Help publishing first geocache

[+Luke1231]

We’re trying to publish our first cache--we've reviewed all of the guidelines etc., but I'm not sure about a couple a things with the online form.

 

1)What is the “Related web page” section for? I don’t recall seeing that in a cache description .

 

2)We're doing a puzzle cache, and we have two images that we will need to include in the cache description. How do we “embed “ the images in the cache description? (I think the html syntax is <img src="http:/[file_location]/[file_name]">, but where do I place the file? Do I need to post the image online somewhere and point the cache page there for the image? If so, what’s the best way to do that?(or at least a good way)

 

3) What’s the difference between the short description and the long description? I presume the long description will be the “The cache isn’t at the posted coordinates . . . (blah blah blah) “ and then the puzzle explanation. But what goes in the short description.

 

I’d appreciate any help you can give me so we can make this as smooth as possible for the reviewer and the cachers.

 

Thanks,

Luke1231

[+briansnat]

1- If you have a web page that is somehow related to the cache you would put it there. Most caches don't, in fact I don't think I've ever encountererd a cache page that used this field. Just leave it blank.

 

2-Simply put the HTML statement within the long description or short description. Also make sure you check the box that says 'This page is in HTML" (or something like that)

 

3-There really isn't much difference between the long and short description (other than the size). The short description appears first on the cache page. Most people use it for a few introductary sentences, then put more detail in the long description. “The cache isn’t at the posted coordinates . . . " is the kind of thing you would put in the short description.

 

Oh, and don't forget to include the coordinates of the actual cache as an additional waypoint. You can do this by clicking on the waypoint tab in the upper right hand corner of the cache page. Make sure you make it invisible so it can only be seen by you and the volunteer team.

 

Finally, the bogus coordinates should be within 2 miles of the actual cache. Under a mile is even better.

Edited June 23, 2009 by briansnat

[+Luke1231]

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to clarify my question about embedding the picture is what do I put as the file location for the picture?

[+StarBrand]

I usually use the short description for quick notes like the size/type of container and a general description of the terrain and challenge involved. I save the long description for details of the area/history/relitive stories/etc.

 

Your photo will have to be uploaded to your listing page or hosted elsewhere on the Internet - list whatever the final URL is of the photo.

[+Luke1231]

I usually use the short description for quick notes like the size/type of container and a general description of the terrain and challenge involved. I save the long description for details of the area/history/relitive stories/etc.

 

Your photo will have to be uploaded to your listing page or hosted elsewhere on the Internet - list whatever the final URL is of the photo.

 

Thanks. How do I upload the photo to the listing page?(How will I know the url of the page before it's listed?

[+bartrod]

Add the pic to your gallery you are half way home.

 

Go to your gallery, open up the picture and then right click on the image. Select "properties". It will give the html internet location of where that image is stored on the web. Use your mouse and highlight this address entirely. Hit <ctrl><c> to copy this address. Close the picture.

 

Go to the cache listing and then "edit listing". Make sure the box that allows html code is checked. Go to your long description. Figure where you want the picture to go (ie. top, middle, end of your text) and click on that location. Now you need to enter some html. It is painless I assure you.

 

Here we go. Where your cursor is is where the pic will be inserted. Now type exactly:

 

<img src="

(now hit ctrl+v to paste the address of your pic, then type) "></p>

 

The <img src=" "> code tells the listing page to print your text and when it hits the img src part the listing goes to your gallery and grabs the pic and sticks it there. The </p> at the end inserts a carriage return after the picture to put a space below the picture.

 

If you don't like where the picture is, you can go back into the description, cut and paste it somewhere else in the description. Make sure you check the last two boxes at the end of the edit listing page. If you don't it will remind you anyway.

[+Luke1231]

Add the pic to your gallery you are half way home.

 

Go to your gallery, open up the picture and then right click on the image. Select "properties". It will give the html internet location of where that image is stored on the web. Use your mouse and highlight this address entirely. Hit <ctrl><c> to copy this address. Close the picture.

 

Go to the cache listing and then "edit listing". Make sure the box that allows html code is checked. Go to your long description. Figure where you want the picture to go (ie. top, middle, end of your text) and click on that location. Now you need to enter some html. It is painless I assure you.

 

Here we go. Where your cursor is is where the pic will be inserted. Now type exactly:

 

<img src="

(now hit ctrl+v to paste the address of your pic, then type) "></p>

 

The <img src=" "> code tells the listing page to print your text and when it hits the img src part the listing goes to your gallery and grabs the pic and sticks it there. The </p> at the end inserts a carriage return after the picture to put a space below the picture.

 

If you don't like where the picture is, you can go back into the description, cut and paste it somewhere else in the description. Make sure you check the last two boxes at the end of the edit listing page. If you don't it will remind you anyway.

 

OK -- almost there . . . how do I add it to my gallery? (I have only ever added pics by uploading them for a cache). Are you saying to submit the cache without the image, then upload the image to the cache description like I would for any other cache so it will show up in my gallery, and then proceed as you mention above?

Edited June 23, 2009 by Luke1231

[+briansnat]

OK -- almost there . . . how do I add it to my gallery? (I have only ever added pics by uploading them for a cache). Are you saying to submit the cache without the image, then upload the image to the cache description like I would for any other cache so it will show up in my gallery, and then proceed as you mention above?

 

Upper right hand corner of cache page is a tab that says "upload images"

[+RS67Man]

Not to add confusion, but you can also use a free image hosting site like photobucket.com or similar. Once you have images uploaded to a image hosting site, many provide html code to copy/paste to your listing. To find out what users here are using for their photos on this site, you can right click on any photo, then click on properties. that will tell you the actual web address where the photo is kept. This works with any picture, gif, bitmap, or anything in all webpages that is not text.

Edited June 23, 2009 by RS67Man

[+bartrod]

OK -- almost there . . . how do I add it to my gallery? (I have only ever added pics by uploading them for a cache). Are you saying to submit the cache without the image, then upload the image to the cache description like I would for any other cache so it will show up in my gallery, and then proceed as you mention above?

 

Upper right hand corner of cache page is a tab that says "upload images"

 

Oops! I assumed you knew...yes, upload images in the upper right corner of the menu. After you've uploaded your pic, then click on view gallery also a tab in the upper right corner of the menu and proceed with my previous directions. Good luck[]

[+Sky King 36]

Another point that I had to learn by trial and error:

 

You don't repeat the short description over again in the long description. If someone is viewing your cache on a paperless tool like a blackberry, they see the short description. If they are viewing the web page, they see the short AND long description, so you don't repeat the same info over.