BeWelcome FAQs - Check-up and Update - Revision history

Vijay: /* What is the "Forum" and how does it work? */

2013-03-27T20:20:36Z

What is the "Forum" and how does it work?

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:20, 27 March 2013
Line 573:		Line 573:


	====What is the "Forum" and how does work?====		====What is the "Forum" and how does it work?====
	The Forum is a central place for discussions on BeWelcome. It is accessible from the top menu Explore > '''Forum'''.		The Forum is a central place for discussions on BeWelcome. It is accessible from the top menu Explore > '''Forum'''.
	This is the right place to find and start discussions which are relevant for the whole BeWelcome community (for example, ideas for improvement of the platform, discussions about procedures and practices on BeWelcome, announcement of big international hospitality events).		This is the right place to find and start discussions which are relevant for the whole BeWelcome community (for example, ideas for improvement of the platform, discussions about procedures and practices on BeWelcome, announcement of big international hospitality events).

Sitatara: /* TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools */

2013-03-25T18:23:48Z

TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 25 March 2013
Line 624:		Line 624:
	</div><br>		</div><br>

	====What is a "~~Blog~~"?====		====What is a "blog"?====
	The term "blog" is derived from "Web log." A blog is a kind of online diary with entries made in journal style. For more information on blogs in general check out '''Wikipedia'''.		The term "blog" is derived from "Web log." A blog is a kind of online diary with entries made in journal style. For more information on blogs in general check out '''Wikipedia'''.
	In BeWelcome you can use the ~~Blog Tool~~ to publish stories, ideas, essays, and even as a personal travel journal.		In BeWelcome you can use the blog tool to publish stories, ideas, essays, and even as a personal travel journal.


Line 633:		Line 633:
	</div><br>		</div><br>

	====How does the ~~Blog~~ tool work?====		====How does the blog tool work?====
	~~The Blog tool within BeWelcome, which was developed by '''MyTravelbook''', offers more features than a normal 'online diary'.~~		To start a blog go to Explore > [http://www.bewelcome.org/blog Blogs] and then click on "Create blog post" in the action menu in the right side bar.
	To start a ~~Blog~~ click on the ~~Blog tab~~ in the ~~menu and then select "New blog entry"~~. ~~The~~ next page ~~will give~~ you ~~space to add~~ a title ~~and enter~~ the text of your ~~entry.~~
	~~In addition to this basic function~~, ~~there are some unique features that make the BeWelcome Blog special~~.		On the next page you can enter a title for your blog post, the text of your post, and tags (i.e. keywords for your blog post to make it easier for other members to find your blog when they search for specific topics). In the tab "Trips" you can link your blog post with a specific trip of yours (location and date). This way your blog might be found by members who are planning on traveling to the same destination at the same time. Use the tab "Settings" to determine who should be able to see your blog: everybody, friends only or maybe just you (e.g. if you want to use it as a private travel diary).
	~~One feature is the ability to add tags~~. ~~You can click on the tab "tags" to add~~ keywords to your blog ~~entry and~~ make it easier for other members to find your blog when they search ~~by blog topic~~.
	~~For instance, use~~ the tab "~~trip~~" if you ~~add~~ a location ~~(with Google Maps)~~ and a date ~~for your trip~~. This way your blog might be found by members who are planning on traveling to the same destination at the same time!
	Use the tab "~~settings~~" to determine who should be able to see your blog: everybody, friends only or maybe just you.

	<div style="color:maroon">		<div style="color:maroon">
	:~~Checked~~ [[User:~~Bikepunk~~\|~~Bikepunk~~]] 00:50, ~~15 August 2011~~ (~~UTC~~)		:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 19:23, 25 March 2013 (CET): New version to be put on the website.
	</div><br>		</div><br>

	====~~How does the Chat work~~?====		====Does BeWelcome offer a chat?====
	~~Join our~~ '''IRC''' Channel #bewelcome on irc.freenode.net. Use your own IRC client or this '''webclient'''.		Yes, there is a BeWelcome '''IRC''' Channel: #bewelcome on irc.freenode.net. Use your own IRC client or this '''webclient''' to chat with other BeWelcome members.

	<div style="color:maroon">		<div style="color:maroon">
	:~~Checked~~ [[User:~~Bikepunk~~\|~~Bikepunk~~]] 00:50, ~~15 August 2011~~ (~~UTC~~)		:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 19:23, 25 March 2013 (CET): New version to be put on the website.
	</div><br>		</div><br>

Sitatara: /* TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools */

2013-03-25T18:14:11Z

TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:14, 25 March 2013
Line 612:		Line 612:
	</div><br>		</div><br>

	====~~What is the difference between the forum and groups~~?====		====How can I add friends to my profile?====
	~~tba~~		BeWelcome does not offer a general friends list on profiles. However, there is a tool to link your profile with family members and close friends.

			The idea of the section "Family and close friends" on profiles is to shows other members who you live with or who are your best friends. This section is sometimes misunderstood and used as a general friends list. Please use this section only for relationships which are relevant for other members in the context of hosting.

	~~====What is the "Add a relation" tool?====~~		To add someone as family member or close friend, go to that person's profile. In the left sidebar below the profile picture you will find an "Add as family or close friend" link. Click on that link and fill out the form on the next page. Once you click on the button "Add as family member or close friend" there, the other person receives a request to approve this relation. As soon as he/she has done so, you will see the profile picture and your description about that person in your profile above the "Latest comments" section.
	~~With this tool you can describe a special relationship you have with a BW~~ member~~.<br>~~
	~~To use the tool~~, go to the profile ~~of the member~~ you ~~have a special relationship with and click '~~Add ~~a relation'~~ on the ~~left-hand side of~~ the page. ~~You will be taken to a window where~~ you ~~can specify your relationship (~~close friend, ~~partner, family, flat mate) with this member and also add~~ a ~~short personal comment~~ to ~~describe that relationship~~.~~<br>~~
	~~Once~~ the ~~member confirms this relationship, a~~ picture ~~of this member is being displayed on~~ your profile~~.<br>~~
	The purpose of this tool is not only to allow couples and families to display exactly how they are connected, but also to help other members understand a little bit more about who a specific member is and who they might meet on a visit.


	<div style="color:maroon">		<div style="color:maroon">
	~~:Checked [[User:Bikepunk\|Bikepunk]] 00:50, 15 August 2011 (UTC)~~		:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 19:14, 25 March 2013 (CET): Completely new version to put on the website.
	:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 08:29, 25 March 2013 (CET): ~~Rewrite necessary since this tool is now called "family and close friends"!~~
	</div><br>		</div><br>

	====What is a "Blog"?====		====What is a "Blog"?====
	The term "blog" is derived from "Web log." A blog is a kind of online diary with entries made in journal style. For more information on blogs in general check out '''Wikipedia'''.		The term "blog" is derived from "Web log." A blog is a kind of online diary with entries made in journal style. For more information on blogs in general check out '''Wikipedia'''.
	In BeWelcome you can use the Blog Tool to ~~display~~ stories, ideas, essays, and even as a personal travel journal.		In BeWelcome you can use the Blog Tool to publish stories, ideas, essays, and even as a personal travel journal.


	<div style="color:maroon">		<div style="color:maroon">
	:~~Checked~~ [[User:~~Bikepunk~~\|~~Bikepunk~~]] 00:50, ~~15 August 2011~~ (~~UTC~~)		:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 19:14, 25 March 2013 (CET): Slightly corrected and updated on the website.
	</div><br>		</div><br>

Sitatara: /* NEEDS REVIEW: How can I be sure that other members of BeWelcome are trustworthy? How can I get information about my potential hosts or guests? What is my protection against criminals coming to visit me? */

2013-03-25T18:11:30Z

NEEDS REVIEW: How can I be sure that other members of BeWelcome are trustworthy? How can I get information about my potential hosts or guests? What is my protection against criminals coming to visit me?

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:11, 25 March 2013
Line 59:		Line 59:
	* <b>Photos</b> are important profiles elements. There should be at least one photo on which the person can be clearly recognized. When you meet the person, make sure it corresponds. Photos can also sometimes be more informative than a person’s self-description and tell you a lot about what a person is like, what kind of things a person likes to do and if you will feel comfortable.		* <b>Photos</b> are important profiles elements. There should be at least one photo on which the person can be clearly recognized. When you meet the person, make sure it corresponds. Photos can also sometimes be more informative than a person’s self-description and tell you a lot about what a person is like, what kind of things a person likes to do and if you will feel comfortable.
	* A profile may also include <b>comments</b> from other members as well as about other members. If you do not want to rely on self-presentation only, these comments will tell you what experiences other members had with this person. However, when reading comments, please bear in mind that for various reasons many find it more difficult to write honest comments about a not-so-good experience than to write flattering comments about a good experience. Comments may therefore not always tell the whole story, or never be written at all.		* A profile may also include <b>comments</b> from other members as well as about other members. If you do not want to rely on self-presentation only, these comments will tell you what experiences other members had with this person. However, when reading comments, please bear in mind that for various reasons many find it more difficult to write honest comments about a not-so-good experience than to write flattering comments about a good experience. Comments may therefore not always tell the whole story, or never be written at all.
	* The section <b>"Family and close friends"</b> on the profile shows you who this person lives with or who are his/her best friends. This means that you will probably meet these people too if you are staying with this member. Check out their profiles as well to find out more about them too. This section is sometimes misunderstood and may include members who are not that close. The text will often reveal that. Please use this section only for ~~people~~ relationships which are relevant for other members in the context of hosting.		* The section <b>"Family and close friends"</b> on the profile shows you who this person lives with or who are his/her best friends. This means that you will probably meet these people too if you are staying with this member. Check out their profiles as well to find out more about them too. This section is sometimes misunderstood and may include members who are not that close. The text will often reveal that. Please use this section only for relationships which are relevant for other members in the context of hosting.
	* The profile will also inform you if a person’s name and sometimes address has been <b>verified</b>. There are several levels of verification, you can read all about it in our wiki library: [http://www.bewelcome.org/wiki/Verification verification system] or by clicking on the [http://www.bewelcome.org/images/icons/shield.png verification symbol] on a person’s profile, which will also give you the detail of who has verified the member’s name and/or address, when and possibly additional comments.		* The profile will also inform you if a person’s name and sometimes address has been <b>verified</b>. There are several levels of verification, you can read all about it in our wiki library: [http://www.bewelcome.org/wiki/Verification verification system] or by clicking on the [http://www.bewelcome.org/images/icons/shield.png verification symbol] on a person’s profile, which will also give you the detail of who has verified the member’s name and/or address, when and possibly additional comments.
	* In cases of serious complaints against a member we might put a '''warning''' on that member's profile (or depending on the situation, remove this member from BeWelcome completely) to make sure you are aware of reported serious safety issues with this member.		* In cases of serious complaints against a member we might put a '''warning''' on that member's profile (or depending on the situation, remove this member from BeWelcome completely) to make sure you are aware of reported serious safety issues with this member.

Sitatara: /* How does the Forum work? */

2013-03-25T18:04:04Z

How does the Forum work?

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:04, 25 March 2013
Line 573:		Line 573:


	====~~How does~~ the Forum work?====		====What is the "Forum" and how does work?====
	The ~~tool~~ is ~~acessible~~ from the top menu Explore > '''Forum'''		The Forum is a central place for discussions on BeWelcome. It is accessible from the top menu Explore > '''Forum'''.
	~~You can easily~~ post in ~~'categories'~~ : "General", "BW Citizen", "Technical Help", "Politics" or in the ~~geographic categories~~.		This is the right place to find and start discussions which are relevant for the whole BeWelcome community (for example, ideas for improvement of the platform, discussions about procedures and practices on BeWelcome, announcement of big international hospitality events).
	Apart from posting in the displayed categories you can label your post with different tags to help other members find your post.
	~~See~~ also: ~~'''Documentation~~ for ~~BeWelcome forum'''~~		The Forum offers different categories to post in: "General", "BW Citizen", "Technical Help", "Politics". There are also geographical categories available, for local information and discussions we recommend posting in the respective groups though. Apart from posting in the displayed categories you can label your post with different tags to help other members find your post.

			If you start a new thread in the Forum, the default visibility of that post is "members only" (i.e. all BeWelcome members can see the post). You can also choose the visibility "world" (the post can be found by search engines throughout the internet) instead. If you post in an existing thread in the Forum, the default visibility of your post follows the thread visibilty (i.e. visibility of the first post in this thread). However, you can change the setting for your own posts individually.

			Please note that the [http://www.bewelcome.org/forums Forum overview] does not only contain discussions which are directly posted in the Forum but also discussion from groups you are a member of and even discussions from other groups if their visibility is not limited to group members only. If you do not care for general discussions and seeing posts from groups you are not a member of, you can click on "Show only posts to my groups".


	<div style="color:maroon">		<div style="color:maroon">
	:~~Checked~~ [[User:~~Bikepunk~~\|~~Bikepunk~~]] 00:50, ~~15 August 2011~~ (~~UTC~~)		:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 19:04, 25 March 2013 (CET) Completely new version to put on the website.
	</div><br>		</div><br>

Sitatara: /* TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools */

2013-03-25T17:50:05Z

TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 25 March 2013
Line 584:		Line 584:
	</div><br>		</div><br>

	====What ~~is a group~~?====		====What are groups and how do they work?====
	~~The~~ Groups are ~~accessible~~ from the ~~top~~ menu~~: Explore >~~ '''~~Groups~~'''.		Groups are a feature on BeWelcome which allows you to get in touch with other members and discuss specific topics with them. Every group has a topic (e.g. "Cooking") ''or'' is related to a specific location (e.g. "Berlin"). You can search for groups, join groups and create new groups here: Explore > [http://www.bewelcome.org/groups Groups]. We recommend that you join the group which is related to your home town to stay up-to-date about BeWelcome events in your area. Additionally, please join any group you are interested in.

			To '''join a group''', just go to the respective group page and click on the "Join group" button there. On the next page you can enter your motivation for joining the group in the text field provided. You can also decide if you would like to get e-mail notifications from posts in this group or not. Please click on "Let me in" to finalize your application for group membership. In case the group is a public group you will be a member directly after this step. If the group is "moderated" your membership application first has to be confirmed by the group administrator.

			Once you have joined a group, you can post new messages there, see all the discussions which took place so far, and change your member settings. To access your '''member settings''', please click on the respective menu item of the group menu (below the group title).

			If you start a new thread in a group the default '''visibility''' of that post is "group only" (i.e. only groups members can see your post). Depending on the group settings, you might also be able to choose a higher visibility, e.g. "members only" (all BeWelcome members can see the post) or "world" (the post can be found by search engines throughout the internet). If you post in an existing thread in a group, the default visibility of your post follows the thread visibilty (i.e. visibility of the first post in this thread). Depending on the group settings, you can change the setting for your own post individually.

			The default '''language for group posts''' is English. You can also choose to post in another language, in which case you should explicitly chhose the respective language in the drop down menu below the input field. You can also translate your own posts into different languages. For this, first post it in one language and then click on "Edit", choose another language, translate your message into that language and save your changes.

			On group pages you will also sometimes find a section called '''Related groups'''. This means that there are other groups which have a connection to this group - maybe a similar topic or some georgraphical connection. For example, city groups (e.g. Paris) are usually related to the respective country groups (e.g. France). As a group member you can add such relations too. Please use the feature responsibly and if in doubt, contact the group administrator(s).

			A group administrator is the person who can administrate the general group settings (e.g. default value for visibility of group posts) and group description. This is alos the person who decides about letting new members in if the group is "moderated". If you start a new group, you will automatically become administrator of this group. Please note that group administrators are not the "owner" of a group and while they have a few limited moderation tools it is not their "job" to moderate the discussions which are taking place in the group.

			If you find a post in a group which you feel is violating the "[http://www.bewelcome.org/forums/rules BeWelcome Forum and Group Forum Charter"] you can report the respective post by clicking on the "Report to moderator" link in the bottom right corner of that post. This report does not go to the administrator of the group but to the "Forum Moderators", a small team of selected volunteers who

			To leave a group you are a member of, just go to the respective group page and click on the "Leave this group" button.


	<div style="color:maroon">		<div style="color:maroon">
			:[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 18:50, 25 March 2013 (CET): Completely new version to put on the website.
	</div><br>		</div><br>

Sitatara: /* Using the Site: Cool Tools */

2013-03-25T07:29:54Z

Using the Site: Cool Tools

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:29, 25 March 2013
Line 569:		Line 569:
	</div>		</div>

	== Using the Site: Cool Tools ==		== TODO: Using the Site: Cool Tools ==
	[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 08:29, 25 March 2013 (CET): Add questions about trips and the gallery		<div style="color:#009000">[[User:Sitatara\|Sitatara]] ([[User talk:Sitatara\|talk]]) 08:29, 25 March 2013 (CET): Add questions about trips and the gallery.</div>


	====How does the Forum work?====		====How does the Forum work?====

Sitatara: /* Using the Site: Cool Tools */

2013-03-25T07:29:25Z

Using the Site: Cool Tools

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:29, 25 March 2013
Line 594:		Line 594:


	===What is the "Add a relation" tool?====		====What is the "Add a relation" tool?====
	With this tool you can describe a special relationship you have with a BW member.<br>		With this tool you can describe a special relationship you have with a BW member.<br>
	To use the tool, go to the profile of the member you have a special relationship with and click 'Add a relation' on the left-hand side of the page. You will be taken to a window where you can specify your relationship (close friend, partner, family, flat mate) with this member and also add a short personal comment to describe that relationship.<br>		To use the tool, go to the profile of the member you have a special relationship with and click 'Add a relation' on the left-hand side of the page. You will be taken to a window where you can specify your relationship (close friend, partner, family, flat mate) with this member and also add a short personal comment to describe that relationship.<br>

Sitatara: /* Using the Site: Cool Tools */

2013-03-25T07:29:02Z

Using the Site: Cool Tools

@@ Line 570: / Line 570: @@
 == Using the Site: Cool Tools ==
-===How does the Forum work?===
+<div style="color:maroon">
 <div style="color:maroon">
-''The tool is acessible from the top menu Explore > '''Forum'''
+</div><br>
-''You can easily post in 'categories' : "General", "BW Citizen", "Technical Help", "Politics" or in the geographic categories.
-''Apart from posting in the displayed categories you can label your post with different tags to help other members find your post.
+====What is the difference between the forum and groups?====
-''See also: '''Documentation for BeWelcome forum'''
+tba
-</div>
-:Checked [[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 00:50, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
 <div style="color:maroon">
 :Checked [[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 00:50, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
 <div style="color:maroon">
 :Checked [[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 00:50, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
-===How does the Chat work?===
+</div><br>
 <div style="color:maroon">
 :Checked [[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 00:50, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
-===How does the Blog tool work?===
+</div><br>
 <div style="color:maroon">
 :Checked [[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] 00:50, 15 August 2011 (UTC)

Sitatara: /* Do I need to become a member of BeVolunteer in order to volunteer for BeWelcome? */

2013-03-24T12:07:00Z

Do I need to become a member of BeVolunteer in order to volunteer for BeWelcome?

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:07, 24 March 2013
Line 562:		Line 562:
	====Do I need to become a member of BeVolunteer in order to volunteer for BeWelcome? ====		====Do I need to become a member of BeVolunteer in order to volunteer for BeWelcome? ====
	No, being a member of '''[http://www.bevolunteer.org/ BeVolunteer]''' is not required to volunteer for BeWelcome. Just '''[http://www.bewelcome.org/about/getactive get active]'''!		No, being a member of '''[http://www.bevolunteer.org/ BeVolunteer]''' is not required to volunteer for BeWelcome. Just '''[http://www.bewelcome.org/about/getactive get active]'''!
	If you have been an active BeWelcome member ~~and volunteering for BeWelcome~~ for at least 3 months, you are invited to apply for [http://www.bevolunteer.org/become-a-member/ BeVolunteer membership]. Being a BeVolunteer member allows you to take part in the '''[http://www.bevolunteer.org/general-assembly/ General Assembly]''' (GA) and to vote for the '''[http://www.bevolunteer.org/about-bevolunteer/board-of-directors/ Board of Directors]''' (BoD). For more information about BeVolunteer and becoming a BeVolunteer member, please visit the [http://www.bevolunteer.org/ BeVolunteer website].		If you have been an active BeWelcome member volunteer for at least 3 months, you are invited to apply for [http://www.bevolunteer.org/become-a-member/ BeVolunteer membership]. Being a BeVolunteer member allows you to take part in the '''[http://www.bevolunteer.org/general-assembly/ General Assembly]''' (GA) and to vote for the '''[http://www.bevolunteer.org/about-bevolunteer/board-of-directors/ Board of Directors]''' (BoD). For more information about BeVolunteer and becoming a BeVolunteer member, please visit the [http://www.bevolunteer.org/ BeVolunteer website].