Cache Sizes - Feedback Sought
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:25 pm
I've been wondering if 1) folks choose the size of their OCNA cache (when creating the cache page) based on the descriptions in our wiki or what they're generally accustomed to from other sites, mostly Groundspeak and 2) we should modify our size descriptions.
Here is a quiz. If hiding the following items on this site, what size would you assign them? Jot down your answers and compare to what I show below.
A "nano" cache = _________________
Bison tube = _________________
35 mm film container = _________________
Altoids / SPAM can (Container that will only hold logbook and small swag) = _________________
Decon container / Small Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container = _________________
Standard Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container = _________________
Larger Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container = _________________
5 gallon bucket = _________________
* * * * *
Here are the sizes used by other sites and what they give for examples (if any).
Groundspeak
Not Listed - (I often see this used for nanos)
Micro - 35 mm Film Canister
Small - holds logbook and small items
Regular - Rubbermaid, Ammo Box
Large - 5 Gallon Bucket
Other - see (cache) description
TerraCaching
Micro - Bison Capsue
Mini - 35 mm Film Canister
Small - Can of SPAM
Medium - Ammo Can
Large - 5 Gallon Bucket
Navicaching - I don't believe any size guidelines are given.
Unknown
Micro
Normal
Large
Virtual
Garmin - Sliding scale from 1.0 to 5.0 with options to the tenths place (that's 49 options!). No guidelines found.
GPSgames - No size attribute is used.
* * * * *
OCNA
Micro - very tiny, also referred to as "nano"
Small - 35 mm film canister or similar, typically containing only a logbook
Regular - decon container, sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar, holds trade items as well as a logbook
Large - larger tupperware-style container or ammo can
Extra Large - 5 gallon bucket or larger
Based on our size descriptions I'd go with and the Groundspeak & TerraCaching equivalents...
A "nano" cache - Micro (GS & TC = Micro, but many on GS use "other" and there is a call for GS to introduce a new sub-micro size)
-
Bison tube - Small (GS & TC = Micro)
35 mm film container - Small (GS = Micro & TC = Mini)
-
Altoids / SPAM can / Container that will only hold logbook and small swag - Regular (GS & TC = Small)
Decon container / Small Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container - Regular (GS & TC = Small)
Standard Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container - Regular (GS = Regular / TC = Medium?)
-
Larger Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container - Large (GS = Regular / TC = Medium)
Ammo can - Large (GS = Regular / TC = Medium)
-
5 gallon bucket - Extra Large (GS & TC = Large)
* * * * *
I know that when I see sized on OCNA caches, it is hard not to think in the terms I've become used over the years. The difference tends to be that we seem to rate stuff about a size higher than Groundspeak or TerraCahing. Although, I've noticed a tendency on Groundspeak of "size creep" as people become used to more "micros" and fewer "ammo cans" to rate things larger than I would categorize them. I often find 35 mm film containers listed as "small" and smaller lock-n-locks as "regular"
I'd be interested in hearing from you the following...
1) How'd you do with the size quiz?
2) When you hide / search for OCNA caches, to your use our scale or what you're used to from other sites?
3) From your experience searching for caches, how do you think others are determining the sizes of their own caches?
4) Do you think we should modify the description of our available sizes?
Thanks!
Here is a quiz. If hiding the following items on this site, what size would you assign them? Jot down your answers and compare to what I show below.
A "nano" cache = _________________
Bison tube = _________________
35 mm film container = _________________
Altoids / SPAM can (Container that will only hold logbook and small swag) = _________________
Decon container / Small Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container = _________________
Standard Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container = _________________
Larger Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container = _________________
5 gallon bucket = _________________
* * * * *
Here are the sizes used by other sites and what they give for examples (if any).
Groundspeak
Not Listed - (I often see this used for nanos)
Micro - 35 mm Film Canister
Small - holds logbook and small items
Regular - Rubbermaid, Ammo Box
Large - 5 Gallon Bucket
Other - see (cache) description
TerraCaching
Micro - Bison Capsue
Mini - 35 mm Film Canister
Small - Can of SPAM
Medium - Ammo Can
Large - 5 Gallon Bucket
Navicaching - I don't believe any size guidelines are given.
Unknown
Micro
Normal
Large
Virtual
Garmin - Sliding scale from 1.0 to 5.0 with options to the tenths place (that's 49 options!). No guidelines found.
GPSgames - No size attribute is used.
* * * * *
OCNA
Micro - very tiny, also referred to as "nano"
Small - 35 mm film canister or similar, typically containing only a logbook
Regular - decon container, sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar, holds trade items as well as a logbook
Large - larger tupperware-style container or ammo can
Extra Large - 5 gallon bucket or larger
Based on our size descriptions I'd go with and the Groundspeak & TerraCaching equivalents...
A "nano" cache - Micro (GS & TC = Micro, but many on GS use "other" and there is a call for GS to introduce a new sub-micro size)
-
Bison tube - Small (GS & TC = Micro)
35 mm film container - Small (GS = Micro & TC = Mini)
-
Altoids / SPAM can / Container that will only hold logbook and small swag - Regular (GS & TC = Small)
Decon container / Small Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container - Regular (GS & TC = Small)
Standard Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container - Regular (GS = Regular / TC = Medium?)
-
Larger Rubbermaid / Tupperware / Lock-n-Lock container - Large (GS = Regular / TC = Medium)
Ammo can - Large (GS = Regular / TC = Medium)
-
5 gallon bucket - Extra Large (GS & TC = Large)
* * * * *
I know that when I see sized on OCNA caches, it is hard not to think in the terms I've become used over the years. The difference tends to be that we seem to rate stuff about a size higher than Groundspeak or TerraCahing. Although, I've noticed a tendency on Groundspeak of "size creep" as people become used to more "micros" and fewer "ammo cans" to rate things larger than I would categorize them. I often find 35 mm film containers listed as "small" and smaller lock-n-locks as "regular"
I'd be interested in hearing from you the following...
1) How'd you do with the size quiz?
2) When you hide / search for OCNA caches, to your use our scale or what you're used to from other sites?
3) From your experience searching for caches, how do you think others are determining the sizes of their own caches?
4) Do you think we should modify the description of our available sizes?
Thanks!