Since When Does Writing Tnlnsl, ALWAYS mean "your cache sucks". Options

[southdeltan]

I've seen this quite often in the forums:

"If somebody wrote TNLNSL (Took nothing, left nothing, signed log), then your cache sucks".

I don't buy that it always means that... I write that quite often and it's not just on caches that "suck". There are plenty of enjoyable caches out there that I just had nothing to say about.

Am I missing something - or is this referring to those times when the ONLY thing in the log is TNLNSL? I can't recall seeing a cache that only had that in there.

southdeltan

[Renegade Knight]

[briansnat]

It doesn't always mean it, but if all the logs say little more than that, you can bet the cache is a stinker. If a cache is interesting, most people will will have something more to say about in their log than "TNLNSL" or "thanks for the cache".

This post has been edited by briansnat: Apr 28 2004, 10:58 AM

[bons]

If you couldn't think of anything nice to say about the cache, then it's probably not a cache I want to go out of my way to see.

If you can think of something nice to say, then why did you just type "TNLNSL"?

[southdeltan]

[GEO*Trailblazer 1]

I am just glad they singned the log.
I am greatful to any Geocacher who takes his time to find it and leave a note at one of my cache's.

It is the one's that do not log(anywhere) or leave anything(evenTNLNSL) that get to me.

[JayFredMuggs]

I have written TNLNSL a few times, usually when I decide to grab a quick cache at lunch time or on the way home from work. At these times I usually don't have anything meaningful to trade, so I prefer to trade nothing. I have also been to caches where the trade items in the cache were much better than anything I had to trade, so rather than leave something crappy in its place, I chose to TNLN.

I would never say anyone's cache sucks. Most of the folks who play this game put a lot of thought and effort into their hides, and it wouldn't be fair to say something like that, especially since I have never hidden one.

I'm thankful for every cache out there, it gives me a reason to get up off of the couch and get some outdoor exercise.

[Pto]

I dont often trade, so I am usually tnln - but I usually write a short "good Cache" or nice hide- if its relevant. I will elaborate a bit more on the website than I do in the logs, because I dont like to hang around the cache site too long. Find it, log it , rehide it and go. It also depends how much time I have the day I am loggin my finds online. If Im short on time, its late, etc- I will be pretty brief.
However, except for 1 exception- this has NEVER been the result of the cache hide, its contents, etc- Its just my practice.

[briansnat]

I think you're taking TNLNSL too literally. What people mean is that when you see little more than brief logs, it could indicate a fairly lame cache.

For instance which of the two caches here would you think could be lame and which do you think could be a good one (both are from real caches with the names removed to protecty the guilty):

Cache 1

[rusty_tlc]

I'm suprised no one has stated the obvious. TNLNSL could be considered what folks in the quality industry call an indicator.
-If you never see it in the logs the cache is probably stellar.
-If you see it in the logs occasionaly, either those individuals either didn't care for the cache, were tacitern9sp?), or were in a hurry.
-If most of the logs are TNLNSL it may well be a stinker.
-If [b]all[/n] the logs are TNLNSL you probably qant to put the cache on your ignore list.

[southdeltan]

That answered my question. I've been around forums long enough to know better, but you can never tell how literal somebody is being.

I would close this thread but I hope it'll keep getting hits for a while longer - I'd love for people to see Brian's example.


sd

[MOCKBA]

[southdeltan]

[rusty_tlc]

[JMBella]

[southdeltan]

[boulist44]

I don't excahange or replace, so there.
However I log the cache as a find. does anyone have a problem with that?
Some people treat the hunt as a greater experience than exchanging the odd item of little consequence. So each to his own and do as you will.

[rusty_tlc]

Lighten up Francis.

[inventorjg]

I just placed a cache, with a FTF certificate. The finder didn't even mention he took it.

[bigredmed]

[Quadcache]

I don't have very many caches under my belt yet so with that said...

I seem to always forget to get stuff for trading or I just leave it at home. I don't plan when I am going to go caching but just up and go on a whim. Maybe soon I will go and get some good swag for trading.

The times that I TNLNSL I try to make sure and put a note about how I liked the cache or that it needs maint. I know that on one cache I only took some crappy stuff (junk or broken stuff) out and left nothing. I logged it and got an email from the cache owner thanking me. On another cache I noted that it had grown from a small tin into a small tin and several plastic store bags but TNLNSL. What kind of cacher am I? Do I need to do things differently? I am always learning.

I thought the purpose of logging online is to provide feedback for the owner and future finders. I guess some people only do it for the numbers. To each his own.

Happy Caching.

[norbu]

Geez, lighten up. TNLNSL means exactly what it stands for, if you would prefer it be written out the long way....

Don't get your ego tied up in this either. Even if a cache does "suck" it might not be due to something the owner can control. I came across a moldy cache the other day. I alerted the owner to the state when I logged my find, and to my surprise, they archived it within days....I didn't mean for that to happen, but it was their choice. The cache is in a great place too.

I just haven't gotten creative enough to leave stuff. I don't want to leave mcToys, etc. I would want to leave something cool, and it just hasn't come to me yet. I also am usually too tired from hiking up some darn tall hill to have a lot to write about once I get there.

hehehee
anyway, try to relax.

[Markwell]

I don't agree that it always means "This cache sucks." It may simply mean that there isn't much else to say.

That being said, I believe this thread spawned off of my post over here.

It kind of begs the question: If "TNLNSL" doesn't necessarily mean "This cache sucks", what can we write and still be diplomatic when the cache truly is below even the lowest of standards? I'm not talking about poorly maintained ones. I'm talking about ill-conceived caches set by lazy people. I haven't found too many of those, but I've always been left with the "thanks for the cache" or TNLNSL as a standard bare minimum logging of the cache.

I did log one once that I hoped people could read through the lines...

[SkinGuy]

I am guilty of sometimes having a brief log for caches that I find -- have never used "TNLNSL." I agree with the sentiment of at least noting the enjoyment of the find, the area, the hunt, or something else memorable.

On a couple of occasions, I've gone with a friend to hit as many caches as possible during a long caching day (42 caches and 30 caches on those days). Although I try to recall each one while making the logs, only a few will stand out in my brain -- so some of the logs really aren't much more than: "Thanks for the cache, #11/33 for the day."

That isn't meant as any kind of a reflection on the quality of the cache, but more on the limited space on my mental hard drive.

On caches that I have placed, I certainly appreciate a longer cache note -- that way I have some idea of what was done right or wrong with that particular cache. I don't think that it makes sense, however, to take offense at simple cache logs (or solely initials).

SkinGuy

[southdeltan]

[Lazyboy & Mitey Mite]

[SixDogTeam]

I don't think that the majority of cachers KNOW that TNLNSL has a negative meaning...

[briansnat]

[SamLowrey]

I, too, almost never trade. To boot, I don't say "SL" because that seems to be a given if I'm logging it.

To me, the cache is the location/find. The contents hold little value to me, usually, but that is a whole other topic IMO. I would hate to think someone thought I had misgivings about the cache because people choose to trade childish things.

[lowracer]

I always shorten TNLNSL to XNSL. eXchanged Nothing, Signed Log. Saves keystrokes and bytes of server storage on geocaching.com. If every cacher who signs the wasteful TNLNSL (or worse) TN/LN/SL, would just sign XNSL instead, we'd save three to six bytes of server storage for each log. Considering the millions of logs that are made each minute, pretty soon this adds up to saving a new hard drive every couple of weeks. You want your $30 subscription fee to go a little bit longer? Don't write so much in your logs. Keep it short. XNSL.

[uperdooper]

[TotemLake]

I too have bad handwriting so I made a label to shortcut a lot of the same text that normally gets added. I rarely write much of anything in the log preferring to put it on-line instead. I also reached the point that I rarely trade for anything and usually put something into a cache if it was a particularly challenging or enjoyable one to find, and only if I remembered to bring my swag.

[bnolan]

Personally one of my favorite aspects of geocaching is reading the logs by the people who have found my caches. I like hearing about why they chose my cache, what they thought of it, was it hard to find?, did they break any ribs?

I wouldn't take a TNLNSL as an insult, but I would much prefer to read a nice long log. For that reason I try to write a bit more than minimum on all my logs and a long detailed log on the best caches.

So if you happen to get one of my rambling 3 page cache logs, consider that a compliment.

[Red Clover]

Ok maybe I'm having a blonde moment .. but what the heck is DPM? I've tried to search I've checked the "abbreviation" pages. I'm probably over examining it (as usual) and I'll end up having one of the Doh moments when I finally find out

[Gizmo & Brazin]

[JeepCachr]

I don't understand this attitude.

Who gets to say whether a cache sucks or is lame? You guys are all being insensitive and selfish. There are caches of all types for all people out there. Unless the cache in some way violates the guidelines then it shouldn't be complained about. Just because the cache was easy for your 5 yr old to find doesn't mean that the cache was lame. If you look at the ratings how much can you really expect from a 1/1? If you think its to easy than look for some with higher ratings. If you feel the rating is wrong you can complain about that but you shouldn't complain about the cache being lame. Leave the easy ones for those that like them.

There are 2 types of cachers, newbies who will hunt for anything and be gratefull for it often breaking rules along the way especially when they hide their first lame cache, and seasoned veterans who think that every cache should be a major challenge in a unique location, with a clever container, .

[southdeltan]

I think this thread has served it's purpose....

Time to close it.

(I still don't know what DPM means)

This post has been edited by southdeltan: Apr 28 2004, 07:21 PM

[Red Clover]

If you find out..let me know!

[Lazyboy & Mitey Mite]

DPM is some french thing which means your cache sucks. I suppose those who use it think they're clever. I just think they're rude.

[Jamethiel]

DPM= search forums for Des Paldres (sp) references by Brian Snat (I think)
It is a way of saying something.
-Jen

[Renegade Knight]

[Mastifflover]

[Team GPSaxophone]

Des Palordes Mortes

[Nudecacher]

Well, there are lots of games here. The discussion above is limited to a very stereotyped view of the geocaching game. Nudecacher particularly notices this. The activity of signing the physical log and posting the digital log both may have aspects that have nothing to do with the standard stereotype. Nudecachers game has a much more complex set of criteria applying to each part of the geocaching event. There are issues in selecting which caches will be searched for, how they will be searched for, which foundand how found, which logged and how logged or whether logged at all, what will be revealed in the logs, how pictures taken on the caching trip turn out, what is revealed in discussions, how caching events are handled and much more. Further issues arise depending on whether I am caching alone, or with others, and who I am caching with. The log entry may reflect this. Some caches that I choose to log get only a TNLNSL for many different reasons, just as other types of log entries are made for many different reasons. As nudecacher, I also have to consider how the owner of the cache might respond to the log. Frequently this affects how I log.

[GeoKender]

Briansnat wrote...

[norbu]

XNSL - that is wonderful. I believe I shall emulate you!
save the electrons!!!
namaste

[briansnat]