Editing Geocaching (section)

===Opencaching Network===
[[File:Riverside Cache - not FTF.jpg|thumb|A geocache hidden through the Opencaching website]]
The Opencaching Network provides independent, non-commercial listing sites based in the cacher's country or region. The Opencaching Network lists the most types of caches, including traditional, virtual, moving, multi, quiz, webcam, BIT, guest book, USB, event, and MP3. The Opencaching Network is less restrictive than many sites, and does not charge for the use of the sites, the service being community-driven. Some (or all) listings may or may not be required to be reviewed by community volunteers before being published and although cross-listing is permitted, it is discouraged. Some listings are listed on other sites, but there are many that are unique to the Opencaching Network. Features include the ability to organize one's favourite caches, build custom searches, be instantly notified of new caches in one's area, seek and create caches of all types, export GPX queries, statpics, etc. Each Opencaching Node provides the same [[API]] for free (called "OKAPI"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/opencaching/okapi |title=Opencaching Network API |website=[[GitHub]] |access-date=February 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124055820/https://github.com/opencaching/okapi |url-status=live}}</ref>) for use by developers who want to create third-party applications which can use the Opencaching Network's content.

Countries with associated opencaching websites include the [[United States]] at www.opencaching.us;<ref name=joys>{{cite web |url=https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/joys-geocaching |title=The Joys of Geocaching |website=East County Magazine |language=en |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401093516/https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/joys-geocaching |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Germany]] at www.opencaching.de;<ref>{{cite book |last=Gründel |first=Markus |title=Geocaching: Basiswissen für Draussen |year=2009 |publisher=Conrad Stein Verlag, GmbH |isbn=978-3866862722 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/reise/Wie-funktioniert-Geocaching,geocaching376.html |title=Geocaching: Wie funktioniert das? |last=NDR |website=ndr.de |language=de |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017144228/https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/reise/Wie-funktioniert-Geocaching,geocaching376.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sweden]] at www.opencaching.se; [[Poland]] at www.opencaching.pl;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcformat.pl/Geocaching---co-to-jest-i-na-czym-polega,a,4027 |title=Geocaching - co to jest i na czym polega? |website=pcformat.pl |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428121337/https://www.pcformat.pl/Geocaching---co-to-jest-i-na-czym-polega,a,4027 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Czech Republic]] at www.opencaching.cz; [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]] at www.opencaching.nl; [[Romania]] at www.opencaching.ro; the [[United Kingdom]] at www.opencache.uk.<ref name="OpenCaching United States Wiki">{{cite web |url=http://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Main_Page |title=OpenCaching United States Wiki |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721235527/https://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Main_Page |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="comments">{{cite web |last=Rupp |first=Heiko W. |title=The geocaching experience is catching |url=https://opensource.com/life/14/9/geocaching-experience-catching |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111175329/https://opensource.com/life/14/9/geocaching-experience-catching |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=2019-03-17 |website=Opensource.com |language=en}}</ref>

The main difference between opencaching and traditional listing sites is that all services are open to the users at no cost. Generally, most geocaching services or websites offer some basic information for free, but users may have to pay for premium membership that allows access to more information or advanced searching capabilities. This is not the case with opencaching; every geocache is listed and accessible to everyone for free.<ref name="OpenCaching United States Wiki"/>

Additionally, Opencaching sites allow users to rate and report on existing geocaches. This allows users to see what other cachers think of the cache and it encourages participants to place higher-quality caches. The rating system also greatly reduces the problem of abandoned or unsatisfactory caches still being listed after repeated negative comments or posts in the cache logs.<ref name="OpenCaching United States Wiki"/>