My reviewer tips of the Day...

I have been tossing out my reviewer tips of the day. I thought i would toss them here as I reach groups of five.

So here they #1 to #5.

Tip from the reviewer #1:

If a reviewer tells you your cache is too close to another cache, then you move it to get it listed, only to move it back soon after publishing, you cache will take a quick trip to the archive bin.

Tip from the reviewer #2:

A summit log is not a cache, a State Park log is not a cache, a Wilderness access log is not a cache, and a guestbook is not a cache. A cache might be placed in, on, or near those, but they are not caches.

Tip from the reviewer #3:

Look at the map, preferably the satellite before submitting. Many times caches appear in the ocean, in a backyard, etc.
Best case scenario: You get a note asking for permission, or if you went swimming for 3000 miles to place the cache.
Worst case: The cache is in the hills and gets listed, people drive and hike for hours, then hate you when you meant W40° and not W41°

Tip from the reviewer #4:

Look before you place.
Nothing is more depressing than telling a cacher. "I am sorry you hiked 5,000 feet in altitude, and put a cache with travel bugs in it, but you are 55 feet from another cache."
or the variation.
"... your cache is in a wilderness area." There may be a reason there is no cache within five miles of that location. You might just want to check first.

Tip from the reviewer #5:

Be sneaky - sort of.
As sneaky as you want, or can possibly imagine with your hides. Try and figure out a way to torment other cachers. Make the hides memorable and thoughtful
Do not be sneaky with your reviewer. Slipping in an ALR, changing Earthcache logging requirements to a photo, not publishing where you say it is, or changing a waypoint of the final too close to another cache. All of these are ways to get your cache disabled, archived, or retracted.

My Day with DK-Titan and Potter's Pond GC3B

Background

At the earthcache GC1EGKZ

Back in December I put my geocoins up for sale and I had the opportunity to corrispond with geocachers from around the world.   In the process I made contact with DK-Titan.  Some cachers that live in Denmark. They were interested in the coin. 

Well we made the sale and becan to corrispond.  They were interested in visiting and going to Potter's Ponds.  Potters is one of the oldest caches from Aug 2000.  It is one of the three caches that exist from Aug 2000.  So those people that are trying to complete the Jasmer challenge have a limited selection that month.  (a cache from each month of geocaching)

In 2011, the trail to Potters was closed until well into June.  The first ones braved the snow and the mud to make it there June 21.  Normally the road is open by June 1st.  So I did not hold out hope.  So I kept in touch with them.

Eventually over time I kept in touch, and I found out the road was opening early.  Just in time for their visit. I asked what they would be driving, and it was going to be a small car.  After looking at the picture last year and the road of mud.  So I offered to drive them up in my truck.

Potter's Pond

I decided to meet them closer to the afternoon. So if the roads were muddy it would have time to dry out.  The day before had seen a lot of rain, so that gave us a little time.

I spent the morning checking oil, water etc in the truck so we can make the trip. Then who should drive up to find the cache at my house is DK_Titan. We said our hello's and they headed on their way and we went off to find a few more while I got ready. 

The drive down to the cache takes about an hour.  They wanted to grab and and all Earthcaches and Virtuals that are in the area.  They only have a few (one if I heard right).  So we planned the drive and hunt to look for them.

The drive was pretty uneventful.  It was a nice drive and we stopped to see a number of sights on the way. We happened to stop at one that was at a scenic overlook.  http://coord.info/GCJAWC  I did not give any thought to the fact that it was older.  It was from 2004, and though I do not give it any thought here, caches that old are pretty rare in Denmark.

We left the town of Fairview and began the climb.  In just a few miles you go from 6,000 to over 9,800.  We grabbed a few caches along the way.  I even put one out at the highest spot on the road.  It actually surprised me that there was not one there already. So now at 9800 feet near the road there is a new cache.  9800 feet of mountain with DK_Titan

So then we started descending there hills.  There were a few more caches, and a few earthcaches to grab on the way.  The few times that I had been up here I was with kids and a wife that did not want to spend a lot of time looking.  So I was able to complete some of the caches with them.

We made it to the camp site and made our way to the nearest point to hike from.  We crossed the creek and made our way over.  New to the hike this year was a large dead tree has fallen across the creek.  That made it so you did not have to hop rock from rock, or wade on the way over. So we balanced over and made our way over to the hill. 

The cache is not far up the hill and I followed behind them.  When we got to the location I let them look for it. I knew where it was, but I it is always anti-climactic for someone to just point you to the cache.  I sat and took a few pictures while they were hunting for the caches, signing the logs, and then our way back.

The long trip home

I decided that on the trip home we would not come back the same way.  I think that is universal among geocachers.   If you can help it you try other ways to find a cache. So we headed to the south and down the canyon. 

It was a great drive, but rather than come to the West, where I wanted to go, we headed east.  The road to the west was still closed, and would have had us exiting near Ephraim.  Instead we headed to the East and worked our way to Orangeville, and Castle Dell.  We were hoping to grab some Virtuals.  Unfortunately I had forgotten that those were inside museums that we did not want to pay for, and take the time.  So we headed North to the Price area.

Well once we hit there and headed home we found 8-9 Virtuals and Earthcaches.  In all it was a fun day and a fun trip.  I had a lot of fun and i was glad that I had the experience with them.

Life and caching

Just to be clear... I have a life.

I do spend a lot of my time geocaching and reviewing, but some days I just need a break. 

Here is my typical day...

12-7am My phone is shut off at night. I don't need it buzzing all night because some goober is waiting for their cache to be listed, or happens to be up complaining.

7-9am  I am getting kids ready for school. I usually read the news, check emails, etc.  I do it from the comfort of my bed.  Usually yelling at my girls telling them to get in the shower (I don't want to get up yet). I read emails, and see if there is anything urgent.

9-5:00 Work.  Yes I do work.  I do check my emails during this time from my phone.  Do not expect a response.

Breaks and lunch.  I am on my computer at work seeing what is up.  Providing that i do not need food.  If I am hungry then you are all screwed for new caches.  I really want to eat.

5-7pm  I usually review a number of caches. Usually the ones without issues.  If I have to type a discourse on how you need to add waypoints, remove commercial aspects, and that you are 4 feet from another cache I might put it off to get the fast ones done.   I might also wait if your caches has something that I want to think about, ask other reviewers opinions, or it makes me feel dirty. 

7-9 Scouts/Family/Movies/Yardwork  who knows what great adventure I may be involved in.

9-12 review, archive, and play with gsak.  I take the time to review in here if there is any.  I usually go through those painful ones that I have put off.  I will archive caches that are horrible, or just need stones thrown at them.  I also play with my GSAK.

Then bed...

Earthcaches

In the middle of those, some nights I do Earthcaches as Geoawareusa2.  This is the most time consuming part of my reviewing list.  Very few people actually read the guidelines on Earthcaches. Where 70-80% of my caches are publishable at first glance, Earthcaches are about 10%.  Most just have simple issues that can be reworked. 

• Remove photo requirement
• Add educational material
• Wrong topics

A few caches can take the evening.

Wrap up

I know sometimes that caches is the most important thing in some peoples lives. However it is not always the case in mine.  When I get ten emails for me to publish their cache when I pointed out a problem at 5pm, and now it is 8pm, I just ignore them. 

If your cache has issues then you fall to the end of my list. I check new caches, then go through my email from oldest to newest. Emailing me ten times will not speed it up.  It is no fair that I delay those that are waiting for review.  Or that I just jump to you now, when there are five people that have fixed their caches also waiting.

Most understand.  A few do not. I have been known to ignore my review queue for a day.  I may want a little vacation, read a book, or just watch a movie.  Please don't freak out.  I plan to be back to it sometime.

Update on 2012-05-08 05:31 by firennice

Mistakes...

Of course, if it has been a few days.. please send me a note, email, facebook note, etc.  I have been known to not follow a page on accident.  So I get no notes. So the reminder after a bit is a good idea.

Camp Hobe' Geocaching Fund

Well I am back again.  Here is a great chance to help others.

Raising some funds to help run geocaching at a camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. 

http://fundrazr.com/campaigns/eJ3N7?psid=b79f22c3fdfa41a58aa85ef36a4a17ae

From Ho'okele

Camp Hobe' is a special summer camp designed for children with cancer and their siblings, who are often forgotten in the cancer experience. Camp Hobe' gives kids the opportunity to participate in camp activities just like healthy children whose families are not affected by cancer.

Throughout their time at camp, Camp Hobe' kids grow in spirit, strength, and understanding. They are allowed to play outside with other children, to discover the joy and freedom of being away from the confines of the hospital, and to temporarily displace the fears that the future holds. This is their chance -- sometimes their only chance -- to "just be kids" and to escape the grown-up realities they face everyday.

Camp Hobe' Geocaching Fund is asking for your donations to help out with our annual Geocaching event at the camp. Each year, during both the children's week and the teen week, awesome Geocachers come together to hold an event for the kids. Geocaches filled with goodies are placed throughout the camp for the young campers to find. It is a hit with the kids every year!

No donation is too small. Every little bit helps!

This year, Jan & Ken Morales will be hosting the event.

Thank you to all the angels who have made this event possible!

If you can support this great cause with a few dollars.  More money means better swag for the caches and the kids.

 

Here is a link to last years.

http://firennice.squarespace.com/journal/2011/5/26/camp-hobe-and-geocaching.html#

and info on the year before that (2010)

http://camphobegeocachers.chipin.com/mypages/view/id/eebd843b697d6b76

Cache Submission Update, and Guidelines Update

Well we have another rollout of new things at groundspeak this week.  There are a few changes this week and a few things that might interest some people. 

Cache Submission Process

Well, we have a new process to submit caches. As of now this is in Beta and people can try it out as an option. 

As a reviewer we see a lot of dumb submissions.  Some that are simple errors and some that repeat over and over. So the new process is a step to help clear up some issues that seem to repeat on a regular basis.  There has been a lot of internal testing to get this going, and to get the Beta out to everyone.

There are a few things that it can help clear up.  When you enter your coords you have to "see it on a map" before continuing. Many people place caches and are off by a few hundred feet to thousands of miles. I get a handful in the middle of the ocean a few times a year.

It also will also help with additional waypoints, and getting it submitted.  If you are listing a new cache.. try it out.

Guidelines Update

There are a number of new updates, to the guidelines.  Nothing huge, but wording corrected, and things to help us solve problems.   Here is an overview of a few of the changes that may effect people.

Logging of All Physical Geocaches

Other than documenting a Challenge Cache, physical caches cannot require geocachers to contact anyone.

Listing guidelines that apply to all geocaches

Cache pages cannot require, and should not strongly encourage, the placement of new caches.

and about vacation or distant caches.

Document your maintenance plan in a Note to Reviewer on your cache listing. This should include contact information of the maintainer.

Additional Listing Guidelines that Apply to Specific Geocache Types:

A traditional cache consists of at least a container and logbook and is located at the posted coordinates. For all caches types that have multiple stages, physical elements (tags, containers, or any physical additional to the location) must be added to the listing as Additional Waypoints.

Enjoy all.

Update on 2012-04-24 19:43 by firennice

Oh.. I almost forgot.  You can tie groundspeak into facebook now, and use facebook as your login.  For those that are interested.

Update on 2012-04-24 22:25 by firennice

This is a compliled list of guideline changes from Sandy at Groundspeak.

Fundamental Placement Guidelines

 1: Local laws (no significant changes).

2: Permission (Cache owner's assurance).

3: Buried caches (succinct explanation of what is not permitted).

4: Property (added 'damage').

5: Wildlife (included natural environment).

6: Schools/Military installations (updated language, cache owner liability).

7: Proximity (removed 'generally').

8: Caches in Space (clarified).



Other Placement Considerations

· Updated text about cache owner liability. Linked to disclaimer with regards to location and container.

· Added 'include GC code' on outside of container.



Inappropriate or Non-publishable Placements

· Re-organized text.

· Clarified that land owner/manager wishes will be respected by Groundspeak.

· Added note about some cemeteries allowing cache placement.

· Updated text about cache proximity to railroads.

· Clarified text about public structures.

· Added links to article about working with the reviewer (updated KB articles).



Listing Guidelines that Apply to All Geocaches

· Updated text terminology.

· Updated process for cache owner responsibilities for cache listing and the cache placement.

· Updated requirements for cache maintenance plans (caches far from home location).

· Added "or logbook" to cache container contents.

· Updated text for cache contents.

· Updated "Solicitation" and "Commercial" guidelines to clarify scope of what is publishable.

• Specifying that requiring/encouraging cache placement is not publishable.

· Updated process for requesting a scheduled publication.

· Updated process for communicating with reviewer.



Additional Guidelines that Apply to Specific Geocache Types

· Added definition of Traditional Cache to introduction.

· Clarified requirements for multi-staged caches to add additional waypoints to the listing.

· Mystery/Puzzle: Clarified cache type name, updated process for adding additional waypoints, post reviewer note with puzzle solution).

· Letterbox Hybrid: clarified cache type.

· Wherigo: Updated text.

· Event caches: Updated text, clarified non-publishable events, clarified how to meet commercial guideline.

· Mega-Events: Added pricing guideline, added exclusivity guideline.

· CITO: Clarified types of CITO events, and how external events can be publishable.

· EarthCaches: Added link to Knowledge Book articles.

· Virtual and Webcam caches: Clarified cache owner responsibilities.


Logging Physical Caches

· Updated text about Challenge Cache logging.

· Added text about cache owners requiring contact for logging (not permitted).



Logging Non-physical Caches

· EarthCaches: Highlighted that photographic requirements must be optional, added link to EarthCache.org guidelines.

· Virtual caches: Clarified logging requirements.

· Webcam caches: Clarified that the photo must be from the webcam associated with the cache.

· Event caches: Added.

· Mega-Event caches: Added.

Update on 2012-04-25 04:10 by firennice

Posthow the cache is solved

I have had a few ask why.  There are a few reasons.The guidelines state

The information needed to solve a this type cache must be available to the general community and the puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page.

I have seen puzzles that are solvable from things that are not available to the public. As it is not "available to the general community" it would not be listable.

A cache that uses something prohibited, a flash drive logbook for example.

Is it possible to even solve? 

Is a photo on the page?  Is the only clue "find where the I took the picture" (not allowed).  Or is there metadata in the photo, or other data on the cache page (allowed).

The other reason that I can think of is to determine if it is still findable.  We have all seen caches that used graphics from a location that goes away.  The page is unsolvable.  If the reviewer knew how to solve the cache he would know if it was still findable, or not.

Most are obvious, Sudoku, codes, etc. It would be the others.