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Re: Rusty I think you are on track. The main problem other users are having is that the perception of their sport(s) is/are that the general public perceives them as destructive. Every time you see an advertisement for ATVs, they talk about the go-anywhere abilities of the vehicles, which is true, mostly, and they show them plowing over logs and through rivers and what-not. I am not making a call on whether this is okay or not, what I AM saying is that it is definitely not a good perception for the public to have. IMHO, Honda, Polaris, Yamaha, and Suzuki are not helping themselves out with this campaign, but whatever sells product, I suppose. Relate to Geocaching: We are users of the same areas, more or less, as the ATV/OHV crowd. many of us, in fact, use ATVs/OHVs to play this game. We also leave evidence of our game on the public lands. This might create a perception that we are also littering/defacing the land as much as some think the OHVers are. I disagree, but that is not the point. The key is that as far as public sentiment/opinion goes, perception IS reality. We have the upper hand, in that we have already been portrayed on national TV, in the newspapers, and on the radio as hikers and rugged outdoorsmen (at least that's how I saw it) and it is just as well to let that stand. I would prefer that it also be true that we are regarded as conscientious outdoorsmen, practicing the "leave no trace" principles at least as much as anyone out there, if not more so. I wear a Geocaching t-shirt essentially all the time, even when I am not Geocaching, but especially when I am, for a lot of reasons. I like to think I am considerate of the land anyway, but with my cap and shirt, I think I have an opportunity to improve the perception. I think that my favorite is when I am coming down a trail in my cap and shirt with a bag full of trash I picked up along the trail, and I get the chance to talk to someone about Geocaching. The bag of trash in my hand speaks volumes about who we are and what we are about. I admit, this all sounds "propaganda-ish" and contrived. You must also agree, however, that so, too, is usually NEGATIVE perception established. A few vocal people see a couple bad apples out doing something wrong, and the next thing anyone knows, that activity is being banned from all sorts of areas. We have a great advantage. This sport is, by its nature, internet-based. We already have far better communication than any other segment of outdoor recreationists. Not everyone reads these forums, but it is impossible to participate in this sport on any meaningful level without using Geocaching.Com. Jeremy Irish does a marvelous job of not only maintaining this site, but of giving the nudges the sport needs in the proper directions to keep it moving along positively. I think that generally, there is enough positive peer pressure to keep things going along as they should. Comments, anyone?

I'm with BKDotCom. I use the "Information [?] symbol. I hadn't thought about using two different symbols for "un-found" and "found". But, I think that is a good idea. Maybe we could talk the manufactures into a software/firmware upgrade that would meet our needs. Anyone know any product planning managers at Garmin, Magellen, etc.?

I'm with BKDotCom. I use the "Information [?] symbol. I hadn't thought about using two different symbols for "un-found" and "found". But, I think that is a good idea. Maybe we could talk the manufactures into a software/firmware upgrade that would meet our needs. Anyone know any product planning managers at Garmin, Magellen, etc.?

Kimbo, I'll be glad to help. I often go cache hunting with the kids and Jen. And the 2 caches I've placed so far are within 300 feet from a parking area :-). Email me if you wanna talk about it. Jose

Kimbo, I'll be glad to help. I often go cache hunting with the kids and Jen. And the 2 caches I've placed so far are within 300 feet from a parking area :-). Email me if you wanna talk about it. Jose

Ok, so now that the Etrex and Palm can talk, what software is available to make use of this? ------------------ Peter Scholtz www.biometrics.co.za

I just want to say I had a blast and really enjoyed the picnic day. I'm glad the weather held and most of all, it was fun meeting all of you. I hope to post a lunch cache in the future, so I (sans kids) can talk more about cool caches that I'm working on and other silly topics. Glad I could help, hope you all had fun, and we'll definitely do it bigger and better next year! What ideas would you like to see next year? What would you like to contribute to next year's annual picnic? [This message has been edited by bigkid (edited 21 July 2001).]

Reading all the problems folks are having with caches being plundered, has anyone thought of designing one to be "in plain sight" yet still unseen? Like hiding your house key in what looks like a rock or putting your cash in a fake coke can? I would think a frosting bucket painted like a tree stump would hide nicely. Do all caches need to be outdoors? Could you talk the local law enforcement to store a cach - they are open 24/7/365 and no one would cheat! Even one of those 24 hour gas stops might help out. Get creative and let me know your ideas!

I bet I could talk some Atlanta people into driving up to join you!

I've told people about GPS systems, which is a little redundant. Doesn't really matter, most of the people I talk to have no idea even when I say the long name - and I still have to explain what it is and what it does.

I got my first e-mail account and used PICO and PICOPINE as the e-mail editing program; and I used a text based web browser (Lynx). This was back in late 1992-93 when colleges were starting to get people into the concept of looking things up on the net. The idea was so new, there wasn't a way to cite information gathered on the 'net for research papers. I had a fondness for fooling around on GOPHER, and I actually enjoyed playing chess on the Internet Relay Chess server... I made many great friends, none of which I still talk to...Oh well, C'est la vie...

i cant get this app to talk to my etrex basic (though it works for many other apps), anyone have the same problem? ------------------ JoshGray eTrex Basic http://joshgray.myip.org

i cant get this app to talk to my etrex basic (though it works for many other apps), anyone have the same problem? ------------------ JoshGray eTrex Basic http://joshgray.myip.org

Easy GPS allows you to easily enter one or MANY cache sites into your GPS unit if your GPS can "talk" to a PC. Go to your favorite cache page and you will notice the "Need help? Read about EasyGPS" link that will take you here: http://www.geocaching.com/waypoints/help.asp That should explain most of what you need to know. The way I use it? This morning I downloaded 100 Southern California cache sites into my new 2nd GPS unit. How long would that take you to enter 100 waypoints by hand?! How accurate would they be when you were done? I fat-fingered the coordinates of my 2nd cache and spent too long spinning my wheels before I double checked my data entry. EasyGPS ensures I make no more data entry errors and the comments are also imported into my GPS unit, bonus! It is also a great tool for me to manage and shuffle waypoints back and forth between my III+ and my Legend. -Brian (so it was waaaaay more than 25 words) ------------------ Brian & Terry San Diego, CA

LOL with all the talk about "Smiley Face" I went back and add'd a "Caution, Dangerous Cache" note to all my caches in Crystal Basin. I would hate to see someone get to one of them and then have to be rescued because they could not find a way down, or get half way up and not be able to go up or down .......

Hello all, I'm a journalist working on geocaching-related piece for a well-known UK magazine. I'm hoping to make contact with UK-based geocaching enthusiasts prepared to talk me about their experiences and endeavours as regards this new sport. Thanks in advance. Harry Sabbers.

i told u to put me on your buddy list and we can talk. i emailed u and told u where it is at.u put your self in danger cause u didn`t use your head not me ty apollo

I'm trying to get some publicity. I've contacted a number of web sites, magazines and some tv programs. I know we should be expecting something on the Mail & Guardian's PC-Review and IT-Web some time. Some magazines and tv programs have shown interest. I've arranged for a radio interview a few months ago in Cape Talk Radio. Been distributing flyers to a couple of out door shops. Taken a few friends on cache hunts and seeks. As soon as we get some media exposure things will start to happen. I'd say by December we should have an active community ... ------------------ Peter Scholtz www.biometrics.co.za

Actually I've talked to one person in Parks and Rec, and they are fairly supportive of geocaching. Check out Charlotte Orinteering Klubb. http://www.carolina-ok.org/ They have events I am assuming that are close to ours where you might have to go off trail on occasions. Talk to the park rangers and see if there is an appropriate place to hide a cache (under a bridge, the deck of the nature center, etc). Else, there will either be illegal caches in Latta, or none at all...

I actually heard about Geocaching from "Cool Site of the Day" from it's January 8, 2001 award to this site. I was really intrigued by the idea, but it wasn't until my birthday in March that I could convince my wife to let me buy the GPS I wanted. Soon after, when I got my big doofus out of the La-z-boy and started taking my 5yo hiking, my wife started condoning our cache trips, and even encouraging them. Reasons to enjoy it for me: Exercise - I wasn't getting enough, and probably still am not getting enough. But I'm getting more now than I was. Hiking - I know, it sounds like "Exercise" but not really. I've always enjoyed walking in the woods or in nature areas, but B.G. (Before Geocaching) never had a good excuse or the time. True, my lawn is getting tall, but I'm really having fun. Toys - Cool hobby with a really neat gadget. I also get to play justified hours on the computer at night - with no complaints from the Mrs. about duration. Bonding with the Boy - My kid's got mild ADHD, and this sport is FABULOUS for him. Goal oriented, interesting and keeps him on target. It's a great experience for him, and helps him learn to focus. I'm also having a great time doing this with him. Spending Time with the Rest of the Fam - After a cache hunt in Tennessee, my wife got hooked. We've now extended our caches to include the Mrs. and a 20 month old "root toucher" (every root that crosses the trail must be touched and explained "roo?" Yes, Sam, that's a root.) Anytime, Anywhere - We've always loved to travel to distant parts of the country for our vacations, but have worried about taking the two boys just to enjoy the beauty. Now we also have something fun to do while we're at these distant spots, and that makes the trip worth it for everyone. The People that I meet - having talked with many of these people in the forums, having run across the same names logging the area caches, and even having our first gathering this Saturday, I've found that Geocachers are the nicest group of people you could ask for. In what other activity could you have 3000 containers, and maybe close to 1000 registered users, all using the honor system - effectively!?! Admittedly, this next one is low on my list, but the self-esteem portion is neat: I'm trendy - Having always been the nerdy geek in HS and College, it's neat to talk about my hobby for a couple of weeks, and then have my co-workes come up and say, "Hey, I saw something that Peter Jennings did last night on Geocaching. Isn't that what you've been doing?" This isn't why I got into Geocaching, nor why I continue to do it. It's just a nice perk.

I actually heard about Geocaching from "Cool Site of the Day" from it's January 8, 2001 award to this site. I was really intrigued by the idea, but it wasn't until my birthday in March that I could convince my wife to let me buy the GPS I wanted. Soon after, when I got my big doofus out of the La-z-boy and started taking my 5yo hiking, my wife started condoning our cache trips, and even encouraging them. Reasons to enjoy it for me: Exercise - I wasn't getting enough, and probably still am not getting enough. But I'm getting more now than I was. Hiking - I know, it sounds like "Exercise" but not really. I've always enjoyed walking in the woods or in nature areas, but B.G. (Before Geocaching) never had a good excuse or the time. True, my lawn is getting tall, but I'm really having fun. Toys - Cool hobby with a really neat gadget. I also get to play justified hours on the computer at night - with no complaints from the Mrs. about duration. Bonding with the Boy - My kid's got mild ADHD, and this sport is FABULOUS for him. Goal oriented, interesting and keeps him on target. It's a great experience for him, and helps him learn to focus. I'm also having a great time doing this with him. Spending Time with the Rest of the Fam - After a cache hunt in Tennessee, my wife got hooked. We've now extended our caches to include the Mrs. and a 20 month old "root toucher" (every root that crosses the trail must be touched and explained "roo?" Yes, Sam, that's a root.) Anytime, Anywhere - We've always loved to travel to distant parts of the country for our vacations, but have worried about taking the two boys just to enjoy the beauty. Now we also have something fun to do while we're at these distant spots, and that makes the trip worth it for everyone. The People that I meet - having talked with many of these people in the forums, having run across the same names logging the area caches, and even having our first gathering this Saturday, I've found that Geocachers are the nicest group of people you could ask for. In what other activity could you have 3000 containers, and maybe close to 1000 registered users, all using the honor system - effectively!?! Admittedly, this next one is low on my list, but the self-esteem portion is neat: I'm trendy - Having always been the nerdy geek in HS and College, it's neat to talk about my hobby for a couple of weeks, and then have my co-workes come up and say, "Hey, I saw something that Peter Jennings did last night on Geocaching. Isn't that what you've been doing?" This isn't why I got into Geocaching, nor why I continue to do it. It's just a nice perk.

HR> I agree with you on this when you talk about Terrain rating. If my part of Michigan had a place to put a cache with a 5 star terrain rating (and if I was actually able to get there) I would not make it extremly hard to find once at the location. It would be fun to combine the two and have a multi-part cache with a very hard puzzle to deduce the location that you would be rafting to. You would solve the puzzle in relativly easy terrain and then head downriver when you were sure you had it. That could be a 5/5 and still meet the criteria of being able to actually find it once you got there. Rusty...

Hey ... does anyone have an extra $20,000,000 laying around ... we can get together with the Russians and put a Geocache on the space station! Talk about weird sat. geometry!?!?!?!

It's a coming, As soon as I get the right road to start and can talk Red into going. But first, Early Elk hunt takes priority.

hmmm...I have to try and remember how that works. A reporter once told me that anything placed for public view is public domain. But I think I am saying this wrong. But I'll do one better and talk to Dan and get official permission for use on the website. This way all bases are covered and everyone will be happy ------------------ Quinn Stone Rochester, NY.14616 www.Navicache.com