Logging DNFs

[gotta run]

This topic came up in the FTF thread, and it seemed to be a good one.

Our philosophy on DNFs is that if we don’t find, we log a DNF. Even if “we didn’t look very hard,” “we’re sure it isn’t there,” etc. We believe this helps other cachers as well as the cache-owners. True, most of the time we are just blind, but sometimes there IS a problem with a cache that caused our DNF.

It definitely helps us as cache owners. One of our caches went unfound for a long period of time, until we finally got an email from a cacher who said he couldn’t find the cache and “talked to lots of people who had the same problem.” Turns out we had a problem with the listing. Had any of these people bothered to log DNFs, we might have fixed it much earlier to everyone’s benefit.

However, there seems to be a real stigma against DNFs and people do not want to log them. Some people even go so far as to post notes saying things like, “We looked for hours but won’t post a DNF since this cache is obviously gone.” We’ve also seen people log DNFs on our caches only to delete them later. What’s up with that?

Thoughts from the ether on this?

On the Left Side of the Road...

[labrat_wr]

I agree that DNFs are useful to the cache owners as the logs help notify there may be a problem with the cache and sometimes they are useful in adjusting difficulty ratings. (sometimes they’re just fun to see how many cachers you can stump before they find it ) DNFs also alert other cachers to the status of these caches, that they may take more time than first thought or that the container is/may be missing. With that information, the cacher can choose to try or not.

I also think that some feel that DNFs are black marks on their abilities.
Come on !! it’s not like they are -1 on your total finds.

Again, as always, just my opinion.

Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.

[RSplash40]

here’s another one you can chalk up to the vagueness of the rules in this game. Everyone can play how they want.

[gotta run]

@RSplash40 wrote:

here’s another one you can chalk up to the vagueness of the rules in this game. Everyone can play how they want.

True, and there’s nothing that says you have to ever log anything, even finds. But part of the value to this game is the interaction between hiders and seekers via the logs. One of the drawbacks to letterboxing (which we also do) is the lack of a good interaction mechanism and up-to-date information on boxes before you head out on a long and gas-consuming trek.

I’m just sayin’, it’s not like you’re going to inscribe how many finds vs. DNFs you’ve had on your tombstone someday (well, maybe some of you would), so why not log both? But ultimately, to each his or her own.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Trekkin and Birdin]

Not logging DNFs=my pet peeve! So many times, after we’ve logged a DNF, the cache owner has contacted us and said, “I checked, it’s gone, it’s been replaced.” So many times, we’ve looked really hard for one that should have been easier, talk to someone else about it and they say, “Oh, we never found that one, either.” Had the DNF been logged, maybe it would have saved later searchers some time.

We all play this game our own way. Ours is to log those nasty sad faces. Heck, between the two of us this weekend, we collected two of those nasty blue things!

[gotta run]

Here’s an example of what I mean: GCNV6N

One DNF since it was last found…but two “write notes” saying they didn’t find it now piling on…wouldn’t a DNF three months ago have been more helpful? Just happened to be on my watch list due to our challenges with it.

Anyway, I’m done soap-boxing for now. I suspect “to each his own” will be the final word on this.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Team B Squared]

We always post DNF’s on caches we search for and cannot find. When we first started caching we would log a dnf and then delete that log if we found the cache later on. Usually if we did that we would state that we couldn’t find the cache at whatever the previous dnf date was. The reason we did this was to keep track of the caches we had attempted to find but couldn’t locate by clicking on the couldn’t find log section of our gc.com page. We have since abandoned deleting dnf logs when we find a cache that we previously couldn’t find because I like having that bit of history of our caching experience.

We will post a note instead of a dnf if we get to a cache location and don’t look for it because there are too many people around.

[jenhen1]

We feel that seeing DNF’s on a cache page could potentially cause other cachers to not look for that cache fearing that it is not there, so we are somewhat picky when it comes to logging DNF’s. If we gave it a fair shot, we will definitely post a DNF, basically to let the cache owner and other searchers know that, hey, it might need some attention or may not be there. If we couldn’t find it because there was a muggle nearby, or were running out of daylight, or the GPS was giving us weak signals or similar reasons we will write a note simply to say we tried to check it out. We don’t want to provide a reason for other cachers to not attempt a cache that is probably still there.

But, if it’s an ammo can and the clue says “fallen tree” and we find the perfect downed tree and no ammo can, then that baby’s getting a blue frowny!

[3 Hawks]

I feel not posting DNF’s is lazy and self-serving.

Of course you don’t need to post a DNF if there was a muggle sitting at GZ and you never even had the opportunity to look for the cache. Although, a purist might still log a DNF on it.

I’ve read some threads where people say they log DNF’s on any cache they did not find that day if it was on their list of caches to do that day even if they never even hit the “go to” button. Now that is a little extreme.

I proudly log my DNF’s whenever I don’t find the intended object/cache after I’ve made a physical effort to make a find. If my feet leave the car and I start following the magic arrow then that is an effort to find. I will post a DNF if I don’t find it. A DNF is a badge of honor. It is better to have cached and failed than to have never cached at all.

The only exception in my mind, other than the muggle at GZ, would be for those who never log their finds. If you take the time to log your finds(self-serving), then the simple act of not posting DNF’s is selfish and lazy.

Now that is just my opinion and I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone. There is no rule that says you have to log a darn thing. My opinion is my opinion and your opinion is your opinion. I’m entitled to mine and you to yours. I’ve not directed this at anyone, so if it hits a nerve then too bad.

[TyeDyeSkyGuy]

… again, we need to remember not to take this sport to seriously.

I post DNF’s for anything I physically hunted but did not find. I do this because as a cache placer, I know first hand how important it is to receive those DNF’s. Not to mention, some of the most entertaining logs I receive are DNF’s.

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