Reading your cache logs

[marc_54140]

I do not imagine cache placements are effected by the number of e-mails the owner will receive. But I do wonder how many cache owners actually read the log notifications they receive?

For example, I once stated in my found log that I did not think the cache location was the best, and moved it some place better. I even gave new coordinates for where I placed the cache. Never heard from the owner. Several people found it afterwards. Then I received an e-mail from someone who was not able to find the cache. Did you ever find it Randy?

I read every single log notification I get. Even if one cacher has a long list of finds for the day, and the first couple of logs all run the same, such as “SL TFTC”, I still read all the others.

I am probably an exception for cache owners, as I really do not care what the finder writes. I’m usually checking to see if a problem occurred. If I come across an ‘essay’, where the finder(s) have an interesting story or comment, I enjoy it.[/i]

[Miata]

Yes you are Marc! 😈

“I am probably an exception for cache owners”

[Cheesehead Dave]

I always read all my mesages. What I wish is that if the finder goes back and attaches a picture to a log, that the hider would get a notification as well. Unless you go and review the logs on the actual cache page, you’d never know about that.

[Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu]

I probably read up to 75% of the posts. I ALWAYS do if it comes over as a DNF. If they are easier caches, I don’t always, since many people do a cut and paste post. My more physically challenging or more difficult hides. I love to read what people have to say.

[LDove]

That is one of the funnest parts for me of this whole thing, love to read what people write. Unless of course they get hurt at one of my caches which just happened, then I get upset! 🙁

[dls64]

I only have 2 caches and 5 trackables but I find it interesting to see what others thinks so I read all the post for them. I also agree it would be nice to get a notice when a photo is added. I have had pics on a TB for a month and didn’t know they were there.

[Johnny Cache]

I’ve added photos days after logging the cache. I guess I could edit the log as well with a note that photo’s were added. Do you get an email when the log is edited?

[brkster]

I am also guilty of adding pictures after the fact. I even had a log deleted because of a picture I added later on which was too revealing as to the mystery location of the cache. I guess I could email the owners of the caches when I add pics or note major changes. As a cache owner, I do read every posting to my caches, plus, I often review my cache pages to check for updates and pictures, but it’s not always possible to detect all the changes that occur afterwards.

[Team B Squared]

@Johnny Cache wrote:

I’ve added photos days after logging the cache. I guess I could edit the log as well with a note that photo’s were added. Do you get an email when the log is edited?

No, I don’t get emails when there is an edit, just when the original log is posted.

[OuttaHand]

We always read the logs. To us, that’s the whole pay-off for taking the time and expense of placing a cache. That’s one of the reasons that we hate the “Found it” or “TNLNSL” logs.

That’s also why, as a finder, I always try to write a nice, long log when we find a cache. I feel like I’m tipping the owner of the cache with my log just as I would tip a waitress or waiter for their service in a restaurant.

[rpaske]

Not only do I read them, but I also respond to them. A nice note of congratulations from the cache-meister, or a hearty greeting to new geocachers is always appreciated.

[Piwko Kurczak]

I feel like OuttaHand said it best about the tipping a waiter/waitress comment. I may not be the best “tipper”, but I try always tip something.

[Digital_Dan]

I always read the logs and at times go back and re-read them. I’ve used comments/suggestions I’ve received in logs to make future caches better. I re-invented my Mission Impossible cache and used comments made in the previous version to make the current one better. It’s always interesting and rewarding to read how much a cache was enjoyed. All the more reason to try making all caches more worth while!! If you find you’re not reading the logs, then it could be that the cache is not all that interesting, thus you’re not getting logs that are interesting either. Cachers kind of follow the rule… “Unless you can say some Good about the cache, don’t say anything at all” Average run of the mill caches will elicit an “average run of the mill log”. Make sure you put out great caches, and you’ll find you’re reading ALL the logs!!

[Lostby7]

@Digital_Dan wrote:

…Cachers kind of follow the rule… “Unless you can say some Good about the cache, don’t say anything at all” Average run of the mill caches will elicit an “average run of the mill log”. Make sure you put out great caches, and you’ll find you’re reading ALL the logs!!

I couldn’t agree more. If you are getting a bunch of logs that just say “TNLN TFTC” then it should raise a flag telling you that maybe that hunt wasn’t stellar. I like to make theme caches or puzzles as they seem to attract more creative logs.
Oh BTW I read every log and will very often thank people who write nice logs or offer congrats to noobs who have only a few caches under their belts.

For example here is one of my favorite logs:

Aye we found her!
Much divining was brought to bear in the search of the treasure! Maps were studied and stories of ancient treasure were read. The reasearch done, we headed out on our adventure!

A circuitous path of the landlocked waters where the beast resided revealed not a clue. The realm of the innocent dead was searched but revealed yet no clue. But lo! the two towers of the clue revealed themselves and with them, the blood stones and the final clue to the treasure.

Being poor explorers and much needy of the promised treasure, we embarked for the treasure from the place of much comings and goings. There we abandoned our craft and started our final explorations. Hills and valleys were revealed in our travels and we came upon friendly locals among well travelled paths.

Leaving the well traveled trails, we relied on our navigational devices and skills and located the treasure!

A great horde she be at that! Not provoke the beast, and to preserve some of the horde for future seekers, we only absconded with a pair of coin shaped medallions from a far away eastern continent and left tokens of our visit; a whistle for calling for help, and a few totems in the shape of animals made of a strange un-earthly resin-like subtance.

We left our mark to let it be known that we had prevailed and located this stash of treasure!
-Draconis

This type of log won’t be found in a park and grab.

[Jeremy]

I am also very big on writing more than just the TNLN/TFTC type logs. Sometimes this means spending significant extra time when logging caches, and sometimes this is difficult when you find a “park and grab” type cache, but I feel I owe this to the owner… as a sort of tip to the owner as OuttaHand said.

From a historical perspective, you used to be able to read every log for every Wisconsin geocache… now we’ve got owners who cannot read all the logs for their own caches! 🙂 In fact, the real reason that Alan put together the original Recent Logs website feature is to make it easier for him (and others) to read all the logs. There used to be a limit on the number of caches that you could watch on gc.com, so once the number of caches exploded past 100 :), this was necessary.

Since it is no longer possible to read every log by everyone, I have considered implementing a WGA website feature (working name: “Saw Logs”) where cache owners (or others) could “mark” a log as being especially important, humorous, well done, etc. The website would display a list of these saw logs for up to 2 weeks after the log was made, making it easy for others to browse some of the more interesting recent logs. We could also have a “hall of fame” to keep track of some of the best logs ever.

A side benefit of the “Saw Logs” feature may be to encourage geocachers to write interesting logs. If they know their log may be seen by dozens or hundreds of people instead of just the owner and those watching the cache, they may be more willing to spend the time writing a “better” log entry.

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