Tftc, 1 Line Or A Story

[+scaw]

When logging a cache on the website do you write a nice long story, a 1 liner or TFTC............

 

The reason i ask i have had some wonderful logs on my caches lately and they have been really intresting to read. I can be very guilty of the few words but thats mainly as i am a bad speller and often dont know what i should write, i know feel i should write a bit more.

So what do you do?

[+Geotrotters]

When logging a cache on the website do you write a nice long story, a 1 liner or TFTC............

 

The reason i ask i have had some wonderful logs on my caches lately and they have been really intresting to read. I can be very guilty of the few words but thats mainly as i am a bad speller and often dont know what i should write, i know feel i should write a bit more.

So what do you do?

 

You should write what you feel comfortable with. It's nice to read peoples stories relating to the find but it's not compulsory to write an essay every time.

 

As you log more finds you might start to find the words to add an extra few lines. As long as you enjoy the sport that's all that matters.

[+The Bolas Heathens]

We always try and write something interesting and hopefully rewarding to the cache setter as I think the log is a nice way of saying thank you for setting the cache and bringing us to a great location.

 

I have to admit I do write more on caches we've particularly enjoyed and less on those where it's been ok but nothing to write home about.

[+daytribe]

I like to give a good description of our experience. I sort of hope others might find it interesting.

I also feel that my comments might help future visitors to the cache plan for their own day out.

 

I like to include anything unusual that happened, any wildlife we may have seen (or heard) and

sometimes if there were several approaches to the cache, whether there are any pitfalls to avoid.

 

Other than that the usual Took and Left, TB's etc.

 

Having said that, and seen many other logs, it varies a great deal and it's really up to you.

 

Nobody's judging. I hope!

[adrianjohn]

I try and say something for each cache I do, sometimes it is a few words and somtimes it is more. I suppose the more I enjoy a cache the more I say. What I find disapointing is when you get a number of logs on your own caches which are obviously cut and paste. A recent example:

Fantastic. Had a late start at work this morning, so I thought I'd bag a couple of caches now that I've had chance to replace my stolen GPSr. Beautiful weather and a found cache, what more do you need to set you up for a day at work :-)

I dont think I have ever used cut and paste.

[+freespirit1402]

when i first started caching i used to write very short logs as i didnt know the exact log writing ettiquette, i then figured out that it was at best very loose....and i love to write so now....i tend to write extremely short logs in the log book itself but my online logs are generally at least 1 paragraph long with one recent escapade with a bunch of swindon cachers going to 5 or 6 paragraphs, which i hope provided immense amusement for the owners. i always try to envisage the journey itself and anything of interest i can include whether thats a beautiful sight (wildlife, landscape etc) or something funny thats happened or even just a relevant snippet of conversation. as often as i can i include pictures too as i always have my cam phone handy. i find i write less on virtuals however, i enjoy them they just dont fire my imagination in the same way

Edited May 11, 2006 by freespirit1402

[+Stuey]

I write as much as I can. I like to read peoples logs on my caches, so reckon that they would like to read a bit more than TFTC, TNLN.

[mjbvbjjbtmb]

I have a tendency to put a fair bit on my logs...this is partly because we cache with our 3 year old and I have a (soppy) hope that some day when he can read and write for himself...and maybe even enjoys going caching by himself ....he can look back at what he did when he was a littl'un and his parents and grandparents dragged him out in all weather (and moods) on a treasure hunt!

 

I have no idea whether the cache setters enjoy what we put, or whether it's just a case of "oh, here she goes again....."

 

Our logs in the books tend to be short, though. Mainly because the same little person,not to mention the other big person in our team, are not known for their patience!

 

HTH

V

Edited May 11, 2006 by mjbvbjjb

[+The Bongtwashes]

I try to say more than just TNLN TFTC. Basically because if someone has gone to all the trouble of setting the cache then I feel that they deserve more feedback than just 'yeh, got that one'.

[+Sensei TSKC]

My online log "usually" reflects my liking for the cache but one liners are rare.

 

However, on those days I do alot of caches, I seem to have problems differentiating which cache was which so if I log before any caching buddy I was with, they can be quite funny - not making sense at all!! Otherwise I wait for them to log so I can recall what I've done all day.

 

Oss!

[+Simply Paul]

If I've a story to tell, I'll tell the story. If there's not I'll stick to the basics and include a thanks if I possibly can

 

As an owner of a cache or two, it's the great logs I get for many of them (good, bad and ugly!) which keeps me interested in setting and maintaining rather than archiving or offering up for adoption.

[+Travers]

Ahhh, now that's an interesting topic.

 

Someone once said to me that they knew the caches we liked because I wrote a lot - that's not strictly true. I write a lot on some caches because of 'the experience' - it might be amusing (I try), frustrating, hated/loved, found or not. Whichever, it's always memorable which isn't the case with some caches.

 

I don't know how many people know that there is a finite number of words they can write in the online log - on several occasions I've had to resort to the one find and 2 notes method to get all my ramblings on there...

 

Once I start writing only TNLNSL, please shoot me.

[+NinjaPete]

I usually find the more fun / better experience had finding the cache the more words I write when logging it. That said I always remember someone went to the trouble of hiding the cache so any negative comments I try to write as constructive.

[+Mr'D]

If a log of mine is less than 3 lines then there is usually a good reason.

 

 

Jon

[+Gralorn]

Make it fun, make it enjoyable and do not be critical on the cache page. if something is wrong always send the host another message, but do not ever air dirty washing on his line. A little humour is always appreciated. I also always try to add a photo to give the cache a flavour for others wondering whether to go for it or not. Usually a cache area is never what I expect. So yes do a decent log!

[markandlynn]

There was a thread quite a while ago titled TNLN SL just wont do.

The online log is usually the ONLY reward the placers gets (muggles dont leave the log book arround usually) .

 

We always try to put an effort into our logs espaecially as we print them out with photos as a historical scrapbook of where we have been what we have done and the sort of time we had.

This in addition to scrapbooking calling cards etc.

[+rutson]

essay

[+Team S-J]

Write what you want but if you want to make caching an experience and not just a numbers thing then write something in the log book, swap something and write about the experience. We always have a quick look through the log book while we're at the site. Swap something. I've started, to my shame, TNLNing when I'm on my own but it wouldn't be called caching if there wesn't anything cached at the site. So again if you want to make the caching an experience rather than just a numbers thing then swap something. Preferrably trade up and no McD stuff please! Finally the log. I'm with the others who say the more interesting the location, the search or the cache itself then write about it. Especially if it involves brambles, nettles or just plain effort of finding the cache. Also log those DNF's. Apparently some don't log DNF's I can't understand that. With the amount of effort it takes to get 'er indoors and the kids out caching even if we don't find anything it's worth a mention. It also helps indicate to the owner if the cache may have been trashed. Although it makes you look pretty stupid when the next cacher finds it easy peasy.

[+Jonovich]

I make notes on my Palm for each cache and use that to reference once I get home and am filling in the logs. I usually take lots of photo's to accompany the write up too, and at the risk of hi-jacking this thread, wonder if several photo's accompanying a log is overdoing it? Not just from a log point of view, but from the server resources point as well...

J

[+gazooks]

My logs depend on my mood at the time and whether I enjoyed the cache or not. It also depends if there is any important info to relay to sucessive cachers.

[+MMattyK]

Looking at it from the other side of the coin, and even though I've only set one geocache, it is nice to recieve nice 'on-line' logs, and information regarding the state of the cache.

Not only so that you know that the setting is in a 'good' or 'interesting' location, and that fellow cachers have enjoyed the hunt (or not so it can be moved as required), but can also gives a heads up to the setter if the cache needs some non-routine maintenance/restocking.

[+Birdman-of-liskatraz]

Slightly offtopic, I've recently noticed whilst checking some of my caches. That those where I have used proper hardback logbooks (49p from Woolworths!) seem to encourage people to write much longer and more interesting (and neater!) logs, as opposed to the hurried scribbles in softback notebooks.

 

Just an observation.