Talk:Hashcard achievement

From Geohashing

Ekorren, I like the idea. It is well thought out and clearly presented. Nice! --Thomcat 14:25, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

It seems like a suitable achievement. Coincidentally -- or maybe that's where you got the idea -- I referred to writing a postcard at the geohash when discussing the relative difficulty of achievements. It was a silly example of an easy achievement. I hadn't thought of needing a postcard OF THE GEOHASH. Does the postcard have to depict the geohash area such that you could put an X on the spot, or just be, e.g. a postcard for the town or mountain range where the geohash is located? Is there any restriction on how close to the geohash the card must be purchased or mailed? Does the recipient have to have gone on any expeditions? Have to have a page on the wiki? What if you mail it to someone who has simply expressed interest in geohashing sometime? -Robyn 15:46, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

The idea didn't come from you, it came from talking about postcards in general on the IRC this morning. I wasn't aware of that example but I think my idea is far from being an easy and boring thing to do at the hash.
About the nearby range... I don't want to make a hard rule but it should be so that you can say that it is a card of the hash area. Best would be one that shows the point (don't hesitate to make that X), but I think it would be too difficult in many areas. Use your common sense. If it's a mountain, it should be the real one, not just like "Greetings from the Rocky Mountains". Myself, I'm used to small structures (our towns are usually only a few km from another, also landmarks worth mentioning are rarely large). On the other hand I don't want to make it impossible for people in near-empty regions.
Place of purchase etc: The idea was that everything is done on the expedition. You pick a recipient, bring the stamps and a pen (if you happen to have the perfect card in stock, that also, but I don't want to encourage this).
Recipient: This is about communication between geohashers, not about sending greetings to old friends from elsewhere, and it needs cooperation (as the recipient grants the achievement). So, it's more like the saturday 4 pm meetup than like the drag-along-geohash. Do you think we need fixed rules about who is an (active) geohasher? --Ekorren 16:17, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
I was thinking it would be a good way to encourage people to actually come geohashing. I agree that it's not simple or boring as you present it. Hey, Thomcat, send me your address. -Robyn 16:26, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Sent, and will send to anyone else who asks. I was going to suggest the "granter" have wiki skills, scanner, etc. -- but we are mostly tech people, or know them. Not needed :) --Thomcat 20:33, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
This is the most AWESOME achievement EVER!!! Post cards are not just for Grandmas! I send a couple a week and now I can combine postcard writing and Geohashing! I am actually really rather excited about this. Well done Ekorren! Kate 20:32, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Ekorren, your idea is practical, popular and original. Let's put it live! -Robyn 21:18, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
I wonder if postcards which are only addressed using coordinates would reach their goal.. :D -- relet 22:28, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
relet, you are a dork. Also, I think no. --joannac 22:38, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Wanna bet? -- relet 22:50, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Yep. Name your stakes. --joannac 22:59, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
I know you didn't ask me, but I'd like a T-bone, medium rare. UnwiseOwl 23:17, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Which side are you on Unwise Owl? I bet it will make it! I'll take you on! Good ol' Aussie post!Kate 23:25, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Oh dear. I just got it... Kate 23:26, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Took me a while, too. What would be a good stake? Hmm. How about: Joannac would have to walk around Canberra, acting like she does in the IRC channel. Pouting, poking and highlighting random people and pouncing on those she knows. And yawning a lot. Proof required. -- relet 23:53, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Added some kind of Hashcard Address Exchange. Hope it's a good idea ;)

I changed "buy" to "acquire" to match later text "is sold or given away" and eliminate the confusion I experienced when reading the requirements while at the hashpoint. Does it need to be written "legally acquired" or is that implied? --Stephen Cerruti

As the creator of the achievement, I apologize for the poor wording and feel perfect with the rewording to "acquire". Paying money was never supposed to be obligatory. "Legally", however, should go without saying in any case. --Ekorren 04:27, 26 April 2012 (EDT)

Having sent a postcard, I now wish I had put a little more thought into the content. I suggest that the page be modified to suggest hashcards should include "YYYY-MM-DD LAT LONG" and a username so that the recipient can easily close the loop. --Stephen Cerruti

Now that I think about it, I wouldn't make that a requirement. Most people do it anyway. If the recipient is clueless about sender and date, that's actually the sender's problem as the sender is who wants the ribbon. Also, it could be funny to make it a little riddle sometimes. --Ekorren 04:27, 26 April 2012 (EDT)
As a sender, and not a very bright one, I wish it had been suggested as something I might want to do. I was not suggesting that Scotland Yard be notified if it were omitted. --Stephen Cerruti 08:38, 26 April 2012 (EDT)


OMG I LOVE the Hashcard achievement!! How did I not know about this for five years?!? Michael5000 (talk) 13:13, 25 July 2014 (EDT)