spoilers on a blog?

[+PurpleCatPaws]

As a cache owner, do you think it would be okay to include spoilers on a blog? I've only done it once, after finding my first LPC. I'd never seen one before and felt like a rock star when I realized that the lamp skirt lifted up! (I feel as though that whole entry should make me cringe, but the fact is, that *was* my experience. Now I just chuckle at my rookieness!) Before I wrote about the actual location, I did write a warning that by scrolling down you'd see a spoiler. Do you think that's enough, or might a CO be upset that I posted it at all? I guess posting about an LPC would be no big deal, but what if it's more devious? Or just really interesting? (A bird house or mailbox cache, for example.) I wouldn't identify the cache number or anything. I did email a CO once asking for permission, but I never got a response.

 

In general I've avoided including spoilers, but there are certain ones that I'd love to write more about and share some amazing finds with my non-caching friends. Having said that, I do include my blog address on my signature items (and on here) so I do expect cachers to have access. Having said THAT, the cachers *would* need to go out of their way to read the blog vs. having the info right there on the log page.

 

As you can tell, I tend to err on the side of caution. I obviously want to be respectful, but I wonder if I'm limiting myself needlessly on a blog that get very little traffic. Honestly, I just like look back at it (like a journal) and remember some of the adventures I've enjoyed thanks to this amazing community of players!

[+K13]

As an owner, I would request that you not specifically identify the hide or camo of a cache. Generic description in your story would be great.

IIRC there is something in the site TOU about not publishing spoiler information.

[+sbell111]

As an owner, I would request that you not specifically identify the hide or camo of a cache. Generic description in your story would be great.

IIRC there is something in the site TOU about not publishing spoiler information.

The bit in the TOU doesn't apply to personal blogs.

 

D. Restrictions. Permission to use our services is subject to the following restrictions. Whether these restrictions have been violated shall be determined in our sole discretion. You agree not to: ...

 

xxiii. Publish

on our websites

the solutions, hints, spoilers, or any hidden coordinates for any geocache without consent from the geocache owner.

Edited July 29, 2014 by sbell111

[+Bear and Ragged]

As a cache owner, do you think it would be okay to include spoilers on a blog?

 

I wouldn't identify the cache number or anything. I did email a CO once asking for permission, but I never got a response.

 

So long as the log on the cache didn't link direct to the blog post.

 

That's the problem.

Log the cache and include "Read more of my/our adventures for this cache 'here link' can spoil things.

 

Include a generic "My/Our blog here link" as a sig line at the end of the cache log, can hide direct spoilers a little better.

 

Even so, blogging about a cache directly and saying "This cache GC**** Name...." was found like this..." can still be a BIG spoiler, as it's possible to search via the web.

[+dprovan]

Well, it's done, but I would recommend against it. Better to write such that it reminds you of the details without spilling them to someone that doesn't know them. If done well, it will remind other people of their experience either with that cache or a similar one. If done very well, it might serve as a hint to those that haven't found it yet.

 

The LPC is a special case. Me, I'd still be guarded, but the fact is that no one hiding a LPC is expecting to fool anyone, so you're not really giving away the cache's secret, you're just letting newbies in on a trick they should know. Presented from a newbie's point of view, I have no doubt it was endearing.

[+PurpleCatPaws]

Thank you all for your balanced and thoughtful responses. (I'm always fearful of starting up a flame war because you just never know how some folks will react to something!) I suppose that being more cautious will just give me less writing to do. That's one way to look at it, right?

[+narcissa]

You might want to explore the geocaching blogosphere and get a sense of how others handle this. There are a lot of geocachers who blog.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Ironically, this was posted on the official geocaching facebook page yesterday

 

"Smart geocacher! (Psst... The geocache is the magnetic bolt.) What tricky geocaches did you outsmart this weekend?" and includes a photo of s child find a magnetic bolt cache. So far, none of the responses have specifically mentioned GC codes but with a little detective work it would probably be easy connect the spoiler photos with the cache listings.

 

 

[+PurpleCatPaws]

Thanks for pointing me to that, NY! I'd love to find that FB page. Could you please let me know what the title of the page is? There are SO many pages out there; I could spend the whole afternoon reading through all the ones that pop up when I try to search for it!

[Mr.Yuck]

You might want to explore the geocaching blogosphere and get a sense of how others handle this. There are a lot of geocachers who blog.

 

And you would know!! Despite your inactivity, you still have a high ranking on a Google search of "Geocaching Blogs". I see you on page 3 of the results. Puplecatpaws, on the other hand is pretty much non-existent on a Google or Yahoo/Bing search for Geocaching Blogs or Geocaching Bloggers.

 

Narcissa is correct, there are LOTS of personal Geocaching blogs out there, although most eventually fade out. I would say generally, and especially the newer to Geocaching they are, they have a tendency to post spoilers. I don't think it's too big of a deal, try to avoid the spoilers as much as possible.

 

I actually tried my hand at a personal Geocaching blog detailing cache outings similar to yours about 6 years ago. I, like purplecatpaws, considered it more of a personal journal, and I actually never gave the link to anyone, and it was non-existent in the search engines. I can still see the Blogger.com stats, and it looks like it had 12 page views last month. (Hasn't been posted to since 2010).

Edited July 29, 2014 by Mr.Yuck

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Thanks for pointing me to that, NY! I'd love to find that FB page. Could you please let me know what the title of the page is? There are SO many pages out there; I could spend the whole afternoon reading through all the ones that pop up when I try to search for it!

 

Go to the geocaching.com home page. There's a Facebook icon on the bottom right of the page. Or just go to https://www.facebook.com/geocaching

[+narcissa]

You might want to explore the geocaching blogosphere and get a sense of how others handle this. There are a lot of geocachers who blog.

 

And you would know!! Despite your inactivity, you still have a high ranking on a Google search of "Geocaching Blogs". I see you on page 3 of the results. Puplecatpaws, on the other hand is pretty much non-existent on a Google or Yahoo/Bing search for Geocaching Blogs or Geocaching Bloggers.

 

Narcissa is correct, there are LOTS of personal Geocaching blogs out there, although most eventually fade out. I would say generally, and especially the newer to Geocaching they are, they have a tendency to post spoilers. I don't think it's too big of a deal, try to avoid the spoilers as much as possible.

 

I actually tried my hand at a personal Geocaching blog detailing cache outings similar to yours about 6 years ago. I, like purplecatpaws, considered it more of a personal journal, and I actually never gave the link to anyone, and it was non-existent in the search engines. I can still see the Blogger.com stats, and it looks like it had 12 page views last month. (Hasn't been posted to since 2010).

 

I feel bad that my blog is so neglected... I finally have some time to cache more often, I guess I should try to carve out some time to revive the old blog.

[Mr.Yuck]

You might want to explore the geocaching blogosphere and get a sense of how others handle this. There are a lot of geocachers who blog.

 

And you would know!! Despite your inactivity, you still have a high ranking on a Google search of "Geocaching Blogs". I see you on page 3 of the results. Puplecatpaws, on the other hand is pretty much non-existent on a Google or Yahoo/Bing search for Geocaching Blogs or Geocaching Bloggers.

 

Narcissa is correct, there are LOTS of personal Geocaching blogs out there, although most eventually fade out. I would say generally, and especially the newer to Geocaching they are, they have a tendency to post spoilers. I don't think it's too big of a deal, try to avoid the spoilers as much as possible.

 

I actually tried my hand at a personal Geocaching blog detailing cache outings similar to yours about 6 years ago. I, like purplecatpaws, considered it more of a personal journal, and I actually never gave the link to anyone, and it was non-existent in the search engines. I can still see the Blogger.com stats, and it looks like it had 12 page views last month. (Hasn't been posted to since 2010).

 

I feel bad that my blog is so neglected... I finally have some time to cache more often, I guess I should try to carve out some time to revive the old blog.

 

Don't worry about it! This is an old article, but I remember it from years ago, and it still shows up 1st in a Google search: 95% of blogs are abandoned.

[+narcissa]

Don't worry about it! This is an old article, but I remember it from years ago, and it still shows up 1st in a Google search: 95% of blogs are abandoned.

 

Aww, that makes me feel worse! Stupid career obligations getting in the way of my recreational blogging. Grr.

[+TerraViators]

I personally don't believe it's cool, but I support your right to write whatever you want about geocaches on a non-Groundpeak medium.

 

My Mass Communication Law professor told us he finds pornography use disgusting but he will always defend a person's right to be disgusting.

Edited July 30, 2014 by TerraViators

[Alvater]

I photographed a cache today but only afterwards I thought if I can publish it or not in my instagram account. The photo shows a cache and its name above its hiding place but not in its place. It is a small traditional cache, easy to find and hidden like many others.

 

I do not want to break any unwritten rule or spoil anyone's caching experience.

[+TeamRabbitRun]

I photographed a cache today but only afterwards I thought if I can publish it or not in my instagram account. The photo shows a cache and its name above its hiding place but not in its place. It is a small traditional cache, easy to find and hidden like many others.

 

I do not want to break any unwritten rule or spoil anyone's caching experience.

 

Sounds like it's bothering you.

 

If that's true, then you *know* that you shouldn't publish it.

 

ANY concern IS a concern.

[+CanadianRockies]

Sounds like it's bothering you.

 

If that's true, then you *know* that you shouldn't publish it.

 

ANY concern IS a concern.

This kind of simplistic, black-and-white view of the world leaves me wondering if any of its proponents actually believe it.

 

If something bothers you, then take a moment to figure out why it bothers you. Try to think of other approaches that might reduce or eliminate your concerns. Weigh the benefits against the costs. And then make an informed decision about what to do.

 

For the particular issue at hand, posting a thread on this forum might be a good way to get better informed and to learn possible alternatives. Someone, for example, suggested that taking care not to reveal specific GC codes can help alleviate many concerns about spoilers.

 

And don't get me started on the whole "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it" nonsense.

[Alvater]

I googled geocaching pictures and saw many with containers and some seemed to be in their hiding spot. Quite many were pics from web articles, but it could be how google sorts the results, and some blog posts.