DNF

[Geosteve11]

Hi, If I log a DNF on a cache and then I come back at a later date and find it am I supposed to delete the dnf log?

 

thankyou

[Pup Patrol]

Hi, If I log a DNF on a cache and then I come back at a later date and find it am I supposed to delete the dnf log?

 

thankyou

 

I don't. It wouldn't accurately reflect my experience.

 

On a particular date, I looked for the cache, and didn't find it. I have tried finding caches on subsequent visits, and didn't find it then either. I log dnf for each time I couldn't find the cache.

 

If I do find it, I log a the "found it" log for that date. It doesn't change the fact that at a different time, or times, I didn't find it.

 

It's up to you, really, if you prefer to have no "dnf" logs in your history.

 

B.

[+J Grouchy]

Hi, If I log a DNF on a cache and then I come back at a later date and find it am I supposed to delete the dnf log?

 

 

No.

[+wmpastor]

Hi, If I log a DNF on a cache and then I come back at a later date and find it am I supposed to delete the dnf log?

 

 

No.

Agreed. The accurate history is that you didn't find it on the first visit, and then you did on the second. Some tougher caches may require multiple visits.

[+J Grouchy]

While I understand not logging a DNF in the first place in some cases, changing it or deleting it is silly.

[+AustinMN]

I may not log a DNF if I don't think I gave the cache the level of search it may have warranted. But once the DNF is in place, I leave it there. In my early days of caching, I deleted the DNF after a find, but now I don't care.

 

But I don't think it matters to anyone but you if you delete the DNF after logging a subsequent find.

[+lamoracke]

I used to delete my DNFs after making the finds but then realized it was kind of silly, it was deleting a bit of my history of my adventure so now I leave them.

Edited October 30, 2015 by lamoracke

[+T.D.M.22]

If you edit or delete a log, the CO also doesn't get notified, so by having a new log you're giving the CO a chance to read it.

[+Twinklekitkat]

I personally like the challenge of looking for a cache after someone has DNFd it. If I write a log referencing your DNF log and then you delete it, it might look like I'm a bit crazy. Plus, there is a challenge cache in my area where you need to debunk DNFs. Each DNF prior to the first find it log after the DNFs is worth 1 point. Therefore, if you delete your log, it could throw off the points for that particular challenge.

 

I wouldn't delete it. Besides, there's no shame in logging a DNF. In fact, many cachers are proud of how many DNFs they have and have added the icon to their profile page. Speaking of which, does anyone know how to do that?

Edited October 30, 2015 by Twinklekitkat

[+Harry Dolphin]

I wouldn't delete it. Besides, there's no shame in logging a DNF. In fact, many cachers are proud of how many DNFs they have and have added the icon to their profile page. Speaking of which, does anyone know how to do that?

 

I am not proud of my DNFs. But I do log them. Generally, a DNF shows that I was too stupid to find the cache. Embarrassing. I am currently at 603 DNFs. Not something to be proud of. But: No. I do not delete my DNFs, when I make a subsequent find. It is part of my history, and my stupidity.

Why would anyone be proud of their DNFs????

[+Team Hugs]

I take a slightly different approach ... if I find a cache I previously DNFed, I'll go back and edit the previous DNF into a note. That preserves the history (sort of), but it also keeps my stats a little cleaner in that my finds and DNFs never overlap.

 

But that's just my approach; I'm not sure I know anyone else who does it that way.

[+Path Pacer]

DNFs are important. They either mean you couldn't find a cache that was there (validating the Difficulty level) or they indicate a cache that should be there but isn't (thereby notifying the owner that there might be a problem).

[+Gill & Tony]

I wouldn't delete it. Besides, there's no shame in logging a DNF. In fact, many cachers are proud of how many DNFs they have and have added the icon to their profile page. Speaking of which, does anyone know how to do that?

I have that on my profile. Have a look and see if it is what you want. You need to add the following HTML as the very first thing in your profile

<div class='stat' style='position:relative; top:-250px; left:66px; height:0px;'>
<img style='vertical-align:sub' src='/images/icons/32/dnf.png' alt='' height='16' width='16' />
102 DNF Logs
</div>
<div class='stat' style='position:relative; top:-250px; left:104px; height:0px;'>
  <img style='vertical-align:sub' src='http://gsak.net/images/Hidden.gif' alt='' height='16' width='16' />
 25 Caches Hidden
</div>

That actually produces two extra stats. The first is the DNF logs and the second is caches hidden. You will need to experiment, changing the top:-250px to adjust the position. If it is too low increase the number. If too high, decrease the number. You will need to change the DNF count and caches count to suit. Obviously, if you don't want the caches hidden count, don't include that bit of the code.

 

Remember, though, it MUST be the very first thing in your profile.

[+Cachez]

I only put a DNF log if I've had a really good look and still can't find it but I don't delete it if/when I do actually find the cache. It had never occurred to me to do so! I don't mind admitting that I couldn't find something.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

I only put a DNF log if I've had a really good look and still can't find it but I don't delete it if/when I do actually find the cache. It had never occurred to me to do so! I don't mind admitting that I couldn't find something.

This is what we do....just the other day I had 14 DNF's.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Sometimes the DNF logs are a better read than the Found It logs!

 

I always leave the DNF as a DNF log.

[+Pontiac_CZ]

... Generally, a DNF shows that I was too stupid to find the cache. Embarrassing. I am currently at 603 DNFs. Not something to be proud of. But: No. I do not delete my DNFs, when I make a subsequent find. It is part of my history, and my stupidity.

Why would anyone be proud of their DNFs????

 

How can you be stupid if the cache was not there or if you even could not start the search due to witnesses on the GZ? In both cases I log a DNF and both are a useful feedback for the owner.

And why are we proud? We are proud not because we DNF, but because we do not feel the need to hide our failures.

[+edscott]

I log mine and add the total to my page. I don't log a DNF if I get close to GZ and decide it isn't a spot I want to search. Muggle infested, private property, dangerous places, etc.. Those often just get a note.

[+narcissa]

I wouldn't delete it. Besides, there's no shame in logging a DNF. In fact, many cachers are proud of how many DNFs they have and have added the icon to their profile page. Speaking of which, does anyone know how to do that?

 

I am not proud of my DNFs. But I do log them. Generally, a DNF shows that I was too stupid to find the cache. Embarrassing. I am currently at 603 DNFs. Not something to be proud of. But: No. I do not delete my DNFs, when I make a subsequent find. It is part of my history, and my stupidity.

Why would anyone be proud of their DNFs????

 

How I feel about a particular DNF depends entirely on the specific circumstances surrounding it.

[+Gill & Tony]

I log mine and add the total to my page. I don't log a DNF if I get close to GZ and decide it isn't a spot I want to search. Muggle infested, private property, dangerous places, etc.. Those often just get a note.

That's how I play it. DNF is Did Not Find, not Did Not Search. If I can't search, for any reason, I usually don't write any log, but may write a note if there's anything the CO might need to know - including just a thanks for the location.

 

I'm not proud of my DNFs but I'm not ashamed of them. They are just part of my caching history. I've even added a section on my DNFs to my profile. So far 11% of my searches are DNF, in other words I fail to find one in nine times I search.

Edited November 12, 2015 by Gill & Tony

[+paleolith]

It's worth noting that gc.com never shows a count of your DNFs. Your find count is not decreased by your DNF count. If you look at another user's profile, you do not see their DNF logs. The only place you see another user's DNFs is when looking at a specific cache (unless of course they have made a list for you).

 

Edward

[+Pontiac_CZ]

DNF is Did Not Find, not Did Not Search.

True - but if you Did Not Search, you Did Not Find, right?

[+Gill & Tony]

DNF is Did Not Find, not Did Not Search.

True - but if you Did Not Search, you Did Not Find, right?

And if you simply drove past in your car you did not find either.

And if you stayed home you did not find.

 

There has to be a line drawn somewhere. For me, the line is that I have to make a serious search. Your line may be in a different place. That's the joy of this game.

[+noncentric]

DNF is Did Not Find, not Did Not Search.

True - but if you Did Not Search, you Did Not Find, right?

 

I guess I'll spend my weekend logging DNF's on 2.7+ million geocaches.

[+Aussietravla]

i have logged multiple DNF on a single cache before actually logging a find.

[+niraD]

i have logged multiple DNF on a single cache before actually logging a find.

Same here. Actually, my record is six DNFs before finally finding the well-camouflaged on my seventh attempt.

[+BCandMsKitty]

I wouldn't delete it. Besides, there's no shame in logging a DNF. In fact, many cachers are proud of how many DNFs they have and have added the icon to their profile page. Speaking of which, does anyone know how to do that?

 

I am not proud of my DNFs. But I do log them. Generally, a DNF shows that I was too stupid to find the cache. Embarrassing. I am currently at 603 DNFs. Not something to be proud of. But: No. I do not delete my DNFs, when I make a subsequent find. It is part of my history, and my stupidity.

Why would anyone be proud of their DNFs????

 

Is that "tongue in cheek?"

Isn't that why a lot of people don't log DNFs at all?

If you aren't joking, I'm surprised that a long time cacher would feel that way and say something that would reinforce the idea that it's a sign of failure, and one shouldn't log their DNFs!

 

Not finding a cache doesn't mean you're too stupid to find it ... it just means you didn't find it! No.. you don't have to be proud of them, but you certainly shouldn't feel stupid to log that you couldn't find it!

[+edscott]

The DNF rate of a particular cache gives at least as much, if not more, information about that cache than the favorite count.

[+edscott]

i have logged multiple DNF on a single cache before actually logging a find.

Same here. Actually, my record is six DNFs before finally finding the well-camouflaged on my seventh attempt.

 

I only log one DNF per cache but may edit that log to note subsequent attempts. Makes sense to me since I can only find it once and my DNF rate is already high enough.

[+larryc43230]

i have logged multiple DNF on a single cache before actually logging a find.

Same here. Actually, my record is six DNFs before finally finding the well-camouflaged on my seventh attempt.

I only log one DNF per cache but may edit that log to note subsequent attempts. Makes sense to me since I can only find it once and my DNF rate is already high enough.

Every time I visit a cache and can't find it, I log a DNF. Each log I enter is a record of my geocaching "career," and I want a record of everything I've done and everywhere I've been. My "DNF rate" (actually, my find rate, its inverse) is front and center on my profile page.

 

I really don't understand the perceived stigma attached to one's "DNF rate." It's already high enough? Compared to what, exactly? Is someone calculating your geocaching salary based on your DNF rate? Does a high "DNF rate" somehow threaten your position in the pecking order of local cachers? Who cares?

 

--Larry

[+K13]

If I begin a search for a cache, there are only two logging options afterward - Found It or DNF ( I see NM or NA as additional and optional to the log of the result). If I don't mark the cache log, the result is DNF. That is a factual record of my caching experience.

[+frinklabs]

I was caching with my sister today and we were one for three.

 

The first cache she logged the DNF and I posted a note because I had relevant information to add.

 

The second cache she logged the DNF and I logged nothing.

 

Does the CO really need two DNFs from the same search? I felt like I'd have been piling on...

[+Pontiac_CZ]

Well, you were there as a team and since a team member has already logged a DNF (great feedback for other players and the CO), you actually may want not to double it if you don't need the DNF in your personal geocaching history.

[+bflentje]

i have logged multiple DNF on a single cache before actually logging a find.

Same here. Actually, my record is six DNFs before finally finding the well-camouflaged on my seventh attempt.

 

I only log one DNF per cache but may edit that log to note subsequent attempts. Makes sense to me since I can only find it once and my DNF rate is already high enough.

 

Wait, what? Just one post above you mention how it's part of the history of the cache. Why would you not log multiple DNFs? Sounds like double-speak.

[+narcissa]

I was caching with my sister today and we were one for three.

 

The first cache she logged the DNF and I posted a note because I had relevant information to add.

 

The second cache she logged the DNF and I logged nothing.

 

Does the CO really need two DNFs from the same search? I felt like I'd have been piling on...

 

I log DNFs for my own records. It's not my responsibility if a cache owner is so delicate that they feel like people are "piling on" because of honest, factual logs.

[+frinklabs]

I was caching with my sister today and we were one for three.

 

The first cache she logged the DNF and I posted a note because I had relevant information to add.

 

The second cache she logged the DNF and I logged nothing.

 

Does the CO really need two DNFs from the same search? I felt like I'd have been piling on...

 

I log DNFs for my own records. It's not my responsibility if a cache owner is so delicate that they feel like people are "piling on" because of honest, factual logs.

 

I record-keep unfound caches with a bookmark list what is set to email me logs.

 

If they were to integrate a DNF count into the public stats I would for-sure log every single instance. And I mean an official count, not the html-hack manually-updated method.

 

I don't know what other cache owners would feel about multiple DNFs from the same search, but I can say for sure that any multi-DNFs on my caches would not bother me in the least.