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| width="27%" align="center" | <font style="font-face:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><big>'''Welcome to OpenCaching United States Wiki'''</big></font><br/>
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| width="27%" align="center" | <font style="font-face:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><big>'''Welcome to OpenCaching North America Wiki'''</big></font><br/>
 
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[[File:Geocache.jpg|right|frame|Geocache ]]
 
[[File:Geocache.jpg|right|frame|Geocache ]]
  
 
== Terms of Use ==
 
== Terms of Use ==
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Please read the Terms of Use for this site at http://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Conditions_of_Use
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Please refer to the [[Terms of Use]] for guidance related to this site.
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== Getting Started Geocaching  ==
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Please refer to the [[Getting Started]] page for helpful tips and advice.
  
 
== About Geocaching ==
 
== About Geocaching ==
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Geocaching is an outdoor sport or activity in which cachers use a GPS receiver to find a "treasure" hidden by other participants. Caches are secured in watertight containers, containing trinkets and/or a logbook in which they record their discovery of the cache. The coordinates of the location of the caches are stored in online databases along with descriptions and instructions necessary to find them.
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Geocaching is an outdoor sport or activity in which cachers use a GPS receiver or Smart Phone Applications to find a "treasure" hidden by other participants. Caches are secured in watertight containers, containing trinkets and/or a logbook in which they record their discovery of the cache. The coordinates of the location of the caches are stored in online databases along with descriptions and instructions necessary to find them.
  
 
== What is OpenCaching? ==
 
== What is OpenCaching? ==
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Opencaching is a term for geocaching that was used mainly by those in Europe. It refers specifically to websites and services that offer a <u>free and open</u> portal for all of those who are interested in the activity, or sport, of geocaching. Geocaching is the term applied to the practice of hiding and finding logs or even small items using a GPS system. Opencaching has several websites that are specific to different countries, plus a site that indexes and provides links to these various country website locations.
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OpenCaching is a term for geocaching that refers specifically to websites and services that offer a free and open portal for all of those who are interested in the activity, or sport, of geocaching. The goal is to provide a higher quality cache listing service in a user friendly format with features that members of the geocaching community have requested.
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Geocaching is an outdoor sport or activity in which cachers use a GPS receiver to find a "treasure" hidden by other participants. OpenCaching has several websites that are specific to different countries, plus [http://www.opencaching.eu a portal site] that indexes and provides links to these various country website locations.
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Countries with OpenCaching websites include the [http://www.opencaching.us United States/Canada/Mexico], [http://www.opencaching.de Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy/Spain], [http://www.opencaching.pl Poland], [http://www.opencaching.cz Czech Republic], [http://www.opencaching.no Norway/Sweden], [http://www.opencaching.nl The Netherlands]  and [http://www.opencaching.org.uk The United Kingdom]. There are competing sites that list other geocaches as well, but there are often fees and/or usage restrictions associated with those sites. As the hobby continues to grow, it is likely that OpenCaching sites will be available in more countries.
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The main difference between OpenCaching and traditional listing sites is that all services are open to the users at no cost. Generally, most geocaching services or websites offer some basic information for free, but users may have to pay for premium information or advanced searching capabilities. This is not the case with OpenCaching ; every geocache is listed and accessible to everyone for free.
  
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Countries with opencaching websites include the United States, Germany, Sweden, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Some countries may have competing sites that list other geocaches as well, but there could be fees associated with those sites. As the hobby continues to grow, it's likely that such sites will be available in more locations.
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Additionally, OpenCaching sites allow users to rate and report on existing geocaches. This allows users to see what other cachers think of the cache and it encourages participants to place higher quality caches. The rating system also greatly reduces the problem of abandoned or unsatisfactory caches still being listed after repeated negative comments or posts in the cache logs.
  
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The main difference between opencaching and more traditional geocaching is that all services are open to the public in opencaching at no cost. Generally, most geocaching services or websites offer some basic information for free, but users may have to pay for premium information. This is not the case with opencaching; every geocache is listed and accessible to everyone.
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Anyone can register and use the various OpenCaching sites for free and there are benefits of registering. One of the main benefits is that registrants can post geocaches of their own and advertise their locations to others. Those who have placed geocaches are responsible for maintaining them and taking care of any issues that may arise. Another benefit to registering is that users are able to log all their finds in one specific location.
  
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Anyone can register and use the site for free and there are benefits of registering. One of the main benefits is that registrants can post geocaches of their own and advertise their locations to others. Those who have placed geocaches are responsible for maintaining them and taking care of any issues that may arise. Another benefit to registering is that users are able to log all their finds in one specific location.
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Despite the advantages of the OpenCaching system, participants will still need to invest at least some amount of money in the hobby. The websites may provide coordinates to geocache locations, but can do very little to actually help you find it without a handheld GPS system. Basic systems are relatively inexpensive, but additional features will raise the price. Some cell phones also work as GPS devices.
  
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Despite the advantages of the opencaching system, participants will still need to invest at least some amount of money in the hobby. The websites may provide coordinates to geocache locations, but can do very little to actually help you find it without a handheld GPS system (see http://RVRoadTrip.us/geostore.asp). Basic systems are relatively inexpensive, but additional features will raise the price. Some cell phones also work as GPS devices.
 
  
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To get on the opencaching websites, you will also need a personal computer or web-enabled phone in many cases. Some GPS systems may also link directly to such sites via satellites for easy and convenient access. These devices are at the higher end of the GPS market, however, and may not be the most appropriate choice for those just starting out in the hobby.
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Original Source: [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-opencaching.htm wisegeek]
  
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Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-opencaching.htm
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There are many cache types available on Opencaching North America including several that are exclusive to OCNA. 
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[http://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Cache_parameters Cache Parameters]

Revision as of 00:10, 3 March 2016

Welcome to OpenCaching North America Wiki
Geocache

Terms of Use

Please refer to the Terms of Use for guidance related to this site.

Getting Started Geocaching

Please refer to the Getting Started page for helpful tips and advice.

About Geocaching

Geocaching is an outdoor sport or activity in which cachers use a GPS receiver or Smart Phone Applications to find a "treasure" hidden by other participants. Caches are secured in watertight containers, containing trinkets and/or a logbook in which they record their discovery of the cache. The coordinates of the location of the caches are stored in online databases along with descriptions and instructions necessary to find them.

What is OpenCaching?

OpenCaching is a term for geocaching that refers specifically to websites and services that offer a free and open portal for all of those who are interested in the activity, or sport, of geocaching. The goal is to provide a higher quality cache listing service in a user friendly format with features that members of the geocaching community have requested.

Geocaching is an outdoor sport or activity in which cachers use a GPS receiver to find a "treasure" hidden by other participants. OpenCaching has several websites that are specific to different countries, plus a portal site that indexes and provides links to these various country website locations.

Countries with OpenCaching websites include the United States/Canada/Mexico, Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy/Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Norway/Sweden, The Netherlands and The United Kingdom. There are competing sites that list other geocaches as well, but there are often fees and/or usage restrictions associated with those sites. As the hobby continues to grow, it is likely that OpenCaching sites will be available in more countries.

The main difference between OpenCaching and traditional listing sites is that all services are open to the users at no cost. Generally, most geocaching services or websites offer some basic information for free, but users may have to pay for premium information or advanced searching capabilities. This is not the case with OpenCaching ; every geocache is listed and accessible to everyone for free.

Additionally, OpenCaching sites allow users to rate and report on existing geocaches. This allows users to see what other cachers think of the cache and it encourages participants to place higher quality caches. The rating system also greatly reduces the problem of abandoned or unsatisfactory caches still being listed after repeated negative comments or posts in the cache logs.

Anyone can register and use the various OpenCaching sites for free and there are benefits of registering. One of the main benefits is that registrants can post geocaches of their own and advertise their locations to others. Those who have placed geocaches are responsible for maintaining them and taking care of any issues that may arise. Another benefit to registering is that users are able to log all their finds in one specific location.

Despite the advantages of the OpenCaching system, participants will still need to invest at least some amount of money in the hobby. The websites may provide coordinates to geocache locations, but can do very little to actually help you find it without a handheld GPS system. Basic systems are relatively inexpensive, but additional features will raise the price. Some cell phones also work as GPS devices.


Original Source: wisegeek

There are many cache types available on Opencaching North America including several that are exclusive to OCNA. Cache Parameters

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