Your assistance is requested…

[RVRoadTrip]

Opencaching is the idea of storing and retrieving geocache data without cost to the end user. Many geocachers here in the US store and retrieve their cache data from Geocaching.com (a for-profit company). In Europe, there are several Opencaching sites such as Opencaching.pl, Opencaching.de, Opencaching.org.uk, etc. We are in the process of launching http://www.Opencaching.us here in the United States.

We are looking for cache owners willing to record their caches in our database so we can test the system before an official public launch. We’d also like searchers to use this data to seek the cache, log the finds on our site, etc. We’d like to know if the members of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association would like to help with this test? There is no cost to register or use the Opencaching.us site but registration is required for access to most areas. Also keep in mind, that before the official launch, the databases will be purged of all test data.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email. Your help and feedback is greatly appreciated!!

Jerry
http://www.Opencaching.us

[glorkar]

A few points:

-While Geocaching/Groundspeak does offer a paid membership, they do not require it to use their site/services.

-If I’m reading correctly, Opencaching is intended to be a stand alone database site for the listing of caches. If this is the case, the use of the term “Geocaching” would be a copyright infringement.

-If this is simply a cross posting site, what is the point if it offers nothing new/different than the existing Geocaching.com site?

[RVRoadTrip]

Geocaching.com requires a paid subscription for advances services, such as running queries. A basic subscription is free but you are limited in accessing the geocache information that the public has submitted. Their site will explain the differences in detail.

Using the term geocaching is not a copyright infringement. The term was specifically registered by Groundspeak so that its use could not be restricted by another entity.

The difference in sites is one is free and the other requires a paid membership for advanced services.

[CodeJunkie]

“Free” always forces me to ask:

1) Who’s paying the bills
2) How is revenue generated

[RVRoadTrip]

1) I am. 🙂
2) There is one Adsense frame per page.

The coding and site maintenance is done by volunteers, your fellow geocachers. I personally paid the server setup fees and the monthly bandwidth fees. I would eventually like the site to generate enough ad revenue to cover the monthly fee. It is not a big amount…

[Astro_D]

Just to clarify, existing geocaches will not be listed/shown on your site unless cache owners register and submit their caches correct?

If the above statment is correct, what kind of policies do you have in place to ensure that caches listed on your site, are not on top of or near those caches listed on geocaching.com?

[Mister Greenthumb]

With only 65 finds and 1 hide I’m wondering if you have the necessary knowledge and experience to serve veteran geocachers. Other alternate cache hiding sites have failed to generate much attention. I think I’ll stay with what works.

[Team Black-Cat]

@RVRoadTrip wrote:

A basic subscription is free but you are limited in accessing the geocache information that the public has submitted.

Who, if not the public, will be submitting to this site? Who is going to assure that the caches published are placed according to your guidlines? Are there any guidelines?

I really do wish you the best of luck with the new site. I think you need to look at offering something new. Trying to replicate what GC already offers is going to be a tough sell even for free.

[grandpa_r]

I’m always open to trying and testing out new ideas/systems – since there isn’t any cost in doing so. Have you proposed this to other states? If so, what has been their response?

[grandpa_r]

I see you also have a Facebook presence – I found you by searching on: Opencaching US

[Captain and Mate]

So, we could hide a cache and publish info. about it on this new site. Will there be any guidelines, or could we hide it anywhere we want (on private property, in a dangerous place, in a place that will aggravate Homeland Security folks, etc.)? If there is no review of what gets published, that could open a whole can of worms that could be very harmful to the sport. A side note: what would motivate someone who’s been with Groundspeak for a long time, is happy with the site, and has a lot of finds to suddenly want to switch? Will it offer the same advanced features that premium members pay for now ($35/per year?).

[glorkar]

@RVRoadTrip wrote:

Using the term geocaching is not a copyright infringement. The term was specifically registered by Groundspeak so that its use could not be restricted by another entity.

I did not know this. I looked at their site and it does only specify the GC images as being restricted. Using the term geocaching would definitely work to your advantage. It’s something current cachers can identify with.

[RVRoadTrip]

@Captain and Mate wrote:

So, we could hide a cache and publish info. about it on this new site. Will there be any guidelines, or could we hide it anywhere we want (on private property, in a dangerous place, in a place that will aggravate Homeland Security folks, etc.)? If there is no review of what gets published, that could open a whole can of worms that could be very harmful to the sport. A side note: what would motivate someone who’s been with Groundspeak for a long time, is happy with the site, and has a lot of finds to suddenly want to switch? Will it offer the same advanced features that premium members pay for now ($35/per year?).

There are guidelines posted on the site for the sport, the same generally accepted principles used all over the world. This is a team effort by several geocachers, not just me… we are doing it to help the sport grow. People tend to prefer free. 🙂 If you are happy with Groundspeak and paying for their services, then by all means continue to use them. But if you would like to support the fact that accessing Geocaching location info should be free to everyone, then you think as we do.

We will offer these and other features for free (this is what Groundspeak charges for):

1. Organize Your Favorites
2. Custom Searches
3. Be instantly notified of Geocaches
4. Caches Along a Route (checking on this one)
5. Seek and create Caches of all types

If you’re willing to help test the site, we appreciate it. If you would like to find out more about the site… just visit it. If you’re not interested, that’s OK, too. In any case, have fun geocaching!

Jerry

[CodeJunkie]

As a CodeJunkie I was going to bite and try it. Why not compare it to the competition and see what it has to offer.

HTTP 500 Internal Server Error which means I can’t get to it. I tried some of the other non-us sites and they’re accessible, but not the US site.

[CodeJunkie]

It’s operational and I got cache #2 on the site.

Forsyth Park (a dual listing of one of my already published caches)

I hit a couple of quirks while entering the info the main one being the map for nearby caches took me to Asia instead of WI. I also noticed the minimum distance being 300′ instead of the 0.1 mile from the mothership (geocaching.com).

I really like the HTML code thing for entering the text which I thought was huge improvement from gc.com.

I’ll admit though, for now I’ll probably stick with geocaching.com because it provides a lot for $3 / month. I’d gladly pay $3 / month to not have advertising in my face.

[Author]

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