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Geohashing
Outdoor recreational activity From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Geohashing /ˈdʒiːoʊˌhæʃɪŋ/ is an outdoor recreational activity inspired by the webcomic xkcd, in which participants have to reach a random location (chosen by a computer algorithm), prove their achievement by taking a picture of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or another mobile device and then tell the story of their trip online. Proof based on non-electronic navigation is also acceptable.[1]
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The geohashing community and culture is extremely tongue-in-cheek, supporting any kind of humorous behavior during the practice of geohashing and resulting in a parody of traditional outdoor activities.[2] Navigating to a random point is sometimes done with a goal in mind. Some geohashers document new mapping features they find on the OpenStreetMap project, clean up litter, or create art to commemorate the trip, among other activities.
A variation on geocaching, known as geodashing, features a closely comparable principle, with participants racing between coordinate points.
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Invention and spread
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On May 21, 2008, the 426th xkcd comic was published. Titled "Geohashing", it described a way for a computer to create an algorithm that could generate random Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates each day based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the current date.[3] The algorithm was quickly seized by the xkcd community, which used it as intended by xkcd creator Randall Munroe.[4]
Originally a stub where people willing to try the algorithm in real life were to issue their reports, the geohashing official wiki expanded in the following weeks and was a working website as early as June 2008.[4] The current expedition protocol was then established during the following years, with the creation of humorous awards, regional meetups and a hall of amazingness for the various geohasher achievements.[5]
Over time, geohashing gained fame across the internet and now counts more than 15,000 expedition reports.[6] Over a thousand users are registered on the geohashing wiki, though not all are currently active.[7] Geohashing has spread mostly in North America, Europe and Australia, especially around cities.[8]
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Geohash
Geohashing divides the earth into a grid made up of graticules which are one degree wide in latitude and longitude. Inside these graticules, a random location is set. Geohashers then have the opportunity to go at the chosen location, either inside their own graticule or in a nearby one. If the location is inaccessible or in a private area, geohashers are advised not to try to reach it, although seemingly-inaccessible locations have been reached several times. In addition to the repeating location in each graticule, each day there is a single global hashpoint, much more challenging to reach.[9]
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See also
- Benchmarking (geolocating) – Outdoor game
- Degree Confluence Project – Online volunteer photography project
- Letterboxing (hobby) – Outdoor hobby
- Location-based game – Game which reacts to the player's location
- Orienteering – Group of sports that requires navigational skills
References
External links
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