Geocaching.com...site update Thursday, August 18, 2011

[Pup Patrol]

For folks who might not have seen the announcement:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/

 

Geocaching.com will be going offline temporarily for a site update on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at approximately 11am PDT (convert to your local time here). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Edited August 17, 2011 by Pup Patrol

[knowschad]

For folks who might not have seen the announcement:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/

 

Geocaching.com will be going offline temporarily for a site update on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at approximately 11am PDT (convert to your local time here). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Already? Are they trying to out-do Firefox?

[Pup Patrol]

Firefox sure can wear a person down, eh?

 

I'm betting it has something to do with the new "Challenges". It's the Block Party this coming weekend, so I guess the new feature needs to be integrated into the website before then.

[GOF and Bacall]

They're trying to get the pet projects on line in time for the big party.

 

 

Edit-OK, Pup Patrol had an unfair head start.

Edited August 17, 2011 by GOF and Bacall

[Pup Patrol]

I finally managed to type faster than someone else.

 

I've got to admit to being quite curious to find out the details of these "Challenges".

 

I'm also assuming that after the update tomorrow, the first Challenges will be posted.

[knowschad]

What is a "challenge" and how is that different from a "challenge cache"?

 

 

 

 

 

OK... I was only kidding. Please don't anybody answer that question!!

[+Hiekel Essterol]

I know its an unknown quantity at the moment but are challenge caches likely to only be US based to start with?

[+northernpenguin]

I know its an unknown quantity at the moment but are challenge caches challenges likely to only be US based to start with?

 

There, I fixed it for you. And no, it's very unlikely to be USA only.

[GOF and Bacall]

I know its an unknown quantity at the moment but are challenge caches likely to only be US based to start with?

 

I don't see why the would be.

[Pup Patrol]

What is a "challenge" and how is that different from a "challenge cache"?

 

 

 

 

 

OK... I was only kidding. Please don't anybody answer that question!!

 

Bad dog.

[+Sol seaker]

Im not getting the message on the forum site, so maybe it will only be the main website.

 

I hope so.

 

Withdrawls can come on fast.

[+Ike 13]

Podcacher has an interview with Jeremy and Bryan http://www.podcacher.com/

 

The photo challenge sounds like old school virts.

 

The action challenge seem to have no relation to old school caching but may be interesting.

 

Apparently there will be an awesomness quality rating where the community will judge the value of challenges.

 

EDIT: The blog also has more details. The rating will be a simple thumbs up or down initially. http://blog.geocaching.com/

Edited August 17, 2011 by IkeHurley13

[+dfx]

EDIT: The blog also has more details. The rating will be a simple thumbs up or down initially. http://blog.geocaching.com/

 

omg, he says that geocaches are physical objects and that virtuals aren't geocaches at all, omg

[Pup Patrol]

Podcacher has an interview with Jeremy and Bryan http://www.podcacher.com/

 

The photo challenge sounds like old school virts.

 

The action challenge seem to have no relation to old school caching but may be interesting.

 

Apparently there will be an awesomness quality rating where the community will judge the value of challenges.

 

EDIT: The blog also has more details. The rating will be a simple thumbs up or down initially. http://blog.geocaching.com/

 

Thanks for posting the link to the blog.

 

[+Panther&Pine]

But but but, it's supposed to be update TUESday, not Thursday.

[Pup Patrol]

Im not getting the message on the forum site, so maybe it will only be the main website.

 

I hope so.

 

Withdrawls can come on fast.

 

Yes, the upgrade just involves the Geocaching.com site.

 

The forums aren't affected, being on a different site (Groundspeak.com)

 

edit: danged apostrophes, wandering all over the place.

Edited August 17, 2011 by Pup Patrol

[I!]

omg, he says that geocaches are physical objects and that virtuals aren't geocaches at all, omg

That's cheating. You reprogrammed Jeremy. (OK, you win.)

[+t4e]

Im not getting the message on the forum site, so maybe it will only be the main website.

 

I hope so.

 

Withdrawls can come on fast.

 

two separate sites, the yellow banner is always just for the geocaching site

[+AmphibianTrackers]

I was so glad I got my PQs ready before the last site update as I was out in the field caching that day.

[+Manville Possum]

EDIT: The blog also has more details. The rating will be a simple thumbs up or down initially. http://blog.geocaching.com/

 

omg, he says that geocaches are physical objects and that virtuals aren't geocaches at all, omg

I would think that virtuals are physical objects, but not geocaches. I have never saw or photographed a fart, but they are real.

So that is my new challange cache. Find as many as you can at the Block Party and photograph them.

[+CanadianRockies]

I'm confused.

 

Last week, in another thread and in regards to "challenge caches" rather than "Challenges," Jeremy noted:

 

The problem with challenge caches is that the challenge has no relation to the location of the geocache.

 

Today, in his blog, Jeremy noted:

 

We also know in the early days that there won’t be many Challenges, so we’ll be issuing Worldwide challenges daily. For those old timers, these challenges will be like the old Locationless caches. For example, we’ll challenge you to take a picture of yourself on a boat, kissing a frog, or dressed like a pirate.

 

So, if "challenge caches" are a problem because they aren't connected to a location, then why are locationless Worldwide "Challenges" not a problem?

[+dfx]

So, if "challenge caches" are a problem because they aren't connected to a location, then why are locationless Worldwide "Challenges" not a problem?

 

The "cache" in "challenge cache" obviously has a location. So there's a location. The "challenge" part has no relation to that location and has no relation to the cache. Problem.

 

Locationless challenge have no location and aren't associated with anything that has a location. No problem.

[jholly]

So if I get this right ....

 

You can issue a challenge and once issue you no longer own the challenge and can not affect the logs, you can no longer do anything with the challenge.

The community rates your issued challenge with a thumbs up or thumbs down.

The photo challenges are verified with a posted photo.

The action challenge is verfified by ... I don't know.

You completed challenge is counted separately from your found counts.

 

Seems to me the logging of a challenge is nothing more than a officially sanctioned ALR. Seems to me the challenges can get really ugly really quick and without reviewers how is this going to be controlled? The completion of an action challenge seems pretty nebulous ... Can you say "Greetings from Germany?" The thing that keeps drifting through my mind is the dude on the medicare ad ... "What were they thinking?". I probably will do a couple, but probably will quickly be put in the benchmark category.

[+CanadianRockies]

You completed challenge is counted separately from your found counts.

That's unclear, at least to me.

 

I've read elsewhere that the challenge counts will be kept separately (at least initially). But this blog comment seems to indicate otherwise:

 

Geocachers will earn smileys for completing a Challenge. The smileys for Challenges will appear separate from geocaches in user profiles, but will be part of your found/completed count.

Granted, the comment is somewhat ambiguous, but my reading is that the challenge smileys will be part of a combined found/completed count (unlike Benchmarks, which have their own count).

[AZcachemeister]

 

challenge you to take a picture of yourself dressed like a pirate.

 

 

I'm SO excited!

FINALLY I will have a reason to post a picture of myself in my Pirate's Birthday Suit!

(Nothing but the eye-patch, Mortimer...nothing but the eye-patch.)

[+DanOCan]

We also know in the early days that there won’t be many Challenges, so we’ll be issuing Worldwide challenges daily. For those old timers, these challenges will be like the old Locationless caches. For example, we’ll challenge you to take a picture of yourself on a boat, kissing a frog, or dressed like a pirate.

 

 

I'm thinking I'll be sticking with "Go here, find container, sign log"...you know -- Geocaching.

[+t4e]

 

I would think that virtuals are physical objects, but not geocaches. I have never saw or photographed a fart, but they are real.

So that is my new challange cache. Find as many as you can at the Block Party and photograph them.

 

you got it all wrong, farts will fall under "action"

[+dfx]

Seems to me the logging of a challenge is nothing more than a officially sanctioned ALR.

Why do people keep insisting on comparing this with ALRs? There's no cache to log, so there can't be any ALRs.

 

You completed challenge is counted separately from your found counts.

That's unclear, at least to me.

 

I've read elsewhere that the challenge counts will be kept separately (at least initially). But this blog comment seems to indicate otherwise:

 

Geocachers will earn smileys for completing a Challenge. The smileys for Challenges will appear separate from geocaches in user profiles, but will be part of your found/completed count.

Granted, the comment is somewhat ambiguous, but my reading is that the challenge smileys will be part of a combined found/completed count (unlike Benchmarks, which have their own count).

The podcast thingie explains this: it's two separate counts, but in some places you'll see a sum of them both. Like in somebody's log, it will say "X found", with X being the sum of cache finds and completed challenges, but when you hover your mouse over the number, you'll see a breakdown of that number and see what it really is.

 

 

I'm thinking I'll be sticking with "Go here, find container, sign log"...you know -- Geocaching.

+1

[knowschad]

What is a "challenge" and how is that different from a "challenge cache"?

 

 

 

 

 

OK... I was only kidding. Please don't anybody answer that question!!

 

Bad dog.

 

In hindsight... I'm sorry!!!

[knowschad]

I would think that virtuals are physical objects, but not geocaches. I have never saw or photographed a fart, but they are real.

So that is my new challange cache. Find as many as you can at the Block Party and photograph them.

 

you got it all wrong, farts will fall under "action"

 

Yeah, like, "RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[+Manville Possum]

I would think that virtuals are physical objects, but not geocaches. I have never saw or photographed a fart, but they are real.

So that is my new challange cache. Find as many as you can at the Block Party and photograph them.

 

you got it all wrong, farts will fall under "action"

 

Yeah, like, "RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dang! Just like Waymarking. Wrong category again, but this time there were two to choose from. I already suck at these not geocache listings!

[+Manville Possum]

Sorry, meant to say ONLY two catogorys to choose from. I hate to edit.

[+CanadianRockies]

The photo challenges are verified with a posted photo.

The action challenge is verified by ... I don't know.

I just listened to the podcast interview. Apparently, the challenge creator will not be able to delete any logs, including bogus ones. So, unless Groundspeak verifies the logs (unlikely, as this could be a huge burden) or there is some sort of peer verification process, then I'm not sure even photo challenges will be verified.

 

It will be interesting to see how challenges are implemented.

[+Klatch]

For folks who might not have seen the announcement:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/

 

Geocaching.com will be going offline temporarily for a site update on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at approximately 11am PDT (convert to your local time here). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

I am sure we will see "Add cacher to an ignore list", 'cause OpinioNate said it was "prioritized in the system" a long time ago.

[+rjb43nh]

Manville Possum Hunters-"... I have never saw or photographed a fart, but they are real. ..."

Try using thermophotography.

 

Edited August 18, 2011 by rjb43nh

[+hzoi]

I know its an unknown quantity at the moment but are challenge caches challenges likely to only be US based to start with?

 

There, I fixed it for you. And no, it's very unlikely to be USA only.

 

The first one I have planned won't be, if they publish it.

[+David]

So if I get this right ....

 

You can issue a challenge and once issue you no longer own the challenge and can not affect the logs, you can no longer do anything with the challenge.

The community rates your issued challenge with a thumbs up or thumbs down.

The photo challenges are verified with a posted photo.

The action challenge is verfified by ... I don't know.

You completed challenge is counted separately from your found counts.

 

For some reason, when I read this I was reminded of the underpants gnomes.

 

1. Collect Underpants

2. ?

3. Profit

 

Maybe we will find out the details of step 2 today or tomorrow and end the speculation.

[Pup Patrol]

Release notes updated today:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=280337

 

I think I'll just stick with geocaching. I was interested in the new "Challenges" but I think I've lost all interest in them now.

 

All those ALR's that would get a cache declined for publication? All that business about "silly photos" being not acceptable?

 

uh, yeah.

[GOF and Bacall]

I was so glad I got my PQs ready before the last site update as I was out in the field caching that day.

 

Fresh farts are hard to photograph. Old farts are easier. I figure it's because they can't move as fast.

[+Ike 13]

SO far I'm unimpressed. I'm looking at all the ones that are being submitted.

-Take a picture of any bell or anyone named Bell

-Take a picture of a cow

-Take a picture of an ear of corn

-Lots of statues.

 

Although I guess I can now Geocache in graveyards???

[GOF and Bacall]

 

challenge you to take a picture of yourself dressed like a pirate.

 

 

I'm SO excited!

FINALLY I will have a reason to post a picture of myself in my Pirate's Birthday Suit!

(Nothing but the eye-patch, Mortimer...nothing but the eye-patch.)

 

I hope that eye-patch is covering something other than your eye!

[GOF and Bacall]

For folks who might not have seen the announcement:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/

 

Geocaching.com will be going offline temporarily for a site update on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at approximately 11am PDT (convert to your local time here). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

I am sure we will see "Add cacher to an ignore list", 'cause OpinioNate said it was "prioritized in the system" a long time ago.

 

FAT CHANCE!

[+Panther&Pine]

I feel the need to have a second account to dink around with the challenges.

[+phillies26]

Looking at all these just makes me want to say this:

 

 

Edited August 18, 2011 by phillies26

[+blb9556]

Don't make fun of the corn. It's location sensitive. We have a concrete corn field in my town. You take it there. It states a location.

[+humboldt flier]

new site up-dates:

 

Anyone been to a cache page to review old logs??? YUCK

[+humboldt flier]

I do believe I will continue to launch virtuals as puzzle caches as I have been doing for a while now.

 

Challenge > Schmallenge YUCK >>>> No offense to Mr. Yuck back in the Buffalo / Cheektowaga area

[+briansnat]

I do believe I will continue to launch virtuals as puzzle caches as I have been doing for a while now.

 

Challenge > Schmallenge YUCK >>>> No offense to Mr. Yuck back in the Buffalo / Cheektowaga area

 

How do you do that, being that a puzzle cache requires a container at the end?