Do you think Opencaching is actually bad for Groundspeak.

[Harry Dolphin]

[addisonbr]

[buzzy_cacher]

Speaking of geocaching competitors, why would a hider list a cache on, say, terracaching? Or navicaching? Or whatever? Is there some advantage of using an alternate site.

[Harry Dolphin]

What I do find curious is that GS is notorious for cutting off threads about competitors. PathTags? TerrorCaching? Locked quickly. The opencaching thread is going strong, with moderators and reviewers chiming in. That is bizarre! So. I foresee a buyout coming soon to a sport/hobby that you enjoy.

[ruthny]

[lefalaf]

[addisonbr]

[addisonbr]

[addisonbr]

[halijusapa]

[addisonbr]

I don't rule it out down the road; weirder things have happened. But I'd be really surprised if it was anything soon, and gob-smackingly flabbergasted if there was already some sort of deal in place.

[Child Of Atom]

Based on the Podcacher interview Garmin sees themselves as the more accessible alternative. There was lots of talk about Groundspeak being difficult to use and understand, the rules being opaque and the review system burdensome. Of course they never actually said the name Groundspeak. It was always phrased as "We aren't X." On the API It was "We don't feel it's our place to tell the consumer what they want." for instance. There was lots of talk about ease of use, approachability for newbies, and reducing the intimidation felt by younger cachers.

I really think Garmin is trying to cast themselves as David to the bloated corporate Goliath.

[halijusapa]

I noticed something today that really makes me think that this "competition" is "lighting a fire" under Groundspeak's you-know-what......

In addition to all the other sudden recent changes, I noticed this "Feedback Forum" which they actually respond to. http://feedback.geocaching.com/forums/7 ... aching-com

And it's interesting to note that if you look in there, it appears they are seriously considering bringing virtuals back and having a separate "Nano" cache size (as opposed to "MIcro"), both of which for years if you said anything about were either talked down or ignored. Nice to see them eating a little crow.....

[gerkmax]

That is one great thing about competition, it makes TPTB look at criticism and comments in a (hopefully) constructive way, instead of just shutting it down and out. Who knows, we might even get a NYC Admin someday? If someone steps up, that is.

[halijusapa]