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PodCache / AudioCache Are They Allowed?

TexasGringo
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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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***The information needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and the puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page.***

 

I see this in the rules which basically makes a PodCache hard to do...because you would have to download an audio file and then listen to that audio file while being out in the field to get your coordinates....something like "start from the parking lot and walk on a 120 degree heading until you get to a phone pole...on that phone pole is a tag with a number....use the first 3 digits of that number to calculate your GPS coordinates to the next cache stage........etc".

 

Well, that puzzle ain't solvable on the cache page. So, that would be denied? And doesn't solving it on the cache page kinda take the "Mystery" out of it?

 

I don't want to go thru hours of placing caches, making audio files, editing and mixing and creating likns....etc just to have them denied.

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mtn-man

+mtn-man

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***The information needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and the puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page.***

 

I see this in the rules which basically makes a PodCache hard to do...because you would have to download an audio file and then listen to that audio file while being out in the field to get your coordinates....something like "start from the parking lot and walk on a 120 degree heading until you get to a phone pole...on that phone pole is a tag with a number....use the first 3 digits of that number to calculate your GPS coordinates to the next cache stage........etc".

 

Well, that puzzle ain't solvable on the cache page. So, that would be denied? And doesn't solving it on the cache page kinda take the "Mystery" out of it?

 

I don't want to go thru hours of placing caches, making audio files, editing and mixing and creating likns....etc just to have them denied.

Sorry, but it isn't allowed. "Download" is the key word.

http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#guide

 

In the interest of file security, caches that require the downloading, installing or running of data and/or executables may not be published.

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Stunod

+Stunod

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Posted

Sorry, but it isn't allowed. "Download" is the key word.

 

Even if they provide a text copy? Leaving those who want to download to be able to?

 

That's where the word "require" in the guidelines comes in. It's not required if there is an alternate method. :unsure:

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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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***In the interest of file security, caches that require the downloading, installing or running of data and/or executables may not be published.***

 

So much for using virus and adaware software.

 

***Even if they provide a text copy? ***

Good thought...but I'm not going to type out pages of text for a multi-stage cache.

 

So much for denying technology...I won't waste my time any further then.

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The Cheeseheads

+The Cheeseheads

Posted
Posted
***The information needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and the puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page.***

 

I see this in the rules which basically makes a PodCache hard to do...because you would have to download an audio file and then listen to that audio file while being out in the field to get your coordinates....something like "start from the parking lot and walk on a 120 degree heading until you get to a phone pole...on that phone pole is a tag with a number....use the first 3 digits of that number to calculate your GPS coordinates to the next cache stage........etc".

 

Well, that puzzle ain't solvable on the cache page. So, that would be denied? And doesn't solving it on the cache page kinda take the "Mystery" out of it?

 

I don't want to go thru hours of placing caches, making audio files, editing and mixing and creating likns....etc just to have them denied.

Sorry, but it isn't allowed. "Download" is the key word.

http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#guide

 

In the interest of file security, caches that require the downloading, installing or running of data and/or executables may not be published.

So, if it's a WAV file that plays within pretty much any browser made in the last ten years, it would be allowed?

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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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But the other part is: ***The information needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and the puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page.***

 

Maybe I'm reading this wrong but most of the Multi-Caches are Not solvable from the info on the cache page. It is solvable in the field when you locate a cache and get the coordinates to the next stage. If it was solvable on the cache page...then there is no need for a Multi-Stage cache...just go to the final cache and bypass all the others.

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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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***3. Provide an alternate way such as a printout of the podcast text that you can print from the web page and read along as you go.***

 

The Text could be lengthy if it is a good sized Puzzle Multi-Cache....besides, that would be a "Paper-Cache".

 

How about if they can listen to it from the web-page and take their own notes?

 

(From another site): I noticed that these were approved and don't require a "Text" printout...GCXRH6, GCTWC2, GCT1TR, GCREDR, GCQ4E1. On some, you can listen to the audio-file from the web page....although the first one says you need to download the MP3 files. So, it seems that the cache approval is kinda sporatic, based on who is reviewing it.

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Keystone

Keystone

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(From another site): I noticed that these were approved and don't require a "Text" printout...GCXRH6, GCTWC2, GCT1TR, GCREDR, GCQ4E1. On some, you can listen to the audio-file from the web page....although the first one says you need to download the MP3 files. So, it seems that the cache approval is kinda sporatic, based on who is reviewing it.

The relevant guideline about downloading files, like podcast audio files, was added in February 2007. None of the cited caches were published after February 2007. If you can point to one, then your statement about "sporatic" inconsistency among reviewers might hold some water. But as it is, I feel you owe the volunteer cache reviewers an apology for your misunderstanding of how the guidelines work. We all follow the same standards, subject to the application of good judgement in making exceptions when warranted. Groundspeak has made it pretty clear that the "no file downloads" guideline doesn't leave a lot of room for exceptions. Please read the introductory section of the Cache Listing Requirements / Guidelines document:

 

First and foremost please be advised there is no precedent for placing caches. This means that the past listing of a similar cache in and of itself is not a valid justification for the listing of a new cache. If a cache has been published and violates any guidelines listed below, you are encouraged to report it. However, if the cache was placed prior to the date when a guideline was issued or updated the cache is likely to be “grandfathered” and allowed to stand as is.

 

Groundspeak has also instructed the reviewers to publish caches requiring a download if an alternative method is made available. The cache which Blue Deuce linked to is compliant with the *current* listing guidelines.

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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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***The relevant guideline about downloading files, like podcast audio files, was added in February 2007. None of the cited caches were published after February 2007.***

 

I see that now and I agree there....

 

***If you can point to one, then your statement about "sporatic" inconsistency among reviewers might hold some water.***

 

Since I can't search by a particular type of cache "PodCache" to find them all in the database...I can only take your word for it...and will apologize.

 

***The relevant guideline about downloading files, like podcast audio files, was added in February 2007***

 

With advances in technology from just a few years ago...I think it will be harder to find new ways to promote this game/sport/whatever, especially when new rules are created to impede new ideas.

 

***The cache which Blue Deuce linked to is compliant with the *current* listing guidelines***

 

If that is the *CURRENT* guidelines (I see you have that singled out)...then I hope I can get mine done before the rules change again.

 

Do any of the GeoCaching.Com people have Ipods and download stuff to it?

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Keystone

Keystone

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Posted

Since I can't search by a particular type of cache "PodCache" to find them all in the database...I can only take your word for it...and will apologize.

Thank you sincerely for following my explanation. It is indeed possible that one may have slipped through after February 2007. I can't search for them either.

 

***The cache which Blue Deuce linked to is compliant with the *current* listing guidelines***

 

If that is the *CURRENT* guidelines (I see you have that singled out)...then I hope I can get mine done before the rules change again.

On average, the listing guidelines are only updated every 12 to 18 months. I wouldn't worry about this guideline changing any time in the immediate future.

 

Do any of the GeoCaching.Com people have Ipods and download stuff to it?

Sure. But doing that and hosting a website where users can upload all kinds of possibly malicious content are two entirely different things.

 

Looking further at that cache...it says "Got your GPS? Forgot your GPS?"

 

So, I don't even need a GPS to do this...just the Text or Audio file.

That's fine. One can choose to use GPS if they want to... thereby satisfying the guideline. Using just the audio file is an alternative choice. It's no different than Walden Run or Ed Scott or Web-ling making the choice to use map and compass to find a traditional cache, where the rest of us choose to use a GPS.

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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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Well thanks Keystone. I appreciate your time...You have made things more clearly for me so I can proceed with my "GPS/Audio/Text" cache and not go thru all the trouble of making it...just to have it denied.

 

You see, these forums can be informative.

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mtn-man

+mtn-man

Posted
Posted
Do any of the GeoCaching.Com people have Ipods and download stuff to it?

Sure. But doing that and hosting a website where users can upload all kinds of possibly malicious content are two entirely different things.

I'll take this statement one step further. If you think your iPod cannot get a virus, you are dead wrong. Your holier-than-thou comments have a bitter, smarmy tone to them, but I would think/hope you would know this is a real issue. If not, click here. I have two, one for me and one for my wife. We do not podcast except from one site (my wife, not me). I only download music from iTunes, though I live in the real world and I know that this practice has risks. MOST of my music on my iPod comes from my own CD collection so that I know I am mostly safe. I also know that to get to my iPod, any file has to go through my computer first. This seems to be something that you are not considering based on your post.

 

A .wav file on an audio CD would be fine. Find the stage, go to your car, pop the CD in and get the clue, then return the CD. As flask just said, as long as you inform them about special equipment they may need, you can do it. I would not play an .mp3 disc though, since I would have to use my computer to do that (though I do have an .mp3 playing boom box and player in my car). I don't trust that your computer is completely virus free when you made the disk, while a properly formatted .wav file disc (an audio disc) would be OK in a car or boom box.

 

If you would drop the holier-than-thou attitude, you might get some constructive help.

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TexasGringo

+TexasGringo

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***If you would drop the holier-than-thou attitude, you might get some constructive help.***

 

Wow!!! You must have misread something....but you could have gave that constructive help way at the top in post #5.

 

Thanks Anyway....Keystone was the help I needed.

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Keystone

Keystone

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It is July, the beginning of a new month. The giant calendar on the wall at the Lily Pad says that this month is my turn to be the "good cop." :) That means that mtn-man is scheduled for bad cop duty. :laughing: In August we switch around again. It keeps everyone guessing.

 

Closing thread at OP's request.

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