+Last Lap Gang Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 There is an awful lot of abuse to bugs. One only has to look at the Travel Bug Graveyard cache to know that. I have noticed that people are getting wiser (including us in the future) and attaching detailed instructions to their bugs for the journey. Is there any future plans to automate and integrate bugs more directly to the caches. People just do not handle bugs well alot of times. Problems suchs as: 1- Not logging the bug on the bug page 2- logging the bug before the bug has been placed by the previous owner 3- taking the bug and not logging at all 4- sitting on the bug (this is hard to control) As clear as the Bug Directions are it is still confusing for first timers. It was for me the first couple of times. I am sure this subject has been broached before but it doesn't bid well for the consumer to buy more of a product (Travel Bug ID Tags) if the ones they have keep getting abused. Travel Bugs are an incredibly fantastic part of geocaching but educating the novice cacher seems to still be a problem. Just my two cents with inflation and loose cerebral matter cause a drop off of 1.9 cents. Wags, Russ & Erin Quote Link to comment
Eeyore and Shadow Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 Some time ago I saw a thread where someone was not only sending unstructions along with their bug as to how to use them but a passport as well that explained the bug's mission and an area to list caches it has already visited and cachers who have handled it. Eeyore I'm one sat short of triangulation. Quote Link to comment
+MaxEntropy Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 I would be nice to have some sort of instructions on the Travel Bug. The last one that I found, I didn't expect but I took it anyway. Fortunately, it didn't have any particular place to go, so I just moved it along another 90- miles. As for sitting on it, that just happens. Sometimes I can't get out every weekend so i might have to sit on one for a few weeks. It just happens. But with sooo many caches around now, most people are near enough to one to swing by and drop the Bug off. Mickey Max Entropy More than just a name, a lifestyle. Quote Link to comment
+Snoogans Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Eeyore and Shadow:Some time ago I saw a thread where someone was not only sending instructions along with their bug as to how to use them but a passport as well that explained the bug's mission and an area to list caches it has already visited and cachers who have handled it. Eeyore Every TB that I capture gets a passport and a freezer bag before release. Sngans The greatest labor saving invention of today is tomorrow.... Quote Link to comment
+Last Lap Gang Posted May 30, 2003 Author Share Posted May 30, 2003 Thats's very responsible and very cool caching. We all should be that responsible as it would elevate the quality of this cool hobby we all share. quote:Originally posted by Snoogans: quote:Originally posted by Eeyore and Shadow:Some time ago I saw a thread where someone was not only sending instructions along with their bug as to how to use them but a passport as well that explained the bug's mission and an area to list caches it has already visited and cachers who have handled it. Eeyore Every TB that I capture gets a passport and a freezer bag before release. Sngans http://www.texasgeocaching.comThe greatest labor saving invention of today is tomorrow.... Wags, Russ & Erin Quote Link to comment
+WVDan Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 I've run into the problem of cacher's not logging them on the bugs page a lot here lately. I'll go to a cache that is supposed to have one, and it isn't there. I really don't see what is so hard about logging them. The last one I found belonged to you. It was The Travel Bug. The previous people had not logged it in to the cache. They said they were on vacation, wich is a good reason I think. But, when they did log it, they logged it in the cache log but did not drop the bug. So I had to go through and fix the problem so that the bug would have the proper milage. If you get lost while geocaching, don't worry. Someone else will get lost while geocaching and find you. Quote Link to comment
bkaysimon Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 Well personally I can't understand what is so hard to figure out about a Travel Bug. OBVIOUSLY that little tag is on there for a reason and if you don't know why you OBVIOUSLY should come to this site and find out. I read about TBs before I ever found one, and when I did I knew immediatly what it was, took it, logged it, placed it, etc. And I haven't been doing this even a month. Maybe i just take it for granted that people have brains and will follow rules. Someone picked up my TB but didn't log it on the TB page, logged it in the guest log and knows what a TB is because he dropped one off....so I e-mailed him. But should I have to? I mean geez, it takes 2 second to log it, do it immediataly after logging that you picked it up! Sorry, had to vent.... <A HREF="=http://www.texasgeocaching.com"><IMG SRC="http://www.texasgeocaching.com/images/texasgeocaching_sm.gif"></A> Quote Link to comment
+jollybgood Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 I always thought it would be great if it worked as follows; You find a TB and logged that you picked it up. Then, until you drop it someplace and update the system you will continue to get litlte reminders via email saying, "XXX the Travel Bug is getting antsy and want's to continue his journey." If keep the reminders off your back you have to sign on to the TB's page and update it's status. ie. "Bad weather. Will try to move it along on it's way next week" "Real life is interfering. Hope to move it along soon" This way at least the TB owner isn't left hanging and wondering if it's lost or whatever. He also doesn't have to take it upon himself to pester the guy. And if a TB turns up missing from a cache and no one has indicated picking it up? The owner can send out an automated inquirty to the last few people to visit the cache to explain HOW to log in a TB and what steps to take. I realize this would take a lot of programing behind the scenes but there's my idea. Jolly R. Blackburn http://kenzerco.com Quote Link to comment
+jollybgood Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Jolly B Good:I always thought it would be great if it worked as follows; You find a TB and logthat you picked it up. Then, until you drop it someplace and update the system you will continue to get little reminders via email every ten days or so saying, "XXX the Travel Bug is getting antsy and want's to continue his journey." To keep the reminders off your back you have to sign on to the TB's page and update it's status. ie. "Bad weather. Will try to move it along on it's way next week" "Real life is interfering. Hope to move it along soon" This way at least the TB owner is informed and not left hanging and wondering if it's lost or whatever. He also doesn't have to take it upon himself to pester the guy. AND... if a TB turns up missing from a cache and no one has indicated picking it up? The owner can send out an automated inquirty to the last few people to visit the cache. A document is sent to each person who visited the cache after to TB went AWOL to explain HOW to log in a TB and what steps to take. I realize this would take a lot of programing behind the scenes but there's my idea. Jolly R. Blackburn http://kenzerco.com Jolly R. Blackburn http://kenzerco.com Quote Link to comment
+FullQuiver Posted May 30, 2003 Share Posted May 30, 2003 The goal/mission tag really does help. The better you prep the bug, the better off it will move along. I went to pick up a bug about a month ago which I found only the tag. I emailed the owner and he said it was supposed to be in a ziploc bag with a photo of his dog! I emailed the cacher who dropped him off and he didn't know the photo was supposed to go with it!!!! So, now I'm stuck with finding the previous cache so that I can re-unite the photo and tag! Needless to say, I've been holding it for a while! But the point is, some bugs are destined for the graveyard before they leave their owner's hands! Quote Link to comment
+droosa Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Last Lap Gang:As clear as the Bug Directions are it is still confusing for first timers. I have to disagree with you. If a person can operate a GPSr and find a cache, how can reading the instructions for the TB be that hard? NO effort and NO personal responsibility, people just don't care. Here is a good one.... Look at the log for softballsillies. http://www.geocaching.com/track/track_detail.asp?ID=1650 There you have it, all excited to grab the bug and all steamed up over geocaching. Then oh darn that short attention span kicks in and the bug can go to bug hell. These types are bad enough, then you have the oldtimers that do the same thing. So even though I put all of the goals, tag my bugs with these goals and put in bug sheets, it come down to the person that finds it, jerk or good guy, PERIOD! No amount of excuses for the "new guy" is going to change that. Pardon the length, like bkaysimon, I had to blow some steam... Quote Link to comment
+MountainMudbug Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 We need to come up with a new system..... In order to geocache, you must pass an online written test. Those who achieve a certain score indicating they have sense enough to handle them, will also be allowed to participate in moving Travel Bugs. Then, we alter Travel Bugs to be more than just metal tags - they'll have retina scanners embedded within. So whoever runs across the TB in a cache will have their retinas scanned for "permission" to take the bug. If the retina scanner discovers the holder is not mentally equipped to carry out moving rituals, the TB will then spray forth a non-lethal (but extremely disgusting) substance similar to that of skunk juice. Of course there are MANY drawbacks to this proposed system, mostly that caches everywhere would all smell like skunk juice On a more serious note, we have one TB. So far (knock on wood) he has been moving along pretty well, with the exception of a couple missed online logs that don't show his true mileage. We're just thankful that he's still moving, and hoping all are enjoying him. Quote Link to comment
Davros Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 I've lost faith in travel bugs. It's a great idea and seemed like allot of fun but unfortunatly the fun wears off after 5 of the 8 travel bugs you own dissapear. Some never even took a first hop. They just fell off the face of the earth. Be it theft, missplaced, forgotten to log, who knows.. But it's really a shame to have lost that many bugs over the past year. Randall J. Berry davros@mdgps.net www.mdgps.net Quote Link to comment
+smithdw Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 A couple of moths ago I placed a cache that had about 6-7 travel bugs in it. There were a couple of newbies that grabbed some of the bugs (read it in the log) but didn't log the bug as being removed from the cache. I sent them email explaining the procedure that they needed to do to 'grab' a bug and what they needed to do to 'place' a bug when they dropped it in another cache, and explained that the bugs were items that move from cache to cache and NOT something that they could keep. They were happy that I took the time to explain the procedure and the bugs were moved correctly. Sometimes, you just need to 'show' someone what they need to do. "The best way to accelerate a Macintosh is at 9.8m/sec/sec." -Marcus Dolengo Quote Link to comment
+ShaneN4Girls Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 HERE is a link to a site that will generate TB passports for you online. Just plug in the information and print off on your printer. Got this from an older thread, but am not too good at Markwelling. Adversity is certain, misery is optional. Quote Link to comment
+Huntnlady Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 I dropped a couple of TBs off in the Travel Bug First Aid cache, where Marky and Joani make these data cards for them, and later I picked up a bug that had one of Joani's cards attached, but I emailed them and didn't really get any info about how to make them. Marky simply wrote me that Joani did them on her Mac. How do people laminate them and the cache info sheet? Do they have laminators to purchase at the discount store (i.e. WalMart?) Deer laugh when they hear my name! http://www.geocities.com/ihunts Quote Link to comment
+Last Lap Gang Posted May 31, 2003 Author Share Posted May 31, 2003 Thank you for the info. It will be used. Jeremy sorry to raise the flag and beat the bug issue but there is a frustration. Personally the Last Lap Gang would like to see the Travel Bug more intergrated to the cache and less specific to its own page. All TB actions happen on the cache pages. quote:Originally posted by ShaneN4Girls:http://www.xsnrg.com/geocachingwa/asp/travelbugsheet1.asp is a link to a site that will generate TB passports for you online. Just plug in the information and print off on your printer. Got this from an older thread, but am not too good at Markwelling. Adversity is certain, misery is optional. http://www.texasgeocaching.comhttp://www.ntxga.org Wags, Russ & Erin Quote Link to comment
+smithdw Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Huntnlady:How do people laminate them and the cache info sheet? Do they have laminators to purchase at the discount store (i.e. WalMart?) You can get a small laminator at office supply stores for around $25-$50 for one that handles up to 4" material. I think I did see one at Walmart too. They also make laminating sheets that do not use a machine, they have an adhesive that usually sets up in about 24 hours. "The best way to accelerate a Macintosh is at 9.8m/sec/sec." -Marcus Dolengo Quote Link to comment
+Last Lap Gang Posted June 1, 2003 Author Share Posted June 1, 2003 Wal-Mart also has luggage tags that are like a poor mans laminate that also work well but not as well as real laminating. They are usually in the office supplies section. Wags, Russ & Erin Quote Link to comment
+MountainMudbug Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 Dirt-poor man's 'laminate' - clear packing tape. Costs a buck, and you just have to overlap the pieces a bit....... works fine on small info sheets, and sometimes I do this on my logbook covers as well so they don't wear out from excessive handling. Quote Link to comment
+Ambrosia Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 I use the plastic luggage tags. The kind that are heavy duty, with a clear plastic window, that you can pop open and write on the little piece of paper. As long as you use a ball point pen to write with, this will stand up to almost anything. They are also the exact same size as the bugs themselves, so they'll fit in the same sized caches. I put the name of the bug on one side, and the goal on the other. Quote Link to comment
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