Popular Post +Geocaching HQ Posted August 31, 2020 Popular Post Posted August 31, 2020 Release Notes (New Attributes) - August 31, 2020 With today’s release, we are introducing 4 new attributes! (See also our release notes on the Attribute Search in the Geocaching® app and Attribute Search on Geocaching.com) Hiders with challenge caches, bonus caches, or caches that are part of a power trail can now add the appropriate attribute. Additionally, we will automatically apply the Geocaching.com solution checker attribute to any caches that use the Geocaching.com solution checker. More about the 4 new attributes: Bonus cache attribute If you own a bonus cache, please add the bonus cache attribute to your existing or future hide so that other geocachers can filter for them easily. Since bonus caches are always Mystery Caches, the attribute is only available for Mystery Cache types. Power trail attribute If you own caches that are part of a power trail, please add the power trail attribute to your hides so that other geocachers can filter for them easily. The power trail attribute is available for the following cache types: Traditional Caches, Multi-Caches, Letterbox Hybrids, Mystery Caches, and Wherigo Caches. Note to finders: As cache owners apply these attributes to their hides, filtering for bonus cache and power trail attributes will start to show more and more results, but initially you will likely only see few results. Note to cache owners: As a one-time community service, we offer cache owners the opportunity to email us a list of GC-codes of their currently published & active power trail caches where they would like the attribute added retroactively. Please email a comma-separated list of the GC-codes to us via the Help Center (choose Appeals) by September 30, 2020. Challenge cache attribute If you own a challenge cache, you can now add the challenge cache attribute to your cache. Geocaching HQ will also run a script to add the challenge cache attribute to all* published challenge caches within the next several days. The challenge cache attribute is available for Mystery Caches. It is only allowed on challenge caches that meet the current guidelines, as well as grandfathered challenge caches. Geocaching HQ may remove the attribute from cache listings where it has been incorrectly added. (* Since there will be a time delay between identifying all challenge caches and running the script, we will likely miss some newly published challenge caches. There is also a possibility that we will miss some published challenge caches due to the difficulty in identifying them. Check your challenge cache page after we run the script to see if you need to add the attribute manually.) Going forward, if you are planning to submit a new challenge cache for review, the challenge cache attribute must be added, just like the challenge checker. Geocaching.com solution checker attribute If you own a Mystery Cache and have added the Geocaching.com solution checker to your cache page, your cache page will now also show the Geocaching.com solution checker attribute. Within the next few days, Geocaching HQ will run a script to add the Geocaching.com solution checker attribute to all published caches that have the solution checker selected. If you wish to add this attribute to your cache page earlier, follow these steps: From the edit page, remove the solution checker and save the change. Then add the solution checker again and save the change. Note that you will not see this attribute in the attribute section of the cache submission process or on the edit page, since the attribute will be added automatically when you select the checkbox to add the Geocaching.com solution checker. With this project, we have also taken the opportunity to update the availability of existing attributes for cache types, and to update the attribute names of existing attributes to be more consistent. We have not made any significant changes to the meaning of any attribute. Some notable changes: All event cache types now have consistent attribute availability (including Mega- and Giga-Events) The “Field puzzle” attribute can now be added to Letterbox Hybrids and Wherigo Caches The “Food nearby” attribute can now be added to Wherigo Caches “Camping available” is now “Camping nearby” “Watch for livestock” is now “Livestock nearby” “Snowshoes required” is now “May require snowshoes” “Cross country skis required” is now “May require cross country skis” “Wireless beacon required” is now “Wireless receiver required” “Front yard (private residence)” is now “Yard (private residence)” “Teamwork required” is now “Teamwork cache” Nicole (nykkole) is watching this thread to answer questions whenever possible. Any posts in this thread should relate to features in this release. Comments unrelated to the release may be removed. Please direct unrelated comments to other appropriate threads. Thanks! 5 11 7
+mustakorppi Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 36 minutes ago, Geocaching HQ said: Since bonus caches are always Mystery Caches, the attribute is only available for Mystery Cache types. Is this attribute also meant for adventure lab bonus caches? Because they didn’t always to have to be mystery caches... 36 minutes ago, Geocaching HQ said: If you own caches that are part of a power trail, please add the power trail attribute to your hides so that other geocachers can filter for them easily. Searching for ”power trail” in the Help Center returns no relevant results. Is an entry explaining them in the pipeline?
+baer2006 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 1 minute ago, mustakorppi said: Searching for ”power trail” in the Help Center returns no relevant results. Is an entry explaining them in the pipeline? I think the usual definition is "You know it's a power trail if you see one" . Seriously though, there is no "hard" definition of a PT. I guess its up to the cache owners to designate their trails as "power" or not. 1
+longwhatton34 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 55 minutes ago, Geocaching HQ said: "Since bonus caches are always Mystery Caches, the attribute is only available for Mystery Cache types." Bonus caches aren't always Mysteries though, are they? My AL Bonus is a Letterbox Hybrid... 1
+Lineflyer Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 That are quite useful attributes. Most liked change to the website since a longer time. Thank you! 4
+thebruce0 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 That's a lot of attribute-related updates! Great to see. Especially the searching by attribute features! Is that ability being added to the API for 3rd party mobile apps as well? 1 1
+sernikk Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 Quote The “Field puzzle” attribute can now be added to Letterbox Hybrids and Wherigo Caches This was missing for a long time! Are there any plans of changing any other attributes in the future or adding some? I'm missing some kind of attribute similar to the "Yard", which would tell us that the place owner, where the cache is hidden, knows about the container and geocaching. I can remember some caches, where this attribute could be helpful. 2
Popular Post Keystone Posted August 31, 2020 Popular Post Posted August 31, 2020 53 minutes ago, mustakorppi said: 1 hour ago, Geocaching HQ said: Since bonus caches are always Mystery Caches, the attribute is only available for Mystery Cache types. Is this attribute also meant for adventure lab bonus caches? Because they didn’t always to have to be mystery caches... Bonus caches, including bonus caches solved by completing an Adventure Lab, must ALWAYS be Mystery Caches. 6 1 4 1
+TTO2 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) Can the new attributes be added to existing caches with 'edit'? Edited August 31, 2020 by TTO2
Keystone Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 9 minutes ago, TTO2 said: Can the new attributes be added to existing caches with 'edit'? And will existing caches like challenges retroactively get the challenge attribute added to them? Yes, if you place a cache in "Edit" mode, you will see that the new attributes are available for selection, where applicable. As noted in the opening post, there is a plan for automatic addition of the challenge cache attribute as well as an offer from HQ to assist cache owners with the bulk addition of the power trail attribute. The bonus cache attribute must be added manually by the cache owner when applicable. The solution checker attribute is added automatically. 1
+thebruce0 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Keystone said: there is a plan for automatic addition of the challenge cache attribute as well as an offer from HQ to assist cache owners with the bulk addition of the power trail attribute As I was adding attributes to my series manually, that question came to mind - good to know! (for those with 100's of power trail series caches :P) Edited August 31, 2020 by thebruce0
+TTO2 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, thebruce0 said: (for those with 100's of power trail series :P) That's a huge task one-by-one.
+STNolan Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 1 hour ago, Geocaching HQ said: Challenge cache attribute If you own a challenge cache, you can now add the challenge cache attribute to your cache. Geocaching HQ will also run a script to add the challenge cache attribute to all* published challenge caches within the next several days. The challenge cache attribute is available for Mystery Caches. It is only allowed on challenge caches that meet the current guidelines, as well as grandfathered challenge caches. Geocaching HQ may remove the attribute from cache listings where it has been incorrectly added. (* Since there will be a time delay between identifying all challenge caches and running the script, we will likely miss some newly published challenge caches. There is also a possibility that we will miss some published challenge caches due to the difficulty in identifying them. Check your challenge cache page after we run the script to see if you need to add the attribute manually.) Going forward, if you are planning to submit a new challenge cache for review, the challenge cache attribute must be added, just like the challenge checker. Huzzah! A much awaited feature! 2 2
+thebruce0 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 12 minutes ago, Keystone said: The bonus cache attribute must be added manually by the cache owner when applicable. Just a point of clarity - "must" as in that's the only way it can be added, or "must" as in if it is considered a bonus cache, the attribute is required? And does that apply to both geocache series bonus caches and Adventure Lab bonus caches?
+OnABoat Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 This news should be well received. A lot of nice updates. The only thing left to do is add a "Geo-Art" attribute. What is the saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth? 1 2 1
+Pinkpiggy7 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 An attribute for Geoart would have being good as well 3
+thebruce0 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, OnABoat said: The only thing left to do is add a "Geo-Art" attribute. I was thinking about that old request too. I think they banked on the fact that most geoarts (just eduguessing on this) are already as powertrail/roadsides. I've done maybe a couple of geoarts where they're scattered around a region, but by far most geoarts I've done or seen are just hiking/biking/driving powertrails. If I want to find a geoart, I'm thinking I'll be searching the powertrail attribute most often ;P 2
+predator1337 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 an attribute for biltema caches would be nice 1 1 1
Keystone Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 20 minutes ago, thebruce0 said: 31 minutes ago, Keystone said: The bonus cache attribute must be added manually by the cache owner when applicable. Just a point of clarity - "must" as in that's the only way it can be added, or "must" as in if it is considered a bonus cache, the attribute is required? And does that apply to both geocache series bonus caches and Adventure Lab bonus caches? Unlike the challenge cache attribute, which is mandatory going forward, the bonus cache attribute is optional. The context of my prior post addressed how each attribute is added to an existing cache page, which varies. The bonus cache attribute can only be added by the cache owner placing their cache in edit mode, and manually selecting the new attribute. 3
+barefootguru Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 9 minutes ago, predator1337 said: an attribute for biltema caches would be nice A what cache? 4
+HHL Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 8 minutes ago, predator1337 said: an attribute for biltema caches would be nice The attribute "Special tool required" will do that job sufficiently. 5
+TTO2 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 8 minutes ago, thebruce0 said: I was thinking about that old request too. I think they banked on the fact that most geoarts (just eduguessing on this) are already as powertrail/roadsides. I've done maybe a couple of geoarts where they're scattered around a region, but by far most geoarts I've done or seen are just hiking/biking/driving powertrails. If I want to find a geoart, I'm thinking I'll be searching the powertrail attribute most often ;P I was thinking that if you need a attribute for geo-art they aren't very good artists... LOL 6 1
+Stick People Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 A geoart attribute would be a nice addition. Many people love to get these and since most are puzzles, users like to solve before travelling. 1
+BWJM Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 It would be nice to be able to use the geochecker attribute for caches that use other geocheckers such as Certitudes which are more feature-rich than the built-in geochecker. 7 1
+sernikk Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 10 minutes ago, predator1337 said: an attribute for biltema caches would be nice I think this would be too much detailed.
+sernikk Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 55 minutes ago, Keystone said: Bonus caches, including bonus caches solved by completing an Adventure Lab, must ALWAYS be Mystery Caches. That is interesting, because I saw many which are not, and are Letterbox Hybrids instead. Its practically not much of a difference. 1
+thebruce0 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 18 minutes ago, TTO2 said: I was thinking that if you need a attribute for geo-art they aren't very good artists... LOL haha, it's funny, but seriously, obviously trying to locate geoarts can be a pain in densely populated regions. Scrolling around the map for clumps of mystery caches that could be as small as a few kms wide to many many kms. There is a practical benefit to having an easier of identifying them on a grander scale. 1 3 1
+Max and 99 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 2 hours ago, Geocaching HQ said: If you own a challenge cache, you can now add the challenge cache attribute to your cache. Geocaching HQ will also run a script to add the challenge cache attribute to all* published challenge caches within the next several days. The challenge cache attribute is available for Mystery Caches. It is only allowed on challenge caches that meet the current guidelines, as well as grandfathered challenge caches. Geocaching HQ may remove the attribute from cache listings where it has been incorrectly added. I'm glad you added this last sentence. There are many geocaches that have "Challenge" in their name that are not "Challenge Caches" in the sense of what this attribute represents. 1
+OwenfromKC Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 1 What if I already have 15 attributes on the cache? 2 Will one be displaced? 3 Which and why? 4 Can we add more than 15 now? 1
+TTO2 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 5 minutes ago, thebruce0 said: haha, it's funny, but seriously, obviously trying to locate geoarts can be a pain in densely populated regions. Scrolling around the map for clumps of mystery caches that could be as small as a few kms wide to many many kms. There is a practical benefit to having an easier of identifying them on a grander scale. True, but there are also three places where I know that the geo-art overlap each other making searching by a attribute complicated. In all the cases I had to just search by CO to get the mess straight. BTW all three were cachers in turf wars for the same space. I just want to state for the record that I would like a geo-art attribute regardless of these situations.
+funkymunkyzone Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 1 hour ago, longwhatton34 said: Bonus caches aren't always Mysteries though, are they? My AL Bonus is a Letterbox Hybrid... Mine too. 1
+monsterbox Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 30 minutes ago, HHL said: The attribute "Special tool required" will do that job sufficiently. Might be it's enough for you, but not for everyone, like me ;-) I'm manually putting the biltema caches onto a separate list and right after that I "ignore" them. Would be way easier if they had their own attribute, like tree climbing caches, too! 1
+BWJM Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 Are there any criteria to define a power trail? Or is it the CO's discretion just like most other attributes? 1 1
+funkymunkyzone Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 27 minutes ago, sernikk said: That is interesting, because I saw many which are not, and are Letterbox Hybrids instead. Its practically not much of a difference. Especially as a letterbox is exactly the same as either a trad, multi or *mystery*, just with a stamp added. 1
+sernikk Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 4 minutes ago, funkymunkyzone said: Especially as a letterbox is exactly the same as either a trad, multi or *mystery*, just with a stamp added. Exactly. My friend even asked a reviewer, and he had no problem with publishing this type of cache as a bonus. I guess this is not what HQ wants, but yeah... reality is different
+thebruce0 Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 29 minutes ago, OwenfromKC said: 1 What if I already have 15 attributes on the cache? 2 Will one be displaced? 3 Which and why? 4 Can we add more than 15 now? Until there's an official answer, this has been tested and a cache owner has ended up with 16 attributes, so somehow they're allowing more attributes (either an exception or by increasing the max)
Keystone Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 53 minutes ago, funkymunkyzone said: 2 hours ago, longwhatton34 said: Bonus caches aren't always Mysteries though, are they? My AL Bonus is a Letterbox Hybrid... Mine too. Bonus caches are ALWAYS Mystery Caches. Cache owners are advised not to place a letterboxing stamp in a bonus cache. 1 1 2 1
+dani_carriere Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) I support all the new attributes. Thanks. This may be unpopular, but I'd like to see them do away with the L&F attribute since no one has been able to collect them in over 10 years, Not really a good idea for an attribute to have a specific short time frame (like only valid in 2010, and only if a HQ lackie attended that particular event). I'd be ok if they'd open it up to be any lackie attended event without the time aspect. Thanks. Edited September 1, 2020 by dani_carriere added relevant information 8
Keystone Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 50 minutes ago, BWJM said: Are there any criteria to define a power trail? Or is it the CO's discretion just like most other attributes? Use of the power trail attribute is completely within the Cache Owner's discretion. 2
BlueRajah Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 11 minutes ago, Keystone said: Bonus caches are ALWAYS Mystery Caches. Cache owners are advised not to place a letterboxing stamp in a bonus cache. Just to echo keystone. That is the policy right now. If you drop a stamp in it now, you will still be a Bonus cache. From the help center Quote A bonus cache is a Mystery Cache for which you have to find clues in other caches 2
+thebruce0 Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 Just now, BlueRajah said: 14 minutes ago, Keystone said: Bonus caches are ALWAYS Mystery Caches. Cache owners are advised not to place a letterboxing stamp in a bonus cache. Just to echo keystone. That is the policy right now. If you drop a stamp in it now, you will still be a Bonus cache. From the help center Quote A bonus cache is a Mystery Cache for which you have to find clues in other caches Okay, so really just seeking sincere clarification because it seems maybe some lines are getting crossed - that sounds like Adventure Lab caches aren't "bonus caches"? Or do Adventure Lab bonus caches always have to be Mystery Caches (though there are many examples of this not being the case) - and existing ones have been published incorrectly? Maybe it's just a confusion of overlapping terms or labels? More directly: Should owners of Adventure Lab bonus caches also add the Bonus Cache attribute, including those which are not Mystery caches? (truly not trying to pick any nits - just seek clarification). It makes sense that all bonus caches (including Adventure Lab bonus caches) should be Mystery/Unknown. But some have been published as not that. If the guideline (at least moving forward) is that even those bonus caches should be Mystery caches, then that's a good clarification
+qbee37 Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Keystone said: Bonus caches, including bonus caches solved by completing an Adventure Lab, must ALWAYS be Mystery Caches. Bonus caches, including bonus caches solved by completing an Adventure Lab Umm. Is there any other type of Bonus Cache? And, while they may now always have to be Mysteries, there are those that are not. Does anyone at GCHQ talk to each other?
Keystone Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Keystone said: Bonus caches, including bonus caches solved by completing an Adventure Lab, must ALWAYS be Mystery Caches. I am sorry if my prior post is unclear. I don't know how to state this any more clearly. I will also state that Reviewers have been given very clear instructions on this point by Geocaching HQ. So, let's get back to talking about the new Attributes, OK? 2 2
+Frau Potter Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 All bonus caches should be Mystery Caches, including those resulting from finding Adventure Lab Caches. Jinx, @Keystone 3 1
+qbee37 Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 2 hours ago, predator1337 said: an attribute for biltema caches would be nice Exactly what is a biltema cache? 1
nykkole Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 2 hours ago, OwenfromKC said: 1 What if I already have 15 attributes on the cache? 2 Will one be displaced? 3 Which and why? 4 Can we add more than 15 now? Some attributes don't count towards the 15 attribute limit. e.g. "Wheelchair accessible", "Needs maintenance", or "Geocaching.com solution checker". So, if a Mystery Cache owner adds 15 attributes manually, then sets the T rating to 1 and adds the solution checker - the cache will have 17 attributes. If the CO then doesn't maintain their cache, they might get an 18th attribute for "Needs maintenance" ;P 1 4
nykkole Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 For the question about bonus caches - Keystone, Blue Rajah, and Frau Potter have already said this, and quoted the Help Center, but in case anyone would like to read more, here's the link to the bonus cache article. Any bonus cache that is not a Mystery Cache does not follow the current guidelines. According to these guidelines, the new attribute is only available for Mystery Caches. 3 1
+barefootjeff Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 8 minutes ago, nykkole said: Some attributes don't count towards the 15 attribute limit. e.g. "Wheelchair accessible", "Needs maintenance", or "Geocaching.com solution checker". So, if a Mystery Cache owner adds 15 attributes manually, then sets the T rating to 1 and adds the solution checker - the cache will have 17 attributes. If the CO then doesn't maintain their cache, they might get an 18th attribute for "Needs maintenance" ;P That sounds like an opportunity for a challenge cache - find X caches with 18 attributes . 5
+DragonsWest Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 That power trail attribute look long enough and nearly a mirror image of this one proposed by some goofball back in 2013. 2 4 1 1
+brendan714 Posted September 1, 2020 Posted September 1, 2020 I think the attributes are great, but I really wish challenge caches would get their own icon. I just foresee some COs adding on the challenge cache attribute on a non-challenge cache either on purpose or by mistake and muddying up the purpose of the attribute. The same already happens fairly often for one reason or another with the SCUBA, climbing gear and tree climbing attributes, just to name a few. There's already one cache in my city that's incorrectly identified as a challenge cache: https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC8V1V2 Now it will forever show up when I filter by challenge cache attribute. A challenge cache icon wouldn't have these problems as the reviewer would have to approve it. 4
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