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| Board of Directors Information |
| The Board of Directors (aka BoD) here at nervousness is the administrative group of people dedicated to running this site. We are always trying to optimize this site, making it inviting, enjoyable and efficient for all users. We each were members here before joining the BoD, making our decisions from an administrative as well member level.
If you would like to contact a member of the BoD, please use the private message system on the forums. If you have a general question, please refer yourself to the questions and answers forum to see if your concern has already been addressed.
Your BoD are: |
| iTrader Rating System |
We've decided to implement the iTrader rating system, it allows users to leave feedback points and comments for people they participate in LMAOs with and exchange with. NOTE:Only LMAOs and Exchanges with elements that are HANDMADE by you, are eligible for feedback. Exchanges of store bought items are not eligibleWho Do I Leave Ratings For?
You can leave ratings for: What are the ratings?
The ratings are a system set up so that a trader/host/participant of an LMAO or exchange can rate the user they were involved with. There are three things you can rate a person: If somebody drops from a swap, do not leave any feedback for them. How do I rate somebody?
1. Go to their profile page. Please note: You must enter in the URL of the swap in order to leave feedback. You can retrieve the URL of the swap by going to the swap thread, and then clicking on the address bar of your internet browser. Copy the address, and paste it in the feedback form where applicable. Getting an Error If you get an error that says "The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen it to at least 50 characters" this means that in the large text box called "Additional comments" you must enter in some information. Something about the swap, good response time, a comment on the art, anything, but it must be at least 50 characters long. The average of 50 characters is 6-9 words. This is a flood control measure and is not an option when filling out feedback. If you get another error and aren't sure what to do, please head over to the FAQ forum and see if it's been asked and answered. If it hasn't, you can private message Kelly and she'll help you. How do I Edit Feedback I've left for somebody? The only people that can edit feedback, is the person who left the rating and the BoD. We ask that if you left feedback that you need to change for any reason, you take care of this yourself. If you're on the receiving end of feedback that needs to be changed, please contact the person who left it for you and ask them to do so. This is because the BoD get tons of requests from people for all sorts of things, and will cut down on our workload.
To edit the feedback, go to the main feedback page of the user. This can be done by:
Next, you'll see the main feedback page. On this page, beside the "Rating Summary" Header, is an "Options" header. Under that header are three icons: a memo note, a hammer, and a warning symbol. The hammer is how you can edit the feedback. In the image below, the hammer is circled in green. What if I get a rating that is unjust from somebody? If somebody is leaving negative feedback for you when it is not warranted, please contact one of the BoD - Kelly, Penny (penster), or Chellaigne (cdonley) and let us know immediately and why the feedback is not warranted. We will then have the option of deleting the feedback if it indeed is unwarranted. You can contact us a few ways:
1. Private message any of us through the forums. People abusing the iTrader system will be banned. This includes leaving malicious feedback and false feedback (feedback that doesn't actually apply to any LMAOs or swaps). |
) under "Options". Click on this and you will be taken to a page to fill in why you think this is bad feedbck. Enter your reason and hit "Send Report".
| Travelling vs. Collection LMAO |
| LMAO - Land Mail Art Oject
Land mail - the object must travel through the postal system. To avoid confusion, here's a quick little guide on the difference between a travelling LMAO and a collection LMAO. Travelling LMAO
1. Travels in a circle from the host, to the participants, and back to the host again (i.e. a journal that each member makes an entry in); Or Collection LMAO 1. The host collects art or things used to create art from all of the members AND 2. The host sends out something, via postal mail, to all of the members. This could be swapped items, for example a zine or a piece of art made from the contributions. Something must be created and mailed by either the participants or the host and the return MUST include the collected items in some form (this does not include feedback points or electronic zines or links to a photo album showing the items created by the members.) |
| Etiquette/Courtesy |
| To make this a positive and enriching experience for all participants, it has become necessary to post a few guidelines concerning swapping etiquette/courtesy.
C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E Through countless discussions it has been determined that this is THE major key in deeming swaps successful. Here are a few tips for your consideration: Communication Regarding LMAOs:
- When you receive an LMAO post the date received in the appropriate thread. Communication Regarding Exchanges:
- When you send and receive Exchanges, communicate this information to the person you are exchanging with. Communication Regarding Planned or Known Absences:
- If you are going to be away for an extended period of time or moving, let us know. We are a diverse community with many ideas and styles. The organized have to remember that some people aren't, and may need to send gentle reminders every so often. By the same token, the not-so-organized have to remember that deadlines and keeping communication lines open are important to the organized. It's a two way street, so a little patience on everyone's part will go a long way in making your nervousness experience a positive one. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Always identify what you are sending, either by writing the LMAO/Exchange name/description on the outside of the package, or enclosing a note to the same effect. Make sure your return address is clearly marked on the outside. This could prevent your item from getting lost should it be addressed incorrectly. This site is VERY ADDICTIVE, so please be careful. Signing up for more exchanges and/or LMAOs than you can capably handle has been the demise of a few swappers. It is very easy to get overwhelmed by all the exciting projects going on, and before you know it, you have exhausted yourself and your pocketbook. Know your limitations and respect them. |
| Unreliable Swappers Policy |
| This is our brand new policy in response to the few complaints we have received with unreliable swappers
WHEN TO COME TO US: PLEASE NOTE: The Board of Directors is not here to monitor every exchange and we do not handle complaints regarding quality...that is strictly between you and the person you are swapping with. Before contacting us with a complaint, please make sure you have done the following: 1. Contacted the member at least twice regarding the swap, using both PMs and Email. 2. Offered different solutions to resolve the issue with the member. **********DO NOT********** badmouth the member on the forums.From time to time users have problems with sending out promised exchanges and LMAOs. We urge all members to contact each other directly to sort out issues. However, sometimes this doesn't work, and we as the BoD are happy to help. Here's how our policy works with members who are not living up to their obligations, and steps we will take in this event. 1. We receive a complaint from a member regarding another who has not fulfilled their obligations in regards to an LMAO or an exchange. We will take this complaint and give the accused party a warning and a chance to tell us their story. We will also reference other members in the same LMAO to see their status as well. 2. If we receive two separate complaints from two different parties concerning the same member, the accused member will have their account restricted and given 21 days to complete all outstanding LMAOs and exchanges. The restricted account will not allow them to sign up for any new LMAOs or exchanges, and posting will be restricted to the entire forums. Private messaging will still be allowed to facilitate communication between the parties and the BoD. 3. If after this 21 day period the accused member has not fulfilled these requirements, they will have their privileges revoked and will not be allowed to use the website. All information in their profile will be deleted, and a notice will be placed saying that the BoD has now revoked all privileges of the member because of multiple unfulfilled obligations. 4. If after this 21 day period the member has fulfilled all outstanding obligations, their privileges will be restored, and they will be able to access the website in its entirety again. All items must be received by the people they are owed to at the end of this 21 day period. Members are on restricted status until taken off this status by the BoD. Members who are signed up for LMAOs and exchanges and then are put on restriction are NOT to be sent any new items. They are to be skipped and the items to be passed onto the next people in line. If they accept new LMAOs while on restriction, this is grounds for immediate banning. |
| How To Donate |
| Nervousness.or is run completely on donations from the members that make this community what it is! All money raised goes to helping to provide a better Nervousness through implimenting new features, and in the future rebuilding the old main site.
If you would like to donate, first of all, thank you! We greatly appreciate the help that our members give us. We have a forum dedicated exclusively to donations and user organized fundrasing initiatives. You can view that forum here. The easiest way for you to donate is via Paypal, either by credit card or through your bank account. You won't be charged any fees, and the donation is instantaneous. 1. Chellaigne (cdonley) has set up a handy website with paypal buttons you can just click and use to donate. You can view that website here. 2. If you do not want to donate any of the amounts listed, but still want to donate through paypal, you can go to Paypal and make donations out to "donations@nervousness.org". 3. If you would like to make a donation via cheque or money order to Nervousness, please contact Chellaigne (cdonley) directly and she'll give you instructions. Thank you all for your support! |
| Regarding Username Changes and Multiple Accounts |
| We have had requests in the past to change somebody's username when they grow tired of this. It is not the policy of Nervousness to do this. This community is based on trust and knowing your fellow Nervouser. If people are changing names, this can confuse that trust and reliability. Therefore, we will not change anybody's username.
That, however, does not mean that you can then create a new username and log in and participate using that. Once again, that falls back on the trust and the reliability factor. If we discover people have multiple usernames, they will be banned. That's it. We urge all users to think carefully when choosing a username. Don't have something with your real name in it if you're worried about somebody from your "real life" finding out about your mail art habit. If something disasterous has happened, please email Kelly, Penster, or Cdonley with your request and why you need to change your username. It might be considered, but it is in extremely rare cases where we will do this for a user. |
| Acronyms, Abbreviations, & Definitions |
| New members may find the acronyms and abbreviations a little daunting. Here is a simple FAQ, made to inform all new members (and old members who may need a refreasher!) on what different things mean here at Nness.
A great starting off point for information on mail art can be found at these websites:
Wikipedia: Mail art Altered Book (AB): An altered book is an artistic expression which begins with another artist's work--a book--and becomes something else altogether. There are no hard and fast rules to altered books--it is truly a mixed media art form. Pages may be painted, folded, cut, torn, stamped upon, embellished, layered over, embossed, or carved, just to name some possible techniques. Pages are sometimes glued together; niches can be cut into successive pages and various objects affixed inside. Altered books (AB) may be themed or not. Altered books at nervousness can be hosted one of two ways: 1. One book making it's way through a list of participants before returning home to the owner, or 2. Each participant on the list starts with their own book and each book makes it's way to each participant and at the end each participant has their own altered book. This is called a Round Robin (RR).
Related Websites: ArtistStamps (Faux Postage): Fake postage that is created either manually or on the computer.
Related Websites: Artist Trading Card (ATC): A 2.5" x 3.5" inch card with artist-representative and/or thematic artwork on the front, and the title, artist's information and date on the back. Other information that may be included on the back is the technique used and a number if they are part of an edition.
Related Websites: Deco (Decorated Booklet): A deco is a small handmade booklet, themed or not, circulated throughout the world to decorators who deco a single blank page and then pass it on. These are created in a variety of styles, techniques and materials.
Related Websites: Envie: Envelope (can be store bought, altered or handmade). Exchange: An exchange/swap of item(s) between two people. The person who initiates the exchange should send first unless another arrangement is made. FB (Friendship Book): A little booklet full of names and addresses, for pen pals. Mailed from person to person, each person adding their name and address, and sometimes a little byline with interests.
Related Websites: Graceful Envelope: An envelope decorated to correspond to the theme of the stamp(s). JAM: A piece of mail art (like an ATC or one page of a deco) that is collaborated on by many artists. LMAO (Land Mail Art Object): Self-explanatory - this includes any form of collaborative art that is sent via land mail. There are two types of LMAOs -- Traveling and Collection. Traveling LMAO: The creator of the LMAO sends out The Land Mail Art Object. It is mailed from person to person around the world until it has gone full circle back to the creator. Collection LMAO: The creator of the Collection LMAO calls for participants to send certain art related items to them, which when collated, results in a completed collaborative art object. MIA (Missing In Action): Someone who isn't responding to PMs or email inquires; or, an object which has mysteriously disappeared. NTS (Note To Self): Used by members as an aid in keeping organized. OOAK: One Of A Kind PIF (Pay It Forward): The principle behind this type of exchange is that you accept something that someone is offering and then offer something else up in exchange that some other random person will claim (in a sense "paying" the exchange forward). PLMK: Please Let Me Know. RAK or RaoK: Random Act of Kindness. RaoM: Random Act of Mailing. RR (Round Robin): Each person (including the creator) starts his/her own piece of art traveling through the list of participants with each one contributing to each piece. At the end each participant has a collaborative piece of art. Shrine: (Matchbox/Pocket/Tin/Etc.) - A small box, tin or container that has been decorated according to a specific theme with small objects inside that have been glued or arranged with are. These are not necessarily religious "shrines" though they could be if you wish. You are only limited by your imagination! Slam: Questionnaires that are sent around to participants to answer, with sign in and sign out pages. Swap: An exchange done by a group. The host/hostess determines how many participants (which determine the number of items to be sent to the host/hostess). The host/hostess then redistributes the items to all participants. Some hosts/hostesses also require postage for shipping the collections. Tag Art: Shipping tags of different sizes that are used as a canvas for art.
Related Websites: Zine: A self-made publication or mini magazine assembled and distributed by it’s creator(s).
Related Website: |
| Copyrights Specific to Mixed CDs |
| It has been brought to our attention that nervousness.org puts itself at risk of being held liable for copyright infringement by allowing the trading of mixed tapes/CDs. For the safety of our members and protection of the future of nervousness.org, the board of directors has decided to no longer allow trading of personally recorded tapes or burned CDs of other people's music. You can trade your own music or other music ONLY if you have permission from the artist. |
| vBulletin FAQ |
| Privacy Policy |
| Your privacy is important and we respect this. The information we request from you is only the information we absolutely need to run this project. We never share your information with anyone else, unless you give us permission. If ever in the future we have a need to change this policy, we will contact you and request your permission before sharing your information. If you do not give us permission, your information will not be shared.
Please be aware however, that if you post your email address or your address on the forums, it is possible that it is indexed by search engines and available for others to look up in that respect (ie. somebody searching google). Therefore, we make it our policy to edit out postal addresses and email addresses of people posting other people's private information. We however, will not edit out your information if you post it yourself. |