GeoPath

GeoPath is a collection of Geocaches grouped to form a special project.

General Information

A GeoPath must contain a minimum of 5 caches to be published. The user who publishes a GeoPath is called it's founder. Other users (co-founders) may later add caches to an existing Geopath.

When a geocacher finds a cache and logs it as Found, it is also automatically marked as Found in the GeoPath. Once the user has found all geocaches in a GeoPath, i.e. has completed the GeoPath, he/she may log the GeoPath as Completed.

GeoPath types

• Geo-sketch - caches form a shape on the map (star, letter, etc)
• Touristic - caches near tourist attractions: monuments, scenic viewpoints, etc.
• Nature - caches placed in nature
• Thematic - series of caches all dedicated to a specific theme (e.g. castles, abandoned railway, etc)

Location

GeoPath module is available from the main menu (left side of the page).

Display Options

The GeoPath main page shows all existing GeoPaths both as a list and on the map. Additionally you can adjust display options such as the types of GeoPaths to display and several filtering and sorting options. By default, the map shows the entire country.

• Display selected GeoPath type - can display all or only a specific type of GeoPaths.
• Sort by - Sort the various parameters
• Sort direction - ascending or descending
• Hide gained - this option hides gained GeoŚcieżki
• Hide my own - hide your own GeoPaths from the list
• Hide miniGePaths - hides Geopaths with less then 25 caches

Click on a GeoPath name to show it's caches (as map and list), parameters and description. On the right side of the map there is a button that will display these caches on the full screen Map v3.

GeoPaths list

GeoPaths listed here are shown in a table that contains the following information:

• Name - name of the GeoPath
• Type - type of GeoPath (see above)
• Scoring - the maximum points available for that Geopath
• Publication date - when the GeoPath was published
• Number of caches - is the number of mailboxes in the framework of the project (this is not a minimum number of boxes required to pass the draft)
• Completed - how many geocachers have completed the GeoPath (i.e. found all the caches and also logged the GeoPath as completed)

Categories

The system applies a simple categorization rule according to the number of caches in a Geopath:

• GeoPath - a project consisting of 25 or more caches
• MiniGeoPath - a small project with at least 5 caches, but less then 25

Managing GeoPaths

GeoPath founders (owners)

A GeoPath project can be created by experienced users, thus a user must have at least 500 finds (of any type) to create a GeoPath. Once a GeoPath exists, any user, regardless of the number of finds to his record, may add caches to that GeoPath. If your found count hasn't reached 500 but you have a great idea for a Geopath, you may ask a fellow geocacher with more then 500 finds for help and set up the GeoPath together.

These limits may change in the future, depending on how Opencaching and GeoPaths evolve.

The user who creates the GeoPath has the ability to add (or remove) other users as co-founders of the GeoPath. After this, each co-founder has the same rights on the GeoPath and allows them to work together on it.

Create a new GeoPath

1. Click GeoPaths on the left menu. All visible GeoPaths will be shown.
2. Click Create a new GeoPath on the top menu-bar.
3. Give your GeoPath a name
4. Select the type of your GeoPath
5. Select wether it should be visible right away. You may keep your GeoPath invisible while still working on it and publish it later by making it visible.
6. Choose the % required to complete this GeoPath as the minimum percentage of caches from this path that must be found before a user can log the GeoPath as Completed.
7. Write a description for your GeoPath using the visual editor. (allows formatting, changing of text color, add images, create tables).
8. When everything is done, click on Save new GeoPath.

GeoPath Description

Besides the basic description of your GeoPath project, you should include all necessary information about what is required of a geocacher to properly complete the GeoPath. (e.g. equipment, tools, distances, schedules, lodging, etc). If the GeoPath has a final cache itself (physical box) as a completion bonus and not listed as a standalone cache, the description must also contain all info on how to calculate/obtain it's coordinates. (although an existing cache can be nominated as final/bonus cache of the GeoPath).

Adding and deleting geocaches

After defining a GeoPath you must add at least 5 geocaches to it.

Upon saving the GeoPath you will see the list of your own caches. Select the caches to add to the GeoPath. You can also add geocaches that are not yet published (status = not yet available).

The recommended method is to create an invisible GeoPath, work on it to describe it properly, add all relevant geocaches and when you are finished, publish the GeoPath (i.e. make it visible).

Make your GeoPath as a whole project. Adding caches later, after some people completed it, changes things and may not impact well on other prospective finders.

At the bottom of the list of geocaches it is possible to select a cache to be the final (or bonus) cache.

Adding co-founders

When a GeoPath project involves several people, they can be set as co-founders of the GeoPath and have the same rights as the original founder. Each one can then add their own caches to the GeoPath, add other fellow geocachers and also delete and edit the GeoPath.

1. Click Your GeoPaths select the appropriate GeoPath.
2. Click Add / Remove at the bottom.
3. Enter the username of the co-founder to add and click Add.

From now on the new co-founder will see this GeoPath under Your GeoPaths and can add caches using Add your own caches.

Adding geocaches owned by other users (not co-founders)

It is possible to add geocaches owned by another user that is not among the founders.

Example: if someone founded a GeoPath with 100 caches and some time later another user publishes a geocache that matches this GeoPath's idea, the founder can add such a cache using "Add other cache" and entering it's respective waypoint (e.g. OK0001).

Removing caches from a GeoPath

Geocaches can be removed from a GeoPath only until it is completed for the first time. After that, the founder(s) cannot remove caches from the GeoPath, they can only add more.

A cache that is part of a GeoPath may be archived, this does not remove it from the GeoPath.

GeoPath founders must be careful and edit the GeoPath parameters if necessary (like minimum percentage required) such that the GeoPath can be completed. (avoid situation such as too many caches archived and the minimum percentage cannot be attained anymore)

Under special circumstances only, a cache may be reported to the OC Team along with the request to remove it from the GeoPath. OC Team will then decide, on a case-by-case basis. OC Team members are the only one with the right to remove a cache from a GeoPath after it's first completion, although the recommended method is archiving.

Minimum required finds % (MRF)

This is the percentage of found geocaches (out of the total number of geocaches part of a GeoPath) that is required to log a GeoPath as Completed.

Please keep in mind that much fewer geocachers will be able to find caches with high difficulty or terrain. You should set MRF to less then 100% and as founder you should think carefully before setting this parameter.

OC Team requires MRF ≥ 67%.

The founder(s) must maintain MRF at a sufficient level such that the GeoPath can be completed. Bear in mind that some caches may go missing or be archived over time. The number of caches required to complete the path cannot be greater then the number of caches actually active (status = Ready to be found). Either decrease MRF or maintain missing caches to avoid this.

If the founder(s) do not take action for a prolonged period of time, when a GeoPath can no longer be completed, OC Team may block that GeoPath.

Statistics

Every (co-)founded GeoPath is counted in the user's statistics under GeoPaths founded.

Every completed GeoPath is counted in the user's statistics under GeoPaths completed.

Completed GeoPaths are shown in the chronological order of their completion.

== == Getting GeoŚcieżki

=== === Credit GeoŚcieżki

To make a credit GeoŚcieżki need to find her a certain number of boxes of components. This threshold is called WIS. After crossing this threshold, you can make an entry "captured" on the GeoŚcieżki.

=== === Points

Each GeoŚcieżka is scored, points are awarded for acquired box. Each box is scored by an algorithm that takes into account many different parameters, including terrain, difficulty, etc. Scoring is an experiment, which aims to enable the future creation of the ranking members in the category GeoŚcieżki. Because GeoŚcieżki are very diverse, including built a score awarded for GeoŚcieżek found in the framework of the box. Each box component GeoŚcieżki receives a certain amount of points. Points are calculated automatically when you added a box to GeoŚcieżki. The user, who will score the required number of boxes (briefly called "WIS") for GeoŚcieżki receives the possibility of entry is an 'acquired'. After such an entry, you will receive points equal to the total points found by his mailbox. If you are after winning GeoŚcieżki, find another box belonging to GeoŚcieżki, his points will be added points for found box. If you can not find the required number of boxes - will not receive the possibility of entry is an 'acquired', and will not be charged points for the box found GeoŚcieżki.

Example 1: GeoŚcieżka has 100 boxes, for a total amount of 720.12 points; and the number of boxes required to gain GeoŚcieżki is 75%. User found 81 boxes, which links the total score is 543.48. The user receives 543.48 points for winning GeoŚcieżki. After some time, the user will find another 10 boxes GeoŚcieżki, whose total amount is 71.50 punks to his score will be added, which will receive a total of 614.98 points.

Example 2: GeoŚcieżka has 100 boxes, for a total amount of 720.12 points; and the number of boxes required to gain GeoŚcieżki is 75%. User found 73 boxes belonging to GeoŚcieżki, which links the total score is 380.05. There is no possibility of entry is an 'acquired', so there is no charge points.

=== === Badges

Each entry on the GeoŚcieżki "captured" causes the appearance of the user's profile badge / medal given GeoŚcieżkę.

Medals in the user profile are displayed in the order of acquiring GeoŚcieżek. Formerly they were displayed in the order of their numbers in the system.

== == Future

=== === Planned additional functions

• The ability to choose the founders of the order of display boxes GeoŚcieżki on the list,
• Statistics users (competition in the category GeoŚcieżki)

Any ideas on the future of the module can be given to forum

FAQ

'Q:' If you can add one box for two different GeoŚcieżek?

The answer: You can not. Such a function rather never will. You just have to decide to whom to assign GeoŚcieżki box.

'Q:' Counting center GeoŚcieżki - something is wrong, Deleting / I add a box, and each time the center is calculated elsewhere. Why?

The answer: Indeed it happens. Calculation of geometric means GeoŚcieżek is optimized so that the server does not have to perform dozens or hundreds of operations when adding each box to the path. This results in a larger or smaller deviation. That's why we have a "Refresh" button. When pressed, it performs a full recalculation taking into account all the boxes in GeoŚcieżce.

So we recommend using this button once we finish selecting all mailboxes to GeoŚcieżki.

The creator of the module is GeoŚcieżek 'tear' .