The Physics of Logging
A few years ago, I got a rush of logs by an unknown cacher. They all came in around the same time, and they all had the same text on them. I don’t remember the specifics of the logs, but a whole pile of them came in and it was something to do with they had forgotten to log the caches or they were part of a team and then split off and were relogging them. I don’t remember exactly the specifics.
Well, another local cacher happened to check one of their own physical logs and noticed that despite the fact that they had received an electronic “find” log, their name was never on the physical log sheet. There was no trace of this newer name, or any name what so ever that had ever been associated to this cacher. So, the owner deleted all of their find logs on his caches and informed me of the same. I checked one of my physical logs and sure enough, no name. So I deleted the log.
Now this was a long time ago. And we all know the rule is that you need to sign the physical log before logging it online. The question on my mind tonite is, does anyone out there ever go out and physically check their real logs, and compare them against the online logs? I haven’t done it since that one time and I never will. The idea of going back and checking seems a bit pointless to me, but I am sure that there are those out there who would want to make sure that online logs are indeed legit logs.
The discussion about the need to physically sign a log has come up many times and there are merits for situations where physical logging may not be necessary or doesn’t make sense in certain specific situations. However, in this instance, I’m talking about specifically going out to your actual caches, and comparing the signed names to those on the cache listing itself. Does anyone think that this is necessary, or is that a bit overkill?
I don’t check mine. Honestly, I don’t care. Maybe that’s a horrible way to think but my take on it is if someone wants to log my caches without actually finding them, I’m going to know and so is everyone else. People who log finds on caches they don’t actually find gain a reputation very quickly, and their numbers mean less and less to those who know where the numbers really come from.
For me to spend any amount of my own time trying to figure out who really signed the log is a waste. I’d rather be hiding new caches or finding new ones. Not burning my energy on fake logs.
Do you reconcile the two? Do you check your caches for real logs vs fake ones? Does it matter?
Nope. Don’t check the physical sheet to the online logs. I don’t lose sleep over if a cacher is “cheating” on one of my hides. It’s his moral thing to deal with, not mine. Reconciling the two won’t stop the couch cachers anyway so I don’t sweat it.
As one of the odd few who will actually remove their hidden containers after the cache has been archived, I will often take the logbook and compare it to logs made on-line. What I have noticed is that the physical logs will often have a name that does not appear on the electronic logs made on-line. Sometimes it’s just a cacher like CuriousbyNature who forgot to make Her claims but often it’s a cacher I don’t recognise and who doesn’t appear to have a Geocaching account. I can only assume why this would be but there are those like wbbill that chose not to collect their smilies for what ever reason.
I do find collecting and going over the physical log is interesting and full of stories that are much more enjoyable to read then the on-line log of “TFTC” or “TNLNSL”. If you have hidden a quality cache with a true log book I encourage you to take the time and enjoy the kind words and stories left for you by the many who still appreciate Geocaching for more than just a numbers game.
As for enforcing the game I don’t feel there is any need to as the consensus in our Province is we should just “play our own game” and by our own rules and ethics. However, I am thankful to the several Geocachers like ZeMartelo who will look for inaccuracies as they are searching for finds of their own. There are those in the Geocaching community who make a fuss about those who “police” the game but they are often the ones with something to hide. Geocaching in a Province that is privileged to have many great contests like the Come Out and play, I’m thankful that we have those who try to keep people honest as these games would be pointless without some sort of integrity.
I remember the caches when I first started in 2007 were mostly regular to large and they had actual log books in them. I used to sit down and read the log book out in the woods. Many of these caches had nice little stories that took up a page each. Micros changed that part of the game and I truly miss it. I still look at log sheets or books when I am not in a rush to break the world record of finding micros strung out in a line along a road or trail. I once did check a log sheet with the online version just out of curiosity and the only thing I found was someone I knew had forgot to log online, all other logs matched up. I have not checked again as I mostly just look to see who found it before me but it doesn’t matter to me who logs what, it is their game to play.
Sometimes I have an opinion on one side or another when it comes to “integrity” of the game and I have named names in the past but it was more to start discussion about it than to really call some one out and start a fight…lol. When something affects others or how the game is played it matters to me, when it only affects the person doing it then I don’t care as much. If you cheat, so what, if you hide crappy caches then I might speak up.
The ones I have checked during maintenance I have found names on the log who never logged them online. They were registered ids so i dropped them a email to let them know, but they never did log them online. I have also had quite a number of logs in the Riverview area where they “forgot their pen”. I have deleted double logs though which is getting quite common.
I don’t think we’ve ever checked an actual log against the online logs. To us, it’s not worth the time. We’ve had some questionable logs (attending an event that was cancelled, duplicates, etc) but have only ever deleted a few duplicate logs. It’s not worth the bad feelings it could create so we just shake our heads and let folks play their own game.
I think I may have checked one or two log sheets in the past. Didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. I did recently check one to make sure Teta logged it LOL.
If a cacher wants to lie and say they found my cache but didn’t, so be it. I can find a lot more in life to worry about or spend my time and energy on. They are only lying to themselves.
I enjoy geocaching too much to worry about what anyone else is doing or how they are playing the game. My only concern is that I am playing it with honesty and integrity and having fun doing it.
Log on.
Couldn’t be bothered, except for Enigma, because of the type of cache that it is. Those that can’t follow three simple rules know who they are, and like someone said, so does the community. And like others, I’ve found unlogged signatures and messages like this one:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10604_10152906161920183_1855744855_n.jpg?oh=03ed0e54cb326ab68c05b5ef1ad27528&oe=553B5EA9&__gda__=1425762944_9958d26023b65c982ea105d105c1cd93
I agree with normal caches that it is a big waste of time. With the amount of wet logs out there, I don’t think it is practical at all. But with the many coin challenges that are out there, that are sponsored by outside agencies, the electronic logs and the score sheets should be checked. I have seen Cachers get refused coins in past yet someone had a score sheet for their dog, someone that they left at home, or a second caching name.In this case, they are not cheating themselves, they are cheating the caching community.
Having run dozens of coin challenges, this does happen and it really bugs me.