| Internet Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sport
that involves the use of a Global Positioning
System ("GPS") receiver to find a "geocache"
(or "cache") placed anywhere in the
world. A typical cache is a small, waterproof
container containing a logbook and "treasure".
Geocaching is a unique take on a traditional Easter-egg
hunt in that it uses two recent technologies,
the GPS and the Internet.
The sport of Geocaching was made
possible by the "turning off" of the
Selective Availability of the Global Positioning
System . Geocacher is the term used for those
who participate in geocaching.
For the traditional geocache,
a geocacher will place a waterproof container,
containing a log book (with pen or pencil) and
treasures, then note the cache coordinates. These
coordinates, along with other details of the location
are posted online. Other geocachers obtain the
coordinates from the Internet and, using handheld
GPS receivers, seek out the cache.
There are several variations
on the "traditional" geocache.
Micro-cache: too small to hold
anything more than a log book.
Multi-cache: requires a visit to one or more intermediate
points to determine the coordinates of the actual
cache
Mystery/puzzle cache: requires the seeker to solve
a puzzle to find the actual cache
Event cache: a meeting for geocachers, found by
date, hour and coordinates
Webcam: a location to take your picture with somebody
else's camera
Virtual: a location to visit simply for what is
already there
Letterbox: contains a stamp for you to stamp your
own log book |
