Question about Geochecker

[+VTMountainBiker]

I've found some mystery caches before and made one a while ago for my town, but recently I saw on twitter someones pet peeve was when mystery caches don't have coordinate checkers (mine doesn't). So I decided, why not, it's probably a good thing to have, but the process is kind of confusing to me. Obviously I know the cache name goes where it says cache name. But my cache puzzle is a cryptogram, so at the top where it says "using coordinates" am I supposed to set that as "using code secret"? Also where it says "secret code" lower, do I put my code in its cryptogram form or do I put it in its solved form? And lastly, what am I supposed to put where it says "GC----"?????.... Sorry I'm new to this

[+hzoi]

I don't know what checker service you're using. There are a few out there. I use geochecker.com, and while there are a few different ways you can set it up, I use to just verify whether someone has the exact coordinates or not. If you go to their home page, they have a FAQ and how to videos to help you through the process.

 

"GC-----" is the geocache ID. Look on the upper right portion of your puzzle cache's page -- you'll see "GC6PG9T" in big bold letters.

[+Team DEMP]

I've found some mystery caches before and made one a while ago for my town, but recently I saw on twitter someones pet peeve was when mystery caches don't have coordinate checkers (mine doesn't). So I decided, why not, it's probably a good thing to have, but the process is kind of confusing to me. Obviously I know the cache name goes where it says cache name. But my cache puzzle is a cryptogram, so at the top where it says "using coordinates" am I supposed to set that as "using code secret"? Also where it says "secret code" lower, do I put my code in its cryptogram form or do I put it in its solved form? And lastly, what am I supposed to put where it says "GC----"?????.... Sorry I'm new to this

 

The purpose of the checker isn't to validate the puzzle but the answer which is the final coordinates. For the checkers I've seen/used, all that is entered are the adjusted coordinates determine by the puzzle. There shouldn't be anything in the checker that needs to have your puzzle answers.

 

I just did 3 puzzle caches for a visit to Florida in February that requires a boat ride to an island. The geo-checker for those 3 caches allowed me to confirm I solved the puzzle and had the correct coordinates.

[+kunarion]

I've found some mystery caches before and made one a while ago for my town, but recently I saw on twitter someones pet peeve was when mystery caches don't have coordinate checkers (mine doesn't). So I decided, why not, it's probably a good thing to have, but the process is kind of confusing to me. Obviously I know the cache name goes where it says cache name. But my cache puzzle is a cryptogram, so at the top where it says "using coordinates" am I supposed to set that as "using code secret"? Also where it says "secret code" lower, do I put my code in its cryptogram form or do I put it in its solved form? And lastly, what am I supposed to put where it says "GC----"?????.... Sorry I'm new to this

Did you pay the "Geochecker+" subscription? If not, the "secret code" does not apply. There is a FAQ about Geochecker.com on that site, and contact information: http://www.geochecker.com/plus.php

[+narcissa]

If you want to use a checker for the code word, and not the coordinates, Certitude does that.

 

Remember that the decision to use a checker is entirely up to you! Everyone has "pet peeves" and preferences in this game and it's just not possible to create a cache that makes everyone happy.

[+Wet Pancake Touring Club]

In addition to using the various web sites, there are other ways that you can provide confirmation. If the puzzle is a solvable-at-home kind, using a web site is fine. For field solvable puzzles, not everyone will have web access in the field. Adding a checksum in the cache description works well for field solvable.

 

For example, if the final coords are N 47 10.ABC W 117 20.DEF, you could make up some kind of calculation like one of the following:

 

(A+*C+D-F/E = 12

 

-or-

 

A/B+C = D-E/F

 

I know that I appreciate this kind of 'checker' on field solvable puzzles.

[+barefootjeff]

In addition to using the various web sites, there are other ways that you can provide confirmation. If the puzzle is a solvable-at-home kind, using a web site is fine. For field solvable puzzles, not everyone will have web access in the field. Adding a checksum in the cache description works well for field solvable.

 

For example, if the final coords are N 47 10.ABC W 117 20.DEF, you could make up some kind of calculation like one of the following:

 

(A+*C+D-F/E = 12

 

-or-

 

A/B+C = D-E/F

 

I know that I appreciate this kind of 'checker' on field solvable puzzles.

Or even just simply A+B+C+D+E+F=42 (which is of course the answer to everything ).

[+GeoTrekker26]

In addition to using the various web sites, there are other ways that you can provide confirmation. If the puzzle is a solvable-at-home kind, using a web site is fine. For field solvable puzzles, not everyone will have web access in the field. Adding a checksum in the cache description works well for field solvable.

 

For example, if the final coords are N 47 10.ABC W 117 20.DEF, you could make up some kind of calculation like one of the following:

 

(A+*C+D-F/E = 12

 

-or-

 

A/B+C = D-E/F

 

I know that I appreciate this kind of 'checker' on field solvable puzzles.

Or even just simply A+B+C+D+E+F=42 (which is of course the answer to everything ).

 

Often simple a simple check sum is nearly useless. Was that supposed to be 9 + 13 + 5 or 11 + 12 + 4?

[+barefootjeff]

In addition to using the various web sites, there are other ways that you can provide confirmation. If the puzzle is a solvable-at-home kind, using a web site is fine. For field solvable puzzles, not everyone will have web access in the field. Adding a checksum in the cache description works well for field solvable.

 

For example, if the final coords are N 47 10.ABC W 117 20.DEF, you could make up some kind of calculation like one of the following:

 

(A+*C+D-F/E = 12

 

-or-

 

A/B+C = D-E/F

 

I know that I appreciate this kind of 'checker' on field solvable puzzles.

Or even just simply A+B+C+D+E+F=42 (which is of course the answer to everything ).

 

Often simple a simple check sum is nearly useless. Was that supposed to be 9 + 13 + 5 or 11 + 12 + 4?

Huh? If you've only got one value in error, it'll always detect it, and will only give a false positive with multiple errors if those errors exactly cancel out. If your guesses for A to F were completely random, the chance of a false positive is 1 in 55. I certainly wouldn't call that useless and it's a good deal better than nothing if there's no mobile data available in the field for a full-blown checker to be useful(often the case away from major towns and highways here).

[+redsox_mark]

I use Certitude on all of mine. The most "standard" way is that solving the puzzle gives coordinates, and the checker confirms if the coordinates are correct. But on some of my puzzles I use a "keyword" instead. In the keyword case, putting the correct keyword into the checker provides you with the coordinates.

[+fuzziebear3]

In addition to using the various web sites, there are other ways that you can provide confirmation. If the puzzle is a solvable-at-home kind, using a web site is fine. For field solvable puzzles, not everyone will have web access in the field. Adding a checksum in the cache description works well for field solvable.

 

For example, if the final coords are N 47 10.ABC W 117 20.DEF, you could make up some kind of calculation like one of the following:

 

(A+*C+D-F/E = 12

 

-or-

 

A/B+C = D-E/F

 

I know that I appreciate this kind of 'checker' on field solvable puzzles.

Or even just simply A+B+C+D+E+F=42 (which is of course the answer to everything ).

 

Often simple a simple check sum is nearly useless. Was that supposed to be 9 + 13 + 5 or 11 + 12 + 4?

Huh? If you've only got one value in error, it'll always detect it, and will only give a false positive with multiple errors if those errors exactly cancel out. If your guesses for A to F were completely random, the chance of a false positive is 1 in 55. I certainly wouldn't call that useless and it's a good deal better than nothing if there's no mobile data available in the field for a full-blown checker to be useful(often the case away from major towns and highways here).

 

And I prefer the simplicity of just addition in the field.

 

In the example above

A/B+C = D-E/F

I would wonder if they meant D-(E/F) or (D-E)/F. Not everyone is good at even simple math.

[+bflentje]

A/B+C = D-E/F

I would wonder if they meant D-(E/F) or (D-E)/F. Not everyone is good at even simple math.

 

If no parenthesis are used in the notation, I imagine that "D-(E/F)" is the correct format.. I am a math guy and I still have a 50-50 chance of getting that wrong unless I really sit and think about it.

[+dprovan]

I would wonder if they meant D-(E/F) or (D-E)/F. Not everyone is good at even simple math.

I agree. If you're going to present a checksum, make it just a checksum. I'm actually quite good at math, but I can't remember the number of times I've noticed that my mind has turned to mush after a long hot day of geocaching. Heck, more than once I've screwed up calculating one of those A+B+C+D+E+F checksums under those conditions!

 

But a checksum on a field puzzle is much appreciated. Nothing's quite as irksome as gathering information and doing a complicated calculation to get final coordinates only to discover the only way to see if I've made a mistake somewhere is to use an on-line checker that does me no good in the field.

[+narcissa]

I would wonder if they meant D-(E/F) or (D-E)/F. Not everyone is good at even simple math.

I agree. If you're going to present a checksum, make it just a checksum. I'm actually quite good at math, but I can't remember the number of times I've noticed that my mind has turned to mush after a long hot day of geocaching. Heck, more than once I've screwed up calculating one of those A+B+C+D+E+F checksums under those conditions!

 

But a checksum on a field puzzle is much appreciated. Nothing's quite as irksome as gathering information and doing a complicated calculation to get final coordinates only to discover the only way to see if I've made a mistake somewhere is to use an on-line checker that does me no good in the field.

 

I agree, a checksum keeps it simple.

 

Not that trying to figure out someone else's personal math system isn't fun, it's just not what I want to be doing under a pine tree in the rain.

[+Wet Pancake Touring Club]

A/B+C = D-E/F

I would wonder if they meant D-(E/F) or (D-E)/F. Not everyone is good at even simple math.

 

If no parenthesis are used in the notation, I imagine that "D-(E/F)" is the correct format.. I am a math guy and I still have a 50-50 chance of getting that wrong unless I really sit and think about it.

There are three kinds of people in the world. Those that are good at math, and those that aren't.

[+Pond Bird]

I use Certitude on all of mine. The most "standard" way is that solving the puzzle gives coordinates, and the checker confirms if the coordinates are correct. But on some of my puzzles I use a "keyword" instead. In the keyword case, putting the correct keyword into the checker provides you with the coordinates.

 

I do this with mine too. I prefer if a cache had a checker so I know if I had the correct coords after solving the puzzle. Even if its not certitude a puzzle should have a checker. But it is not required unless entering the keyword is.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

I use Certitude on all of mine. The most "standard" way is that solving the puzzle gives coordinates, and the checker confirms if the coordinates are correct. But on some of my puzzles I use a "keyword" instead. In the keyword case, putting the correct keyword into the checker provides you with the coordinates.

 

I do this with mine too. I prefer if a cache had a checker so I know if I had the correct coords after solving the puzzle. Even if its not certitude a puzzle should have a checker. But it is not required unless entering the keyword is.

 

Of course, there are puzzle caches constructed such that it will display an unambiguous answer once the puzzle is solved. That sort of puzzle cache doesn't need a checker.

[+dprovan]

Of course, there are puzzle caches constructed such that it will display an unambiguous answer once the puzzle is solved. That sort of puzzle cache doesn't need a checker.

While I certainly can't complain about people that don't provide a checker for a puzzle that ends up displaying the answer, more than once I've made a mistake copying the answer down. If there's a checker, I copy the text from the checker's confirmation message into my database to insure no possibility of mistake. Just recently I searched 3 times for a cache in a very likely location that fit everything in the description and logs, only to discover later that I'd dropped a digit and was searching over a quarter mile from where the cache was hidden.

 

As it happens, a checker can also handle the case where someone mistakenly thought they solved the puzzle, not realizing that when truly solved, the answer is presented unambiguously.

[+VTMountainBiker]

So the part people have to solve for my cache is a cryptogram, and it's more than just coords, so how should I go about doing that if I wanted to use geochecker? Just put coords in geochecker? Or is the a way to put the intire answer to the cryptogram?

[+redsox_mark]

So the part people have to solve for my cache is a cryptogram, and it's more than just coords, so how should I go about doing that if I wanted to use geochecker? Just put coords in geochecker? Or is the a way to put the intire answer to the cryptogram?

 

It depends on the checker you use. The one I use (certitude) has an option to enter a keyword. That keyword can be any string, so it can be your cryptogram answer. Here is one example Mix-tape for Wimps - Play Ball!. The solver enters a 16 digit string which reflects the answers.