BYTE MARKS
Geocaching is tech twist on treasure hunting

By Burt Lum

It never ceases to amaze me how people will innovate and improvise. It's a testament to the positive aspects of humanity. A recent example: The technologies of the Internet and GPS (global positioning systems) have led to the genesis of geocaching, the pursuit of a specific location via online clues.

Some might claim this is just a variation of treasure hunting, but with the Internet, geocaching is treasure hunting within a vibrant, interactive online community.

My first exposure to geocaching was at Courtney Patubo's site at www.geekychick.net/geocaching.

Patubo is the designer of the San Francisco Bay Area geocaching logo, and she also heads up a team that has regular outings.

Patubo lists all the geocaches visited in the area and has a photo gallery to show you what is in the cache. Judging from the dateline of caches visited during the summer of 2002, she and her team must have pursued a full-on campaign to find as many geocaches as possible.

Usually the geocache is part of a hike, perhaps in a park or nature preserve. The idea is that taking the path to find the cache should be as enjoyable and rewarding as finding the cache.

In a geocache there usually is an assortment of goodies, some collectible or entertaining, others more essential.

One common item in each cache is a logbook, usually a simple notebook in which visitors can enter comments. Once you find the cache, there are simple rules of engagement. If you take an item from the cache you must replace it with something. This includes adding your entry in the logbook.

There's a central Web site that provides all you need to know about geocaching and the locations of caches nearest you. You can join the growing phenomenon at www.geocaching.com. To my surprise, there are geocaches in Hawai'i, and a local Web site (www.lightfantastic.org/gps) is produced by the Diarist himself, Ryan Ozawa. ;-)

Reach Burt Lum at burt@brouhaha.net.