NatureFish
11-04-2005, 01:29 AM
Please read the edited Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines found at http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx
This is a summary of changes in the Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines document that were made today.
1. Everything about locationless, virtuals, webcams and earthcaches now appears in a new section Guidelines that Apply to Grandfathered Cache Types. Among other things:
(1) the maintenance requirements for existing grandfathered caches remain in effect;
(2) it's made clear that all locationless caches will be archived and locked at the end of this year; and
(3) it's made clear that existing virtuals and webcams will remain on the site as "grandfathered."
Note: the text says "Caches which existed before August of 2005 have been allowed to remain as grandfathered caches." This was accurate when Hydee and I were writing the new draft in August, but to match reality, the sentence needs to be changed to read "November of 2005."
2. A direct "mail to" link was added for the appeals@geocaching.com e-mail address.
3. The section previously called "Off Limit (Physical) Caches" is now just called simply "Off Limit Caches," because now all new caches are either physical or they're events.
4. A sentence was added to clarify the puzzle cache requirements,
The information needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and should be solvable from the information provided on the cache listing.
For example, a puzzle that requires research on public websites in order to determine the coordinates may be acceptable, while a puzzle that requires sending an e-mail to the cache owner with the solution in order to obtain the coordinates may not be.
5. The introductory part of the section called Guidelines that Apply to All Cache Types was revised significantly.
General language about being sensible in choosing locations, marking your container, and listening to suggestions from reviewers about situations not directly addressed in the guidelines was all moved to here, instead of appearing in the "Cache Maintenance" section.
6. Also in that introductory section, the language about using a GPS was strengthened:
You as the owner of the cache must visit the site and obtain the coordinates with a GPS. If time allows take several reading at different times over a few days and average the results. This will help you achieve greater accuracy on your coordinates. GPS usage is an essential element of geocaching. Therefore, although it is possible to find a cache without a GPS, the option of using accurate GPS coordinates as an integral part of the cache hunt must be demonstrated for all physical cache submissions.
7. Also in that introductory section, two NEW paragraphs were added to address problems that we frequently encounter:
If you are placing a large number of caches in connection with an event cache, to be released on the day of the event, please submit the cache pages for all of the caches at least ten days in advance of the release date. Leave a “note to reviewer” indicating that the cache is for an event, and is to be released on the date specified. This allows your reviewer adequate time to review the submissions or to arrange for help from another reviewer. (Note: Caches placed in connection with an event must be placed with the intention of leaving them in place after the event, temporary caches are not accepted.)
Your cache should be in place and ready to hunt at the time your cache page is submitted for review. If for any reason it is not ready, please either disable your cache page so that it won’t be seen by the reviewer until ready, or include a “note to reviewer” to explain your special circumstances (for example, waiting for a permit from a land manager).
8. We added a sentence clarifying the "Cache Saturation" (528 foot) guideline:
This guideline applies to all stages of multicaches and mystery/puzzle caches, except for any “bogus” posted coordinates for a puzzle cache.
9. There were a few other places where stray references to virtuals, webcams, etc. were removed.
These changes go into effect immediately.
Have fun,
NF
This is a summary of changes in the Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines document that were made today.
1. Everything about locationless, virtuals, webcams and earthcaches now appears in a new section Guidelines that Apply to Grandfathered Cache Types. Among other things:
(1) the maintenance requirements for existing grandfathered caches remain in effect;
(2) it's made clear that all locationless caches will be archived and locked at the end of this year; and
(3) it's made clear that existing virtuals and webcams will remain on the site as "grandfathered."
Note: the text says "Caches which existed before August of 2005 have been allowed to remain as grandfathered caches." This was accurate when Hydee and I were writing the new draft in August, but to match reality, the sentence needs to be changed to read "November of 2005."
2. A direct "mail to" link was added for the appeals@geocaching.com e-mail address.
3. The section previously called "Off Limit (Physical) Caches" is now just called simply "Off Limit Caches," because now all new caches are either physical or they're events.
4. A sentence was added to clarify the puzzle cache requirements,
The information needed to solve the puzzle must be available to the general caching community and should be solvable from the information provided on the cache listing.
For example, a puzzle that requires research on public websites in order to determine the coordinates may be acceptable, while a puzzle that requires sending an e-mail to the cache owner with the solution in order to obtain the coordinates may not be.
5. The introductory part of the section called Guidelines that Apply to All Cache Types was revised significantly.
General language about being sensible in choosing locations, marking your container, and listening to suggestions from reviewers about situations not directly addressed in the guidelines was all moved to here, instead of appearing in the "Cache Maintenance" section.
6. Also in that introductory section, the language about using a GPS was strengthened:
You as the owner of the cache must visit the site and obtain the coordinates with a GPS. If time allows take several reading at different times over a few days and average the results. This will help you achieve greater accuracy on your coordinates. GPS usage is an essential element of geocaching. Therefore, although it is possible to find a cache without a GPS, the option of using accurate GPS coordinates as an integral part of the cache hunt must be demonstrated for all physical cache submissions.
7. Also in that introductory section, two NEW paragraphs were added to address problems that we frequently encounter:
If you are placing a large number of caches in connection with an event cache, to be released on the day of the event, please submit the cache pages for all of the caches at least ten days in advance of the release date. Leave a “note to reviewer” indicating that the cache is for an event, and is to be released on the date specified. This allows your reviewer adequate time to review the submissions or to arrange for help from another reviewer. (Note: Caches placed in connection with an event must be placed with the intention of leaving them in place after the event, temporary caches are not accepted.)
Your cache should be in place and ready to hunt at the time your cache page is submitted for review. If for any reason it is not ready, please either disable your cache page so that it won’t be seen by the reviewer until ready, or include a “note to reviewer” to explain your special circumstances (for example, waiting for a permit from a land manager).
8. We added a sentence clarifying the "Cache Saturation" (528 foot) guideline:
This guideline applies to all stages of multicaches and mystery/puzzle caches, except for any “bogus” posted coordinates for a puzzle cache.
9. There were a few other places where stray references to virtuals, webcams, etc. were removed.
These changes go into effect immediately.
Have fun,
NF