Geo-Grumpy Posted May 12, 2002 Share Posted May 12, 2002 Is there a place for something like this in geocaching? I agree with the no-commercialism idea completely. My thought here is that folks can list some of their favorite unique shops and boutiques as a cache site, with a full description of what it is, but no location other than the co-ords. I can think of several one of a kind shops that friends have 'led' me too..... a stone and jewelry store, an Amish store with no sign, etc. It would be neat to pass these finds on, but is geo-caching the way to do it? To get credit for the cache find, the submitter can leave the name of the store off the description, and the searcher can e-mail the name after he finds it. Link to comment
+mtn-man Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 I thought were out finding tupperware and signing log books... I support the Georgia Geocachers Association, or the GGA! Link to comment
+Markwell Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 That would be the definition of a commercial cache. Our Chicago group had a Garmin retailer sign up for the group and post one or two meaningful e-mails. The next two posts from him were regarding rebates on GPS76S and that you can “now place your orders online” for such-and-such. Being one of the moderators, I politely asked him to refrain from advertising in the Chicago Forum. We're a Yahoo group and already get enough advertising. He responded that what he posted was not advertising, but he would not be posting in our forum again. Shame - we really would have liked to talk to him. My Point is: what he considered advertising and what we consider advertising were not the same. I, for one, would not want to see a cache placed that led me to “the best coffee in the county.” I wouldn't mind seeing a separate waypoint database on another website for something like that. Markwell My Geocaching Page Link to comment
+RAD Dad Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 I personally don't see the aversion to commericalism. Hello! Commercialism is WHY we are such an affluent country, and except for public employees who live off the productivity of the rest of the nation, big business and small business alike is the ONLY reason you can afford that GPSr and internet connection. We have locationless caches, we have virtual caches, I wouldn't mind at all a cache that leads me to a shop, in which I can do a trade of items, sign the log book, and maybe discover a neat little shop I never knew about, all at the same time. And as long as I know what I am in for, I can choose to go, or not, same as with any other kind of cache. ummmm....not sure what to say here....so ummm, well errrr, uhhhh, well I guess that's it. Link to comment
+Markwell Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 I think the concern is what happened in the Knoxville area last summer. Here's the thread. quote:Originally posted by c.mathis:Even if they are in a separate category, when you search by zip code they will show up. Imagine clicking on a half dozen new caches in your area only to find out that they are local businesses. I don't come to GEOCACHING.COM for a list of recommended restaurants and auto parts stores! and further down... quote:I agree and here's the difference as I see it. If a company wants to "sponsor" a cache, that is, provide the contents of the cache and get recognition for doing so, that's one thing. If the business wants to lead you to their place of business so you can "buy things", that's not acceptable. Any "commercially sponsored" cache should not be on their premises. I agree completely. Of course, all of this lead to this statement. quote:Originally posted by Jeremy:There has been a lot of discussion over commercial caches that have been cropping up lately. As a result, I have instituted a policy regarding commercial caches. Caches deemed of commercial nature are hereby banned from the site unless approved by geocaching.com first. There are reasons for this - Commercial caches *must* be approved by the public or private land manager/owner before they are placed. When I mean must, I mean that I have to see proof that it is allowed, written or otherwise. Caches must be placed with the best interest of the geocachers in mind. I believe that there are such places for caches like Project APE, but companies must contact us first to determine what is appropriate and what is not. Overall reduction of cache spam If a cache of commercial nature is posted it will be immediately archived. Thanks, Jeremy Markwell My Geocaching Page Link to comment
+mtn-man Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 If you want to post waypoints for commercial areas, you can go to www.waypoint.org. You can post anything you want there. They even have a selection for "stores". There is a place for everything, and this is the place to hunt for tupperware with log books in them and cleverly designed virtual locations. I support the Georgia Geocachers Association, or the GGA! Link to comment
Geo-Grumpy Posted May 13, 2002 Author Share Posted May 13, 2002 Ok, answers my question pretty well. Mtn-man, thanks for the 'waypoint.org' tip, looks neat. More ways to play with my GPS!! Link to comment
+Web-ling Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 quote:Originally posted by RAD Dad: I personally don't see the aversion to commericalism. Hello! Commercialism is WHY we are such an affluent country, and except for public employees who live off the productivity of the rest of the nation, big business and small business alike is the ONLY reason you can afford that GPSr and internet connection. We have locationless caches, we have virtual caches, I wouldn't mind at all a cache that leads me to a shop, in which I can do a trade of items, sign the log book, and maybe discover a neat little shop I never knew about, all at the same time. And as long as I know what I am in for, I can choose to go, or not, same as with any other kind of cache. ummmm....not sure what to say here....so ummm, well errrr, uhhhh, well I guess that's it. Might be workable, on a seperate page like the locationless caches. Maybe Jeremy could CHARGE for commercial caches and make a few bucks. Just as long as they don't show up on the standard "Nearest Geocache(s)" search. Link to comment
Eric O'Connor Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 quote:Originally posted by RAD Dad:Hello! Commercialism is WHY we are such an affluent country, and except for public employees who live off the productivity of the rest of the nation, big business and small business alike is the ONLY reason you can afford that GPSr and internet connection. Ladies and gentleman, we have a celebrity in our midst, RAD Dad is really Noam Chomsky. (Insert alternate famous lefty and season to taste) I'm all for commercialism when it's properly labled as such. You may have to buy a frisbee to toss one in the park, but I think geocaching is different. Sure, Garmin, Magellan, DeLorme, REI, etc. are making a profit, but these are above the board and acceptable because we understand that that no money means no object to carry home. Using geocaching to promote (even if you're just a fan of the place and not financially tied to) a joint seems a little off base. There is a fantastic Chinese resturant in Berkeley that would be ideal for your cache, but I still don't think this would be proper. I'm curious how many here would support a geocaching movie? What if in the movie they displayed coordinates to hidden clues? What if there was a discount for showing up with a Garmin brand GPS unit? Link to comment
+inceptor Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Eric O'Connor: I'm curious how many here would support a geocaching movie? What if in the movie they displayed coordinates to hidden clues? What if there was a discount for showing up with a Garmin brand GPS unit? And how many Garmin units would one have to bring to get in free? inceptor the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys Link to comment
+inceptor Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Eric O'Connor: I'm curious how many here would support a geocaching movie? What if in the movie they displayed coordinates to hidden clues? What if there was a discount for showing up with a Garmin brand GPS unit? And how many Garmin units would one have to bring to get in free? inceptor the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys Link to comment
+RAD Dad Posted May 15, 2002 Share Posted May 15, 2002 Wow, I've been compared to a socialist....quite laughable. ummmm....not sure what to say here....so ummm, well errrr, uhhhh, well I guess that's it. Link to comment
+parkrrrr Posted May 15, 2002 Share Posted May 15, 2002 quote:Originally posted by mtn-man:If you want to post waypoints for commercial areas, you can go to http://www.waypoint.org. You can post anything you want there. They even have a selection for "stores". There is a place for everything, and this is the place to hunt for tupperware with log books in them and cleverly designed virtual locations. Whereas waypoint.org seems to be the place to go if you want to say "this would be a neat place if they'd just provide a usable search engine or something." Link to comment
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