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Mission GC Summer Souvenirs

niraD

By niraD
in General geocaching topics

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Michaelcycle

+Michaelcycle

Posted
Posted
Off Topic (kind of) - did anyone else get an e-mail today congratulating them on completing Mission GC? I thought there was 1 more mission next weekend?

More frustrating to me is that I didn't get message 1 and 2 (which would have been useful) but I did get this one.

 

You are not alone O!

(As narcissa has also pointed out)

thebruce0

+thebruce0

Posted
Posted (edited)

The date on my earthcache logs is the date I was at the site. The date I send the email is immaterial to the find, as the email just shows I've met the requirements to log my find.

 

Let's say I'm on a weekend road trip. On Saturday, I find ten traditional caches, then one earthcache, then two more traditionals, then call it a day. I get up Sunday morning to log the caches, and just before I submit the found it log on the earthcache, I send a message to the cache owner with the EC answers. Why would I date the logs for the traditional caches on Saturday but not the earthcache? It doesn't make sense to log them out of order.

That's how I do it as well.

But I'm not against a case where I might visit the earthcache, but do the homework after I get home and date the find then. I do start with the intent to log it the day I visited GZ though, but for whatever reason I wouldn't be against logging it the date I did the work and completed the requirements (though I don't really see a strong reason for that unless the post date for the Found log were important to me - like for a souvenir).

Earthcache is the only cache type where to me that would be an acceptable option, imo (the logic being similar to the challenge cache qualification ALR). Challenge caches are the only other exception, and that one is clearcut - Found it log must be posted the date all requirements are complete. Post a note when found, then a Find when qualified; or vice versa, if not already qualified when found. That's how I practice my dating methods. :)

 

...but... some people add another layer to challenge caches: Day 1-Found. Day 2-qualified. Day3-spent the time to find out that you're qualified, then log, not thinking about the date.

Personally, if someone does that, I'm not critical, because per the log history thing, I'm already not considering others' Found It logs to imply physical findability on that date, just recognition of found & qualification completion. *shrug*

 

But it does bug me on physical caches when someone mentions they forgot to log the cache Found when they visited weeks ago, then date it today..instead of weeks ago (whether sincere or not). dry.gif

Edited by thebruce0
barefootjeff

+barefootjeff

Posted
Posted
Off Topic (kind of) - did anyone else get an e-mail today congratulating them on completing Mission GC? I thought there was 1 more mission next weekend?

More frustrating to me is that I didn't get message 1 and 2 (which would have been useful) but I did get this one.

 

Yeah, same here. I had to chase down the actual puzzles, but the email selling me something miraculously made it through unscathed.

 

The same for me too. More shaking of head in bemusement.

CanadianRockies

+CanadianRockies

Posted
Posted

The date on my earthcache logs is the date I was at the site. The date I send the email is immaterial to the find, as the email just shows I've met the requirements to log my find.

 

Let's say I'm on a weekend road trip. On Saturday, I find ten traditional caches, then one earthcache, then two more traditionals, then call it a day. I get up Sunday morning to log the caches, and just before I submit the found it log on the earthcache, I send a message to the cache owner with the EC answers. Why would I date the logs for the traditional caches on Saturday but not the earthcache? It doesn't make sense to log them out of order.

It doesn't make sense to you to log them out of order. If you care about the accuracy of your cache-to-cache distance statistic, then it becomes very important that you keep your cache finds in order.

 

To others, it makes more sense to log caches on the day you "find" them according to Groundspeak's "find" requirements. According to Groundspeak, you haven't "found" an EarthCache until you both visit the site AND answer the questions to the cache owner's satisfaction. To these people, it makes more sense to date their online "Found It" logs on the day they complete Groundspeak's "Found It" requirements. That day usually is the day they send their EarthCache answers to the cache owner, which often is the same day they visit the site but could be days, weeks, months, or years later.

CanadianRockies

+CanadianRockies

Posted
Posted

But I'm not against a case where I might visit the earthcache, but do the homework after I get home and date the find then. I do start with the intent to log it the day I visited GZ though, but for whatever reason I wouldn't be against logging it the date I did the work and completed the requirements (though I don't really see a strong reason for that unless the post date for the Found log were important to me - like for a souvenir).

Earthcache is the only cache type where to me that would be an acceptable option, imo (the logic being similar to the challenge cache qualification ALR). Challenge caches are the only other exception, and that one is clearcut - Found it log must be posted the date all requirements are complete. Post a note when found, then a Find when qualified; or vice versa, if not already qualified when found. That's how I practice my dating methods.

Why would you view that as an acceptable option for EarthCaches and Challenge caches but not for a virtual cache that requires answers to be sent to the CO or a photograph to be uploaded? And what about a Webcam cache that requires a webcam photo to be uploaded? If I visit the webcam site on Monday and don't bother uploading the photo until Friday, then doesn't the same principle apply? I haven't completed the "Found It" requirements until Friday.

Rock Chalk

Rock Chalk

Posted
Posted

Sort of back on topic.. I just got an email from Groundspeak saying

 

Good work, agent redsox_mark.

 

You successfully completed Mission GC. Now that you've proven yourself a skilled secret agent, it's time you join the ranks of the world's most famous spies and look like one too.

 

And selling coins and stuff. But there is one more stage in the mission, right?

 

It was meant to read that you've successfully completed A mission. As it's worded, it could certainly lead to the impression that the promotion is over. It's not. Sorry for that.

 

Yeah, same here. I had to chase down the actual puzzles, but the email selling me something miraculously made it through unscathed.

 

Our email guru had been out of the office on vacation, which is why the issues with messages 1 and 2 were not fixed as quickly as would've been ideal. He returned early this week and was able to get things back in order in time for this week's email. I promise it's not part of a sinister plot to hide puzzle emails while ensuring that everyone sees marketing emails.

 

Regardless of which one it is, it's still a fail.

 

People here do try to do good work, but sometimes mistakes are made. Feel free to call us out on it. But I'm confident you can do it without being rude. Posts of this tone (which are coming from you with increasing frequency) are a big reason why more lackeys don't visit the forums. They don't mind constructive criticism. Just don't slather it with a big dollop of meanness.

The A-Team

+The A-Team

Posted
Posted

Regardless of which one it is, it's still a fail.

People here do try to do good work, but sometimes mistakes are made. Feel free to call us out on it. But I'm confident you can do it without being rude. Posts of this tone (which are coming from you with increasing frequency) are a big reason why more lackeys don't visit the forums. They don't mind constructive criticism. Just don't slather it with a big dollop of meanness.

Fair enough. I didn't think I was getting to the point of being rude, but I'll tone things down if my posts are seen that way.

 

FWIW, it's a catch-22 situation. You say Lackeys don't visit the forums because of frustrated members posting here, but the members would be far less frustrated if the Lackeys visited here more often and communicated what's happening. When we see no response from HQ (despite the fact that we've been told all posts get read), it gives a feeling of being ignored. Back when I first started following the forums, the site and business seemed to be running more smoothly and it seemed like we'd see more communication from Lackeys in the forums, which was nice to see and led to a more friendly and cooperative atmosphere. Recently it has gotten to the point that problems (e.g. Message Center not working for many) go unacknowledged and are quietly fixed without a single piece of communication from HQ. It would be great if we could get back to where things were before and Lackeys could let us know that problems have been acknowledged as being an actual problem, are being worked on, or have been fixed. That would undoubtedly improve the overall tone in the forums and it would be less likely that the members would jump to negative conclusions.

 

Anyway, I'll be travelling for the next couple of weeks, so you won't see any more posts from me for a bit. :grin:

CerealBoxMonsters

+CerealBoxMonsters

Posted
Posted

QUESTION: I would really like to get a copy of the actual missions for Mission GC, but no matter what I do, every time I go to the missiongc.com website and click on each mission, it only brings me to the password page.

 

Yes, I've solved both so far, but I like to collect current GC happenings and I'd like to get a copy of the actual missions. Are they still available somewhere?

Pup Patrol

Pup Patrol

Posted
Posted

QUESTION: I would really like to get a copy of the actual missions for Mission GC, but no matter what I do, every time I go to the missiongc.com website and click on each mission, it only brings me to the password page.

 

Yes, I've solved both so far, but I like to collect current GC happenings and I'd like to get a copy of the actual missions. Are they still available somewhere?

 

The first 2 missions are finished.

 

The window for securing Souvenir #1 is July 30-31, 2016.

The window for securing Souvenir #2 is August 13-14, 2016.

 

You still have an opportunity to complete the mission for the 3rd souvenir:

 

The window for securing Souvenir #3 is August 27-28, 2016.

 

B.

_dxd_

+_dxd_

Posted
Posted

I'd like to get a copy of the actual missions. Are they still available somewhere?

 

Are you talking about the puzzle to solve ? I still have the image of the maze saved if you need it. Unfortunately, I cleared some clutter in my email folders and don't have the first one anymore.

J Grouchy

+J Grouchy

Posted
Posted

QUESTION: I would really like to get a copy of the actual missions for Mission GC, but no matter what I do, every time I go to the missiongc.com website and click on each mission, it only brings me to the password page.

 

Yes, I've solved both so far, but I like to collect current GC happenings and I'd like to get a copy of the actual missions. Are they still available somewhere?

 

Here's the first one:

58b988577c.png

MKFmly

+MKFmly

Posted
Posted

FWIW, it's a catch-22 situation. You say Lackeys don't visit the forums because of frustrated members posting here, but the members would be far less frustrated if the Lackeys visited here more often and communicated what's happening. When we see no response from HQ (despite the fact that we've been told all posts get read), it gives a feeling of being ignored.

 

From a customer service perspective, people want their "stories" heard and that works well in person. Online, people feel much more free to cloud their issues with their "frustrations" and that can often make for a toxic atmosphere. Once people know they have an audience and can have there "frustrations" legitimised; they get "entitled" to personal Groundspeak attention, and it only gets worse not better.

 

It's more a "dammed if you do and dammed if you don't" situation.

Grimthorn

+Grimthorn

Posted
Posted

Tried to purchase the Mission GCHQ Patch" here in the United Kingdom through the Groundspeak shop. Only to find that they only deliver to USA and Canada and not to here in England. Is there a UK outlet?

dprovan

+dprovan

Posted
Posted

From a customer service perspective, people want their "stories" heard and that works well in person. Online, people feel much more free to cloud their issues with their "frustrations" and that can often make for a toxic atmosphere. Once people know they have an audience and can have there "frustrations" legitimised; they get "entitled" to personal Groundspeak attention, and it only gets worse not better.

One would hope someone that interacts with customers would know how to look past irrelevant emotional responses and focus on the problems. And, in fact, I've seen that done quite well by GS here in the forums and the reviewers everywhere. Has the emotional toll overwhelmed the lackeys' ability to respond?

MKFmly

+MKFmly

Posted
Posted

One would hope someone that interacts with customers would know how to look past irrelevant emotional responses and focus on the problems. And, in fact, I've seen that done quite well by GS here in the forums and the reviewers everywhere. Has the emotional toll overwhelmed the lackeys' ability to respond?

They quite obviously do; those interactions (taking complaints, or disagreeing with your boss, or getting disciplined for something that wasn't your fault) impose emotional tolls regardless of how professional and detached you are. It's not in the Lackey's job description or the majority of others.

 

Rock Chalk lays it out there...

 

People here do try to do good work, but sometimes mistakes are made. Feel free to call us out on it. But I'm confident you can do it without being rude. Posts of this tone (which are coming from you with increasing frequency) are a big reason why more lackeys don't visit the forums. They don't mind constructive criticism. Just don't slather it with a big dollop of meanness.

Why can't they be cut some slack even if they don't respond in a forum thread? Oh right every "irrelevant emotional response" regarding a geocaching niggle is "entitled" to a response.

fendmar

fendmar

Posted
Posted

The window for securing Souvenir #3 is August 27-28, 2016.

 

What is this souvenir ?

 

What are the requirements ?

We should all find out soon enough!
Pup Patrol

Pup Patrol

Posted
Posted

Off Topic (kind of) - did anyone else get an e-mail today congratulating them on completing Mission GC? I thought there was 1 more mission next weekend?

 

Nope, didn't get that email, even though we have completed one mission. *see RockChalk's explanation about the poorly worded email*

 

 

B.

Mudfrog

+Mudfrog

Posted
Posted

I immediately knew what was going on but couldn't remember the proper name for it. Took a couple of different googles but once hit, was easy peasy.

 

These are fun to solve and have helped to get my brain going in the morning. :P Not interested in the souvenirs but for fun, wouldn't mind getting puzzles like these in the mail every once in a while.

 

Groundspeak, Thanks!

cmt339

+cmt339

Posted
Posted

I must be off today, I'm just not getting it. Anyone want to offer a hint? :)

 

Duh! Just needed more coffee, patience, and Google! :)

kunarion

+kunarion

Posted
Posted (edited)

Thanks! I've heard about such emails and their puzzles, but had not seen one. Last week, there was a link on the Geocaching start page, but it led only to a list of caches from the New Search (all Multis, but what was the actual challenge? I never found out). This week, I was certain I've set everything up to get an email, even checkmarking Newsletter and Tips & Tricks. Nope. Still nothing. And nobody details what happened last week or the week before (What was the puzzle? What was the challenge?). Cool, it's exactly like every Geocaching Event ever. :ph34r:

 

Hey, I even think I could solve this one!

Edited by kunarion
fizzymagic

+fizzymagic

Posted
Posted (edited)

If your premium you should have gotten it today (last email)

 

I never received any of these supposed emails. That is despite careful checking of all the boxes to send me stuff, logging out and back in, making sure nothing was getting bounced, etc.

 

My overall impression is that the August activity backfired badly; rather than being a successful marketing campaign, it instead highlighted gc.com's inability to fix a pretty important problem.

 

ETA: I take it back! I got the third email today! So at least the email problems are partly fixed.

Edited by fizzymagic
Pup Patrol

Pup Patrol

Posted
Posted

If your premium you should have gotten it today (last email)

 

If you read any of this thread, you will find out that numerous people have not been receiving the "mission" emails. There has been a problem since the very beginning.

 

And if you read post #264, you will find out the reason why.

 

So, again... for the folks who might not have gotten this last "mission" email...

 

http://view.communication.geocaching.com/?qs=ddd4d6eb1ce9d482068d1ebecb543f4c54108e371aa81ffa9a755ca5870508cd6b3420cbb8c195d3bd524e0d2960481e4d8904d33b09fa9dfa4d216b82cd64704ac92547b6a14be9

 

B.

Pond Bird

+Pond Bird

Posted
Posted

If your premium you should have gotten it today (last email)

 

I never received any of these supposed emails. That is despite careful checking of all the boxes to send me stuff, logging out and back in, making sure nothing was getting bounced, etc.

 

My overall impression is that the August activity backfired badly; rather than being a successful marketing campaign, it instead highlighted gc.com's inability to fix a pretty important problem.

 

ETA: I take it back! I got the third email today! So at least the email problems are partly fixed.

 

i NEVER got an email about either mission. But I am checking out the current mission. Tried "Team", "Geocaching" "Green" "Flag" nothing that makes sense seems to be working and everybody says this one is easy.

Pup Patrol

Pup Patrol

Posted
Posted

i NEVER got an email about either mission. But I am checking out the current mission. Tried "Team", "Geocaching" "Green" "Flag" nothing that makes sense seems to be working and everybody says this one is easy.

 

You need to click "view photographic evidence" to see each of the images that create the encoded message.

 

B.

Pond Bird

+Pond Bird

Posted
Posted

i NEVER got an email about either mission. But I am checking out the current mission. Tried "Team", "Geocaching" "Green" "Flag" nothing that makes sense seems to be working and everybody says this one is easy.

 

You need to click "view photographic evidence" to see each of the images that create the encoded message.

 

B.

 

Yeah I am viewing all the "Evidence" and nothing seems to reveal the code word.

Georgia Terrapin

Georgia Terrapin

Posted
Posted

While the thread contains some complaints about the logistics of the promotion (bad email commo, etc.) and some compliments, and most of it seems to be about finding more clues, I'd like to add that the promotion is healthy from my perspective. I don't have hundreds of finds, I use geocacheing as a reason to get outside and do something. The promotion gives me a goal, even though I don't care about the reward. So I have forced myself to work three specific types of caches into my life in three short, specific time periods. As a result, I have learned about a few new caching types (i.e., puzzle, multi, favorites), I had a nice, long hike with my son and introduced him to caching, next weekend I'll have a nice canoeing experience with my wife and my pup. I'll have had a couple of strong workouts and some creative brain activity.

 

I'll also encourage my nephew, a new college freshman, to continue to geocache so he won't become a couch potato in college.

 

Whatever the flaws in the promotion, thanks for doing it. It's a good effort.

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