User watching this cache

[+GonCachin']

How come we can view "who" gave us favorite points but we can't view who's viewing ours caches.

I have a few caches that r being viewed by cachers but it will not let me know who is viewing them. I think its cool that other people r viewing my caches. I would just like to know if it's the same person or different people. NOT that I would contact them or anything, just would like to c who watching is all.

[+Ambient_Skater]

While you wouldn't contact them, a lot of people would. Some people are highly protective of their caches and will email anyone who watches their cache to discover their motives, if they knew who they were.

 

If you made your cache Premium Member only, you would have a tool to see which members have viewed it. I don't think it's worth it to restrict a cache like this just to see who's looked at it, but it's your cache so it's up to you.

[4wheelin_fool]

How come we can view "who" gave us favorite points but we can't view who's viewing our caches?

I have a few caches that are being viewed by cachers, but it will not let me know who is viewing them. I think it's cool that other people are viewing my caches. I would just like to know if it's the same person or different people. NOT that I would contact them or anything, I just would like to see who is watching is all.

 

Favorite points are relatively new, compared to e-mail notifications of logged caches. Watching caches has been around since the beginning, and over the years many people have already asked to see who is watching their caches. I suspect most watchers would want that privacy.

[+The_Incredibles_]

I don't think there's any way to find out who's on the watch list.

 

However, you can make your caches PMO and read the audit log to see who's viewing it and how many times. Having said, I have a number of PMO caches and while the audit log can be interesting at the beginning, I"ve found it gets quite boring after a while.

[+Hurricane Luke]

Whilst echoing the above comments, I've got just one additional note: before you consider setting your caches to PMO, it's worth noting the system isn't bulletproof and there are ways to view a PMO cache if you aren't a PM, and also to avoid being included on the audit log.

 

Methinks if Groundspeak were to allow people to see who was watching a particular cache, fewer people would use the 'watch' feature, making it less effective. Catch 22!

Edited July 20, 2012 by Hurricane Luke

[+SwineFlew]

I watch caches via bookmark.

[+Isonzo Karst]

Here's the Help Center article on this

 

Watchlist Identity

 

Like SwineFlew, I'm more apt to bookmark your cache and get logs that way. Unless the list is public (and it isn't) you have no idea that your cache is being "watched" this way.

 

Watch is available to all members, bookmark only to premium members. Watch is an older function on the site.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Isonzo Karst

[Mr.Yuck]

Whilst echoing the above comments, I've got just one additional note: before you consider setting your caches to PMO, it's worth noting the system isn't bulletproof and there are ways to view a PMO cache if you aren't a PM, and also to avoid being included on the audit log.

 

Methinks if Groundspeak were to allow people to see who was watching a particular cache, fewer people would use the 'watch' feature, making it less effective. Catch 22!

 

See the link posted by Isonzo Karst on "watchlist identity". What does it say? It pretty much says no way are they ever going to make it public for "privacy purposes". This policy makes the fact that PMO caches have an audit log quite the contradictive bizarre business practice, don't ya' think?

[+Geovius]

Help Center article says that the watchlist is not displayed for privacy reasons.

I think this is incompatible with the other privacy settings on the site.

 

It would be nice to hear a more detailed explanation of the reasons.

[+Ike 13]

I watch caches for 3 reasons

 

1: A great cache I have already done to read what others say in their logs.

2: I've logged a DNF or NM and want instant notification of the next log.

3: A great cache I'm planning to do.

[+frinklabs]

The PMO audit log is security theatre as would be the ability to view a watchlist given how easily both are/would be circumvented.

 

The business model explanation: bypassing the PMO audit log and using a bookmark list to watch a cache are both functions that need a premium membership.

[+StarBrand]

Help Center article says that the watchlist is not displayed for privacy reasons.

I think this is incompatible with the other privacy settings on the site.

 

It would be nice to hear a more detailed explanation of the reasons.

Given the many comments I have seen over the years on thios forum about how the audit log on a PMO cache "proved" that such and such cacher is responsible for the cache being (pick one [stolen, damaged, uncovered, moved, targeted etc]) - I can only imagine how badly the watchlist would be misused by a very few but annoying group of conspiracy theorists.

[Mr.Yuck]

Help Center article says that the watchlist is not displayed for privacy reasons.

I think this is incompatible with the other privacy settings on the site.

 

It would be nice to hear a more detailed explanation of the reasons.

 

Could this be the thread where we finally get that answer? Probably not, but it would be nice.

 

So thinks this anti-audit log, get rid of the freaking thing completely, radical extremist.

[+JJnTJ]

I think they're probably just not willing to modify something that works reliably and has been there (unchanged?) for years. If they changed it, a near-riot would ensue anyway, so why rock the boat?

 

It's kind of Groundspeak's philosophy. You can see it with Benchmarks, Wherigo, Whymarks, and Challenges. They spend resources developing a product or feature to the point that it substantially works. Users are either happy with it or at least not complaining too loudly. Then something else draws their focus away and the product/feature sits untouched for years until something breaks it.

[+GonCachin']

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

[+frinklabs]

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

 

I am going to go with right.

[+GonCachin']

Ok now i understand,if it's Pmo I can "TECHNICALLY" c who's viewed it but not who is watching it. So one can gather the more time one has "viewed" it is probably the one who is watching it.

[+frinklabs]

Ok now i understand,if it's Pmo I can "TECHNICALLY" c who's viewed it but not who is watching it. So one can gather the more time one has "viewed" it is probably the one who is watching it.

 

That is a likely assumption -- someone who clicks directly on a PMO cache page would also be likely to use the standard watchlist method.

 

It is those who use API calls with something like GSAK to not show up on the audit log would also likely use a bookmark-list-notification method to surreptitiously watchlist a cache.

[+Rckhnd]

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

 

'Why are you watching my cache if you haven't found it yet?? are you stalking me??'

'Why are you watching my cache when you already found it?'

 

The list could go on and on. I like to watch caches that I dnf, then when I see another found it, I go back and look again when I can.

The PMO audit was started way back when there were 'cache pirates' who would go and collect caches. If the same person kept showing up on caches that were muggled, well...

Like a previous poster said though, the audit was fun at first, but I ignore it now. The only reason I make some caches PMO is because I have found (in my short tenure) public caches with cigarette butts, bottle tops and once even found some porn (glad my kid wasn't on that find).

 

....I digress...

Seeing who is watching your cache isn't really mission critical to the game, seeing how many are watching is a tool that might say the cache is too hard to find, missing, or a really interesting one.

[+L0ne.R]

How come we can view "who" gave us favorite points but we can't view who's viewing ours caches.

 

I can't imagine a CO getting accusatory with someone who Favourites their cache but as people have pointed out, there's a lot of negative reasons why someone wants to know who's watching their cache listing.

[+GonCachin']

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

 

'Why are you watching my cache if you haven't found it yet?? are you stalking me??'

'Why are you watching my cache when you already found it?'

 

The list could go on and on. I like to watch caches that I dnf, then when I see another found it, I go back and look again when I can.

The PMO audit was started way back when there were 'cache pirates' who would go and collect caches. If the same person kept showing up on caches that were muggled, well...

Like a previous poster said though, the audit was fun at first, but I ignore it now. The only reason I make some caches PMO is because I have found (in my short tenure) public caches with cigarette butts, bottle tops and once even found some porn (glad my kid wasn't on that find).

 

....I digress...

Seeing who is watching your cache isn't really mission critical to the game, seeing how many are watching is a tool that might say the cache is too hard to find, missing, or a really interesting one.

 

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

[+frinklabs]

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

It might have been found but not logged; the FTF might be waiting for others to log before entering theirs. There are other threads that discuss this behavior.

[+Rckhnd]

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

Not ready to run after it yet, maybe tonight, I sometimes compete with another local for the FTF and you can get notified on your phone if they beat you to it. Caches that are watched get email notifications sent with any log or note for that cache.

[+L0ne.R]

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

If it were near me I might watch it. I don't normally look for micros but if the next few found entries said some very positive things about your micro cache I might give it a try. The title is intriguing "Clever Hide".

[+GonCachin']

Well it's be three days now some one get it lol

[Mr.Yuck]

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

 

Yeah, we're like that around here. But the fact of the matter is that someone brought up making a cache PMO with the audit log as something lets say "similar" to the watchlist. Then I and others brought up how bizarre it is the watchlist cannot be revealed for privacy reasons, but you can see who looked at your cache page, how many times, and the exact date and time of their last view. Just one of the goofy, unexplained things that go on around here. Not unlike Virtual caches were killed in part because there were too many "lame" ones being submitted, but it's A-OK to place a lame micro on private property without permission in the garbage filled alley behind a strip plaza. Boy, that's really off-topic, sorry.

 

I know of two U.S. based alternative Geocaching websites where the watchers are revealed for all to see, so I suppose it's no big deal. But hardly anyone uses those sites, they aren't the 10 ton Gorilla of Geocaching.

[+GonCachin']

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

If it were near me I might watch it. I don't normally look for micros but if the next few found entries said some very positive things about your micro cache I might give it a try. The title is intriguing "Clever Hide".

 

Thanks it in Louisiana

[+GonCachin']

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

It might have been found but not logged; the FTF might be waiting for others to log before entering theirs. There are other threads that discuss this behavior.

 

Ok that's just plan wierd but now u got me interested. What r the other threads that's discuss this?

[+frinklabs]

Ok that's just plan wierd but now u got me interested. What r the other threads that's discuss this?

 

Here's one:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=255938

[+briansnat]

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

Some reviewers put newly published caches on their watchlist to keep an eye out for issues that may not have been apparent in the review process. In most cases they remove it after a few days or weeks.

 

There are also people who don't want to be FTF. They'd rather someone else deal with bad coords, angry property owners, totally off ratings, etc. They put a new cache that they are interested in finding on their watchlist and once they see there are no issues, they'll go after it.

 

Just two of many reasons someone could be watching a newly published cache.

Edited July 20, 2012 by briansnat

[+GonCachin']

Ok that's just plan wierd but now u got me interested. What r the other threads that's discuss this?

 

Here's one:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=255938

Thanks

[+niraD]

A few more reasons I've heard of for watching caches you haven't found:

 

The new cache is within 528ft/161m of a location you were considering using, so you watch the new one, waiting until it's archived. Then you'll work on your idea again.

 

The new cache looks like it might be of a type that you want to ignore (or find), but you aren't sure. So you watch it so you can see others' logs and then decide.

 

You want to bookmark it (for any of the reasons people bookmark caches), but you're a basic member and bookmark lists are a premium feature.

[+mymren]

I watch some that I couldn't find to see the next logs. Then if it is found I can go back to it.

[+captnemo]

I don't care who watches my caches! I have posted a note on caches I am about to archieve, that have no problem but whose time has come, to notify anyone watching to get out and get it.

 

I watch caches I have DNFed to see if it was me,usually is, or if there's a problem. I also watch caches I want to find but can't right now and don't fit a bookmark list.

[+GonCachin']

Ok if I make all my caches Pmo's right now will the audit log be available? And will it be for the present people who view it or the pass as well

[+GonCachin']

Its only for the present but if said person keeps looking at it, there he'll be

[4wheelin_fool]

Ok if I make all my caches Pmo's right now will the audit log be available? And will it be for the present people who view it or the pass as well

It will be available but will only show who visited it at the time it was made PMO. You can then post a note saying that the "nude picture on the page will stay despite a few complaints", or something along those lines and that may entice the watchers to visit the page and appear on the audit log, but don't count on it.

[+L0ne.R]

Its only for the present but if said person keeps looking at it, there he'll be

 

Then what will you do when you discover him in your audit log?

[+BluesHiker]

Hey, GonCachin', I'm one of the cachers watching your new cache. I'd like to get FTF, but I've been working and haven't been able to get over there. Maybe this afternoon. Sorry to upset you by watching your cache.

[+The_Incredibles_]

Hey, GonCachin', I'm one of the cachers watching your new cache. I'd like to get FTF, but I've been working and haven't been able to get over there. Maybe this afternoon. Sorry to upset you by watching your cache.

 

Just to make things interesting, I've added the cache in question to *my* watchlist. My reason for not going for the FTF: wrong country!

[+SwineFlew]

How many of you people would support of removing the watchlist number count?

Edited July 22, 2012 by SwineFlew

[+lamoracke]

I would not mind removing that...but I never thought it as an insult that someone is watching my cache. To me, it makes me feel like my cache is worth getting all the logs from it. I'd rather keep it personally but would not cry if it was removed.

[+The A-Team]

Just to make things interesting, I've added the cache in question to *my* watchlist. My reason for not going for the FTF: wrong country!

I see there are currently a few watchers of the newest cache. I wonder how many others (including myself) have gone to look at the listing after reading this topic? Whatever will they do about all these people viewing the cache listing? Are we all muggles? Now, do I put a watch on it, or not?

 

I have no problem with the watchlist count being visible, but the audit log needs to go. There's no good reason for it anymore (if there ever was a good reason). All it does is add more paranoia to the already paranoid.

[+SwineFlew]

Just to make things interesting, I've added the cache in question to *my* watchlist. My reason for not going for the FTF: wrong country!

I see there are currently a few watchers of the newest cache. I wonder how many others (including myself) have gone to look at the listing after reading this topic? Whatever will they do about all these people viewing the cache listing? Are we all muggles? Now, do I put a watch on it, or not?

 

I have no problem with the watchlist count being visible, but the audit log needs to go. There's no good reason for it anymore (if there ever was a good reason). All it does is add more paranoia to the already paranoid.

Amen! I have to agree with you there. Audit log is a tool, but its abused in the wrong way. I get odd emails sometime. Some people need to be in a padded room because they get paranoid way too easy!!

[+The_Incredibles_]

Just to make things interesting, I've added the cache in question to *my* watchlist. My reason for not going for the FTF: wrong country!

I see there are currently a few watchers of the newest cache. I wonder how many others (including myself) have gone to look at the listing after reading this topic? Whatever will they do about all these people viewing the cache listing? Are we all muggles? Now, do I put a watch on it, or not?

 

I have no problem with the watchlist count being visible, but the audit log needs to go. There's no good reason for it anymore (if there ever was a good reason). All it does is add more paranoia to the already paranoid.

 

I don't know about paranoia, but it does let you know if anyone is looking at your neglected puzzle cache.

 

It also lets you know who, in town, is the most obsessive.

 

Other than that, not really interesting.

[+Harry Dolphin]

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

 

I am going to go with right.

 

If that were written in English, I would contemplate it.

[AZcachemeister]

How many of you people would support of removing the watchlist number count?

 

Back in the day...

 

In 2005/2006 it was a point of pride, and entailed bragging rights if your cache had a high number of 'watchers'.

As soon as it was possible (once I learned about it) I put those caches I wanted to keep tabs on in a 'watched' bookmark list. Most of those COs didn't need the ego boost.

 

Wouldn't bother me if they removed the watchlist count and the audit list as well...neither one does anything for me.

[+GonCachin']

Ok thanks for everyone's input. But I'm not paranoid as some of u kinda implied. I think its very cool that people r watching mine. Makes me feel that it's worth the work I put into them, Lamoracke said it best. I love caching. That's all. Y'all are all to funny.

 

I stared this forum JUST to find out Y u could view who was watching ur cache. Lol. Brainsnat explained it best. And that's what I was thinking was going on. Cause I had problems w my reviewer in the past

Edited July 23, 2012 by GonCachin'

[+Don_J]

Ok so while no one (except for the math guy) came close to answering my question about "y can't I see who Is watching my cache", think y'all got off target bout stuff idk about (Pmo audit lo, bookmark, etc).

 

But tell if I I'm wrong, BUT what I gather from a few of y'all IS basically if you were able to c who is watching ur cache they might abuse that ability. Right or wrong

 

'Why are you watching my cache if you haven't found it yet?? are you stalking me??'

'Why are you watching my cache when you already found it?'

 

The list could go on and on. I like to watch caches that I dnf, then when I see another found it, I go back and look again when I can.

The PMO audit was started way back when there were 'cache pirates' who would go and collect caches. If the same person kept showing up on caches that were muggled, well...

Like a previous poster said though, the audit was fun at first, but I ignore it now. The only reason I make some caches PMO is because I have found (in my short tenure) public caches with cigarette butts, bottle tops and once even found some porn (glad my kid wasn't on that find).

 

....I digress...

Seeing who is watching your cache isn't really mission critical to the game, seeing how many are watching is a tool that might say the cache is too hard to find, missing, or a really interesting one.

 

Thank u for ur in put. Ok how bout this one: I have one that just got published no one has found it and there are two watching it the day it was published. What's ur take on that please

 

If it is the cache I think it is, I would put it on my watchlist because D4 caches are rare around here and I would want to see what others are saying about it in their logs. I put a brand new cache on my list last week because it was by a new cacher, the description was confusing and it looked like it might be a multi although it was listed as a traditional. Again, I want to see what others are saying about it. I use the watchlist over bookmark lists because I can add it with one click, when I get an email notification on the cache, I can go straight to the cache through the link in the email, and I can just as quickly remove it with two clicks. I use bookmark lists to group caches in a certain area or group caches that are related to each other, and to create a list of caches that I can share with others.

[+6NoisyHikers]

We watch caches that we drop trackables into (as well as the trackables themselves) to see if they carry on their journey safely. We also watch anything we DNF for future clues and the occassional "trouble" cache - because we can't watch trouble cache owners!

 

I think that remaining anonymous when watching is helpful because I can see where some naturally-paranoid owners might get paranoid about just that. That said, I'm not sure why it is necessary to publish the fact that there are users watching a cache at all because the list is anonymous anyway. Does it serve a purpose? Is the number of watchers something you look at when considering whether or not to find a cache?