A list of "needs maintenance" caches

[+Eclectic Penguin]

What is the best way of getting a list of all caches that "need maintenance" that you own. I wanted to go and fix all the caches I have that currently have "needs maintenance" and it struck me that I couldn't find a section to list these.

 

In the end I created a PQ which listed only my caches and only those with the "needs maintenance" attribute which did the trick - but I was wondering if there's another, more proper way of getting this list?

 

[EDIT] I won't post a help for information like this again. It seems this is NOT the way to get help in the Geocaching community any more - if you stray from what people think is "proper" you get told how you SHOULD do it rather than find the solution asked for.

Edited August 25, 2011 by Eclectic Penguin

[+The Blorenges]

I just clicked on your profile under the Geocaches tab, All Geocache Hides.

 

(I make it 5 showing NM)

 

MrsB

[+Pharisee]

Don't leave it so long that you can't remember. As soon as a cache needs maintenance... go and sort it out!

[+MBFace]

What is the best way of getting a list of all caches that "need maintenance" that you own. I wanted to go and fix all the caches I have that currently have "needs maintenance" and it struck me that I couldn't find a section to list these.

 

In the end I created a PQ which listed only my caches and only those with the "needs maintenance" attribute which did the trick - but I was wondering if there's another, more proper way of getting this list?

 

If I'd put a needs maintenance log on one of your caches and then read this I would have thought 'why bother?'. Presumably you've deleted all the notifications (and is this the real Eclectic Penguin).

Edited August 24, 2011 by MBFace

[+Eclectic Penguin]

I made response to the initial responses to this this and have now deleted it from the forum because I felt it was too strong... that said...

 

(Sorry MrsB- I tried what you suggested and didn't work for me for some reason).

 

I posted a sensible question about how to get a list of "needs maintenance" and got a couple of posts criticism about why I left it so long rather than even attempting to respond?

 

I HAVE A LIFE OTHER THAN GEOCACHING.

 

I'll archive them all if it helps you cope with your lives. I try to get most of my caches maintained within a week which is all I can manage at the moment but that's not good enough for some it seems.

 

Over the last couple of weeks/months, events and life have taken over Geocaching to an extent so I wanted a method today to just get a list of all caches to fix in one go. I asked for advice and got one answer and a couple of "if you ask this question you shouldn't be caching" type answers.

 

I will no longer post any requests for help on this forum as it seems any requests are a bait for criticism and derision and I'm glad I came up with a solution of my own to the situation in the mean time.

Edited August 25, 2011 by Eclectic Penguin

[+Maple Leaf]

EP

 

There is a feedback forum on this click here and they did something a while ago, but it is still a little tricky to find your own.

 

The easiest way is to look at 'your public profile' list of caches owned (rather than your quick view) and you will see the maint icon in the info column. I did put in a request to have this as a sortable column, but at the moment you will need to look through each page.

 

I expect that you received many hundreds or thousands of emails on your owned caches after Mega Wales (and your successful event) so I can understand that you wanted an easier and quicker way of checking. It is much easier to glance at an icon rather than sift through the emails.

[+Haggis Hunter]

Don't leave it so long that you can't remember. As soon as a cache needs maintenance... go and sort it out!

 

If I'd put a needs maintenance log on one of your caches and then read this I would have thought 'why bother?'. Presumably you've deleted all the notifications (and is this the real Eclectic Penguin).

You know, some people do have lives. It isn't always possible to get out and maintain a cache. I may have a cache that I need to use my car to get to, but whilst I wait for my wife to have a day off that falls on the same day as mine, so that I can get the car, I may just go out and find some caches that I don't need the car for.

Some people such as myself get a lot of emails in a day. It can be a real pain keeping emails as unread just so you remember, so you leave them as read, and then would you believe that being human you do forget??

 

I've also had recently, NM logs saying my logbooks are full, yet all the backs of the log pages are still empty. I've had them stating that the log is wet, yet when you go to check the log is bone dry not even damp. So I don't just run out of the door at the first NM log that crops up, as they aren't always true. That's just a couple of examples, it amazes me people's perception on why they should post NM logs.

 

It really is the negative (but not nasty) posts like these that stop people from coming on here and asking for help.

[+Hawkins2.5]

It really is the negative (but not nasty) posts like these that stop people from coming on here and asking for help.

 

So very true, I always think twice before posting anything and ask myself

1. Could this cause negative comments to be directed towards me personally?

2. Can I cope with said negative comments today or are they likely to push me over the edge?!

 

I think it's important to remember that these are just words on a computer screen. We don't know the person writing them - their age, personality or personal circumstances. I hope you don't stop coming to ask for help in the forums. I have spotted some very helpful posters, Mrs B being one of them!

[+zarbi&zarbibird]

It seems a shame that we can't all help each other out with this game. I always carry a caching 'first aid' kit containing spare log books, pencil sharpener, little pencils etc so that I can replace full/soggy log books for the next cacher and to save the CO coming out. It seems a bit unkind to just write about the log being full etc and not do anything about it. I always keep the old log for a bit in case the CO wants it but no-one has yet. In fact most COs don't even acknowledge the fact I've replaced a log or performed any maintainance on their behalf. Perhaps they think I'm interfering?

[+logsplitter1]

It seems a shame that we can't all help each other out with this game. I always carry a caching 'first aid' kit containing spare log books, pencil sharpener, little pencils etc so that I can replace full/soggy log books for the next cacher and to save the CO coming out. It seems a bit unkind to just write about the log being full etc and not do anything about it. I always keep the old log for a bit in case the CO wants it but no-one has yet. In fact most COs don't even acknowledge the fact I've replaced a log or performed any maintainance on their behalf. Perhaps they think I'm interfering?

[+logsplitter1]

No You all need to post this stuff. I have a bunch of caches. I try to keep up with them but I also need help. Everyone should carry a spare log don't just write about a wet log. DO something about it. A lot of people get them wet while caching in the rain. Well you need to keep that log dry while you sign it. It's not my job, to chase after you fixing my caches that you messed up. I didn't put the cache out like that .

[+Original A1]

There always seem to be a few who hold the moral high ground (whatever that is!), but don't worry, EP, you are every bit as entitled to ask a question without being scolded for it as anyone else on here, so please don't feel restricted by the "judgementals".

 

As to maintaining caches, I tend to disable mine if I feel that it's something that stops other cachers either finding or enjoying finding the cache, but sometimes I just forget when I've done that, as with one of mine recently. I apparently disabled it in July and went to change the logbook in the other two in the series, only to find (or not find) that I couldn't find it!! That'll be because I disabled it due to DNFs thinking it had gone missing. I guess it has!

 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to replace it at the time because I need to acquire a new container of the type it is and now I won't be able to for a wee while, but it's now firmly on my radar.

 

It's obvious from above that I'm a bit of a scatterbrain, so whilst I do the occasional maintenance on others' caches, I don't usually interfere too much a ) because I invariably forget to take the correct equipment with me and b ) I'm not always sure what to do with the discarded stuff (usually log book). Do you keep it in the hope that you can pass on to the CO or just chuck? If the latter, are you interfering with someone else's mode of gaming?

 

Edited October 5, 2011 by Original A1

[+The Blorenges]

No You all need to post this stuff. I have a bunch of caches. I try to keep up with them but I also need help. Everyone should carry a spare log don't just write about a wet log. DO something about it. A lot of people get them wet while caching in the rain. Well you need to keep that log dry while you sign it. It's not my job, to chase after you fixing my caches that you messed up. I didn't put the cache out like that .

 

(My bolding)

 

I disagree, I think it is your job as a cache owner to do the cache maintenance. That's what the word "maintain" means - to keep something up to standard, or at an appropriate level. Most cachers do not "mess up" caches deliberately, it's mostly what happens from the normal 'wear and tear' of cachers visiting regularly... Just like you need to clear out the dead leaves/snail shells/manky sweets/soggy calling cards that get left.

 

Many cachers carry spare log books, or some sort of temporary log strip, to keep a cache ticking over until the owner can get to it and put in a proper replacement or do any necessary upkeep but that doesn't mean a cache owner should expect others to do it for him.

 

MrsB

[+mpilchfamily]

No You all need to post this stuff. I have a bunch of caches. I try to keep up with them but I also need help. Everyone should carry a spare log don't just write about a wet log. DO something about it. A lot of people get them wet while caching in the rain. Well you need to keep that log dry while you sign it. It's not my job, to chase after you fixing my caches that you messed up. I didn't put the cache out like that .

 

(My bolding)

 

I disagree, I think it is your job as a cache owner to do the cache maintenance. That's what the word "maintain" means - to keep something up to standard, or at an appropriate level. Most cachers do not "mess up" caches deliberately, it's mostly what happens from the normal 'wear and tear' of cachers visiting regularly... Just like you need to clear out the dead leaves/snail shells/manky sweets/soggy calling cards that get left.

 

Many cachers carry spare log books, or some sort of temporary log strip, to keep a cache ticking over until the owner can get to it and put in a proper replacement or do any necessary upkeep but that doesn't mean a cache owner should expect others to do it for him.

 

MrsB

Agreed. If you find that your having trouble keeping up the the maintenance needs of your caches then maybe its time to let some of them go. Its not other people's responcability to maintain your caches. When you submited your cache listing you agreed to the listing guidelines. Specifically the section about Maintenance.

Geocache Maintenance

 

1. Owner is responsible for geocache page upkeep. As the owner of your geocache listing, your responsibility includes quality control of all posts to the cache page. Delete any logs that appear to be bogus, counterfeit, off-topic or otherwise inappropriate.

2. Owner is responsible for visits to the physical location. You are responsible for occasional visits to your cache to maintain proper working order, especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.). You may temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to search for it until you have a chance to fix the problem. This feature is to allow you a reasonable amount of time – normally a few weeks – in which to check on your cache. If a cache is not being maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an unreasonable length of time, we may archive the listing.

The territory in which a geocacher is considered able to maintain caches responsibly will vary from person to person. A geocacher who has previously logged many geocaches within a wide range of their home may be considered able to maintain a geocache 200 miles (322 km) away. However, someone whose geocaching activities have primarily been within 25 miles (40 km) of home may not be. This determination is at the discretion of the cache reviewer.

Because of the effort required to maintain a geocache, we ask that you place physical caches in your usual caching area and not while on a vacation or business trip. It is best when you live within a manageable distance from the cache placements to allow for return visits. Geocaches placed during travel may not be published unless you are able to demonstrate an acceptable maintenance plan, which must allow for a quick response to reported problems. An acceptable maintenance plan might include the username of a local geocacher who will handle maintenance issues in your absence. Alternatively you might train a local person to maintain the cache. Document your maintenance plan in a Note to Reviewer on your cache page. This will auto-delete on publication.

 

So according to your agreement with GS it is your job to "chase after" people and clean up the mess they made in your cache. It is your cache after all.

Edited October 5, 2011 by mpilchfamily

[+thehoomer]

We are usually very good at maintaining our caches and always disable them if it looks likely they are missing. If we cant get out to perform maintenance on a poorly cache within a couple of weeks, we will post a note on the page, to let cachers know we are aware of the problem and intend to fix it as soon as possible. In my experience, half the problem is not just that some caches require maintenance, its that the CO doesn't at least (in the mean time) respond verbally, to numerous NM logs posted on the page.

When you set a cache, you agree to perform the necessary maintenance. IMHO, if a fellow cacher does you a good deed by replacing a log or drying out a damp container, this is a favour and not their responsibility.

[+Teacosies]

A lot of people get them wet while caching in the rain. Well you need to keep that log dry while you sign it. It's not my job, to chase after you fixing my caches that you messed up. I didn't put the cache out like that .

 

On the other hand - lots of film pots out there that just ain't waterproof, or altoid type tins (in broken plastic bags) that get wet very easily in this country. so yes quite often it is the fault of thoughtless placers.

 

I'm sure we are all a little guilty of this.