Monthly Freeuse Reminder Post

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

TO SEND MESSAGE TO THE GROUP: simply address email to
riverparishes_freeuse@yahoogroups.com.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send an email to
riverparishes_freeuse-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

TOO MANY MESSAGES? Go to your yahoo groups profile and edit your membership to
read, “No email”. Then bookmark the page and check it when you want.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/riverparishes_freeuse

ETIQUETTE

1) NO POLITICS & NO SPAM. Two strikes & you're out.

2) SUBJECT LINE -- Use these phrases:
OFFER: old couch
TAKEN: old couch
WANTED: old couch. [Please use this one sparingly]
ADMIN: new idea

3) KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL AND APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES.

4) NO TRADING PLEASE.

5) FYI: RESPONSES GO ONLY TO OFFERER. It keeps down the sheer # of e-mails.

6) TRANSFER OF ITEMS

What happens when someone responds to your offer is that the person e-
mails you, and you and that person set up a time to transfer the item. You can
meet anywhere, like the library or any public place, or you can set up the time
at your convenience (meaning, when someone else is home with you) for them to
come to your house and pick it up, if you want to do it that way.

The precautionary measures taken within the group involve preventing spammers
from sending you unwanted e-mail. I also suggest that you don't post your
address and/or telephone number to the group, but reserve that information for
when you have actually had contact with a member who wants your item or has an
item to offer. It is very
helpful, though, to include your general area when posting "offers" so that
someone who is interested has an idea of how far they might have to drive.

You also don't have to give the item to the first person who replies to your
email. If you wait overnight to review the requests, you may get a better feel
of those who express a need or desire for the item. It is also somewhat more
fair, since many people can't be on the Internet all day!

8) NO RESELLING. This group does not allow members to accept offered items or
post wanted emails for items they intend to resell in garage sales, at flea
markets, online or any other way.

9) NO FREE/CHEAP SERVICES REQUESTS OR COUPON NOTIFICATIONS. There are sites
devoted to purchasing goods and services for free or on the cheap - this is not
one of them.

10) LIMITS ON WANTED POSTS. You can post no more than 2 WANTED items per week.
You must wait 30 days before posting a repeat WANTED message.

TIPS TO ORGANIZE ALL OF THE NEW E-MAILS YOU ARE GETTING:

a) Create a separate E-Mail folder and automatically have freeuse stuff go to
it. (Outlook Express - create a new rule under tools/message rules/mail/)
b) Set your message delivery to daily digest or no e-mails under your personal
preferences on the webpage (under members).

Check out the 'Files" Section of the Webpage for the RiverParishes_freeuse
disclaimer.

<b>Frequently Asked Questions-</b>

Q. If I have an “adult” public profile or a “racy” screen name, does that
matter?
A. Possibly. Freecycling is definitely a “family friendly” movement. If your
chosen identity is a “racy” one,
you may be asked to reapply using a different persona.

Q. Why are applications for membership in FreeUse sometimes moderated (Posts
will be moderated
at the TFN, rather than membership applications)?
A. Because allowing anyone to join anonymously and without moderation results in
spam (often
pornographic), which our members do not want to be subjected to.

Q. What kinds of messages can I post?
A. Each FreeUse list has its own policies. However, commonly there are four
types of member posts:
“Offer:”, where you seek to find a new home for something you have and no longer
want; “Taken:”,
where you have found a new home for the offered item(s); “Wanted:”, where you
are looking for
something; and “Found:” where you no longer need the item. Some lists restrict
member posts to only
these four kinds of posts.

Q. If I am uncomfortable getting something for free, can I offer to pay for it?
A. No! The point of FreeUse is that everything must be free. There are other
places for sale or trade.

Q. Can I ask to borrow something I only need temporarily?
A. That depends upon the individual list policies, but generally, 'yes'.

Q. Do I have to give an item to the first responder?
A. No. In fact, many lists recommend that you wait a reasonable period—perhaps
overnight—before
you determine whom you might be happiest in giving the item to. This allows
charities to respond,
and people who are not constantly connected to the Internet. In most cases,
there are people who try
to claim everything very quickly; often, they might be simply trying to get
things to sell.

Q. Can I get a tax deduction for things I give?
A. No, unless the receiving entity is a tax-exempt nonprofit (Ask for a receipt
in those cases, with their
exemption number!)

Q. Why should I be asked to give my location when I seek an exchange?
A. Because many folks don’t want to be responsible for too much fossil fuel
being burned simply for a
minor exchange of “stuff.” In addition, having your general location in your
posts will usually increase
your chances of success.

Q. Who can post a “Taken:” post? Can I post it if I am the receiver?
A. No. Doing so can cause your membership to be terminated. Unfortunately, some
folks say they
want something but don’t show up when they promise to. In addition, trying to
keep others from asking
for something by posting that it is “taken” reduces the ability of the offerer
to determine who might best
receive it.

Q. Can I post an offer for "political yard signs"?
A. No. No politics, no spam, no kidding!

Q. Can I post the availability of coupons or a “buy one-get one” promotion?
A. No. No commercial uses, no come-ons. There are plenty of coupon lists for
those who want them.

Q. Speaking of coupons, can I ask for coupons? (Or bottle caps, UPC proof of
purchase, etc.)
A. No. Again, this is not the place.

Q. Can I post a separate message for each item I want to give or receive?
A. No. Most lists ask you to put all your offers in a single message for any
given day, and all your
“wants” in another. This is to keep the volume of email to reasonable limits.
When you post a “taken”
or “found”--again, this should include all the items from a particular email.

Q. How often can I post a “wanted” or “offer” for the same item?
A. That depends on the individual list. Usually, it will be from a week to a
month. At this time, TFN is
limiting a "wanted" for the same item to twice a month.

Q. Can we use FreeUse to find or offer homes for pets?
A. Generally, yes—but always be lovingly careful. Always strongly consider the
local animal welfare
organizations. PETS MAY BE OFFERED, BUT A 'SEEK" POST FOR A PET IS PROHIBITED.

Q. Can I respond to an offer on the list?
A. No. Responses must go directly to the offerer. Most lists are configured so
all you need do is hit
“reply” and the message will be addressed to the offerer.

Q. How do I arrange pickup?
A. That is entirely between the offerer and the receiver. Try to avoid messages
like “It’ll be on the porch
for the first one to show up!”

Q. What if someone who claims an item does not show up when promised?
A. If they don’t at least call to reschedule, I would suggest going to the next
person that wanted it.
Please do not post any comments as to individual members or directed to an
individual.

Q. What if someone makes personal comments about me because they are disgruntled
about not
receiving something or for some other reason?
A. We suggest you should not get into a personal email exchange with these
folks. Instead, notify the
list owners or moderators privately. Unfortunately, some folks seem to have
personality problems that
show up from time to time. It is not worth provoking them—but it IS worthwhile
to let the list owners
know of this kind of behavior.

Q. What if I post copies of off-list correspondence?
A. In addition to being considered generally objectionable on any mail list,
this sort of thing is not
permitted on a FreeUse list.

Q. What about computer viruses?
A. Unfortunately, these things are common today. Many times, the “from” field is
faked by inserting a
different address from the address book of an infected computer. For any machine
that is connected to
the Internet, you should be sure to have a good firewall and an up-to-date
anti-virus program. There
are excellent free programs in both categories.

IF YOU RECEIVE ANY MESSAGE WITH AN ATTACHMENT FROM FREEUSE OR ANY FREEUSE
MEMBER, ASSUME IT IS A VIRUS AND DO NOT OPEN IT! It can also help to use a
Web-based email
account for public mail lists to keep your private email box from many instances
of computer virus
problems. TFN does not allow attachments to posted messages and they are
automatically deleted.

NOTE: Unfortunately, Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and all Microsoft
email clients including
Outlook and Outlook Express are famously vulnerable to computer viruses and
trojans. You may wish
to explore the alternatives for any or all of these.

Q. Can I post an offer to give away a copy of a (video)(computer program)(CD)?
A. No. No copies of copyright materials—they are illegal! Remember the FreeUse
credo: Keep it free,
legal, and appropriate for all ages!

Q. Can I post an offer or request for a service?
A. Generally, no. The fundamental idea is for exchange of “stuff” that otherwise
might end up in our
landfills. Services should find a home elsewhere. We do allow requests for
advice.

Q. I heard a great joke today. Can I share it with the FreeUse list?
A. No.

Q. I found a great free community resource! Should I post it?
A. No. Send a note to a list moderator. They may wish to put it in the Files or
Links section of the list
website for all to consult in future.

Q. Can I give away my partly-used cosmetics?
A. No. Too much potential problem with spreading microorganisms. Full, unopened
bottles are fine.

Q. Can I give away unused medicines?
A. Giving prescription medications to others is illegal and thus cannot be done
on FreeUse.

Q. I’m getting too much email from the list! Must I unsubscribe?
A. Not at all. You can reset your list preferences to “no mail” or to “special
notices only” and access the
list from the Web. “Special notices” are moderator ADMIN messages on important
topics regarding
the list operation—moderators don’t abuse this, so the “special notices only”
setting is preferable.

Q. Since some folks who claim an item don’t show up, should I post a “taken
pending pickup” notice to
keep from disappointing folks and to reduce the mail I must respond to?
A. No. We suggest you should not post a “taken” notice until the item is
actually gone. You need not
respond to each email message individually; the “taken” note is fine. You also
need not give the item
to the first one who asks for it...and, if the first person doesn’t show up, you
may simply go to the next
on the list.

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Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are trademarks of The Freecycle Network in the
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