it this time because I have this week off from life. I simply do not have/do not want to take the time to write a blog. If I had the extra time, I would have written "unique" logs for that cache run! May work for other people though, thanks for the idea.

 

For the other idea, I had thought of that before. But I (obviously mistakingly ) thought that the subsequent owners would feel "short-changed" for only getting a link. And further replies to this thread show that any form of C&P beyond TFTC ticks them off. Again, thanks for the suggestion.

Your putting words in my mouth.

Sorry, was summarizing what the thread was producing about spam, not singling you out.

 

I have to say no, people don't care about others record runs. Logging a find 8 of 156 today is just an EGO log and nothing more. Do I care how many you found in one day, no.

"People"? I am "people" and I know other "people" who do care about other's record runs. You don't and that's find. (BTW, who got 8 out of 156 and where were they? )

I don't mean to be rude here but seriously sit back and look at it from someone else's prospective. Alot of people don't care about how many you found in one day. Alot of people don't care how many times you stopped at a red light or ran that red light. Write something unique about that hide or just TFTC and be done with it.

Here are the "people" again. No, you are not taken as rude. I have been trying to look at this from the your perspective, but I still don't see the justification of deleting a find because a log is short, long, funny, sad, stupid, redundant, boring, etc. Geez, scroll down already if you don't like it. The cache page had no ALR.

 

And it wasn't number of red lights, it was # of Ueys pulled (w or w/out compliance of local traffic laws)

BUT I think there is a lot of useful information about running red lights in that area for future power cachers. For example 1) they are caching where there are a lot of stoplights so plan route that has lots of right turns instead of left. or 2) Do not ride with muther if you have a heart condition.

That said, I'd never delete your log however unusual it was. But since you put it out there in a thread, I'd encourage you to consider your reasons for leaving a log in the first place. Is it to tell others about your trip, not specific to the particular cache? Or are you attempting to leave something that will be meaningful for the cache owner and future finders?

Not that I should have to explain my log, but: yes the reasons for the log include leaving useful information for future finders, esp those on cache runs, and yes to tell about the trip, the event, the day that includes the finding of that particular cache. It wasn't as if I used 4000 characters to describe the debris on the floor of the movie theater during Alvin and the Chipmunks. But it appears that even what one thinks is meaningful can and will be debated.

I know that you are upset that you aren't getting more support here in the forum

Sorry to disappoint, but I am not upset. And I get plenty of support from my playtex bra, I am not looking for support here. To the contrary, I find this behavior all very fascinating. Funny thing is I didn't ask for "support" I wasn't on a "side". I wanted answers.

Are you just arguing now for the sake of argument, or do you really think there is nothing problematic about your logs?

Arguing? My original post asked 6 questions. My previous post summarized the answers I found in this thread. So, although I am not fluent in "thread-ese" I do understand now that if a question is asked, 1 out of 50 replies will attempt to answer the question, the other 49 will turn it into an issue that needs debating. I'm not knocking it, just didn't expect it to turn into an Us vs Them. I wanted to know what the procedure was for deleting a log. I was so amazed at having my finds deleted, receiving an rude email from the owner giving me an ultimatum, and "few" hour time limit to "clean it up". I do appreciate the few answers that I did receive here. Whoops, you tricked me into arguing!

 

COPY + PASTER + 4000 character LOGGER AND PROUD OF IT!

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

So C&P is not the issue. Length is

 

Actually, it's a combination of both. One without the other will probably be fine.

 

But the "stuff" I read at those links......uggggg......I'm not trying to be rude...but....um....it's like spam...but more useless.

 

Initially (obviously with not all the information) I was on your side. Now.....count me out. I would rather someone NOT log a find on my cache. Or at least tell me my cache sucked if that is the problem....something, ANYTHING ORIGINAL about the cache. Heck, if you actually mention the cache, you can throw in all of the stuff about what a wonderful time you had forgetting about all the finds you made.

 

There probably is a very good reason you didn't volunteer a copy of your original log.

 

I think the cache owner was actually trying to give you a huge hint by deleting your log. I would take the hint. Unless you're a glutton for deletion.

 

Nobody cares that you were on a record run, but many of us felt the "example logs" were more like leftover spam, being passed around the dinner table. The problem was that nobody wanted to eat it.

 

So spam is defined by length. Thanks for clearing that up for me. 138 C&P TFTC showing up in one's mailbox IS NOT spam, but a C&P summary of the caching event, which includes a reference to each cache albeit miniscule and is perhaps not as entertaining as "found your cache" to the log owner, IS spam. Gotcha, thanks.

 

Spam issue addressed, on to record run. Yes, people care about record runs. If not, why are there threads asking how one does it? Back to the "offending log" that was deleted (and has been referenced in this thread). In person, I had cachers ask me how its done. Referencing the record run would be useful for those people which is one of the reasons for recording the sequence.

 

My questions are:

1. How "TNLNSL" can be all that more useful when searching for a cache?

2. Has anyone else ever been deleted by an owner for logs being too long?

3. If the owner hasn't added a logging requirement to limit log length, how can the deletion be justified?

4. How is "bogus, counterfeit, off topic" to be interpreted?

5. Should an owner be able to delete a find because he doesn't enjoy the log?

and finally

6. Am I missing something here?

 

SO...I believe I have a few answers, and I thank everyone for their input.

1. It isn't, but people don't like to scroll and long C&P are absolutely illegal and will result in a smilie fine.

2. Others have been deleted, but vary rarely, and usually for content.

3. Deletion is justified because owner's have COMPLETE control over the logs on their cache page.

4. It is interpreted by the owner.

5. Yes, it is his geoGod given right. But this power is only used by those who need to bolster their sense of control.

6. Heck, yes! people will argue about anything!

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

when did this thread change topics to number whoring?

I believe the thread started off with the topic of "number whoring" Ouch! I want a stinkin' smiley for each cache I find. If I do 138, 120, 116, 102 or 1 cache in a day, I want a smiley for each one that I find. If I don't get a smiley I begin to shake and foam at the mouth and my icon daddy whips me.

 

If he's singled you out, is there a reason why? Are the logs he's talking about anything like this one, which was apparently copied and pasted 138 times in that area.

Since CYBret has lovingly chosen to refer to this lame log (thanks, sweetie )

instead of something like this one or even this one I feel the necessity to defend its merit. OK, so it may be stupid, but at the time I thought it would be helpful to see the percentage of hiders and hide types, time spent looking, number of DNFs etc. And if this annoying log shows up in your email 138 times or more on one day during the 1 or 5 years of your caching career, sorry for ruining your day. But I believe we are back to the same issue of length.

 

I doubt anyone would link to a TFTC log C&P 138 times and complain about that showing up in the email. The way I'm interpreting some of these replies is that there is no problem with someone C&P a four letter TFTC 100+ times, but if someone takes the time to summarize the day's events/caches in 4000 characters and C&P that, it is totally wrong. So C&P is not the issue. Length is.

 

Once again, my question remains. Why does a cache owner have the right to delete a find because he doesn't enjoy the log? I don't enjoy the TFTC logs that I receive. If I deleted those finds, would I receive the same support? Or would I be required to change my caches to ALR?

 

Equal rights for Log Whores!

[I Did it! 100 finds!]

well done!

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

Did this cache owner e-mail you at all to tell you his or her intent??

The original email from the cache owner gave me "a couple of hours" to edit the logs to his satisfaction. I of course didn't see the email for several hours, by then he had deleted everything.

[Large single day logs]

Yeah, what Racer said

 

She covered the good stuff and is the designated navigator in our power runs. We spend a couple of days ahead of time whittling down the PQ, but she spends much more time looking over the route. It is much more fun with a partner, but if you can't do it that way, it can be done alone. I managed 120 in Nashville in about 20 hours alone, but man, if Racer would have been there, I'm betting we could another 30 at least.

 

We probably change gpsr batteries three times during a 24 hour run.

 

Don't plan on multis but work puzzles out ahead of time.

 

Bring a notebook to keep track of what you've done.

 

No no-doze. Just a good buddy, adrenaline, and laughter!

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

Long logs are OK as long as they pertain to the cache and finding the cache. However, no one wants to read a long winded log about someone's life history. Some people when writing their logs think anyone cares about their great-grandmother's old boyfriend who use to make film canisters

Really? You knew my great-grandmother's old boyfriend? The cannisters were made of cardboard then, but please, share your story!

 

No one makes you read the long winded non-humorous oil spill verbal diarrhea. But it is there for those who do want to read it, and I have had several people at events or those I meet at caches tell me they enjoy the stories.

 

Back to the issue at hand. If the owner doesn't like the log, why does he have the right to delete the find? Isn't a log:

: a record of performance, events, or day-to-day activities.

Finding the cache and recording the events leading to the discovery of the cache are two different things. I did indeed find his caches. I signed his logsheets. And my log recorded the day's events which included the discovery of his cache. When did cache owners become literary critics?

 

And Racer, funny thing, I had someone log a find for Booger who didn't sign the log. What to do, what to do.

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

Or is it just all about the numbers?

Well of course, Duh!

I'm trying to get a smiley for my finds.

My intention in this thread is to find out if it is acceptable to delete a cacher's find on the basis that the owner "doesn't like" the log. If I signed the logsheet placed by the owner, and there is no ALR, did I not find it?

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

If he's singled you out, is there a reason why?

If he has singled me out does that make it acceptable?? If he or anyone had a problem with a log, how about a cordial email explaining their position. Not an email that says:

I will wait a couple hours before I begin to delete them to give you time to clean these up. You are basically performing the equivalent of a huge oil spill on my cache logs

To be honest, I had never used a PDA prior to that time. Now I have one, use it, and found this little scroll bar on the side that does amazing things.

As a society are we really too lazy to "scroll". Sorry this doesn't cut it as a reason.

Amen! Sister.

If he has singled me out it appears that it occurred before any C&P regardless of length. From his original email:

I understand trying to be funny, but many people manage to do it in much, much less space. I didn't say anything when I saw this seed of overwriting growing on the Galesburg event cache with these long, long, "horse race" descriptions (which really weren't funny either, at least not after every post someone else made), because it wasn't my cache.

I informed him that the owner of this cache encouraged me to "call the race" and enjoyed it, so I obviously complied.

Being someone with terrible memory I try and put as much discription as possible to my logs just to help "Me" remember.

Amen! Brother. To be honest, I write the logs for my own entertainment and to help me remember which caches I visited. I even keep a bookmark list of those logs to be able to find them again easily.

No one's getting paid by the word.

Why didn't you tell me that 3000 finds ago! I'm still waiting for the check!

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

I've noticed your logs in the past, and with that, I have also noted that you tend to go on some pretty long cache runs. It appears that when you do this, you just write one long log about your days adventures, and use the copy/paste feature to post these to every single cache you found that day.

 

Ahh, I thought that too. I even apologize for some C&P that were really lame, but in those instances I thought I was doing a good thing by summarizing the entire adventure, and that each separate owner could see how their cache fell into the mix of things. But what about those who copy and paste TFTC 120 times? Or even those who summarize their day's events in two or three sentences and C&P that again and again? I questioned the cache owner specifically about 2 previous finders whose logs were C&P and also my caching partner who C&P but was not deleted. His email response when I asked for permission to re-log with the original content was:

I have no problem with relogging - just not so dang long....Your caching partner understands that a short log can do the job

emphasis by cache owner in email

 

While I, as a cache owner, love to get great logs/stories from those that find my caches, I really dislike when all they do is copy/paste the same log over and over.

I totally agree with this as a cache owner, but I don't delete those finders who C&P logs in my caches no matter the length. There is an easy solution for annoying C&P logs. Only read the first one.

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

I would likely put all the owner's caches on my "ignore" list if it happened to me.

 

I did that after the initial deletions, but since I was caching with a partner this time, I didn't want my friend to pass on the caches, so I thought what the heck, I'll log them too.

 

Has this cache owner logged finds on any of your caches, Muther and Sun? If so, consider writing back and informing him that you are imposing a 200 word minimum on his logs, and the content needs to be high-quality, creative, and cache-specific.

 

LOL This is a good idea. I have a "Do Not Find This Cache" which requires finders to log at least 30 words, and that one is fun to read.

 

If you really want to log the cache for the find, just go back to that one and do as the cache owner said and log it as SL and go on.

Funny, when I write short logs people ask "what's wrong with that cache?"

[Long Log = Deleted Log]

Last month I had an owner delete my finds because he accused me of leaving "verbal diarrhea" on his cache page. Upon returning to the same area this month, it appears this same owner has persuaded another local cacher into the same practice.

 

He claimed that:

As you probably know many cachers, myself included, download cache files to GSAK or Easy GPS for paperless caching, and we refer to the logs for hints when we are onsite. Something as large as this monstrous post of yours will eliminate several logs being downloaded for each cache.

 

Even if I use the 4000 characters allowed for a single log, I am not aware of that interfering with GSAK or Cachemate.

 

He also instructed me to:

Just shorten them up - if you look at all the other posts on any other caches, you'll see what is appropriate length and content

 

Again, I wasn't aware that there was an "appropriate length." As far as content, there is never anything derogatory about any cacher or any other inappropriate content or offensive language.

 

Furthermore, he said my logs are:

huge, overblown, and truthfully not even that humorous" and it "deprives people trying to find my caches from being able to read the logs of others who actually have something to say.

 

And if I wanted to re-log I could, but it had to be short or:

If that's not possible, a simple "SL TFTC!" is just fine

.

 

I decided that for his caches I would simply leave "SL" But as I first mentioned, it appears he has persuaded another rather Newbie cacher into this same practice.

 

When I contacted the local reviewer for advise I was referred to the guidlines: http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#maint

The responsibility of your [cache owner] listing includes quality control of posts to the cache page. Delete any logs that appear to be bogus, counterfeit, off topic, or not within the stated requirements.

 

My questions are:

1. How "TNLNSL" can be all that more useful when searching for a cache?

2. Has anyone else ever been deleted by an owner for logs being too long?

3. If the owner hasn't added a logging requirement to limit log length, how can the deletion be justified?

4. How is "bogus, counterfeit, off topic" to be interpreted?

5. Should an owner be able to delete a find because he doesn't enjoy the log?

and finally

6. Am I missing something here?

[Geocache Police]

Here is Southern California we pride ourselves on having a live and let live philosophy. Sadly there are a few in the geocaching sport who can't leave well enough alone and want to be The Geocache Police.

 

These people take it upon theselves to criticize other people's caches, remove items that they deem inappropriate, and even move another persons cache to what they consider a "better" location. I have had all of the above happen to my cache. Where do these people get off?

 

If these people want to play cop why don't they go join the military or the police force where they can dominate other people to their hearts' content? Leave the rest of us alone and get a life.

 

I understand that this has been interpreted as disparaging towards the armed forces and law enforcement . I have the utmost respect for those professions (even if I do tease in my logs! ) But as for the original thread, what about it? What geocacher has the right to move another's cache? I talked to a cacher in Nashville who had "fellow" cacher entirely remove hers and distribute the TBs without consulting her or the local reviewer. I've also heard of instances in IL where the cache was removed without the owner's knowledge, or reported to a reviewer without first privately consulting the owner. Perhaps the CA cache had some issues, but I've heard of more than a few instances in more than one state where "geopolice" have assumed responsibility of "policing" the caches and cachers. Emphasis: I am not belittling those who serve and protect us in the real world, but where did the "geopolice" get their training?

[Someone hit 2000 today!]

hi mutherandsun! how are you doing? ive been watching your find count sky rocket the past few months, i dont know if you recognize my name, but i live really close to you and am looking forward to meeting you! are you going to the the "fall fling" event at spitler woods?

OF course I recognize you, and yes I'll be at the fling. Hey, I think it is up to you now to keep my cache count going during the school week, so get planting! I need to hit 3000 by Jan 5, otherwise the geopolice revoke my geocaching license!

[Someone hit 2000 today!]

 

 

Oh yeah, it's possible. He's slowed way down, but I think This guy had about 4,000 in the first year. I remember he came through my town and grabbed one of my Earthcaches and about 50 parking lot micros in one day.

 

WHOO HOO 50 park and grabs in one area, I'm coming your way TheWhiteUrkel! My heart is racing just thinking about it! Running PQ now, taking sick days next week LOL!

 

And thanks Joranda for unleashing the monster, but really it is just UNCONTROLLABLE PASSION not a monster LOL.

[Someone hit 2000 today!]

I've 416 since 4-24-2007. Pace about 1250 in my first year. Yet I'm running out of caches in my area so my count will have to slow down. I can't help but to be skeptical of 2,000 in 8 and a half months and over 100 in one day. I wonder how those numbers are possible.

 

Not working during the summer, finding "pockets" of PnGs, bud, that's how I did it. Check the logs, the real ones. I thought some would be skeptical so I recorded the time of day for each of the 120 in Nashville. Started about 4:30 am and stopped about 20 minutes short of midnight. At one point I was picking up micros at about 5 minutes apart or so, and had hopes of a 200 day. Memphis is also a really dense spot, but only came up with 82 because the laptop crashed in mid afternoon. Aurora IL came up with 102 and had a pal along to verify that. 76 in STL, 55 before 1pm on the bike trail. SOOOO, lots of places to pick up those numbers. A little planning, looking at the maps, finding the densest areas, looking through forums for tips. You should try it sometime! That was my goal for the summer, now back to work, and back to normal caching behavior. at least until next summer!

[Attention, someone hit 2000 caches today.]

Aw shucks girls and boys, THANKS! I will now admit to being a cacheaholic. But...

I LOVE Geocaching!

I LOVE to hide! :

I LOVE to seek!

I LOVE to log!

I LOVE giving the geopolice something to whine about!

I LOVE talking to and hanging out with my GEOBUDDIES!

 

Can I get paid for this? Do I really have to go back to work now?

 

OK, new goal: 3000 by 1st cachiversary date 1/7/8. Party at my place afterwards.