The apes go down for good.

Well after a weekend of speculation Jeremy put it to rest today.

We were working on bringing a new series of caches back for the new movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but decided against it. Instead, with the exception of the Brazil Project APE cache, we are closing the chapter on Project APE.

Lack of support by FOX, angst over devaluing the original caches and the ape theme being unrelated to geocaching were several factors for us making this decision.

and his follow up

It's too bad that geocachers today can't find an APE cache unless they go to Brazil, but the APE caches had to be retired at some point. For almost 10 years there was a cache here in Seattle. Sometimes we need to accept that things come to an end and move on.

It made me sad.  I was really exited when he announced the return, and that groundspeak was going to push it.

There were a number that complained that all the caches that they found years ago would be worth less if more were placed.  I don't buy that argument at all.  They are different caches, in a different time.   Early times are different than today, and I think it could have worked.  However it is not my call, and they moved on.  Hopefully they can plan something new and cool for the future.

Update on 2011-07-14 23:13 by firennice

C:Geo Going Away

For those who did not see the message yesterday, the writer of the c:geo is closing the doors, and dropping out of caching, and he tosses all the blame on Groundspeak.

Really?   That makes little/no sense to me.  c:geo is part of the group that is testing the API with groundspeak.  They are getting what they wanted, a chance to operate within the rules and be a legitimate program. 

It just seems fishy.  He gets in the door to run the API, and he gets tired of caching and walks away.

He knew there were problems...

During the c:geo development, I had to keep my eye on GroundSpeak. They didn't like c:geo. Ive read their TOS many times and I saw some parts there with the potential to eventually kill c:geo.

With a ban for a while in the forums, he knew that Groundspeak was displeased.

This also caught my eye

I've decided to leave geocaching (the game) behind and find something else to do for fun instead. I won't support such company anymore. And that also means it's the end of the active developement of c:geo. It will stay on Market, unless/until it stops working due to changes on geocaching.com. Sources will be available on github as they are right now.

He is tired of caching and the mess I am sure.

Some have said that Groundspeak is actively trying to destroy it.  Why?  They know it has brought people into caching.  I have seen many conversations about it, I moderated the Android forums at Groundspeak for a while and a lot of discussion took place.  I saw no active discussions to "kill" android behind the scenes.

On the contrary, there has been a major overhaul of the site planned for the last year or more.  Rewriting the code for entire sections, adding more features.  If someone is pulling from the site and Groundspeak is upgrading, then you will get burned.  Each monthly update created a headache.

The answer .. use the new API.  I am sure that came with certain rules.  If you use the API you will have to follow certain rules.  That could mean, some activity that C:geo was engaged in would have to stop.  It would be able to survive the monthly updates, but some changes would have to be made.

My summary

I don't know for sure.  I am betting that he did not want to rewrite the entire code.  Did not want to deal with the hassle of a complete top to bottom shakeup.  Especially if he was tired of caching.  Why put energy into something that you don't have an interest in.

Groundspeak will continue to upgrade the site, and it will break soon.  People will cry, and other programs will jump up to replace it, some on the new API and some on the old.  

People seem to be crying to Groundspeak, but they are the ones that are opening up to others with an API development.  They are not the ones that threw in the towel and walked away.

Update on 2011-06-28 15:12 by firennice

An update from Jeremy on facebook

I don't have enough information to have a take on c:geo development at this point, but his post is faux-naïf.

He is well aware that the application violates our site's TOU, but instead of us trying to shut down his application we reached out and offered him early access to our new API, the same version being used by our Android and WP7 applications now. We just haven't allowed our partners to use the production version until we can ensure that it is scalable.

I can only assume he is tired of programming an application he offers for free, and we're a convenient excuse, however disingenuous, for him to quit supporting it.

and

Even if that application doesn't continue, there are other developers that could create their own applications, or spin that one off and make it legit. It is, after all, open source.

Update on 2011-06-28 15:10 by firennice

A new ape geocache?

As a follow up to my last note I point people to Jeremy Irish's facebook status.

He had a few interesting posts.

FOX passed on an official Project APE promotion for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but we're going to do something cool without them. Expect a blog post next week or so about it.

and

It was pretty much a free promotion, like before, though they did donate props from the movie in the first promo. No money exchanged hands, though.

and

...Also keep in mind there were APE caches outside of the US the first time, including one in the UK.

No, we won't be bringing back the original archived APE caches. That doesn't mean we won't have new ones, however. Details are still being worked out.

More to come..stay tuned on the geocaching blogs.  That is cool news.

Update on 2011-06-24 02:12 by firennice

Two ape geocaches... now just one.

Sorry to get back to this in such a long time.  I spent a lot of time getting ready for and attending a scout camp. There was a little news while i was gone.

I guess it was only a matter of time.  A matter of time for all the caches out there.  This is the perfect example.  After turning up missing the cache owner for the last US ape caches decided that it was time to archive it. 

The threat of it turning up missing again and again was high enough that it was decided to archive the cache.  So now there is only one ape cache left. 

I was going to try and go up last fall and go for it, but the entire thing fell through.  This year I was hoping to go and grab it, now I guess it is gone and there is not much chance for me to actually make the run for it.

Oh well.  I guess this is the same as any other cache.  Eventually there is time for everything.  Someone that steals any cache on a regular basis could lead to the owner just giving up and walking away.  It happens every day, but this time it is one that everyone is watching.

Update on 2011-06-21 04:24 by firennice

Thoughts on Earthcaching

Earthcaching is becoming more and more popular.  More and more people are looking into listing them and taking the steps needed to create one.

What is an Earthcache

Earthcaches have been around for a while, and have gone through a number of subtle changes over the years.  There are a lot of them out there now. I do not know the exact number, but I am surprised at how many appear.

Many mistake that they are just a virtual.  They are created to be educational, and point out a specific location, or geological site to others.  Because of the educational nature, they are to teach you about the different locations.

There are a number of Earthcache subjects that are considered acceptable.

 

• Geological materials - Rocks, minerals, fossils, sands, soils, etc.
• Geological processes - erosion, weathering, deposition, volcanic activity, glacial action, etc.
• Geological land form evolution - glacial valleys, reverse topography due to rock properties, waterfalls with geological explanations, use of geological materials - building stones, etc.
• Geological phenomena (not included above) - impact craters, geysers, mineral springs, etc.
• Tools used by geologists - index fossils, rocks, historical geology sites.

A number of others are not acceptable

Biology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Atmospheric observations, Oceanographic observations, Geodesy (unless specifically linked to the location), Archeology, History (unless it has a geological theme), a building (unless it has a geological lesson), Engineering (unless it has a geological theme).

Also there are a number that are limited or restricted because of how many there are.

• Watershed Divides
• River Confluences
• Waterfalls
• Artesian Wells/Springs
• Glacial Erratics

Recent Changes

In the last year there are a number of changes that have taken place.

Geocaching online Earthcache Submittals

At one time the only way there was to submit a cache was to go to the Earthcaching site and list it.  From there it was translated into the geocaching site by the reviewer.  It was a time consuming and long process.

Addition of many Earthcache Reviewers.

There were not many reviewers and the few that were involved were dealing with the entire program, and looking at all the Earthcaches.  That meant long delays of 4-6 weeks before any look at an Earthcache took place.

Defining of acceptable Earthcache types.

There are many caches out there that seem to not fall into the acceptable sciences.  Those caches were done in a different time under different circumstances. 

No photo requirement

Just like it says there are no photos required for Earthcaches anymore.  Many are not ready for it, or ready for the change.  It is not just the new caches but older caches cannot require a photo anymore.  Earthcaches are not like a virtual.  It is not about the visit, it is about the educational value. So many were turning into virtuals, and people were deleting logs for no photo.

How can I get my Earthcache approved.

Permission

Permission is required for many locations.  In parks, fields, forest service, BLM, in the US you need to have permission before it can be listed.  Some areas near a road, or in some countries no permission is required.  If in question ask.  For National Park Service properties you will require specific permission.  That means an email will need to be sent to the reviewer from the National Park authority.  This may also be asked in other areas, such as a Wilderness area.

Topic

As mentioned above make sure that the topic is the proper topic and that is the focus.  Having 15 paragraphs on the history of an area, then one on the geology would most likely not be published. Some had been listed in the past that fit Ecology subjects, botany, or zoology.  Those no longer fit the subject of the Earthcache program.

Site Specific

A polished river rock, has earth science on how it was created.  However they are common and scatted everywhere about the world.  Why is that site special.  It could be the stone is special, how it is tumbled, or something similar, but in general you could have issues getting it listed.  

Something generic.. a moraine, spring, glacial erratic, layering of sedement seen by a highway may be interesting, but tell someone why this location is interesting, why this particular site is special.

Duplicates

Some areas are treasure troves of geologic sites.  Yellowstone is a fantastic example. Hundreds of geysers, many more warm springs, mud pots, etc.  Your cache should highlight the site and say why it is different or special.  While worldwide a geyser may be impressive and worth a listing that is generic, in the heart of Yellowstone an Earthcache on one of 500 geysers should highlight why it is special, and not duplicate another nearby.  Telling the same story with a different geyser, arch, or bridge name, or copying a neaby feature would not be listed.

If you have a similar feature but you add much more information it may be listable.  A cache may highlight the erosion of a canyon, talking about how it eroded.  Another cache may highlight the stone/sediment that makes up the canyon.  It may be the same feature, but the topic is different.  We don't care about the feature, but the topic.

Educational Topic

Teach those around you.  Make the people learn.  Tell them about the location, why it is special.  A virtual cache may point out the pretty rocks at a location. An Earthcache will talk about how there were formed, eroded from the wall, why they rest here, or why the mineral is important. 

The more you teach, the more people enjoy and remember the visit.

Logging Tasks

Remember no Photos.  So you need to do a few things. 

1. Logging tasks need to be Earthcache related.  In other words, the fifth word from the second paragraph on the sign, would not work.  Tell someone about the plants in the area would not work as well. 
2. Make sure they cannot be solved from the internet.  Remember there is a lot of information there.  Google maps let people see a formation from the road, Wikipedia talks about how stones are formed.  
3. Your logging task should make sure that the person visited.  You need to make sure a logging task proves that a cacher was there. What direction was erosion taking place, the size of the grains, or makeup of a conglomerate.  Colors, smells, opinions on how something formed, comparisons, can all be great logging requirements.
4. Measurements tent to be bad.  Asking an altitude is bad.  Especially if you are asking someone to look at a gps.  Anyone can get the altitude from the topo map. A measurement is easily passed around, guessed, or solved from other areas.  In some cases these work, but in many cases they can cause issues.

Other notes and final thoughts

You can do an Earthcache when on vacation, however you can have a number of issues.  If your logging requirements are weak, or if some rework needs to be done, then you may not be able to rework them.  With luck you will have everything ok, if not be ready for alternatives.

If you have an Earthcache, remember you have to maintain it. Some will try and log it and never visit, some will log it poorly and you may need to contact them.  On another note, you may want to make sure that you email them before you delete the logs. 

Enjoy

Update on 2011-06-02 05:31 by firennice