Offbeat Public Network Could Be a Geocaching Tool

Apr 12, 2011

This article is from "The Joy of Geocaching". Here is a variation on geocaching. Dead Drops is an anonymous story-sharing network that uses a simple approach to exchanging information. As the site explains, “USB flash drives are embedded into walls, buildings and curbs accessible to anybody. Everyone is invited to drop or find files. Plug your laptop into a wall, house or pole to share your favorite files and data.” In other words, plug in and share your story in any format – text, audio or video – and others may come along and retrieve it. We think this could have great application to geocaching. Many multi-stage caches use interim waypoints that feature coordinates written in marker. What if those waypoints could include stories or puzzles, too? You plug your laptop or tablet into an exposed USB port and get your information about the next coordinate that way.