Difference between revisions of "Logging a cache"

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==Logging an individual cache==
+
{{GCA}}
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Logging a Geocaching Australia cache on the Geocaching Australia website is simple once you can find the cache you are looking to log.
+
==Online logging==
 +
In addition to signing the paper log in the physical cache container, you should log your find online:
 +
* To provide feedback and information to the [[owner|cacher owner]] and other [[geocacher]]s
 +
* To keep a record of your adventures for historical or statistical purposes
  
−
Please note: While other site caches are held on Geocaching Australia, it is generally agreed that you should log the cache on the original listing site. ie. Log your geocaching.com caches at http://www.geocaching.com, your Shutterspots at http://www.gpsgames.org, etc.
+
Your textual log allows you to record whatever you like, but you should at least mention what [[swaps]] you made (if any) and optionally:
 +
* What time you found the cache
 +
* Other statistics for your own interest (how many caches that day, for example)
 +
* Who you were with
 +
* What you thought of the location, container, hide etc
 +
* A [[GAFF]] rating (or similar) to record the level of assistance used in finding the stash
 +
* A comment on the condition of the cache and whether it needs [[maintenance]]
 +
* A story of the adventure (being careful not to included any [[spoiler]]s)
 +
* Any [[trackables]] you took or left
 +
* Thanks to the cache [[owner]]
  
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* Go to the Geocaching Australia Website which can be found at http://www.geocaching.com.au
+
Remember to be polite and respectful, and that your log will be available to everyone (including children).  Some people write verbose logs; others are brief and use acronyms like:
−
* Click on the Log In / Register Link which can be found at the top right hand corner of your screen.
+
* TNLN: Took Nothing, Left Nothing
−
* Enter your Geocaching Australia Username and password. If you want the site to remember you so you don't have to log in each time, tick the Remember me: box. Then click the Login button.
+
* TNLNSL: Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Log
−
* Find the cache that you want to log. This can be done either by:
+
* TFTC: Thanks For The Cache
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** Entering the waypoint id in the Search box at the top right and then hit your <enter> key.
 
−
** Entering the cache name (or part of the cache name) in the Search box at the top right and then hit your <enter> key.
 
−
* Click on the cache that you want to log from the list supplied.
 
−
* Click on the Log this cache link on the right hand side, just under the word Actions.
 
−
* Complete the details of the log:
 
−
** Date
 
−
** Type of Log
 
−
** Coords: These are used to add a waypoint to the cache page. Generally used for moveable or locationless caches.
 
−
** Log
 
−
* Click on the Log button when you are done.
 
  
−
There you go, your log has been added to the system.
+
Online logs are emailed to the [[owner|cache owner]] (and anybody who has the cache on their [[watchlist]]).  Receiving and reading logs of finds is one of the most rewarding aspects of [[hiding a cache]] for many people.
  
−
==Logging caches that have not appeared at Geocaching Australia==
+
Special tokens can be included in the text of logs which activate certain features when the logs make their way to [[Geocaching Australia]]. See [[#GCA log tokens|below]].
−
If you have multiple logs that have not been previously imported from geocaching.com or gpsgames.org, you may use the Log Import Tool to import your logs en masse.
 
  
−
You will require a valid GPX file in order to use the tool. You can create a complete GPX file for all of your cache logs from GSAK as one of the easiest methods.
+
You may also wish to upload photos with your log.
  
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* Start GSAK
+
==Blank / Short Logs==
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* Create a filtered list containing only those caches that you wish to create a log for.
 
−
** File | Export | GPX/LOC File
 
−
** Ctrl+G does the same thing.
 
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* File type to generate:
 
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**Tick GPX file
 
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* Waypoint name
 
−
** %code (Do NOT create a GPX file with smart names)
 
−
* File name to create
 
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** Should be any valid file system and name
 
−
* Logs
 
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** Limit number of logs to export: Set this to 0
 
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** Always include by logs: Tick this box
 
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* Click the Generate button.
 
−
You should now have a file containing only your logs for the filtered list your selected.
 
  
−
You can now load that GPX file to Geocaching Australia by going to the following page:
+
With the rise of the "App/iPhone Caching" there has been a habit of Blank, TFTC, and "Sent from my Mobile Device" logs creeping in a lot. Sharing your experience with the cache owner and community is one of the best parts of our hobby. Including some of the details listed above is not only good cache etiquette, it encourages people to maintain a high quality of hides. Blank or short/generic, ("TFTC only") logs are a sure fire way to discourage the people going to the effort to make creative, well thought out caches for your enjoyment. Some new cachers are simply unaware of good etiquette and the people behind the hides. If you are receiving these types of logs and want to help educate the new cacher, why not try adapting this email template for your own use and encourage them to give back to the community. [[Blank / Short Log Reply Email Template]]
−
http://geocaching.com.au/my/import
 
−
* The importer reads all the caches and logs and updates the database as appropriate:
 
−
** if it's a new cache or log, it adds it to the database
 
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** if it's a different cache or log, it checks the cache or log in the database and if the text or date is blank or the date is 1/1/1970, it corrects it with the information from the gpx file.
 
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* Click on the Browse button to find the file that you just created.
 
−
* Click on the Import button to improt your logs.
 
  
−
That's it. You should receive a notification of how many logs were imported.
+
==Where to log the cache==
 +
Please log the cache on the [[cache listing website]] that the cache was listed on.  You can work out the site by the [[waypoint ID]].  If the [[waypoint ID]] starts with
 +
* "[[GAxxxx|GA]]" or "[[TPxxxx|TP]]: Log it on [[Geocaching Australia]]
 +
* "[[GCxxxx|GC]]": Log it on [[Geocaching.com]]
 +
* See [[Waypoint ID]] for a complete list.
 +
 
 +
==Logging a cache on Geocaching Australia==
 +
 
 +
* Go to http://www.geocaching.com.au
 +
* Log in
 +
* Go to the cache that you want to log. This can be done by entering the [[waypoint]] or cache name in the search box
 +
* Go to the ''Actions'' menu and click ''Log this cache''
 +
* Enter your log.
 +
* Click on ''Add'' to add your log!
 +
* If you want to attach a photo, click the camera icon next to your log http://geocaching.com.au/pics/icon_camera.gif.
 +
 
 +
==Adding A Photo To A Log==
 +
 
 +
To add a photo to an existing log, simply find that log on the cache page by scrolling down to the logs section and click on the camera image on the right hand side of the screen. (Looks like this +http://geocaching.com.au/pics/icon_camera.gif). This will open up the page whcih allows you to add in a photo.
 +
 
 +
==Logging a Moveable Cache==
 +
As moveable caches can be quite creative, please check the cache page for special logging requirements. With a normal moveable cache, follow these steps to log your find and move.
 +
 
 +
'''First Step:''' Log your find with a 'Found' log (this will give you your smiley!)
 +
 
 +
'''Second Step:''' When you have moved the cache to its new location, log a NEW 'Moved' log, adding the new co-ordinates and even a hint in the hint box if you wish. The hints box will update the main hint for the cache so that it will update in [[GSAK]] and the like.
 +
 
 +
==GCA log tokens==
 +
 
 +
The following tokens can be included in your log text (even when logging caches on [[geocaching.com]]) to activate certain features on [[Geocaching Australia]]:
 +
 
 +
* ''*Recommended*'' - to flag the find as a [[Recommended cache]]
 +
* ''*Overall Experience: n*'' - to record a [[Rating]] from 1-5
 +
* ''*FTF*'' - to claim the [[First to find]]
 +
(You must included the asterisks, but the text is case-insensitive.)
 +
 
 +
A FTF, Rating or Recommendation will ONLY be applied ONCE.
 +
It will ONLY be applied the FIRST time a log is loaded.
 +
 
 +
This stops the potential issue of:
 +
A cacher giving a rating of 3.
 +
Coming in and editing the rating directly, changing it to 4.
 +
Someone else loading an old GPX file which would change the rating back to a 3.
 +
 
 +
So even if you edit a log on GC, because the log has already been loaded, the FTF, rating or recommendation will not be applied as we cannot guarantee it's not going to overwrite a manual update.
 +
 
 +
==Cache Management Log Types==
 +
There will be 6 new log types available from the evening on 30-Jun-2008. Published, Retracted, Disabled, Enabled, Archived and Unarchived.
 +
 
 +
From the announcement date, when you create a new cache and save your listing it will automatically be saved with a status of Draft. This means that you can continue to edit your cache description, etc. without the cache being made available to the general community. When you are happy with your cache listing, you make your final save. You then go back to the cache listing and proceed to the "log this cache" section (found on the right hand side navigation bar).
 +
 
 +
As a cache owner, you will see the 6 new log types listed.
 +
 
 +
'''Published'''
 +
 
 +
To release your cache to the general community, use the Publish log type.
 +
Geocaching Australia has a unique function which enables you to list a cache and have it automatically made available to the community at a given future point in time. e.g. Say you are holding an event on the weekend and that today is Wednesday. If you place the date of Saturday as the "hidden" date on your cache and use the Publish log type, the cache will be marked in the database to only become available at 00:00:01 on that future date. i.e. You don't have to wait up until Saturday morning to publish the cache. The system will do that automatically for you. If the "hidden" date is today or earlier, when you use the Publish log, it will become available immediately.
 +
 
 +
'''Unpublished'''
 +
 
 +
If you find that you want to "unpublish" your cache, use the Retract log type.
 +
This will place the cache back into Draft mode and will not be available for anyone to see. Please note that if you have "found" logs on your cache listing, they will NO LONGER appear in the finders list of caches found. If you subsequently Publish the cache again, these found logs will automatically reappear. Use the Retract log judiciously. It is intended for you to Retract the listing very shortly after you Published it in the event that you discover a disastrous mistake in your listing.
 +
 
 +
'''Disabled'''
 +
 
 +
If you want to mark your cache as "temporarily unavailable" use the Disabled log type.
 +
This ensures that people aren't chasing down caches that may be off line for maintenance reasons.
 +
 
 +
'''Enabled'''
 +
 
 +
If you want to mark your caches as available after being "temporary unavailable" use the Enabled log type.
 +
This puts the listing back into the system available and ready for finding again.
 +
 
 +
'''Archived'''
 +
 
 +
If you want to archive your cache listing, use the Archive log type.
 +
Pretty simple use really. Use this if your cache is dead and you aren't going to replace it.
 +
 
 +
'''Unarchived'''
 +
 
 +
Sometimes you archive a cache and then it gets found again (haven't well all done maintenance and failed to find our own cache, but someone else does?). You can use the Unarchived log to reactivate your cache listing back from the dead.
 +
 
 +
The log types are the same ones that external programs such as GSAK are already prepared to handle, so GPX files created from Geocaching Australia will continue to work with your external programs.
 +
 
 +
You are free to edit the log type or delete the log entirely. This will NOT undo the change to the cache status.
 +
 
 +
e.g. If you submit an Archive log type and then edit the log and change to it a Disabled or delete the Archived log, the cache will remain archived. As the order of logs is important in setting the status of the cache, we can never be certain that you are editing or changing the latest log so we leave the cache status as is and ask you to submit a new log type to make the appropriate change. You will be provided with a warning should you change a log type or delete a log which had a action associated with it.
 +
 
 +
==See also==
 +
* [[Logging DNFs]]
 +
* [[Logging caches with GSAK]]
 +
* [[Uploading logs]]
 +
* [[Deleting logs]]
 +
* [[Editing logs]]
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Glossary]]

Latest revision as of 17:28, 14 June 2015

Geocaching Australia
 This page contains information specific to Geocaching Australia.

Online logging

In addition to signing the paper log in the physical cache container, you should log your find online:

  • To provide feedback and information to the cacher owner and other geocachers
  • To keep a record of your adventures for historical or statistical purposes

Your textual log allows you to record whatever you like, but you should at least mention what swaps you made (if any) and optionally:

  • What time you found the cache
  • Other statistics for your own interest (how many caches that day, for example)
  • Who you were with
  • What you thought of the location, container, hide etc
  • A GAFF rating (or similar) to record the level of assistance used in finding the stash
  • A comment on the condition of the cache and whether it needs maintenance
  • A story of the adventure (being careful not to included any spoilers)
  • Any trackables you took or left
  • Thanks to the cache owner

Remember to be polite and respectful, and that your log will be available to everyone (including children). Some people write verbose logs; others are brief and use acronyms like:

  • TNLN: Took Nothing, Left Nothing
  • TNLNSL: Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Log
  • TFTC: Thanks For The Cache

Online logs are emailed to the cache owner (and anybody who has the cache on their watchlist). Receiving and reading logs of finds is one of the most rewarding aspects of hiding a cache for many people.

Special tokens can be included in the text of logs which activate certain features when the logs make their way to Geocaching Australia. See below.

You may also wish to upload photos with your log.

Blank / Short Logs

With the rise of the "App/iPhone Caching" there has been a habit of Blank, TFTC, and "Sent from my Mobile Device" logs creeping in a lot. Sharing your experience with the cache owner and community is one of the best parts of our hobby. Including some of the details listed above is not only good cache etiquette, it encourages people to maintain a high quality of hides. Blank or short/generic, ("TFTC only") logs are a sure fire way to discourage the people going to the effort to make creative, well thought out caches for your enjoyment. Some new cachers are simply unaware of good etiquette and the people behind the hides. If you are receiving these types of logs and want to help educate the new cacher, why not try adapting this email template for your own use and encourage them to give back to the community. Blank / Short Log Reply Email Template

Where to log the cache

Please log the cache on the cache listing website that the cache was listed on. You can work out the site by the waypoint ID. If the waypoint ID starts with

Logging a cache on Geocaching Australia

Adding A Photo To A Log

To add a photo to an existing log, simply find that log on the cache page by scrolling down to the logs section and click on the camera image on the right hand side of the screen. (Looks like this +http://geocaching.com.au/pics/icon_camera.gif). This will open up the page whcih allows you to add in a photo.

Logging a Moveable Cache

As moveable caches can be quite creative, please check the cache page for special logging requirements. With a normal moveable cache, follow these steps to log your find and move.

First Step: Log your find with a 'Found' log (this will give you your smiley!)

Second Step: When you have moved the cache to its new location, log a NEW 'Moved' log, adding the new co-ordinates and even a hint in the hint box if you wish. The hints box will update the main hint for the cache so that it will update in GSAK and the like.

GCA log tokens

The following tokens can be included in your log text (even when logging caches on geocaching.com) to activate certain features on Geocaching Australia:

(You must included the asterisks, but the text is case-insensitive.)

A FTF, Rating or Recommendation will ONLY be applied ONCE. It will ONLY be applied the FIRST time a log is loaded.

This stops the potential issue of: A cacher giving a rating of 3. Coming in and editing the rating directly, changing it to 4. Someone else loading an old GPX file which would change the rating back to a 3.

So even if you edit a log on GC, because the log has already been loaded, the FTF, rating or recommendation will not be applied as we cannot guarantee it's not going to overwrite a manual update.

Cache Management Log Types

There will be 6 new log types available from the evening on 30-Jun-2008. Published, Retracted, Disabled, Enabled, Archived and Unarchived.

From the announcement date, when you create a new cache and save your listing it will automatically be saved with a status of Draft. This means that you can continue to edit your cache description, etc. without the cache being made available to the general community. When you are happy with your cache listing, you make your final save. You then go back to the cache listing and proceed to the "log this cache" section (found on the right hand side navigation bar).

As a cache owner, you will see the 6 new log types listed.

Published

To release your cache to the general community, use the Publish log type. Geocaching Australia has a unique function which enables you to list a cache and have it automatically made available to the community at a given future point in time. e.g. Say you are holding an event on the weekend and that today is Wednesday. If you place the date of Saturday as the "hidden" date on your cache and use the Publish log type, the cache will be marked in the database to only become available at 00:00:01 on that future date. i.e. You don't have to wait up until Saturday morning to publish the cache. The system will do that automatically for you. If the "hidden" date is today or earlier, when you use the Publish log, it will become available immediately.

Unpublished

If you find that you want to "unpublish" your cache, use the Retract log type. This will place the cache back into Draft mode and will not be available for anyone to see. Please note that if you have "found" logs on your cache listing, they will NO LONGER appear in the finders list of caches found. If you subsequently Publish the cache again, these found logs will automatically reappear. Use the Retract log judiciously. It is intended for you to Retract the listing very shortly after you Published it in the event that you discover a disastrous mistake in your listing.

Disabled

If you want to mark your cache as "temporarily unavailable" use the Disabled log type. This ensures that people aren't chasing down caches that may be off line for maintenance reasons.

Enabled

If you want to mark your caches as available after being "temporary unavailable" use the Enabled log type. This puts the listing back into the system available and ready for finding again.

Archived

If you want to archive your cache listing, use the Archive log type. Pretty simple use really. Use this if your cache is dead and you aren't going to replace it.

Unarchived

Sometimes you archive a cache and then it gets found again (haven't well all done maintenance and failed to find our own cache, but someone else does?). You can use the Unarchived log to reactivate your cache listing back from the dead.

The log types are the same ones that external programs such as GSAK are already prepared to handle, so GPX files created from Geocaching Australia will continue to work with your external programs.

You are free to edit the log type or delete the log entirely. This will NOT undo the change to the cache status.

e.g. If you submit an Archive log type and then edit the log and change to it a Disabled or delete the Archived log, the cache will remain archived. As the order of logs is important in setting the status of the cache, we can never be certain that you are editing or changing the latest log so we leave the cache status as is and ask you to submit a new log type to make the appropriate change. You will be provided with a warning should you change a log type or delete a log which had a action associated with it.

See also

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