Trustroots Wiki - User contributions [en]

List of hospitality exchange networks

2009-11-04T15:03:55Z

85.176.204.205:

* [[Amigost]]
* [[Belodged]]
* [[BeWelcome]]
* [[Comitas Inter Gentes]]
* [[CouchSurfing]]
* [[couchsurfing.net - traveller's community for international connections]]
* [[Friendship Force]]
* [[GlobalFreeLoaders]]
* [[Hospitality Club]]
* [[HOSPEX]]
* [[International Police Association]]
* [[Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International]]
* [[MeetURplanet]]
* [[Pasporta Servo]]
* [[Place2Stay]]
* [[Schlafbuch der Erdenbürger]]
* [[Servas]]
* [[Stay4Free]]
* [[Teachers Travel Web]]
* [[Traveler Exchange]]
* [[Travelhoo]]
* [[Warm Showers List]]
* [[Welcome Traveller Network]]
* [[Women Welcome Women World Wide]]

Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International

2009-11-04T15:00:38Z

85.176.204.205: Created page with '{{stub}} ==== Own Site Description ==== [http://www.lghei.org Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International] is a growing network of lesbians and gay men from around the wor…'

{{stub}}

==== Own Site Description ====
[http://www.lghei.org Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International] is a growing network of lesbians and gay men from around the world who offer their hospitality to other members at no charge. These hosts, in turn, are received when they travel.

There are currently more than 500 listings in over 30 countries. It was founded in 1991 as GHEI - Gay Hospitality Exchange International - and registered as a non-profit organization designed to provide a service to our community. The organization changed its name to Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International in 1993. Apart from the obvious financial benefit of staying in members' homes when we travel, the network offers the more significant advantage of cultural, intellectual and social exchanges through such personal contact. We are able to see a place from the locals' perspective instead of as tourists.

If that were all, you would already have enough reasons to join, but the close friendships that develop are an added bonus that we could never put a price on.

==Links==
http://www.lghei.org/

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{{from hospexguide}}

HOSPEX

2009-11-04T14:57:52Z

85.176.204.205: Created page with '{{stub}} [http://www.hospex.org/ Hospex] was the first Internet based hospitality exchange network, established back in 1992. It is no longer active and was taken over by [[Hosp…'

{{stub}}

[http://www.hospex.org/ Hospex] was the first Internet based hospitality exchange network, established back in 1992. It is no longer active and was taken over by [[Hospitality Club]]

List of hospitality exchange networks

2009-11-04T14:54:12Z

85.176.204.205:

* [[Amigost]]
* [[Belodged]]
* [[BeWelcome]]
* [[CouchSurfing]]
* [[couchsurfing.net - traveller's community for international connections]]
* [[Friendship Force]]
* [[GlobalFreeLoaders]]
* [[Hospitality Club]]
* [[HOSPEX]]
* [[International Police Association]]
* [[Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International]]
* [[MeetURplanet]]
* [[Pasporta Servo]]
* [[Place2Stay]]
* [[Schlafbuch der Erdenbürger]]
* [[Servas]]
* [[Stay4Free]]
* [[Teachers Travel Web]]
* [[Traveler Exchange]]
* [[Travelhoo]]
* [[Warm Showers List]]
* [[Welcome Traveller Network]]
* [[Women Welcome Women World Wide]]

Belodged

2009-11-04T14:50:23Z

85.176.204.205: Created page with 'Free lodging in good company... This “free accommodation worldwide” project has been around since 1999. The re-launch under a new name (be hosted, be lodged -> belodged.com),…'

Free lodging in good company... This “free accommodation worldwide” project has been around since 1999. The re-launch under a new name (be hosted, be lodged -> belodged.com), many new and additional features and a fresh look & feel went life at the end of 2007.

== Abstract ==

By now belodged.com is not yet the largest community, but it shall be a real vital and bubbling one. Today (November 2008) one can find accommodation in more than 3'700 cities spread in 117 countries around the world...

Only a few months online, it already has been translated into English, French, German, Spanish and Chinese.

== History ==
This project is following the former globiwalk.com website which was launched in the end of the nineties, at a time as free accommodation networks have not been very well-known. Now, beginning of 2008 - after a long period of un-sufficient website support due to a lack of time (the founders finished their studies and started working 9 to 5) the project was re-launched and provided with a new skin and full of verve and ideas.

== The differences ==

No 'me too', no 'copy cat', belodged.com wants to differ from similar networks and tries to be up to date in its look & feel and community services... But have a look at it!

=== Privacy ===
Privacy of user data is very important to belodged.com. Registration is anonymous and free, no personal data except of member's e-mail and geographic information is needed.

With the anonymous messaging service in the member area other members can be contacted anonymously and at some point exchange information like e-mail, phone number etc. belodged.com does not pass on any information - the system doesn't have them!

=== Balanced Value ===
Belodged.com has a kind of balance system installed. A solidarity system: many activities are rewarded with points. The sum is the personal "Balanced Value" of a member. So everybody can see how much she/he is taking out of the system and how much solidarity the user is giving back.

=== Professional ===
Unlike various open social networks, belodged.com does not try to set up a large mass of groups who are working for free for belodged.com. There is a professional team behind the platform that guarantees the ongoing development of the website and its services. For more details please take a look at the developers blog. Communication, information exchange, user/member support and transparency in the on-going development of the service offerings of the platform are manifested to be the key elements of the globiwalk successor.

On the other hand belodged.com is not considered to be open source or self organized. There is a company - owned by the founders of globiwalk and belodged.com - behind the network, that guarantees the necessary basis for such a project and allows the public to verify how carefully the responsibility for user privacy and database issues is taken...

Moreover, nobody asks for donations. For the time being there is no advertisement on the page. It seems that some advertising space is reserved on the right side of the page, but as long as this complies with the strict privacy rules generated by the belodged.com team itself this shouldn't be a problem. Quite the contrary, somebody (apart from the belodged.com community) has to pay the bill for solid performance and authentic, trustworthy service. To tell the truth, isn't it the way it is? (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081107/technology/technology_techbits__wikipedia Wikipedia is looking for 6 Million USD)

== Further Information ==
# the portal: http://www.belodged.com
# the blog: http://myblog.belodged.com
# Twitter of the team: http://www.twitter.com/belodged

----

{{from hospexguide}}

Trustroots Wiki:Domain name

2009-11-04T14:17:02Z

85.176.204.205: /* Couchwiki.org */

'''Several possible domain names''' have been registered for [[Couchwiki]]:
* wikicouch.org
* couchwiki.org
* hospitalitywiki.org
* nomadwiki.org

[[Category:Project discussions]]
So the question is: which one do we want to use as our canonical domain name? Leave your preference and comment on this page. We'll come up with a deadline for the votes when it's more clear.

==Options==
===Wikicouch.org===
* Ok, but I like the sound of couchwiki more. [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

===Couchwiki.org===
* I like this one most, also because it goes well with [[:trash:|Trashwiki]] and [[:hitch:|Hitchwiki]] :) But I'm fine with the other options as well. [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
* I also like this one the most, it is easiest to understand by outsiders [[User:Kilgoretrout|kilgoretrout]] 15:55, 14 October 2009 (UTC)
** ''Why is it the easiest to understand for outsiders? If someone never heard about "couchsurfing" before, would this person automatically know what "couchwiki" is about? I would say no.''--[[Special:Contributions/85.176.204.205|85.176.204.205]] 14:17, 4 November 2009 (UTC)
* Flows off the tongue the most smoothly [[User:Luna1|Luna1]]
* I am for this one: it seems to me the word ''wiki'' is the main one, and the ''couch'' part is only describing better its aims, so... [[User:Dan°|Dan°]] 07:51, 15 October 2009 (UTC)
* It's the obvious name for a wiki related to couchsurfing (may be not for the others hospitality networks). I personally prefer something more general, but it should be fine for me --[[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 08:31, 15 October 2009 (UTC)
* I am for this name. Antoine
* I like the sound, but Casey and friends have totally captured the couch-x namespace. --[[User:Lemon-head|Lemon-head]] 18:50, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
* You should have gone through : CouchsurfingWiki.org but, may be it is in accordance with the LT LA ? Ocbd

===Hospitalitywiki.org===
* More general. Slightly neutral towards this one. [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
* This general and neutral name is my favourite [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
* I agree with Midsch, but what about making it even more general as Hospexwiki? [[User:Flapic|Flapic]]
* I agree with Flapic. [[User:Matrixpoint|Matrixpoint]] 17:23, 14 October 2009 (UTC)
* I agree with Midsch, Flapic, Matrixpoint but don't like the full word but like shorter HospXwiki [[User:Luna1|Luna1]] 19:24, 14 October 2009 (UTC)
* I like the HospXwiki, it sounds a bit from star trek but I like it very much :) --[[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 06:02, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
* Makes the most sense, but I was never a friend of the terms "hospex" or "hospitality" - these words just sound awkward and unwieldy and unsexy. HospX makes this look fancy, but the sound is still the same. --[[User:Lemon-head|Lemon-head]] 18:49, 19 October 2009 (UTC)
* I would prefer a more general name. When i hear "couchwiki" i would think more about furniture than Hospitality Exchange. Keep in mind that most people in the world don't even own a couch.--[[User:Globetrotter tt|Globetrotter tt]] 05:43, 25 October 2009 (UTC)

===Nomadwiki.org===
* Probably useful for a project with a different angle. Use later for something else :) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
* This is my favourite, but I agree it might be the "hat" holding several other projects inside of it and not limited to hospex only [[User:Flapic|Flapic]]
* Agree with both of you on this one [[User:Luna1|Luna1]]
* It seems I agree also with the previous, I'm really curious about the coming "something else"--[[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 08:31, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

==Other languages==
Could we borrow from other languages, maybe? I don't have an exact idea, though. --[[User:Lemon-head|Lemon-head]] 18:49, 19 October 2009 (UTC)

==Discussion and comments==
Note that if at any point, there is convergence towards a domain name that is not yet registered it should be registered asap. [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 00:01, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

MeetURplanet

2009-11-04T14:07:31Z

85.176.204.205: Created page with '{{stub}} ====Own Site Description==== MeetURplanet.com is an Australian based company, focused on providing its members with the opportunity to meet and experience the people a…'

{{stub}}

====Own Site Description====
MeetURplanet.com is an Australian based company, focused on providing its members with the opportunity to meet and experience the people and cultures of this planet.

Founded in April 2001, we are one of the first websites to our knowledge, which is dedicated to matching travellers and local hosts on a global scale. We feel this newly created industry is the future of travel.

==Links==
http://www.meeturplanet.com/

----
{{from hospexguide}}

Couchsurfing.net - traveller's community for international connections

2009-11-04T14:05:05Z

85.176.204.205: Created page with '{{stub}} Little (fun) network with just over 170 members. To become a member you ''(have to get invited by someone else.)'' you can just join! Its name is a very obvious ''rip …'

{{stub}}

Little (fun) network with just over 170 members. To become a member you ''(have to get invited by someone else.)'' you can just join!

Its name is a very obvious ''rip off'' of [[CouchSurfing]].

"Comment by Patrick Rau, creator of couchsurfing.net:
Nothing about couchsurfing.net is a rip off, not the idea, not the name, nothing. I ve had the idea to build couchsurfing 1999, or earlier, i don t even remember. and, who cares, we should be happy social networks exist and shouldn't fight about "rip offs". that doesn't make sense at all."

==Own Site Description==

The couchsurfing community connects social networks with each other. All members are responsible to help extending the network.

The community is for people who want to find out about the place they are travelling to by making contact with locals or with people who have already visited there.

The concept behind couchsurfing is that members can contact one another via e-mail.

As a member of this community, you can for example use the search engine to find someone who lives exactly where you want to go. Or maybe you can find somebody who has been there before sharing experiences

This type of personal contact can enable you to get much more information than a guidebook could offer. In addition to general information about your destination, you might be able to find a local to meet up with, or even hook up a place to stay.

You could also receive mail from another member who is interested in information about your country or city.

Couchsurfing's aim is to create a social and exciting rapport between travellers from all over the world who can share, learn from each other and have a great time.

==Newsletter - Big Change ==

<pre>
cc> It has been a while since i have sent the last newsletter.
cc> To be honest, unfortunately the idea of connecting social
cc> networks based on the theory of the six degrees of separation,
cc> kind of didn't really work out very well.

cc> Many members got the idea and helped extending our friendly
cc> network inviting other people. But, since the site is up for even
cc> a couple of years now, the result is not really great.

cc> A couple of days ago couchsurfing.com, a different but
cc> similar community, lost all its data.
cc> I feel very sorry for the people who built couchsurfing.com.
cc> They did a great job.
cc> Now, I get many requests of former couchsurfing.com members.
cc> I have decided to welcome all of them, everybody who wants to
cc> join couchsurfing.net.

cc> To keep the couchsurfing.net concept based on the theory of
cc> the six degrees of separation alive, all new members names who
cc> haven't been invited by people who are allready members, will
cc> appear with a "*".

cc> We will work out some ideas maybe to be able to link all
cc> different hopefully developing social networks with each other.

cc> We'll see what happens next.

cc> Best,
cc> Patrick and Pantelis
</pre>

==Links==
* http://www.couchsurfing.net

----

{{from hospexguide}}

Friendship Force

2009-11-04T14:02:40Z

85.176.204.205: Created page with '{{stub}} ==== Own Description ==== "Friendship Force International (FFI) is a worldwide network of clubs (local chapters) and individuals that advance our mission of promoting …'

{{stub}}

==== Own Description ====

"Friendship Force International (FFI) is a worldwide network of clubs (local chapters) and individuals that advance our mission of promoting global understanding across the barriers that separate people. We do this by connecting people from different countries at the personal level.

When local hosts open their homes to visitors from other countries and cultures, true understanding can develop through the sharing of meals, conversation and the routines of daily life. Since its founding in 1977 FFI has brought together millions of people.

In 2007 alone, 5767 friendship ambassadors traveled between 58 countries, with thousands more serving as hosts.
Our mission, structure and activities are described in our website: http://www.thefriendshipforce.org."

Hamburg

2009-11-04T13:47:56Z

85.176.204.205: /* Hospitality Networks */

{{Germany}}
{{Hamburg}}

'''Hamburg''', the second largest city of [[Germany|Germany]], names itself a ''Gate to the World'' - usually this is only mentioned in an economic view, but otherwise this is exactly what hospitality networks are about... It's full of nice places to go out! St.Pauli is the quarter with all the nice bars, clubs, table dance and concerts!

==Hospitality Networks==

There is a big community in Hamburg. Like elsewhere the most active Hosts/Surfers are usually members of all networks. As the public transport in Hamburg is very well - also late at night (at least weekends) - don't hesitate to contact people from the outer parts of the city. Especially in high season (summer, public holidays, weekends ...) people living in the city center get a lot of requests (make sure you've read [[How to write a Request]] anyway).

There are regularly meetings of the hospex crowd: Every second Friday and last Thursday of a month. Everyone is welcome to join for chatting, chilling and have a drink. The usual spot is Zoe-Bar, Clemens-Schultz-Straße 96. To be sure or for "irregular" meetups check the [[:csgroup:1085|CS group Hamburg]].

===Couchsurfing===

The [[:csgroup:1085|CS group Hamburg]] is probably the most active hospex group in Hamburg. All kind of meetings, partys, exhibitions, concerts, hiking trips and other events are announced there on a regular basis. Furthermore it's a marketplace for all kind of needs, ideas and questions.

===Bewelcome===

Bewelcome is still a small project, but there are already a lot of potential hosts in Hamburg - just give it a try, probably some of them are eager to use this alternative.

===Hospitality Club===
There is a yahoo group/mailinglist on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hchamburg/ but it's not really active anymore...

=== Emergency Couches ===

Lost? You're host cancelled your stay on short notice? An unexpected change in travel plans? Before searching for a bridge (there are a lot of them though;), try the following options:

* [[csgroup:12458|CS Emergency Couch Group]]
* Friendly [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=3Q7DR05 Santa Claus] (CS profile to contact emergencies hosts)
* [[wikitravel:Hamburg#Sleep|wikitravel list of hostels]].

==Tips==

Because of the very good public transport system, even in the night hours (see below), it's not necessary to look for a host right in the central parts of town. If you have trouble finding a free couch, check the couches more outside.

==General Tips==

''Check [[:wikitravel:Hamburg#See|Wikitravel]] for more infos and more places to see.''

* A [http://stadtplan.hamburg.de/ map] of Hamburg in several languages can be found here.
* General and kind of "official" cityinfos can be found in several other languages at [http://international.hamburg.de/?ok=18338 international.hamburg.de]
* A list of museums and exhibitions can be found at [http://www.hamburg-tourism.de/Exhibitions___Museum.266.0.html?&L=1 www.hamburg-tourism.de]

==Local Guides - special hosts for special places ...==

==Public Transport==

The Hamburger Verkehrs Verbund (HVV) offers service mostly every 5-10 minutes during daytime (8 - 20 hrs) and 20-30 minutes in early morning/late night hours. most U-Bahn or Hochbahn (subway/elevated) trains and S-Bahn (suburban) trains run during friday and saturday night every 30 minutes all night long. In addition there are special Nachtbusse (nightbusses). This means you do not have to look for hosts at the heart of the city because public transport is comfortable from most areas around.

The ticket system is a bit tricky ... First of all: usually you never leave the area "Großraum Hamburg", if you are not really leaving the town, so all tickets for "Großraum Hamburg" will be ok. Tickets are valid for all kind of transportation (s-bahn/u-bahn/bus) including the ferries on river Elbe. To save money you should have a look for day passes (also for 3 days in a row), after 9.00 am they are cheaper than for early birds. There are also tickets for small- or medium sized groups and even for two persons cheaper than two single tickets.

The website of [http://www.hvv.com/ HVV] is also available in English and provides ticket prices, maps and detailed [http://www.geofox.de/base/initPersonalSchedule.do?LANGUAGE=en_GB&STYLE=hbt personal schedules] (just enter time and adress for start and end).

==Hitchhiking from Hamburg to other Destinations==

To travel from Hamburg to other locations '''hitchhiking''' is a cheap solution. There are two good starting points to reach the Autobahn (highway):
*[http://maps.google.de/maps?f=q&hl=en&z=15&q=Horner%20Kreisel+Hamburg+Deutschland&om=1 Horner Kreisel] is the right point if you want to go to [[Lübeck]], [[Rostock]] or [[Berlin]]. You can walk to Horner Kreisel from U3 Horner Rennbahn.
*[http://maps.google.de/maps?f=l&hl=en&q=BAT+Hamburg+Stillhorn+West&near=Hamburg&ie=UTF8&ei=PLjiRbH0O4aioQPyhoWuCw&cid=53484278,10024765,2099394881536362672&li=lmd&om=1&z=15&ll=53.484278,10.024765&spn=0.018335,0.039825 BAT HH-Stillhorn] (BAT means interstate service area) is the right point if you choose the direction [[Hannover]] or [[Bremen]]. You reach it via Bus Nr. 13 from S3 Wilhelmsburg (leave at busstop Kirchdorf (Süd)).

{{IsIn|Germany}}
[[category:City Guides]]

Hamburg accomodation

2009-11-04T13:36:46Z

85.176.204.205: /* How to look for a flat */

{{Hamburg}}

==Accommodation==

Since there are a lot of people looking for a flat in [[Hamburg]], here is a list of links which was collected by a [http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/r1ncew1nd member] over recent years, after looking desperately for a flat.

Any suggestions, further links and private feedback to this list are welcome. Please correct this list.

==Local newspapers/Online services==
* http://www.immoscout24.de (http://www.mopo.de uses this)
* http://www.immonet.de (http://www.abendblatt.de uses this)

==Shared and normal flats==
(not only for students)

* http://www.campus-hamburg.de/anzeigen/wohnboerse.html
* http://www.studenten-wg.de
* http://www.wg-gesucht.de
* http://www.campus-hamburg.de
* http://www.easy-wg.de

==Property management==
If a company manages a property, they can't legally charge you "Courtage" (commission/provision).
They can only charge you a small contract fee (100-150 Euro)

* http://www.saga.de (City owned. They have >100000 flats. Also go to their public offices)
* http://www.thor-gmbh.de
* http://www.wohn-hh.de
* http://www.frankgruppe.de
* http://www.haueisen.de (sometimes offline)
* http://www.witthoeft.com (some with commission/provision)
* http://www.allianz-immobilien.de (sometimes it's worth to phone them, they have a lot of flats as capital security)
* http://www.haferkamp-immobilien.de (some with commission/provision, most are south of the Elbe river)
* http://www.gerstel-kg.de (some with provision)
* http://www.gagfah.de (most of flats in high rise buildings)
* http://www.nordelbe.de (most of flats in Veddel, Wilhemsburg)
* http://www.leverenz-immobilien.de (some with provision)
* http://www.dawag.de
* http://www.wichernbau.de (most of flats near Stadtpark)
* http://www.robertvogel.de (expensive, no commission/provision)
* http://www.elbe-immobilien.de (most flats south of the Elbe river)
* http://www.haus-der-immobilie.net (some with commission/provision)
* http://www.kruetzfeldt-immobilien.de (some with provision)

==Cooperatives==
Cooperatives provide cheap housing for their members.

When joining a cooperative you have to pay about 50-100 Euro per square metre you want to rent, as your share.

You will get this money back with good interest rates when leaving the cooperative.
You don't have to pay any commission or deposit.
In a lot of cases you have to wait for 6-12 month for a flat.
If you intend to stay longer in Hamburg, it's good to apply there for a flat, because the rents are very low.

Registering with them is free!

http://www.wohnungsbaugenossenschaften.de

==Budget accommodation==
* http://www.camping-buchholz.de/ (campground only 15 minutes by train from Hauptbahnhof [main station])
* http://www.hamburger-jugendpark.de/
* http://www.instantsleep.de/deutsch/
* http://www.jugendherberge.de/de/jugendherbergen/visitenkarte/jh.jsp?IDJH=523 (Stintfang Landungsbrücken)
* http://www.jugendherberge.de/de/jugendherbergen/visitenkarte/jh.jsp?IDJH=522 (Horn)
* http://www.schanzenstern.de
* http://www.meininger-hostels.com
* http://www.aohostels.com/de/hamburg/
* http://www.backpackers-stpauli.de

==Students==
You can apply for a student dorm here:
* http://www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de/start.php?rubrik=wohnen&&sprache=english
* http://www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de/wohnen/anderetraeger.php?mid=216&&sprache=english

Because the city wants to push the new built Hafen City they try to settle students in the
"not so nice" neighborhoods such as Veddel and Wilhelmsburg to pimp them up.
The flats are quite nice, it's worth having a look.

The rent for a 1-room flat/shared room in a 2-room flat is 178 Euro.
For 2-room flats it's good to have a flatmate with you. No commission/courtage, no deposit

http://www.saga-gwg.de/immosolve/mandanten/man_222010/presentation/88/1956.html

==How to look for a flat==
Locate the address on a city map and find out how to get there

* [http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=53.5487365722656&lon=10.019359588623&zoom=13 http://www.openstreetmap.org] (The most comprehensive map of Hamburg)
* http://maps.google.de (is quite nice, with routes for driving or walking)
* http://www.stadtplandienst.de (has better maps than google including bus stops for finding a location)
* http://www.geofox.de (public transportation route planning, timetable, much more)

{{IsIn|Hamburg}}