Needs Maint. attribute.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 1:34 pm

Is it just me or are there a lot of lazy CO's that do not reset this attribute? I have my PQ's set to filter out caches that have this set. Since I do not use a smart phone, I only have the last 5 logs in my GPS and the Needs Maint may be the 6th.

I may be missing out on a good number of caches, but if your going to go and do the maint then at least log it.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 2:58 pm

This brings up a question I have because I have never had to do it.

If one of my caches got to the point of needing maintenance, and someone posted the maintenance message putting the icon in the attributes, and I performed maintenance on the cache, would the needs maintenance icon disappear when I log that I performed maintenance?

I usually just go to the cache and check it and post a note such as snows gone, come get me or something like that. Is common etiquette to actually sign in with a did maintenance log? What makes more sense?

Thanks.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 3:03 pm

I always counter a NM (Needs Maint) log with a OM (Owner Maint) log. It not only creates the log entry with your comments, but removes the attribute. Those little counters right above the logs also get updated.

You can also go and Edit Attributes, but that seems counter productive to me.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 4:54 pm

The NM icon will disappear when you post a Maintenance log. Maintenance is supposed to be done by the CO once a year, or when it is needed. If I have a cache that hasn't been found for 6 monthes, or has 3 or more DNFs, it's time for a check up!

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:19 pm

While many cachers that come upon a cache that has a "needs maintenance" log placed on it, will, if prepared, do the maintenance on the cache (replace log, new container, etc.), that alone doesn't remover the icon from the page. That can only be done by the cache owner by either editing the attributes or by posting an Owner Maintenance log. There are those perpetual caches that continue to live on only due to the kindness of those that visit long after the owner has lost interest in the game. Those will never lose the icon.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:45 pm

Thanks for the information. It's as I thought but wasn't sure as I've never had to respond to a maintenance check due to lack of by me.

But you never know until you ask.

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:45 pm

What really bothers me more than most other things is a cache that clearly does not need maint, but the NM was posted months or years before. It is like the CO is not even around. I think that a good CO should take a quick look at the list and address issues like this.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 4:48 am

I found out when you use the new cache submission form now, it alerts you to caches that have that NM posted. Some, surprised me - I never knew they were on there! I take pretty good care of my caches and they must have slipped by. I also as a newbie hider did not know how to get that thing off there, hopefully people know they only have to post an owner maintenance.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:16 am

WStemple wrote:

What really bothers me more than most other things is a cache that clearly does not need maint, but the NM was posted months or years before. It is like the CO is not even around. I think that a good CO should take a quick look at the list and address issues like this.

I'm aware of many also. In my case, I think the CO doesn't know how or what to do to delete it. Time for a e-mail, because I know he's active.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:45 am

Well I just fired off an e-mail to one of those cachers that I think may not know how to remove that red cross icon from their cache page. Told the individual how "it's to nice a cache location" for people to skip due to the "needs maintenance" icon.

This is my little unscientific experiment to see if letting people know how to fix it, works.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:59 am

I do believe that it is mostly an education issue. There are some caches that it does indeed slip by on the CO. Then it is just a matter of doing a quick check of the cache pages.

Heck, I have 141 active caches! Not watching for stuff like this would be a nightmare if I did not watch them. Smile

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:46 am

Another trend is that some inexperienced cachers will put needs maintenance log because they cannot find it even though cache is in good shape.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:12 am

So true. When I see a DNF, I look at the cacher profile. If it is a hard find (Tanks for Visiting) and they are a newer cacher,(5 finds) then I discount the DNF. I also take into account the area where the cache is. If I do not, then I could drive myself crazy.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:07 pm

Well I received a response from my "unscientific" experiment.

The cache owner I think still doesn't understand that he needs to post a "did maintenance" log to remove the "needs maintenance" icon. I will wait and see what happens to the cache page.