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Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:06 pm
by RVRoadTrip
Currently, we have the following available attributes: http://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Ca ... attributes
What attributes do you use most when submitting a cache?
And what attribute would you like to see added that we do not have already?

Re: Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:40 pm
by DudleyGrunt
So far, the most common attributes I've used here (or have found useful on other caches) are...

Quick Cache
Kid Friendly
Fee Required
Wheelchair Access
Bring Your Own Pen (though you should always BYOP since you never know)
In the Woods
Historic Site
Limited Hours
Dangerous
OCUS Only
Stealth Required
Password Required

At this time, I don't have a specific attribute I'd like to suggest adding, but have wondered if it would be possible to add a negative option for most of them. Seeing a cache that does not use a particular attribute is not the same since some people just don't use them to the fullest. Some attributes that might benefit from this option, would be Kid Friendly, Fee, Wheelchair, Winter, Limited Hours, and OCUS Only. Navicache, GC.com and The Selector website offer this option on various attributes.

Re: Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:43 pm
by glorkar
I agree with the negative thing. I wonder if this is something we can implement similar to GC in that you click the attribute icon once for "okay" then click it again for "not-okay" and a third time will deactivate it all together. That would be cleaner than having an entirely separate row for the negative attributes.

Re: Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:00 pm
by RVRoadTrip
glorkar wrote:I agree with the negative thing. I wonder if this is something we can implement similar to GC in that you click the attribute icon once for "okay" then click it again for "not-okay" and a third time will deactivate it all together. That would be cleaner than having an entirely separate row for the negative attributes.
The negative options are available when seeking a cache but not when placing it. If you go to the search page, click the attribute icons multiple times to see. To me, it would not make sense to check off attributes that do not apply rather than just selecting attributes that do apply.

Re: Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:02 pm
by glorkar
I can see it both ways. I suppose the main goal is to get everybody to use the appropriate attribute icons on every cache. For instance, if it is winter friendly use the snowflake. If it isn't, don't use it. Could we make attributes mandatory? At least one has to be selected to publish? I can't think of a single cache that couldn't use at least one of the attributes. Or maybe a radio button or check box for "No attributes apply to this cache."

Re: Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:22 pm
by RVRoadTrip
I added a little text to encourage folks to use attributes but no feasible way to make them mandatory at this point. If a user doesn't use the proper attributes, it could result in a lower rating for them. Maybe that will be an additional incentive to submit a thorough cache description.

Many things can be added to the cache description such as the "no snowmobiles" rule. If I see a cache that does not have any attributes assigned, I will shoot an email to the CO asking them to set them. You can do the same... encourage them to set them so they can be better searched for and so users can be better prepared when going to search for the cache.

Re: Geocaching Attributes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:28 pm
by DudleyGrunt
I just did sfcchaz's virtual at Fort McHenry. It appeared that I needed to pay the admission, but was not inside the actual fort. A later finder said you the area you need to go to is not subject to the fee. On GC, I don't use the "No Snowmobiles" attribute at any of my caches since it's not really a question. However, when there is some question, it can be nice to have the confirmation.

I like Glokar's idea of at least making it difficult to ignore the attribution options, though. I notice a lot of newer cachers on GC just don't bother with attributes, even though there might be several that would be helpful. Not sure it would be feasible, but I'd love the option to suggest an attribute for a cache. The owner would get a notification and be taken to page where they could accept or decline it.