+Sparrowhawk Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 What happens if we cross the idea of geocaching with that of www.bookcrossing.com? THAT would sure add a new demension to both fascinating hobbies, for sure! -Elana PS: They'd have to invent new "geobookcrossing" stickers, I bet... "Defenestrate XP!" Quote Link to comment
glynnfam Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 So far, I've "released" one bookcrossing book - in a geocache of course! I figure I'll get a better "hit rate" by leaving my bookcrossings and wheresgeorges in caches than just random releases. Quote Link to comment
+SteveL Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 and have 9 books registered - ready to be released into caches, Starbucks, etc. I released one yesterday at a Starbucks - no hit yet. I like to place books in caches, now I can track 'em! Verrry cool idea - I'm planning a bookcrossing only cache here in San Diego. Read and RELEASE! SteveL Quote Link to comment
azog Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=38094 ---------- Chickenfoot! Come back! You're not a freak! You're just stupid! Quote Link to comment
Rubbertoe Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 quote:Originally posted by azog:http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=38094 Yeah, I've been considering a bookcrossing based cache here in town - but I wasn't sure what the general feeling would be. I suppose it is just like any other themed cache, and therefore should be okay - I just know some people get concerned when asked to only take or leave a certain type of item. The one you linked to there seems well thought out - I like the way he talks about it in the description, making it more than just a box of books. Has anyone seen anything negative said about bookcrossing based caches? I haven't searched, so I don't know if there are many of them yet... just wondering what the overall feeling is in the community about them. Click the Toe... and please stop confusing your opinion with fact, ok? Quote Link to comment
Rubbertoe Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 Hmm... now I have to wonder, what is the best container to use for such a cache? It'd have to be something big, but I'd imagine it'd need to be almost airtight to help keep out the moisture and weather. Of course, ziplock baggies would be used - but I'd still think a good container might be hard to find. I'll probably end up resorting to a medium/large-ish rubbermaid container... not very airtight, but placed in the proper location it should be okay, I guess. Click the Toe... and please stop confusing your opinion with fact, ok? Quote Link to comment
+Dekaner Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 Yup, I like the pocket books especially, though novel size fits in an ammo box pretty well too. I also take books I find in caches and turn them into bookcrossing books. I generally email the original owner back too so they can watch their book as well. Lastly, I always setup a bookcrossing table at our event caches and will soon have a permanent bookcrossing zone in Buffalo, NY. - Dekaner of Team KKF2A Quote Link to comment
+Silver Horde Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 I got all excited about bookcrossing in caches.Sadly of the two I put out first, one got lost when the cache fell inside a tree. The second cache was thrown into a river, so I guess the book was spoiled. I lost heart after that and have not placed anymore yet. I still think it's a great idea but will choose the caches more carefully! Peregrinus Quote Link to comment
+parkrrrr Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 There's been a bookcrossing book in Perfectly Perplexing Puzzles for a while now. I was tempted to grab it when I did maintenance last week, but decided to leave it for someone else. It fits in a .30cal ammo can with plenty of room to spare for the other trinkets in there. Quote Link to comment
+bitbrain Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 I have a Library type cache, Bitbrain's Library, that's full of books registered at Bookcrossing.com. I think I made the cache too hard to get to 'cause I only have 4 hits on the cache & nothing on the books... Maybe everyone's waiting for Winter. - "This river dont go to Aintry. You done taken a wrong turn." - Quote Link to comment
+VentureForth Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 I've registered my first book on bookcrossing.com yesterday. Haven't read the book yet, though. All in all, the idea and execution is great. But I do just want to post a few dislikes about the website, though. 1) Lousy search engine. You can find locations where books are, but if there are several in an area, you have to click each one to find out what it is. Same with the book search. You can find 95 books of the same title, but you have to click on each 'released' book to find out where they are. There is no way to search for a Grisham book in North Texas.2) Forum is message thread type (old style) as opposed to infopop (which I'm really spoiled by, now). It is completely unsearchable. 3) Common sense seems to be lacking - no well thought out rules and guidelines. Some, but not nearly comprehensive enough for an effort as big as geocaching. I saw 'releases' on airplanes and busses - places that are regularly cleaned and abandoned property warehoused or thrown away. REALLY wasteful. 4) No clear message on how to find a book 'in the wild'. Locations are often simply 'Fowler St." or something at least as ambiguous. 5) Too much a game of 'chance'. The book with the most transactions has only been held by 13 people. Most people have NO finds, just a bunch of hides. 6) Reviews are based on each physical book, not title. Should be a way to tie all like titles in a review. I guess in this sense, it's a lot like a travel bug. Log the book, write about your experience with THAT book.Now a list of things I DO like about the site:1) Professionally laid out. Looks like the Barnes & Noble site in color and professionalism.2) GREAT idea for trading popular books! 3) Totally compatible with Geocaching! 4) Where's George dollars would make great bookmarks, but that'd just really confuse the snot outta the wheresgeorge.com people who are already irked at geocaching. 5) Crossing Zones are cool. They're registered places where you can declare a 'safe trading zone'. I think any physical cache could be an official Crossing Zone.Now then, all that being said, I think that it is a great idea. I plan on releasing all books I read out into the wild. Probably all in geocaches. It's just a matter of being conscious about logging your catches and releases accurately. The site can handle responsible people fine. It just also accepts all the mistakes by those lacking in some common sense This review furnished by VF. --------------- Go! And don't be afraid to get a little wet! [This message was edited by VentureForth on October 12, 2002 at 11:54 AM.] Quote Link to comment
+carleenp Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 I have thought about attaching a travel bug to a book and also putting bookcrossing on it. I thought that could be interesting. Quote Link to comment
+lostinjersey Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 A few months back I created the Library at Old 9W which is a book trading cache only. Then I found out about bookcrossing. Oh well. If I can get back up there, I'm going to register the books, but it'll be a pain now that the books are there & I'm here. This reminds me that I wanted to put a bookcrossing link on the cache page though. Thanks! www.gpswnj.com Quote Link to comment
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