Determine date of appearance of geocache / Edit appearance

[hbbukowski]

Hello dear geocachers !

 

2 related questions for the same goal :

 

1) Is it possible to program as specific date (and hour if possible) of activation/appearance of a geocache ?

 

2) Is it possible to edit the visibility of a geocache after I created it ? If so, how long does it take for the change to be implemented.

 

My goal:

I would like to setup a complex series of geocaches (probably mystery type) but I would like to have friends to try it first before I make it public.

So I guess the solutions is to make it public at a very specific time so that they will be the first to try it.

 

Best,

Henryk

[Keystone]

1. Reach out to your area's Community Volunteer Reviewer to determine their practice for working with you on the publication of caches at a specific date and time. Not every reviewer will give the same answer. For example, I'm happy to publish a power trail all at once or ten caches all at once to coincide with an event that day -- but I won't agree to publish a single cache at precisely 7:30 pm on Wednesday.

 

2. No, you cannot control who sees your cache once it's published (apart from the premium members vs. all members distinction, and what people can see when looking on the official intro apps for smartphones). You can provide the info to your beta tester friends via email, etc. but they could not see the cache listing prior to publication.

[+dprovan]

My goal:

I would like to setup a complex series of geocaches (probably mystery type) but I would like to have friends to try it first before I make it public.

It's a great idea to have your friends beta test your cache before you publish it. Not only can it be a fun exercise, it's also a good way to work out any kinks before you turn it loose on everyone else. It's kinda hard for them to see the actual page or download it to their GPSrs: since they can't see it, you'd have to get it for them, but most people just give them the coordinates or print out the page before submitting it. After it's published, your friends can then go find it a second time to make it official, or they can claim a beta test find after the FTF has logged their find.

 

Whatever you do, don't try to arrange for your friends to have an edge on getting the FTF. That's just not fair, and it wouldn't be worth much as an FTF if they find it without any competition.

[+hzoi]

I would like to setup a complex series of geocaches (probably mystery type) but I would like to have friends to try it first before I make it public.

After you create the cache listing, you should be able to download the GPX file for the unpublished cache. You can have your friends beta test the cache before it is submitted for publication. That way, if you or your friends spot any issues that need to be fixed, you can make the changes and perfect the cache before you submit the cache for review and publication.

 

Whether you allow your friends to claim "first to find" is a separate discussion, and you can read through other cacher's thoughts in this thread if you're interested.

[hbbukowski]

Thanks a lot for your answers ! ... which bring new questions :

 

1) How do I contact/find my local area reviewer ? (I looked on local geocaches but did not find any info about who reviewed them).

 

2) Even if I am not premium user, can I download gpx files of my unpublished caches, send them to my friend so that they track it?

 

For info, we have no interest in FTF (first time I had heard this concept), the friends who will beta-test have beginners accounts with no competitive interests.

Edited February 8, 2016 by hbbukowski

[Keystone]

For tips on identifying your local Community Volunteer Reviewer, see this Help Center article.

[+hzoi]

2) Even if I am not premium user, can I download gpx files of my unpublished caches, send them to my friend so that they track it?

I forgot GPX files were for premium members only. Sorry! You should still be able to download a .loc file. Worst case scenario, you can print out the unpublished cache page and they can input the data manually in their GPSr.

 

edit: typo

Edited February 9, 2016 by hzoi

[hbbukowski]

Thx again for your helpful replies

I contacted my local reviewer.