[Feature] The Travel Bug Tags

[+LZ33]

This feature request is only concerning "Travel Bug Dog Tags" trackables.  (not coins, cacher cards, etc)  
 

Exercise a biannual sweep with the following algorithm. (concerning only the "Travel Bug Dog Tags" trackables)

No logging activity (dormant) for an "X" amount of time.

And

Is in a profile's inventory.

And

In an profile's inventory not belonging to the owner of the TB.

 

Two actions are taken for TB's flagged from the algorithm:

1) A 'warning / reminder' implemented into our profiles. (ideally located with our problematic geocaches and unpublished submission forms) In red text, an alert for geocachers noting they have grabbed a TB that needs to be placed back into the game. 

 

2) An auto email is sent to the holder of the TB with suggested text of - "You have grabbed travel bug 'so and so' on 'this date'.  This travel bug hasn't seen any geocaching activities for an long extended amount of time. (provide number of days the TB has been without any activity here) As noted in 'this link' (link to the trackable guidelines) please return the travel bug into a geocache or hand it to another geocacher, likely at an event soon. Also, contact the owner or log a 'write a note' on the TB's page to let the TB owner know of your intentions." 

 

Also: 

When a geocacher logs "grabbed it" for their first time with a "Travel Bug Dog Tags" trackable, they get an auto generated email with a sentiment similar to: "Congratulations on grabbing your first Travel Bug.  Now see this link (for trackable FAQ) and don't forget to place the travel bug in a geocache within the next two weeks."  Within the app, similarly of getting notified of receiving a new souvenir. 

	IMO, this implementation of raising awareness and education would: Bring needed attention to trackables in general, especially to new geocachers. Spotlight an unique feature / game piece of geocaching that seems to be fading in part due to TB's becoming MIA frequently. Likely an increase of sales for "Travel Bug Dog Tags". Likely an increase of "Travel Bug Dog Tags" being moved in the game from HQ emphasizing importance and respect for game pieces. Observing positives results as we did from the 'geocache ownership responsibility campaign' released a few years ago.   If this feature request is implemented and has a positive outcome, included in the algorithm could be the promotional / commercial TB's.   Thanks for your consideration.

[+MartyBartfast]

Sounds a reasonable idea to me, but why exclude coins from this process? I would think they would benefit just as much as the regular dog tag TBs.

[+LZ33]

19 hours ago, MartyBartfast said:

Sounds a reasonable idea to me, but why exclude coins from this process? I would think they would benefit just as much as the regular dog tag TBs.

 

Thanks for the great question.  

HQ likes to implement new features in baby steps for verity of reasons. 

 

If all trackables where included, then the algorithm becomes more complex for the developers, thus more costly to implement.  Such in the case of M10B coins, they would need to be exempt from the algorithm as well as with these geocoins.  There are a lot of non Travel Bug Dog Tags trackables with missions similar to M10B coins that don't mind being in a collection and / or not traveling through geocaches.   

 

IMO - Travel Bug Dog Tags are true geocaching game pieces. Geocoins tend to be more of a signature items from players, groups ETC with a verity of missions.