Opinions on Geocheckers

February 8, 2011

I have a new multi/puzzle cache for which I put a Geochecker on, as I know personally I like to be able to make sure I'm correct before I go traipsing out to find a stage of a cache.

However, I've found that on one of the trickier answers, people clearly aren't finding the information and are just guessing the number from 1 till it's correct. It really makes me want to take the checker down. What do you more experienced people think?

Thanks!

9.2k · February 8, 2011

I like to be able to check the co-ords.

Maybe the trickier question needs to be made a little easier...

Or more of the questions made harder! :blink:

:laughing:

February 8, 2011

I often solve puzzles months or years ahead of a visit, I prefer to have the confidence that its been geochecked.

I abhor unclear questions where your research leads you to less reputable sites, which have potential to damage your computer.

Puzzles should be entertaining and educational. Make them too obscure and you risk alienating folk against them.

February 8, 2011

Some peeps will always cheat no matter what.

I say leave it as it is and if they cheat its them that have failed not you.

Good for you.

Dont know what one of these checkers is yet like but I will soon.

February 8, 2011

I like Geochecker. At least you know you have the right co-ords before you go for the cache.

I have a puzzle cache that has 6 of the 15 numbers missing......and that means the permutation is 720. If peeps want to try all 720....good luck to them!!

Gaz

7k · February 8, 2011

pro-geochecker here. If your puzzle can be brute-forced using the geochecker, then you need to redesign the puzzle.

February 8, 2011

Thanks everyone, I'll leave it then! The person who was guessing numbers didn't get far anyway - they had another number wrong. I think it's just because the cache is new and I'm a relatively new cacher that I get a bit possessive.

February 9, 2011

I like geochecker too. Especially for puzzles that have some sort of mathematical formula.

February 9, 2011

I do like geocheckers but they can be troublesome to use sometimes, the type in box which has the jumbled letters can be a pain.

So i prefer a check sum.

Besides it is easier to use google maps to narrow the search field down if you are only a couple of digits from the solution.

February 9, 2011

If so many people are guessing the answer to the same clue that should tell you something about the question. It might seem obvious or simple to you but you know the answer! - you have evidence that many others don't understand it or can't find the answer.

If you want people to find the cache then look again at this particular question.

February 9, 2011

Thanks guys for all the advice. There's nothing wrong with the question - it's just reading information that is on display. I think people aren't always finding the information but part of the fun is in the looking, and the cache in question is a difficulty 3

I do like the idea of a check sum though and I'd definitely consider that if I ever do anything like this again.

9.2k · February 9, 2011

Thanks guys for all the advice. There's nothing wrong with the question - it's just reading information that is on display. I think people aren't always finding the information but part of the fun is in the looking, and the cache in question is a difficulty 3

I do like the idea of a check sum though and I'd definitely consider that if I ever do anything like this again.

... I wonder if the person is doing the questions via google (or other search site!) and not from the cache site?

February 9, 2011

Some peeps will always cheat no matter what.

I say leave it as it is and if they cheat its them that have failed not you.

Good for you.

Dont know what one of these checkers is yet like but I will soon.

Please define cheat a little more. Puzzles are to be solved by whatever resources you can muster not about following a single pre-determined path. I have certainly used geochecker for the last digit as a last resort I don't feel bad in the slightest.

I much prefer caches with geochecker so that I don't have a wasted journey due to transposition of digits. If not then if I wasn't confident a simple email to the owner always gets a helpful response in my experience.

6.1k · February 9, 2011

Another vote for some sort of confirmation whether it be Geochecker or a checksum, although as Lodgebarn says with the checksums I always have a slight worry that I might have transposed some numbers and arrived at the correct checksum but got the wrong co-ords.

I did do a multi once (similar to the OP's cache) where one of the stages was missing but there was no checksum or geochecker so I ended up plotting all possible solutions on the map, crossed off the ones that were in back gardens, the middle of a lake, etc, and then systematically walked round the rest until I found it.

February 9, 2011

Some peeps will always cheat no matter what.

I say leave it as it is and if they cheat its them that have failed not you.

Good for you.

Dont know what one of these checkers is yet like but I will soon.

Please define cheat a little more. Puzzles are to be solved by whatever resources you can muster not about following a single pre-determined path. I have certainly used geochecker for the last digit as a last resort I don't feel bad in the slightest.

I much prefer caches with geochecker so that I don't have a wasted journey due to transposition of digits. If not then if I wasn't confident a simple email to the owner always gets a helpful response in my experience.

If you need to do it without working it out in your head then thats up to you and your conscience.

Not knocking it, I use brute force myself sometimes.

February 9, 2011

I have a new multi/puzzle cache ...

I looked at your cache page. Very impressive. How did you get permission to hide a large cache in there?!

3.3k · February 9, 2011

I have a new multi/puzzle cache for which I put a Geochecker on, as I know personally I like to be able to make sure I'm correct before I go traipsing out to find a stage of a cache.

However, I've found that on one of the trickier answers, people clearly aren't finding the information and are just guessing the number from 1 till it's correct. It really makes me want to take the checker down. What do you more experienced people think?

Thanks!

I like Geochecker. I don't really want to go to a location and hunt for a cache that wasn't there because I got the coordinates wrong.

It restricts how many attempts you can make within a certain period of time and beyond that it gives a snarky message about using it sensibly and locks you out for 60 minutes or some such. If your puzzle can be brute-forced you really need to redesign the puzzle.

February 9, 2011

I have a new multi/puzzle cache ...

I looked at your cache page. Very impressive. How did you get permission to hide a large cache in there?!

Ah, it's all about who you know

February 9, 2011

Interesting. As a cacher, I like to be able to check on Geochecker.

As a luddite technophobe (but one who likes setting puzzles), I haven't gone down the Geochecker road. This has the effect that those few who have solved my puzzles (more from general dislike of puzzles than the difficulty of my caches!) and who want to check first just e-mail me. They usually get a quick answer and on they go...

February 10, 2011

Heard rumour that Geochecker had been cracked.

February 11, 2011

Definitely a Geochecker fan! As a side note, your cache sounds awesome. Definitely one to try when we're next in London.

Opinions on Geocheckers

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