Hello Andy

Thanks for taking the time to write us. We certainly appreciate your attempts at innovation but not when it comes at the cost of reduced functionality (eg diminished site response) for our users. If you have any suggestions or features you would like to see on Geocaching.com please feel free to post them in the discussion forums.

Your IP gets automatically blocked when you abuse the CPU on our site.
Please don’t take it personally. Make sure to check the TOU on the web site for specifics on accessing our data:

http://www.geocaching.com/about/termsofuse.aspx

Of particular note is section 5:

“…You agree that you will not use any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means to access the Site for any purpose without our express written permission.”

We are not prepared to give permission at this time. If you have any further questions regarding the TOU please let me know and I’ll try to clarify. Thank you.

Happy Geocaching!

Nate
Groundspeak - The Language of Location

Original Message Follows:
————————
From: “Andy Fowler”
Subject: Geocaching overlay for Google Earth
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 15:11:05 -0400

Hello,

My name is Andy Fowler and I recently created a Network Link script that
allowed people to view geocaches in Google Earth. It appears that you have
blocked access from my IP address (209.67.221.106) to your search page. I
would hope that perhaps you plan to release a similar feature served
directly from your servers, or that this was a simple mistake. I’d be glad
to provide you with the code that I’ve used, though I imagine you’re
capable
of producing the simple XML file that is required. Please understand my
frustration and let me know what your plans are. I’m hopeful that you
aren’t
so quick to stifle innovation in such a unique hobby.

Andy Fowler
http://www.andyfowler.com/