Geocaching: A SmartPhone Adventure
Posted on Mar 30, 2011
in Community, Culture, Gadgets by Justin Radeka
As much as I love being indoors playing on some computing device, there are times when I want to be out playing in the sun. I am fortunate that I live in Southern California. I spend weekends exploring the many things to do from Ventura to San Diego. But something caught my eye recently. Geocaching.
What is this thing might you ask? Let me tell you.
- Geocaching Hide-and-Seek Container
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or other navigational techniques, to hunt hide-and-seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches,” anywhere in the world. Simply: It’s a treasure hunting game that requires some sort of GPS. Think pirate maps where “X” marks the spot, but then add technology.
Geocaching is more similar to the 150-year-old game letterboxing, which uses clues and references to landmarks embed into stories. Geocaching was conceived shortly after the removal of Selective Availability from GPS on May 1, 2000, because the improved accuracy of the system allowed for a small container to be specifically placed and located. The first documented placement of a GPS-located cache took place on May 3, 2000, by Dave Ulmer of Beavercreek, Oregon.
Since then, Geocaching was reserved for those who were hikers and had GPS devices. But now, everyone that owns a SmartPhone can get in the game. This isn’t for everyone, but if you are the outdoors type and love to explore and go on mini-adventures, then geocaching might be perfect for you.
Where to start?
First you should visit a Geocaching site like www.geocaching.com, www.groundspeak.com, or www.geocacher-u.com. There is plenty of advice on those sites on how to get started. Download the app for your phone. And off you go! «But warning for the n00bs.» Don’t just go out and pillage every cache you find because there are some rules around this activity. One, you must put something in the cache if you take something out. It’s simple, we all want to keep playing so, do your part. Another, do not remove the caches completely, or change their positions, unless instructed to do so. Again, we all want to keep playing. Outside that, make sure you understand the particular rules for each geocaching adventure.
Good luck and happy hunting, matey.
Justin Radeka, served as former Head of Fishlabs Entertainment U.S where he worked driving mobile game development and business development in the US, Justin also served as Technology Evangelist for ARM Inc., where he worked closely with mobile game developers around the world in driving 3D graphics and games into the market. Prior to joining ARM, He served as Vice President of Developer Relations for Falanx Microsystems where he helped introduce one of the first fully programmable mobile GPU’s into the smart phone market. He has also served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of EVGA, a PC graphics board manufacturer, and as head of the gaming group at Hewlett Packard where he launched one of HP’s first gaming PC’s. He works closely with standards organizations to drive 3D mobile gaming. Mr. Radeka has spoken at events such as Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Games Developer Conference (GDC), Austin Games Conference (now GDC Online), London Mobile Games Forum, and SIGGRAPH. He has published articles on the state of the mobile game industry. He holds a BA from the University of California.
