New Letterbox Type - Octopus
10 messages in this thread |
Started on 2005-09-25
New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: morgunjp (morgunjp@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2005-09-25 22:43:09 UTC
I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
This letterbox type has two characteristics.
1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
Think of an Octopus, spreading it's arms through the entire area. In
a large area, clues may be planted in varous locations, which will
slowly reveal the location of the letterbox. Hints on the Lb website
may reveal clue locations.
This letterbox is ideal for very small parks and areas. In a small
park the description might read:
"Name of Letterbox" e.g. Harry Potter #666
Located in Springfield Central Park
Clues: Check every hollow tree for clues
or, another example:
Location: xxx Town Common
Letterbox planted in the best letterbox location in the common!
For a larger park, you could provide internet clues to letterboxes or
clue locations on the ground. For example the stanzas of a poem
might hint at locations. In larger parks an Octopus placement could
take several visits to the park.
I am planning an "Octopus" placement for a small park within walking
distance of my home. A poem will give tell what to look for (for
example, the largest erratic in the park), to find the letterbox
area. This park only had four good letterbox locations, so I used
them all. Two for letterboxes, and two for clues (which will make
finding the main letterbox pretty easy). This type of Octopus
placement lends itself to the following game: Pretend you are
placing a letterbox in this park, and locate the four best letterbox
locations: you will find my letterbox, and all it's clues.
I live in Massachusetts, which has a lot of erratics (huge boulders)
and stone walls (walls can be a problem for an Octopus placement, but
easy to solve). In this area letterbox locations can be
very "defined". This technique might not work as well in featureless
terrain. Can this method be used all over the country?
Now for feedback
Has this type of Letterbox already been named?
Are a lot of these in use already?
In general, what do you think of this idea?
Thank you,
Morgun/Bob
Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: gallant_rogue (gallant_rogue@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2005-09-26 00:12:31 UTC
Go for it! Good Luck! Sounds like fun.... let us know how it is
received! It sounds a little like a geocache!
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp"
wrote:
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
> Think of an Octopus, spreading it's arms through the entire area.
In
> a large area, clues may be planted in varous locations, which will
> slowly reveal the location of the letterbox. Hints on the Lb
website
> may reveal clue locations.
>
> This letterbox is ideal for very small parks and areas. In a
small
> park the description might read:
>
>
> "Name of Letterbox" e.g. Harry Potter #666
> Located in Springfield Central Park
> Clues: Check every hollow tree for clues
>
> or, another example:
> Location: xxx Town Common
> Letterbox planted in the best letterbox location in the common!
>
> For a larger park, you could provide internet clues to letterboxes
or
> clue locations on the ground. For example the stanzas of a poem
> might hint at locations. In larger parks an Octopus placement
could
> take several visits to the park.
>
> I am planning an "Octopus" placement for a small park within
walking
> distance of my home. A poem will give tell what to look for (for
> example, the largest erratic in the park), to find the letterbox
> area. This park only had four good letterbox locations, so I used
> them all. Two for letterboxes, and two for clues (which will make
> finding the main letterbox pretty easy). This type of Octopus
> placement lends itself to the following game: Pretend you are
> placing a letterbox in this park, and locate the four best
letterbox
> locations: you will find my letterbox, and all it's clues.
>
> I live in Massachusetts, which has a lot of erratics (huge
boulders)
> and stone walls (walls can be a problem for an Octopus placement,
but
> easy to solve). In this area letterbox locations can be
> very "defined". This technique might not work as well in
featureless
> terrain. Can this method be used all over the country?
>
> Now for feedback
> Has this type of Letterbox already been named?
> Are a lot of these in use already?
>
> In general, what do you think of this idea?
>
> Thank you,
> Morgun/Bob
received! It sounds a little like a geocache!
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp"
wrote:
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
> Think of an Octopus, spreading it's arms through the entire area.
In
> a large area, clues may be planted in varous locations, which will
> slowly reveal the location of the letterbox. Hints on the Lb
website
> may reveal clue locations.
>
> This letterbox is ideal for very small parks and areas. In a
small
> park the description might read:
>
>
> "Name of Letterbox" e.g. Harry Potter #666
> Located in Springfield Central Park
> Clues: Check every hollow tree for clues
>
> or, another example:
> Location: xxx Town Common
> Letterbox planted in the best letterbox location in the common!
>
> For a larger park, you could provide internet clues to letterboxes
or
> clue locations on the ground. For example the stanzas of a poem
> might hint at locations. In larger parks an Octopus placement
could
> take several visits to the park.
>
> I am planning an "Octopus" placement for a small park within
walking
> distance of my home. A poem will give tell what to look for (for
> example, the largest erratic in the park), to find the letterbox
> area. This park only had four good letterbox locations, so I used
> them all. Two for letterboxes, and two for clues (which will make
> finding the main letterbox pretty easy). This type of Octopus
> placement lends itself to the following game: Pretend you are
> placing a letterbox in this park, and locate the four best
letterbox
> locations: you will find my letterbox, and all it's clues.
>
> I live in Massachusetts, which has a lot of erratics (huge
boulders)
> and stone walls (walls can be a problem for an Octopus placement,
but
> easy to solve). In this area letterbox locations can be
> very "defined". This technique might not work as well in
featureless
> terrain. Can this method be used all over the country?
>
> Now for feedback
> Has this type of Letterbox already been named?
> Are a lot of these in use already?
>
> In general, what do you think of this idea?
>
> Thank you,
> Morgun/Bob
Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: funhog1 (funhog@pacifier.com) |
Date: 2005-09-26 00:20:44 UTC
Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
much the same.
One problem I can see with this type of hide is the potential for
environmental damage. As you noted in your post, a careless hunter
could wreak havoc on a stone wall. The Murder boxes are in an area
that is not at all environmentally sensitive, so it doesn't present
too much opportunity for damage but in some areas it could be a real
disaster.
If done carefully, and every finder is eco-friendly then it can work
but I prefer to have my clues take the finder to the immediate area of
the box. I like the clue to be nebulous but once at the site, the
hiding spot fairly straightforward. Funhog
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp" wrote:
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
much the same.
One problem I can see with this type of hide is the potential for
environmental damage. As you noted in your post, a careless hunter
could wreak havoc on a stone wall. The Murder boxes are in an area
that is not at all environmentally sensitive, so it doesn't present
too much opportunity for damage but in some areas it could be a real
disaster.
If done carefully, and every finder is eco-friendly then it can work
but I prefer to have my clues take the finder to the immediate area of
the box. I like the clue to be nebulous but once at the site, the
hiding spot fairly straightforward. Funhog
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp"
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
Re: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: Karen Ruhl (ruhlette@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2005-09-25 17:41:33 UTC-07:00
--- gallant_rogue
>... It sounds a little like a geocache!
>
That's what I was thinking too. I'm sure you've thought about making sure
the container is clearly marked as a letterbox/octopus. I would
reconsider writing something like "...turn over EVERY stone" in a
environmentally sensitive area. This type of box may require more
maintenance on your part, especially if you have multiple clues to the
final prize. But, hey, sounds like a fun idea. Good luck.
speedsquare
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Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: rscarpen (letterboxing@atlasquest.com) |
Date: 2005-09-26 01:32:59 UTC
> Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> much the same.
Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
-- Ryan
> Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> much the same.
Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
-- Ryan
Re: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: Karen Ruhl (ruhlette@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2005-09-25 18:46:19 UTC-07:00
Ryan, would your hidden clues be the "cuckoo" type? I have read about
cuckoo clues, but I have never actually uncovered any in my neck of the
woods. If they are not cuckoo, can someone explain cukoo clues in more
than general terms as cited on the FAQs at LBNA?
speedsquare
--- rscarpen wrote:
> > Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> > Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> > there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> > much the same.
>
> Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
> find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
> I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
> nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
>
> -- Ryan
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com
cuckoo clues, but I have never actually uncovered any in my neck of the
woods. If they are not cuckoo, can someone explain cukoo clues in more
than general terms as cited on the FAQs at LBNA?
speedsquare
--- rscarpen
> > Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> > Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> > there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> > much the same.
>
> Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
> find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
> I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
> nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
>
> -- Ryan
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: Melanie (maiden1974@verizon.net) |
Date: 2005-09-25 19:19:27 UTC-07:00
I have one very similar Ryan, come on down and I'll share the clues :-)
Maiden
_____
From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of rscarpen
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 6:33 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
> Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> much the same.
Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
-- Ryan
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Maiden
_____
From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of rscarpen
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 6:33 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
> Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> much the same.
Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
-- Ryan
SPONSORED LINKS
Gsi
Outdoors
The
outdoors
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* Visit your group "letterbox-usa
* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
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RE: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: Melanie (maiden1974@verizon.net) |
Date: 2005-09-25 19:21:08 UTC-07:00
I agree completely! That is why the series that I did in this manner was in
a non eco sensitive area AND the clues are restricted. I chose not to have
them out there for just anyone for fear of exactly that, I didn't want the
area trashed.
Maiden
_____
From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of funhog1
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 5:21 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
much the same.
One problem I can see with this type of hide is the potential for
environmental damage. As you noted in your post, a careless hunter
could wreak havoc on a stone wall. The Murder boxes are in an area
that is not at all environmentally sensitive, so it doesn't present
too much opportunity for damage but in some areas it could be a real
disaster.
If done carefully, and every finder is eco-friendly then it can work
but I prefer to have my clues take the finder to the immediate area of
the box. I like the clue to be nebulous but once at the site, the
hiding spot fairly straightforward. Funhog
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp" wrote:
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
SPONSORED LINKS
Gsi
s&w3=The+great+outdoors&c=3&s=56&.sig=CVe78UEPdJ1MmvFmtqIH2Q> outdoors
Outdoors
=The+great+outdoors&c=3&s=56&.sig=ZNXYkPb2nMfcxEG6hdxemw>
The
utdoors&w3=The+great+outdoors&c=3&s=56&.sig=QbYM4ziXL_r-0KNB9gGlsA> great
outdoors
_____
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* Visit your group "letterbox-usa
" on the web.
* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
a non eco sensitive area AND the clues are restricted. I chose not to have
them out there for just anyone for fear of exactly that, I didn't want the
area trashed.
Maiden
_____
From: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of funhog1
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 5:21 PM
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LbNA] Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
much the same.
One problem I can see with this type of hide is the potential for
environmental damage. As you noted in your post, a careless hunter
could wreak havoc on a stone wall. The Murder boxes are in an area
that is not at all environmentally sensitive, so it doesn't present
too much opportunity for damage but in some areas it could be a real
disaster.
If done carefully, and every finder is eco-friendly then it can work
but I prefer to have my clues take the finder to the immediate area of
the box. I like the clue to be nebulous but once at the site, the
hiding spot fairly straightforward. Funhog
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp"
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
SPONSORED LINKS
Gsi
Outdoors
The
outdoors
_____
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
* Visit your group "letterbox-usa
* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
_____
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: Michael Brown (emb021@motorola.com) |
Date: 2005-09-26 16:49:16 UTC
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "morgunjp" wrote:
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
> Think of an Octopus, spreading it's arms through the entire area. In
> a large area, clues may be planted in varous locations, which will
> slowly reveal the location of the letterbox. Hints on the Lb website
> may reveal clue locations.
>
Well, taking a page from geocaching, there are several similiar types
of GC you can use as an inspiration:
off-set cache. With this type, the coordinates (clues in the terms of
LBing) get you to a location. (usually a plaque or similiar type
thing). Information at that location will give you the information for
the actual GC. (i've seen things like find a plaque, figure out a
certain year, subtrack that year from a given number to find the final
clue. Another has you go to a location, figure out the color of part
of an outdoor sculpture. Depending on which color, add/subtract from
the coordinates.)
Multi-cache. Here you have a series of GCs. First one gives you the
coordinates to the next one, which leads to the next one and so on
until you have the final location. Now, some multi-caches can be more
complex, in which each cache doesn't just give you the coordinates for
the next one, but instead gives you a puzzle or challenge you must
figure out to obtain the coordinates for the next location.
"Series multi-caches". (don't know if there is a formal name for
this.) I've seen a few of these. You have a series of independent
GC, the information from all of them is needed to find the final,
secret cache.
Hope this helps.
Michael Brown
>
> I want to propose a new letterbox type: Octopus Letterbox
>
> This letterbox type has two characteristics.
> 1. The area in which the letterbox is located is defined.
> 2. The internet clues do not lead you directly to the letterbox,
> but instead, refer to the area where the letterbox is located.
>
> Think of an Octopus, spreading it's arms through the entire area. In
> a large area, clues may be planted in varous locations, which will
> slowly reveal the location of the letterbox. Hints on the Lb website
> may reveal clue locations.
>
Well, taking a page from geocaching, there are several similiar types
of GC you can use as an inspiration:
off-set cache. With this type, the coordinates (clues in the terms of
LBing) get you to a location. (usually a plaque or similiar type
thing). Information at that location will give you the information for
the actual GC. (i've seen things like find a plaque, figure out a
certain year, subtrack that year from a given number to find the final
clue. Another has you go to a location, figure out the color of part
of an outdoor sculpture. Depending on which color, add/subtract from
the coordinates.)
Multi-cache. Here you have a series of GCs. First one gives you the
coordinates to the next one, which leads to the next one and so on
until you have the final location. Now, some multi-caches can be more
complex, in which each cache doesn't just give you the coordinates for
the next one, but instead gives you a puzzle or challenge you must
figure out to obtain the coordinates for the next location.
"Series multi-caches". (don't know if there is a formal name for
this.) I've seen a few of these. You have a series of independent
GC, the information from all of them is needed to find the final,
secret cache.
Hope this helps.
Michael Brown
Re: New Letterbox Type - Octopus
From: Rick in Boca (rick_in_boca@bigfoot.com) |
Date: 2005-09-26 18:03:54 UTC
Ok, I looked at the Murder at Gabriel Park! series, even though I doubt
I'll ever go to Portland, and it does look like fun. Ryan gives two
clues for six boxes, so you would have to find the other boxes based on
clues in the first. This fits the definition of Bonus Boxes, right? The
tricky part is that if you can't find one of the early boxes, you won't
find the others. Resulting in a hung jury, the suspect being set free,
and the detective-in-charge centured.
My take on the Octopus concept is that the clues are more parallel than
serial?
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "rscarpen"
wrote:
> > Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> > Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> > there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> > much the same.
>
> Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
> find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
> I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
> nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
>
> -- Ryan
I'll ever go to Portland, and it does look like fun. Ryan gives two
clues for six boxes, so you would have to find the other boxes based on
clues in the first. This fits the definition of Bonus Boxes, right? The
tricky part is that if you can't find one of the early boxes, you won't
find the others. Resulting in a hung jury, the suspect being set free,
and the detective-in-charge centured.
My take on the Octopus concept is that the clues are more parallel than
serial?
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "rscarpen"
wrote:
> > Have a look at Ryan's Murder in Gabriel Park in Portland, OR.
> > Maiden1974 also has a series that are along these lines. Although
> > there are no hidden clues, only letterboxes, the concept is pretty
> > much the same.
>
> Actually, there are "clues" in some of the letterboxes to help people
> find some of the other letterboxes. =) I just love that little series.
> I kind of hoped more people would hide more series like that, but
> nobody has bitten on it yet that I know about.
>
> -- Ryan