Phone-a-Friend Networks

[+Googling Hrpty Hrrs]

In another thread regarding folks giving hints about caches, it seemed folks were almost exclusively on the side of that being bad form. Most everyone there agreed cache finders should consult the cache owner for a hint should they need one. (I personally don't care if people share hints about my caches, but that's neither here nor there)

 

That response surprised me, given what seems to be a great number of phone-a-friend networks out there. Isn't that the purpose of most of these networks- I'm at the cache site and can't find it so I call someone who has for a hint?

 

I personally don't care for this use of others' phone numbers, as I feel it's intrusive. If I call a fellow cacher it's usually to chat, plan an outing, or to discuss going out to eat, etc. But I'm sure that lots of folks use these numbers as hint exchange.

 

So what do the anti-hint folks think about phone-a-friends?

Am I right in assuming there's lots of hints being traded via cell phones at cache sites?

[Stephen2]

I never have phoned anyone and never plan to.

 

I have wished that there was a premium type membership where you could call in for an automated voice to read cache details if something was missed. But since i switched to paperless i haven't thought of this anymore.

 

I do wish there was a way to have a web cam image recorded without having to call "a friend".

[+Thrak]

I've called my neighbor Bob but the cache in question was one of his. I called to verify the coordinates. He has also called me in regard to one of my caches. I'd have a pretty hard time calling other cacher's for hints since I don't have their phone numbers. I know that some of the local cachers call for help but they generally seem to call the owners of the cache rather than someone else.

[+Googling Hrpty Hrrs]

It seems there's some strange feelings about hints in general.

 

For instance there seems to be a difference between a person standing right beside you giving you a hint, and a person on a phone hundreds of miles away.

 

A cache owner doesn't mind giving an extra hint, but no one else can. I mean, I can understand it a little if an owner doesn't want ANY hints given at all. But why should it matter who gives me the same hint?

 

I can go with someone else who's solved a puzzle and log a cache, fine, but they can't give me cords.

 

It's all just strange situational ethics to me. Strangest part to reconcile is the anti-hint philosophy the majority seems to have yet the proliferation of phone-a-friends.

[+JamGuys]

 

That response surprised me, given what seems to be a great number of phone-a-friend networks out there. Isn't that the purpose of most of these networks- I'm at the cache site and can't find it so I call someone who has for a hint?

 

Am I right in assuming there's lots of hints being traded via cell phones at cache sites?

 

Well, my first question would be what's the evidence that these phone-a-friend networks are so extensive or pervasive? I know that there are some cachers in my area who do call each other for help (as indicated in their logs) but I don't know that this is such a common occurrence as to constitute cause for concern. Most people I know would prefer to find the cache on their own and log a DNF if they are unsuccessful. Perhaps though, these phone-a-friend networks do consist of the more "social" cachers in a local group who are more likely to dominate proceedings at the group meetings, etc. and thus give the impression that this is a common practice. I'd bet that there's a silent majority of geocachers out there who either don't approve of, or don't participate in, these networks.

[+Lil Devil]

After I've given a cache an honest search, I won't hesitate to call someone for help. With well over 150 cacher's numbers programmed in my phone, chances are good that I've got the hider's number and that's who I'll call first. But if I don't have the hider's number, or he doesn't answer, I won't hesitate to call someone else who has found it.

 

However when asking for hints, I always say I want just that, a hint. I prefer to get just a nudge, hang up and search more, and if I still ain't finding it, then I'll call back for more.

 

I call for help on maybe 1 out of 50 or so caches. I get a call for help maybe once a week. So I don't think it's as pervasive as some might think.

[+sseegars]

Personally, I don't call for help unless it's to have someone take a pic on a webcam cache or something of that nature.

[nonaeroterraqueous]

I can't call for help, because I don't have anyone's number.

 

No one can call me for help, because I wouldn't dream of giving them my number.

[+Team FIREBOY]

Here in Wyoming we do have a "phone-a-friend" thread on our forum at WyoGeo.net. Participation is by those who wish to participate, not because they are forced to do so. I get calls from other cachers who are from other parts of the state who are coming to Cheyenne to cache and they want info on HOTELS, and places to eat here. Wyoming is a big state with lots of land between towns, you almost have to spend the night after driving to get anywhere to cache outside your city that you live in. If a cacher wants a hint to one of my caches, they email me for a hint. If one of our members called me for a hint on my caches I would give it because I personally know all the members. I won't give hints on other owners caches, I direct the "hint askers" to the owner of the cache for a hint, unless that owner has told me beforehand I can give hints. )

[+Snoogans]

I hide my caches to be found.... Even the ones with a 5 star difficulty.

 

 

I just don't have the controlling nature to care much how anyone finds one of my caches as long as they sign the log.

 

 

I've never phoned a friend from a cache site, but I would to save time on a day where I planned a lot of cachin'.

 

 

No one has ever called me for a hint either, but then I hardly do ANY cachin' around home. I prefer to cache on trips. I'm usually too busy to cache at home.

[+Haffy]

Here in Maine,well I'm not in Maine anymore but in SC but we had quite an extensive list of phone -a -friends. Caches are far and few in between so to travel over 50 or 60 miles and with the price of gas not find a cache what's the harm in asking for a hint. I mean I thought caches were placed to be found? I don't own a cell phone but if the person or persons I was caching with had one and we failed to find the cache it was nice to be able to get some extra help with a subtle hint from someone who may have found it already. Hard telling when we would ever get back to that location again. Just my thoughts.

[+Aiden's Cachers]

Don't use them, don't realy care for them either...

[+sbell111]

It seems there's some strange feelings about hints in general.

 

For instance there seems to be a difference between a person standing right beside you giving you a hint, and a person on a phone hundreds of miles away.

 

A cache owner doesn't mind giving an extra hint, but no one else can. I mean, I can understand it a little if an owner doesn't want ANY hints given at all. But why should it matter who gives me the same hint?

 

I can go with someone else who's solved a puzzle and log a cache, fine, but they can't give me cords.

 

It's all just strange situational ethics to me. Strangest part to reconcile is the anti-hint philosophy the majority seems to have yet the proliferation of phone-a-friends.

This topic is the perfect example of the differences between forum inhabitants and the overall geocaching population.

[+AlmondEyes]

I use the phone a friend technique. After looking a good deal, I'd rather get a friend to reread the cache listing to me or the logs to see if they can help (or perhaps the cache has been disabled since I downloaded it into the GPS). After searching enough, I get frustrated and caching isn't fun and I wasted the time heading to that cache. Don't have very many phone numbers of people who cache except for the person who introduced me to caching and those I introduced to caching.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Asked and answered in the other thread(s), I don't understand creating a new one.

 

Since you have, I will answer here as well.

 

Phone-a-friend is the friendly helpful social way of geocaching, and you're representation that most folks don't like it or do it is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

 

Never confuse the relatively few posts in these forums with the majority of geocaching! I have rarely seen threads here that represent my experience with geocachers.

 

I meet literally thousands of cachers at events all over the country, and don't often meet a high-numbers forum poster at them... In fact I can't remember meeting any of the top 30 or so posters actually out geocaching or attending events!

 

I am a phone-a-friend for my area; of the 1000+ members of our Alabama Geocaching Association not one has objected, in fact the association just voted and awarded me a trophy of appreciation at our annual awards event for serving as Alabama's Favorite Phone-a-Friend!

 

I am far from alone; my phone list of cachers that I can call on exceeds 100 cachers in six states around the south.

 

I get calls almost every day, multiple calls per day on weekends. I end up calling someone for a hint on cache runs about as often as not.

 

What exactly is the point of a DNF?

 

If I can't find it I'll take a hint. I have no desire to come back, and am often traveling and will never be in the area again, or at least not for years.

 

If you are in Alabama or southern Tennessee, can't find it and want a hint feel free to call me... if I haven't found it I likely know either the owner or a previous finder!

 

My contact info has been all over the internet since 1978 with nary a negative consequence.

 

I have my ham call sign on my car tag - anyone that sees it can look it up on the FCC public database and get my name, address and email and phone number.

 

If you don't want hints given for your cache say so on the cache listing and we'll respect that.

[+Googling Hrpty Hrrs]

Asked and answered in the other thread(s), I don't understand creating a new one.

 

Since you have, I will answer here as well.

 

Phone-a-friend is the friendly helpful social way of geocaching, and you're representation that most folks don't like it or do it is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

 

Never confuse the relatively few posts in these forums with the majority of geocaching! I have rarely seen threads here that represent my experience with geocachers.

 

I meet literally thousands of cachers at events all over the country, and don't often meet a high-numbers forum poster at them... In fact I can't remember meeting any of the top 30 or so posters actually out geocaching or attending events!

 

I am a phone-a-friend for my area; of the 1000+ members of our Alabama Geocaching Association not one has objected, in fact the association just voted and awarded me a trophy of appreciation at our annual awards event for serving as Alabama's Favorite Phone-a-Friend!

 

I am far from alone; my phone list of cachers that I can call on exceeds 100 cachers in six states around the south.

 

I get calls almost every day, multiple calls per day on weekends. I end up calling someone for a hint on cache runs about as often as not.

 

What exactly is the point of a DNF?

 

If I can't find it I'll take a hint. I have no desire to come back, and am often traveling and will never be in the area again, or at least not for years.

 

If you are in Alabama or southern Tennessee, can't find it and want a hint feel free to call me... if I haven't found it I likely know either the owner or a previous finder!

 

My contact info has been all over the internet since 1978 with nary a negative consequence.

 

I have my ham call sign on my car tag - anyone that sees it can look it up on the FCC public database and get my name, address and email and phone number.

 

If you don't want hints given for your cache say so on the cache listing and we'll respect that.

 

First off, I haven't seen the thread that poses the question I have. I am trying to reconcile the seemingly majority opinion of no hints with growing phone-a-friend networks.

 

Secondly, I believe you misunderstand my own position. I am pro-hint AND pro phone-a-friend. I personally don't call for hints because I feel it's unimportant. But I many cachers have my number, and when they call we might discuss several caches.

 

My stance is very similar to yours and I agree that friend networks are prevalent.

[+"fish"]

i have used phone a friend for more than cachin

 

asking questions about another cachers church

 

help with computer problems

 

where to eat and sleep

 

what caches to visit in a area

 

and yes even for hints on caches

 

phone a friend lists are just that in my opinion CALL IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION

 

i even used it the other day when my computer monitor died i got another for FREE

 

phone a friend lists are one of the better things in cachin

[+benh57]

What exactly is the point of a DNF?

 

If I can't find it I'll take a hint. I have no desire to come back, and am often traveling and will never be in the area again, or at least not for years.

This is a whole different topic.

 

Please post your DNFs. It's just rude not to, IMO.

 

DNFs are for future seekers and hiders. If a hider sees a lot of dnfs, they may know it's missing. If a seeker sees a few or a lot of dnfs, they may know it's a tough cache or possibly missing.

 

DNF's can also be used for recording your progress and what you might want to return to (as you imply), but that's not their main use, IMO...

 

You certainly know all this.

 

If you are implying that you'd rather call for help than not call for help and DNF log the cache, i see your point... but then we lose some of the usefulness to future seekers. (the 'could be a tough cache') Also, i get some pride in finding a cache myself without help. So usually, i actually won't call my friend who has hidden the local cache to get help. Sometimes i do, but not usually.

I don't like to ask for help, being a guy and all.

Edited June 27, 2007 by benh57

[+Sono/Rad]

I have used phone a friend a few times to get a hint, but only after I spent quite a while searching with no success. In a few cases the coords were way off or the cache was missing, and in a few I just overlooked the cache. But out of over 2500 caches I have found, I have used phone a friend probably 10 times. Likewise, I have had calls asking for a hint as well, and I have no problem with giving one. I do respect the cache owner's wishes, and if he does not want hints given out, my response is to contact the cache owner.