Support direct "virtual question answers" on the website

[okainov]

First of all, I'm not a big expert in OpenCaching and neither in OC.pl specifically, but I always thought it's purely ugly to have virtual caches like "send me answer via messages/email".

It would be great to have proper website feature allowing users to send their answer, which would allow automatic and manual verification by cache owner.

Are there any existing feature requests similar to this?

Full disclosure: I'm maintainer of geocaching.su website which has this feature for 20 years already =)

[stefopl]

In OCPL (opencaching.pl), there is a similar feature called "Enter password", which is available during cache creation or editing. This allows the owner to define a password that users must enter when logging a find.

The password is verified automatically upon logging. Since there is no manual review, the cache owner must clearly explain the expected format (e.g., lowercase or uppercase, with or without spaces). The user must follow these instructions precisely, otherwise the answer will be rejected.

Additionally, this mechanism is not limited to virtual caches – it can also be used with other cache types like quiz, in addition to traditional ones.

It’s also worth noting that, with few exceptions, virtual caches are no longer accepted for publication on OCPL.

https://wiki.opencaching.pl/index.php/Parametry_skrzynki_OC_PL#Has.C5.82o_do_wpisu_do_logu

[andrixnet]

Note: virtual caches is a functionality of the base code.
OCPL = Opencaching Poland, by rules, do not permit new virtual type to be published. This is different from not supporting them (ie other sites based on the code do support them.

@stefopl looking into the database, I see that logpw field is limited to 20 characters.
This is adequate for the "password" concept, ie. something written in the log or on the container, might be too short for other purposes. ( I'm thinking smth similar to https://www.certitudes.org )

@okainov if your request refers to logs, the above explanation should be sufficient.
If your request contains thoughts such as an automated mechanism to obtain additional information (ie get final coords by contacting owner), then that is a totally different mechanism and could be done via a mechanism similar to what https://www.certitudes.org does.