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This message is sent to all subscribers upon joining, and contains essential knowledge for all members. This information is updated periodically, so it may be worth re-reading this even if you've read it before.
London reHack matches people who have hackerly things they want to get rid of with people who can use them. Our goal is to keep usable, hackable items out of the landfill. By using tools and resources we already have at our disposal, we reduce the costs of trying out and hacking together new ideas, and also keep good source materials in circulation. Using reHack encourages us to get rid of "perfectly good stuff" that we no longer need and promotes community involvement in the process. Free your inner pack rat!
NB: This group is intended for people in Greater London. You may join if you live outside this area, but you may not post. Specifically, we will restrict postings to people whose postcodes begin with the following prefixes:
N, NW, SW, SE, W, WC, E, EC, AL, BR, CR, DA, EN, HA, IG, KT, RM, SM, TW, UB and WD
Posts from members outside this area may be deleted. If the interest in London reHack catches on it is possible that the group will be expanded to encompass the whole of the UK.
Using the reHack Group
To post a message:
simply send an email to rehack_london@yahoogroups.com or click on "messages" at the reHack group web site: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/rehack_london
As a group member, all group messages will be sent to you via email (until/unless you change your group mail preferences); replies to any messages you post will be sent to you directly.
Please ensure that the subject header of your message includes
- the word WANTED or OFFERED,
- the name of the item,
- and your location,
ex: OFFERED: clock, SW2.
Also, please note that YOUR FIRST POSTING MUST BE AN OFFER.
To unsubscribe, send an email to
rehack_london-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
To contact the group moderators, send a message to
rehack_london-owner@yahoogroups.com
USING THE GROUP VIA THE GROUP WEBSITE
To post, read, or reply to messages or to manage your
membership settings via the group website, visit
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/rehack_london/
To read list archives, visit the main page and click on "messages"
on the left.
**Please note that if you do not have a Yahoo ID, you will only be able to use the group via email (as a traditional listserv), and you will not be able to access the group archives, etc, via the group website.
Rules & etiquette
Generally, rules are irritating and are meant to be broken. However, the following rules are intended to make reHack run smoothly for everyone and based on our experience, having a few guidelines improves the experience.
1) KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL & APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES - This means, for example, no firearms or drugs, and no requests (or offers) for payment for any item exchanged on reHack. Unfortunately, this restriction includes objects or items that may contain radio-isotopes. Human organs and other hackable "wetware" are also verboten. This is our main rule to live by and it's a pretty easy one at that.
2) IF IT WOULDN'T GO INTO A LANDFILL, DON'T POST IT ON REHACK
ReHack's main aim is to keep hackable goods out of the landfill and in circulation, so requests for information, children, animals/pets, vouchers, tickets, etc, and requests to borrow items, are not allowed on the site. ReHack is about keeping unwanted but usable items out of the landfill, and to keep them from cluttering up your workbench shelves.
3) NO ADVERTISING - that's not the point of reHack and there are plenty of other alternatives for that. ONE EXCEPTION: announcements for open hack-friendly meetings (e.g., Dorkbot) are fine – just use the ADMIN keyword in your header when posting this sort of thing.
4) YOUR FIRST POST EVER TO THE GROUP SHOULD BE AN OFFER
In the spirit of giving, we would ask that you make your first posting to the group an "OFFER". Is that little 10k Ohm resistor just cluttering your desk? Perhaps you just don’t need that Romulan disruptor assortment pack any more? No item is too small or too large, and someone can probably use it to build a project. Get rid of that old impact printer or Strowger switch - someone needs it!
5) SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR POSTS - To make it easier for others to scan the list messages, please ensure that the subject header of your message includes the word WANTED, OFFERED, TAKEN, or RECEIVED, the name of the item, and your location:
OFFERED: soldering iron, SW2
TAKEN: pack of mixed LEDs, SW4
RECEIVED: Arduino BT, SE24
WANTED: any old Tektronix scope, SW9
For any other postings, please use the ADMIN keyword:
ADMIN: Having trouble contacting MemberX
6) NO SWAPPING PLEASE - If you have something you want to get rid of and something you want, post an offer for the thing you want to get rid of and a wanted message for the item you need.
7) DON'T POST THE SAME MESSAGE EVERY DAY - Please do not post the same "WANTED" message more than once a month.
8) NO POLITICS, NO SPAM, NO MONEY, NO PERSONAL ATTACKS/FLAME WARS
Two strikes and you're out, i.e. you will be unsubscribed by the moderator after two inappropriate postings.
9) RESPONSES GO ONLY TO THE OFFERER - It keeps down the sheer number of e-mails.
10) WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU POST AN OFFER?
Group members who are interested in your item will send you an email indicating their interest. You can then select one of them to receive your item, and write them back to let them know. Generally, the person receiving the item is expected to pick it up, but arrange as you like, and use whatever criteria you wish for deciding which respondent to give your item to. You may wish to wait overnight, or until you get a handful of responses, and then pick the one you like best. Arrange pickup with one person only, rather than "it's in the front garden, whoever gets here first gets it." Also, only give your phone number to one person at a time or ask for the recipient's phone number, or you'll get swamped with phone calls. After your item has been taken, please post a TAKEN message to the list.
12) DISCLAIMER: REHACK NETWORK MEMBERS USE THE LIST AT THEIR OWN RISK.
Please take reasonable measures to protect your safety and privacy when posting to the list or participating in an exchange. By joining the list, you agree to hold neither the list owners and moderators responsible or liable for any circumstance resulting from a rehack-related exchange or communication. If a chainsaw you offered bites someone, it’s not our fault.
13) A BRIEF NOTE ON REHACK ETIQUETTE: "Be nice." When you arrange to pick up an item from another reHack Member, it is basic good manners to accommodate them as much as possible in terms of scheduling, and then be punctual; they are, after all, giving you something you need and asking nothing in return except that you will show up when you say you will. Also, unless the giver tells you otherwise, assume that they would like you to come by as soon as you can to take away the item; no more than three days after the offer is made is usual.
Tips to organise reHack emails:
a) CREATE A SEPARATE E-MAIL FOLDER & AUTOMATICALLY HAVE REHACK STUFF GO TO IT.
b) CHANGE THE WAY YAHOO GROUPS MANAGES YOUR MESSAGES FOR THIS GROUP
- Go to http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/rehack_london/
- Click on Edit Membership
- Modify your settings
- Click Save Changes
That should just about do it. Have fun and Enjoy!
--Your friendly neighborhood reHack moderators.