Archive for the Category »Tips & Tricks «

Getting your cache reviewed quickly
Tuesday, November 08th, 2011 /

Hi Guys,

Over the past couple of months I have seen caches being submitted with the same issues over and over again. I know from personal experience that there is nothing more frustrating than having to either make changes to your listing and wait a few more days for your cache to be published or better yet, go back out and move it.

In the aim of helping you get your cache up and running as quickly as possible can I suggest the following things.

- Read the Guidelines, Read the Guidelines, Read the Guidelines.

They are not just there as a thing to tick and flick. Make sure you know them before you submit that great new idea you have that you have checked that it fit’s within the guideline. I have seen people go to great lengths only for their cache to be put on hold because they couldn’t demostrate GPS use. Seems simple but it happens. I also see people place their cache 150m from another traditional cache. No matter how “special” that bush is, you are not going to get it published…

- If you are planing an isolated or complex puzzle check your GZ

Nothing worse than trekking into the unknown only to find that either someone else beat you to the spot or it is a national park. What you can do is create a listing, and put *Checking* in front of the nickname of the cache, and write a reviewer note asking the reviewer to check the location(s).
If there’s waypoints, or alternative locations, enter them as additional waypoints of the “FINAL” or “Stages of a Multicache” type (don’t use “Reference point” as they’re not checked for proximity to other caches)

This process also means that we’ll see your cache if there’s another cache placed nearby, and give you a chance to decide if your cache is going to go ahead or not.

- Basic details for your page

Make sure you select a cache size for your cache. Don’t leave it blank. Also add some attributes. If your cache is wheelchair accessible, make it a terrain 1 and add the attribute. If your cache is too easy for a hint, don’t write “too easy” or similar in the hint box.  A nano cache is a Micro cache not “other”

I hope this will help people a bit with their listings. As I find other things I’ll put them up here.

Cheers,

Matt

Category: General, Geocaches, Hiding Tips, Tips & Tricks  Leave a Comment
How QR codes work.
Wednesday, August 03rd, 2011 /

When I first started using the geocaching app on my smart phone, I tried a search of nearby caches when I happened to be visiting IKEA in Sydney. A cache called came up.

At the time I thought that I would have to scan the information to solve the puzzle. I thought to myself;”How cool is that!?”

That got me thinking…
Eventually I got to playing with my smart phone ( an iPhone 3GS, and I am writing from the wonderful walled garden of them Apples, but you can do all this on your Android )

I came across a program ( that the kids call ‘app’ ) called ‘RED LASER’ That made my screen look like this…

I found that I could point my phone’s camera at a barcode and it would give me information about that product.

After poking around in that app for a bit I found this screen…

So I came to realize that I, too could build a nifty QR code to share some information.
This could prove to be useful on a business card, a sticker or to hide a Geocache with.

I printed off a couple with co-ordinates and stuck them to some puzzle pieces and put the puzzle together and then tried to scan it. This did not work. I realized later that the RED LASER app, whilst good at producing the QR code, could not read one. Which is an oversight if you ask me. So I downloaded an app called, simply, SCAN.

That did work on my QR code, but I only discovered this after I scrapped my idea of a QR jigsaw puzzle, and moved on to something different.

Since that self inflicted lesson, I have done a bit more research and found out that a QR code is actually short for quick recognition code.

with thanks to wikipedia

the anatomy of a QR code

And all the black squares serve a purpose.

Actually, the WHITE square around the code also serves a purpose. It is the margin that the camera needs to give the code readability.
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Anyway, it was an interesting learning curve that I thought may interest some of you.

It is also possibly the way of the future. I found this article of how in Korea they have billboards in the subways set out like the aisles of a supermarket, where you can place an online grocery order just by scanning in the qR codes whilst you wait for your train.

The future is here

Category: General, iPhone, Tips & Tricks  Tags:  Leave a Comment
Somthin for Nuthin – apps for publishing.
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 /

Fact #1: This software this website uses is called wordpress. Blogging software.

Fact#2: Using a smartphone you can upload text, images & video or simple read posts and comments via your phone.

Both iPhone and Andriod apps have been released and are reliable for wordpress. I have enabled Geohavoc.org to support both so Geohavoc members can upload their Hunter and further afield adventures on the fly. The wordpress app allows text, images and video to be directly uploaded via the phone straight to the Geohavoc website. Furthermore comments can be made on posts as well.

iOS app - http://ios.wordpress.org/

Andriod app - http://android.wordpress.org/

So if you have contributor and author rights for this site be sure to take advantage of these cool apps to upoload your adventures on the run. For setup you will need the webaddress in full, your username in correct case and password.

Warm regards,

The Bronze.

iOS

Wordpress for iPhone

iAND

Wordpress for Andriod

Examples: I have used my phone to keep both these sites updated. So easy to create posts and reply to comments.

1- http://www.thebunyip.net/ 2- http://www.mrstevewilliams.com.au/

 

Category: General, iPhone, Tips & Tricks, Website  Leave a Comment
How to Make Anything Signify Anything.
Sunday, February 06th, 2011 /

I found a neat article on cryptography.

The Bacon Code

You may want to read this, you know, for future reference.

Category: Hiding Tips, Tips & Tricks  Tags: ,  4 Comments
My 4 Hs of Cache Placement
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 /

I remember reading a post from Bronze a while ago when I had just returned from the Wagga Wagga Mega event.

At the time I had a huge head rush and was about to dump a pile of Systema containers around town, because I was sure someone had previously failed in providing me with a good cache density.

But after reading the aforemetioned post and attempting a couple of experienced cacher’s hides, I thought to myself; “What would those experienced guys think of my hides?. Would they like them?. Would they do more than one of mine?. Would they even log it?”

So I came up with some criteria.

4 Hs.

1.\ HTML.
I wanted to list my cache nicely. I am by no means a computer operator, so I came accross a GCA Wiki page that learnt me how to jazz up my listing.

I found that if I uploaded a picture into the ‘gallery’ of the listing, I could use ‘img src=’ with a link to that picture and put it right in my listing.

So I found myself spending some time ‘prettying up’ my listing to make it more appealing.

2.\ History.
I felt like I also wanted to give a REASON for bringing a fellow geocacher to this particular spot. So by sharing some additional interesting information in my listing, no matter how trivial, I can give that little bit extra to the seeker.

3.\ Hide.
People tend to love looking for something that is a little more than a empty lollie container shoved under a rock (which is totally fine for your first cache. I am not trying to offend anyone here.), and I have experienced a healthy cache logging verbosity because of a more interesting than usual placement. There is the bit that gives back to the cache owner, when you know how much someone enjoyed it by their log, it brings geocaching satisfaction full circle.

4.\ HA!.
Geocaching is a game after all, and by giving a pun or two in the listing, or an element in the final cache hide that gives the finder a fleeting moment of realization when everything ‘comes together’ makes your fellow geocacher leave your cache with a warm buzz.

I admit that I do not have all 4 of these elements in each and every one of my caches, but it is a personal goal to not hide a cache with at least 3 out of 4 of these. By doing so it makes me happy with my effort and encourages my local HAVOC crew.

Category: Geocaches, Hiding Tips, Tips & Tricks  Tags: , , ,  7 Comments
Geocache Coordinates
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 /

Plenty of new cachers are getting into the game using the iPhone. Unfortunatley the GPS device in the iPhone is not the most accurate. There are some tips for hiding a cache using the iPhone. The Geocaching Podcast recommend using  the Motion X GPS app on the iphone. This allows you to see the accuracy of the GPS as well as double check the co-ordinates by viewing a google map to check them. However even using this the accuarcy of the iPhone at best is 17m accuarcy compared to a GPS of 3m.

If you submit a cache using the iPhone why not make a note on the cache page stating this and asking the FTF to verify the co-ords. All the locals will be more than happy to give you the coords they have from a GPS. If you think they might be out then make the hints and description fairly specific. This will allow the first finder the opportunity to find it and supply you good coords. After you have good coords you can then change the hint on the cache page to make it harder if you wish.

There have been a couple of caches published that had the coords out by about 1km. But with the description on the cache page and the hint they were able to be found and good coords supplied to the cache owner.

If your coords are out and you are supplied more accurate coords you need to update the cache page. If the coords are out a small distance you can update them yourself. This is done by going the the cache page and going to LOG YOUR VISIT as you would for a find. You will find an UPDATE COORDINATES log to correct the details. However if they are out by a substantial distance your have to get the reviewer to change the details because he has to check that it is not close to another cache.

If someone lists new coords on a log you will not see them on the email message you get from the website. You have to go to the cache page and you will see them listed on the top of the log. You will not see the co-ords using the iPhone app either.

I hope this helps some of the new teams.

Category: Hiding Tips, Tips & Tricks  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
Building a cryptex
Monday, June 28th, 2010 /

I am in the process of inventing a PVC Cryptex.

There Isn’t that much useful information around that I have been able to use, So  I wanted to bounce some inspiration around, for this future cache I am still constructing and planning.

I don’t want to give to much away about the actual hide, but I want to share some of the construction progress.

I was planning on cutting out some outer timber discs for the dials, but the crossgrain in the wood thwarted my efforts, as it gave way and would probably not stand up to the elements.

So now for the outer components I am soley using PVC tubing from bunnings. a mix of regular and high pressure pipe.

if you click on the picture it should take you to some more photos, but I haven’t put the time into describing them yet. I will probably sort them all out proper when the project is complete.

If you are still curious as to what a cryptex actually is… you may have to watch that ‘The Divinci Code’ movie or read the book. ( the books are better).

Category: Geocaches, Tips & Tricks  Tags: , ,  15 Comments
Pocket Queries
Friday, May 14th, 2010 /

I would be interested to hear how everyone sets up their pocket queries.

Has anyone set up a system to cover the State, or even the Nation and how did you do it?

Category: Tips & Tricks  Tags:  4 Comments
Quality NOT quantity, please!
Sunday, May 09th, 2010 /

Howdy Havocers,

Many moons ago Mix and I joined up with two other established cachers (Lenny & Les) in the central western city of Dubbo to increase cache numbers. For the most part it was Mix and I trying to better each other with good, clever caches being hidden in fantastic central western region spots with occasional hides by other local cachers showing us how it’s done.

From time to time a lame, dismal, pathetic effort would be published usually from a tourist, a misguided local or some school kid with Dad’s GPS. Once all the good spots however became saturated it seemed there was not other choice for new cachers but to start hiding at intersections, under garbage bins and the odd fence post in the middle of nowhere. This I don’t want to happen in the Hunter. The only benifit that arose from this was the amazing puzzle caches, multicaches and a couple of good events.

Hunter cachers. Please don’t make the same mistake of saturating the region with piss poor, lame, dismal and pathetic caches.

Ask yourself:

  1. Can I regularly maintain this cache from my home base?
  2. Is my cache at an amazing location? (aesthetically, historically, geologically and/or culturally etc)
  3. Have I included relevant information for the finder to fully appreciate this location?
  4. Is the cache container of suitable quality?

The first is a given. You must be able to maintain the cache or it shouldn’t be approved.

Second to this it must satisfy at least two of the following three points (2,3 & 4).

Thirdly I suggest you have someone try out your cache before you publish it. They may find other ways and errors.

If you have a cache that is a bit ordinary please consider archiving it and collecting it. Aim for positive comments. For me if people write TN TFTC in the log and on the net then there is a good chance they can barely be bothered logging the cache and perhaps I should remove the cache and find a much better spot. Noonans Discovery for example is in a beaut spot, away from the crowds, great view but sadly the place is becoming a bit of a dump. Next maintenance trip I’ll have a look and if its rubbish outweighs its beauty, it will be gone also.

No one is perfect. Although Mix tries hard. Of all those I’ve hidden I’ve archived two thirds of them. Some too hard to maintain. Some have been redeveloped into housing. Some were just on the way to better caches and have since gone to the cache god in the sky.

Please treat my post as food for thought. Have you done a cache lately that just sucked? I’d be surprised if you haven’t. I’ve done a few and logged none of them. When I find a good one I’ll be sure to take the time to log it.

If you’ve read this far thanks for taking the time. I’d be interested in reading peoples comments positive or otherwise.

Bronze.

Category: Geocaches, Hiding Tips, Tips & Tricks  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  23 Comments
Geocaching in National Parks
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 /

For the information of new geocachers.
Geocaching NSW received this notice from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service some years ago.

Geocaching is not permitted in protected areas managed by the NPWS.
As an activity organised from the internet, geocaching events have indefinite time frames and undefined numbers of participants, rendering management of the activity ineffective. While it is recognised that geocaching shares some common attributes with orienteering and rogaining, there is also an insufficient nexus between geocaching as a recreational activity and the conservation purpose for which NPWS protected areas are reserved or dedicated.
A full copy of the policy is available.

This means that you cannot get a cache published in and area administered by the NPWS. You can, however, place waypoints with their areas. You ARE NOT allowed to leave anything physical in the area.

If you want to find out what areas are administered  by the NPWS you can use Google Earth to do so. After you have downloaded and installed Google Earth you need to go to the Geocaching NSW website and download the kml file. You can open this file with google earth and it will shade all areas administered by the NPWS so you can determine where you can place a cache.

Category: Hiding Tips, Tips & Tricks  Tags: , ,  One Comment
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