+hikemeister Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 A group of 12 geocachers from the US, Canada, and the UK are working together to develop a multi-stage cache. Each stage will have a physical clue at the waypoint (e.g., the year on a bridge) PLUS a clue that must be solved by doing some hunting on the geocaching web site. We need input on a typical clue, to get a sense of whether folks think it is too hard, too easy, or properly challenging. Here is an example clue: "I have been a cacher since April 02, That my name is an orb should mean something to you. I live in Connecticut, in the southwest part, but driving to caches is near to my heart. I have placed but a few and they are far and wide. Now I need you to go and find my deceptive hide. On this cache page is where you will meet Your clue, it is hidden inside of the feet. If you add them all up just what to you get? Now don't be afraid nor work up a sweat." Please see if you can solve this and provide feedback. If you have an answer (a three digit number), send it to me by email and don't post it here. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps us with this. Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 I really don't like cache clues that require an Internet connection to find the answer. I use Pocket Queries with my PDA loaded with all of the caches in the area. I don't want to research a specific cache before leaving the computer anymore. I'd rather see a nearby waypoint on my GPS, look up the ID on my PDA and go find it. Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness Quote Link to comment
+Team Cacheopeia Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 I'm game. Sounds like fun. However, this one's pretty tough (at least for me). Maybe it's because I don't know exactly where to look, but it seems pretty vague to be searching for a cacher who started in April '02 and whose name is an orb. There are lots of cachers here! My first thought was Jomorac5 since his avatar's an orb, but that didn't fit with the date. I did a search for orb (found nothing) and sphere, but the guy named sphere doesn't fit, either. I tried randomly searching through the forums to no avail. I may keep searching, but I don't know how long the needle-in-a-haystack goal will keep my interest. Neat idea, though... Jaime Jaime and Jason Team Cacheopeia image ©scienceandart.com -- used with permission Quote Link to comment
+Brian - Team A.I. Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 42. Brian Team A.I. Quote Link to comment
+Team Cacheopeia Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 Ok, now I really want to figure it out (despite my earlier post that it may not keep my attention... I'm still here). I know the user, but I'm just trying to decode the rest. Jaime and Jason Team Cacheopeia image ©scienceandart.com -- used with permission Quote Link to comment
+WaldenRun Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 I have sent along my answer. I thought there was some ambiguity, so it would be nice to have a way to check one's answer. -WR A GeoCache is a LetterBox where coordinates are one of the clues. Quote Link to comment
kg4mrv Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 It would seem to me that the hard part is finding the user w/ the name meaning orb. the rest seems pretty straightforward. Is there a way to search a database of users? Like a earlier poster said there a lot of users heere. Quote Link to comment
+geospotter Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 It was pretty easy. New Englanders would probably know this cacher, others might not. Quote Link to comment
TheMoore's Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 I too have emailed my answer. I thought this was easy, but definitely would like to know if I have the correct answer. --------------------------------------------------------------- "You're no verra sensible, Sassenach, but I like ye fine. Let's go." Quote Link to comment
kg4mrv Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 Pretty sure I got it. Answer was emailed. It was quite easy once I found the user. Quote Link to comment
+hikemeister Posted September 21, 2003 Author Share Posted September 21, 2003 Wow -- just one correct response so far out of ten. That's now what we want. Will reformat the clue and try a modified version tomorrow. All who sent an email had the correct name of the geocacher who wrote this clue and also the correct cache. Getting the correct number was the challenge, and I think it reflects the wording in our clue. Thanks to all who have helped so far by providing input !! Quote Link to comment
+Og's outfit Posted September 21, 2003 Share Posted September 21, 2003 I've sent my guess. If I'm right, it only took me about 5 minutes. A lot of cachers don't bother with the forums and might not be able to find the user quickly. I do like your idea, though. Very inventive. Og Prophetically Challenged (or is that Pathetically?) Quote Link to comment
SombreHippie Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 If I got it right, it took me less than 5 minutes as well... There is some ambiguity in it, though. One of my 2 answers must be right. A great serial killer once said, "Beauty is only skin deep. Trust me, I've looked..." Quote Link to comment
+nittany dave Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 I couldn't resist. I sent my answer/guess. It took me 5-10 minutes. Quote Link to comment
+Sissy-n-CR Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Took 3 minutes, but I wouldn't go want to go after something where there could be multiple answers. Another problem: what if the cache owner that you're profiling changes your clue? It would kind of tick me off if after all of the figuring the clue was different than when you used it. CR Quote Link to comment
Files Family Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Great idea! I like the ones that require a bit of thought. I found my answer in less than 5 min. Quote Link to comment
+hikemeister Posted September 22, 2003 Author Share Posted September 22, 2003 OK, thanks to everyone who responded (about 20 emails -- enough for us to see what happens with this clue). Everyone found the right cacher and cache. However, there were three different answers given for the number, depending on whether one used only the numbers inside the encrypted clue, the text above the clue, or both together. This means that we need to have a clue that is more clearly stated, which should not be a problem. Good to see that 'orb' and 'deceptive' were enough to get to the right page. Did get a comment from a very active geocacher down here in Florida that this concept would be too difficult for folks in Palm Beach County. Perhaps, but we'll give it a try anyway. THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment
+woodsters Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 so what was the correct answer? I received a reply of "thanks!"...did that mean I was correct? lol Brian www.woodsters.com Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 quote: so what was the correct answer? If we told you, we'd have to kill you! ==============="If it feels good...do it"================ **(the other 9 out of 10 voices in my head say: "Don't do it.")** . Quote Link to comment
+woodsters Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by sept1c_tank: quote: so what was the correct answer? If we told you, we'd have to kill you! http://www.indianageocaching.comhttp://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ws/emoticons/signal/bad_boy_a.gif http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/puke.gif ===============_"If it feels good...do it"_================ **_(the other 9 out of 10 voices in my head say: "Don't do it.")_** . And the crowd yells... "tell him , tell him!" Brian www.woodsters.com Quote Link to comment
+ApK Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Sissy-n-CR:Took 3 minutes, but I wouldn't go want to go after something where there could be multiple answers. Another problem: what if the cache owner that you're profiling changes your clue? It would kind of tick me off if after all of the figuring the clue was different than when you used it. CR http://img.Groundspeak.com/user/72057_2000.gif Ditto. I enjoyed being able to solve this sample, but if I was going into the field with no easy way to to try to solve again without a trip back to a web terminal, I'd want to be sure the solution was unambiguosly correct. ApK [This message was edited by ApK on September 22, 2003 at 12:00 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+ApK Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Oops. [This message was edited by ApK on September 22, 2003 at 12:00 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+ApK Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Oops again...darn! Quote Link to comment
+Delta-S Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 maybe a checksum should be included so one could tell if the found answer was right. The Bigg Family "Delta-S" Quote Link to comment
btouch Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Woodsters Outdoors:so what was the correct answer? I received a reply of "thanks!"...did that mean I was correct? lol Brian http://www.woodsters.com http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/pumpkinlights.gif Would it be inappropriate to discuss the different methodologies used for solving this 'test' clue here? Quote Link to comment
+TAT Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 I figured it out fairly quickly, but found more than three poisble answers using negative numbers. So, do some more work to eliminate ambiguity. But, don't hold back trying to make it so anyone, anywhere can easily solve it. If someone from Florida or Findland cannot figure it out, they'll go to another cache. Can't wait to see the finished product. Quote Link to comment
+woodsters Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 wait a minute! we are doing a math problem for someone in Florida? No wonder there can be 3 different possible answers! just kidding.... Brian www.woodsters.com Quote Link to comment
+woodsters Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 dupe [This message was edited by Woodsters Outdoors on September 22, 2003 at 03:59 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+Team Og Rof A Klaw Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 quote:And the crowd yells... "tell him , tell him!"I wouldn't want to, for one. ____________________________ - Team Og Rof A Klaw All who wander are not lost. Quote Link to comment
+hikemeister Posted September 22, 2003 Author Share Posted September 22, 2003 The revised clue will read as follows: "...if you add the five numbers just what to you get?" This will take care of the issue with there being three possible answers. Thanks !! Quote Link to comment
+Daphne of Mysteries Inc Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by hikemeister:The revised clue will read as follows: "...if you add the five numbers just what to you get?" This will take care of the issue with there being three possible answers. Thanks !! Which 5 numbers? these? (95-146) or these? (27-28, 50, 95-146)these are all in feet also! So are you refering to 5 numbers or 5 digets? ~Shaggy~ "Their poverty, combined with their naivete and limited knowledge of the world, left them no choice but to put cheap, uninteresting stuff in their time capsule." -- from an article in the ONION, 14 Oct. 1999 Quote Link to comment
+TAT Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 Ambiguity may be ok, if the incorrect answers are clearly out of bounds. Quote Link to comment
+ApK Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 quote:Originally posted by TAT:Ambiguity may be ok, if the incorrect answers are clearly out of bounds. ?? If all but one solution are impossible, then it's not ambiguous, right? Quote Link to comment
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