It is simply finding metal items such as coins, rings, badges etc. buried in the first few inches of earth. The hobby takes you away from your computer into the fresh air, where with the use of other advanced electronic wizardry, (the metal detector) you can have gentle exercise, enjoy nature and see what your ancestors left behind for you to find. Once at home you can share the information about your finds with others on the Internet and learn from fellow enthusiasts about their most recent discoveries.