Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Transition Help Desk - Jennifer
This blog entry has been modified from its original appearance. The Coordinator's email address has been changed. If you have questions please contact the Coordinator at the email address below.
If you need assistance, feel free to email the Coordinator anytime using the subject line SOFTWARE ISSUES at timetrader@familyservicerochester.org and I will respond as soon as I can. Please do also check the FAQs posted here on the blog. You may call my direct line at 287-2040 extension 3022 at the following times for assistance.
Thursday 11/3 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tuesday 11/8 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
At other times you may leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I can. Time Trader Christina is also doing help desk hours.
Community Weaver 2.0 FAQs
Where is the marketplace?
The “marketplace” is found by clicking on the “Give and Receive” tab, found in between “home” and “my account”. Click on the tab itself, not the dropdown. You can also follow this url: http://timetrader.timebanks.org/give_receive
Why are there (0) service ads for each main category when there are service ads in the subcategories?
The ads are all there, but there is a counting bug that is still being corrected. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/give_receive
How do I record hours for a service that doesn’t have an ad?
Go to the “Give and Receive” tab’s dropdown. Choose “record an exchange”. Most exchanges will be one-to-one. Enter the information for the exchange and click the “record an exchange” button.
When I record hours for a service, who gives the hours?
When you record an exchange, you will use the text box “Recipient of service” for the person who received the service. This person receives services so he or she will GIVE hours. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/exchange
When I record hours for a service, who gets the hours?
When you record an exchange, you will use the text box “Provider of service” for the person who provided the service. This person provides services so he or she will GET hours. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/exchange
I thought I was recording hours for a service I performed, but I ended up deducting hours from my own account. What happened?
When you record an exchange and you performed the service, you will use the text box “Provider of service” for yourself. You will GET hours. You probably misread the labels as provider of hours or recipient of hours instead of provider of service. To correct this, send an email to the timebanks coordinator using this link: http://timetrader.timebanks.org/contact The coordinator will respond to the problem when in the office.
How do I record the actual hours?
There are two boxes needed to record hours. One is for the integer, or whole number, of hours. The other is a drop down for increments, or parts, of an hour. So, to enter an exchange of 1 ½ hours, you would type 1 in the text box and choose .5 from the drop down menu. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/exchange
How do I record hours for a specific service ad?
Go to the service ad and click “record a transaction”. This will take you to the “record an exchange” screen, but some data will already be autofilled: the service category, your name as either the recipient of service or provider of service, and the description of service.
I clicked on the tab “My Account” and then in the dropdown “My hours”, but I can’t seem to record hours here. How do I record hours?
There are two ways. You can either enter an exchange with an ad or without an ad. To enter an exchange with an ad, search for the ad click “record a transaction”. Or, go to the “Give and Receive” tab’s dropdown and choose “record an exchange”.
I just want to browse the ads. How can I do that?
There are lots of ways to filter ads while browsing. For an overview of all ads, click directly on the “Give and Receive” tab, and then choose the “search all service ads” link in the upper right corner. From here you can see how many ads are listed under each main and sub category. You can search for ads by main category, sub category, or use the links on the upper right to narrow your search by offers or requests. After clicking on one of these links, you can narrow your search even more. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/give_receive
But there are there (0) service ads for each main category even though there are service ads in the subcategories. So are there ads in the main categories or not?
The ads are all there, but there is a counting bug that is still being corrected. If you click on the main category, you will see all ads listed in the subcategory of the heading. All ads are accounted for and organized as timebanks users have specified. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/give_receive
I’m looking for a specific ad. How do I find it?
The easiest way to search for a specific ad is to click directly on the “Give and Receive” tab, and then choose the “search all service ads” link. From here you can search using keywords, category, neighborhood, or affiliations. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/all_services
I want to search for an ad by a member. Can I do that?
Yes, you can do a search for a specific person or several persons. There are two ways: you can either search by members or filter a search for ads by members.
How can I search for a member?
For an overview of all members, click on the “Give and Receive” tab, and then choose the “view all members” link in the dropdown menu. From here you can narrow your search using member name, neighborhood, or affiliations. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/members
But I don’t know the member’s last name. How can I search?
You can search using a single letter in a person’s first or last name, but the more of the name you use the better your search will be. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/members
How can I filter an ad search by a member?
To filter an ad search by member, you will need to be searching for either offers or requests. Click on the “Give and Receive” tab, and then choose the “view all requests” or “view all offers” link in the dropdown menu. From here you can narrow the results by using a member’s FIRST name. If you type slowly, a dropdown menu of members will be offered.
I forgot the name of the person I exchanged with and I’d like to arrange another exchange. Also, the ad isn’t posted anymore.
Go to the “My Account” tab. Choose “My Hours” in the dropdown menu. This will show your history of time dollars exchanges. From here you can choose either a member name or an ad and find what you are looking for.
How do I create a service ad?
Click on the “Give and Receive” tab, and then choose the “post a service ad” link in the dropdown menu. Enter your ad information and click the “Save” button.
Can I include my ad in more than one category?
Yes, and including your ad in several categories is easier to manage than creating several ads. To see all the subcategories, click the green circle with the white arrow next to the category heading. Since service categories and sub categories are checkboxes, you can check more than one.
How do I use bold and other fun stuff in my ad?
The ad description box is rich text enabled, so you can use bold, indents, cut and paste, and more. You can also turn off rich text if you want.
How can I see my own ads?
Go to the “My Account” tab. Choose “My Services” in the dropdown menu. This will show your offers, requests, and expired ads. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/user/me/services
How do I suspend an ad?
You need to change the expiration date. It will not suspend immediately. Go to the “My Account” tab. Choose “My Services” in the dropdown menu. This will show your offers, requests, and expired ads. Click on the ad you want to suspend. When you view the ad, choose EDIT. Change the expiration date to at least one day in the future.
How do I reactivate an ad?
You need to change the expiration date. It will activate immediately. Go to the “My Account” tab. Choose “My Services” in the dropdown menu. This will show your expired ads. Click on the ad you want to reactiveate. When you view the ad, choose EDIT. Change the expiration date.
How do I see my profile?
Click directly on the “My Account” tab. Click on the tab itself, not the dropdown. From here you can see your picture, contact info, ads, availability, exchange history, and more.
How do I change my personal information?
Click directly on the “My Account” tab. Click on the tab itself, not the dropdown. From here you can change your picture, contact info, ads, availability, exchange history, and more. Editing your biography, user account, profile information, and service ads can all be done by clicking links on this main page.
From my profile page, how do I see my messages?
Your profile page only shows that you have new messages. To see older messages, you need to go to “my messages”.
How do I find my messages?
Click on the “My Account” tab, and then choose “my messages”. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/messages
It looks like the same message is repeated over and over.
Each new message thread that started with a response to an ad begins with some of the original ad. The newest message will be closest to the top of the list, if they are sorted in descending order. So, even though they look the same at first, that is just because they started with the same conversation.
There is no “my messages” in the “My Account” dropdown.
It disappears sometimes. It’s a bug. Click directly on the “My Account” tab. “My Messages” will reappear. http://timetrader.timebanks.org/messages
Transition Help Desk - Christina
This blog post has been edited from its original appearance. The email for Christina has been replaced with the email address for Time Trader. If you have questions please use that email.
A Time Trader has offered to serve as Help Desk personnel as we transition. Please check the FAQs posted here on the blog first. If that doesn't answer your question, you may email it to timetrader@familyservicerochester.org anytime and she will respond as quickly as possible, or you may call her at 398-2143 at the following times:
Tuesday 11/1 2:00pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday 11/2 2:00pm-4:00pm
Thursday 11/3 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Thanks Christina, for helping as we get acclimated to the new system. If she is unavailable you may also contact the Coordinator.
A Time Trader has offered to serve as Help Desk personnel as we transition. Please check the FAQs posted here on the blog first. If that doesn't answer your question, you may email it to timetrader@familyservicerochester.org anytime and she will respond as quickly as possible, or you may call her at 398-2143 at the following times:
Tuesday 11/1 2:00pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday 11/2 2:00pm-4:00pm
Thursday 11/3 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Thanks Christina, for helping as we get acclimated to the new system. If she is unavailable you may also contact the Coordinator.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Is Time Trader a barter system?
In a word? No.
Bartering is a system of exchange where no money changes hands, but the goods and services are assigned a value; a monetary equivalent. So if a haircut is worth $5 in the economy, and getting your dog walked is also worth $5, you can barter with someone to exchange those services. Generally, barter is a direct reciprocity kind of exchange, too; you exchange one-on-one with the person receiving your service, or in some cases, a third person's services can be brought into the equation, but it is difficult to broaden the transaction beyond 3 people.
In a time bank, it is the time that is the currency; every person has exactly the same 24 hours in a day and there is no correlation between the monetary value of the service and the time. You simply are compensated for the time it takes you to perform a particular service. And one of the major benefits of a time bank is that direct reciprocity is not a requirement; Time Trader Sharon can earn TD$ for giving guitar lessons to Time Trader Joe. She can then spend her TD$ on yardwork, pet sitting, or massage from any other Time Trader.
Barter transactions are taxable because there is monetary equivalency; timebank transactions have been ruled tax-exempt by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Time Trader is a time bank. It is free and open to anyone who lives in Rochester, Minnesota or the surrounding area. For more information click on the links at right, visit our Facebook page, or our website at www.familyservicerochester.org/timetrader.html.
Bartering is a system of exchange where no money changes hands, but the goods and services are assigned a value; a monetary equivalent. So if a haircut is worth $5 in the economy, and getting your dog walked is also worth $5, you can barter with someone to exchange those services. Generally, barter is a direct reciprocity kind of exchange, too; you exchange one-on-one with the person receiving your service, or in some cases, a third person's services can be brought into the equation, but it is difficult to broaden the transaction beyond 3 people.
In a time bank, it is the time that is the currency; every person has exactly the same 24 hours in a day and there is no correlation between the monetary value of the service and the time. You simply are compensated for the time it takes you to perform a particular service. And one of the major benefits of a time bank is that direct reciprocity is not a requirement; Time Trader Sharon can earn TD$ for giving guitar lessons to Time Trader Joe. She can then spend her TD$ on yardwork, pet sitting, or massage from any other Time Trader.
Barter transactions are taxable because there is monetary equivalency; timebank transactions have been ruled tax-exempt by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Time Trader is a time bank. It is free and open to anyone who lives in Rochester, Minnesota or the surrounding area. For more information click on the links at right, visit our Facebook page, or our website at www.familyservicerochester.org/timetrader.html.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
You are invited
If you're not a member of Time Trader yet, please consider this your invitation.
If you are already a Time Trader, who do you know that you can personally invite to our community? There must be people you know -- in your neighborhood, in your faith community, in your workplace -- who are good at something. Could we use their talents at Time Trader? Can we offer them a benefit as well?
Right now there are many offers: for pet care, for snowblower repair, for jewelry making, for scrapbooking and paper crafts, and many more.
And there are requests: for carpet laying, for painting, for drywall work, for baking, for clerical and computer work, as well as many others.
Do you know someone with "mad skills" as Napoleon Dynamite would say? Invite them! Research tells us that people need to be presented with the concept of Time Trader 7 times before they take action and sign up. Seven times. So keep mentioning it.
Please note that we really need "handyman" type people; people who can do minor repairs, simple home improvement projects, and general home maintenance tasks. Remind them that they need only take on the jobs that fit into their lives and schedules -- we don't want to overwhelm people but we do need more people who can do these tasks in our community. I would like to have at least 3 people with these skills become members of the time bank before the end of 2011. If you know someone who fits the description, please put them in touch with me, and remember, you can earn TD$ for each person you refer who becomes a member!
Issuing an invitation is a form of welcoming, a formal way to introduce someone to our community, and a vital method of growing our community.
So, you are invited. Now who can YOU invite?
You are cordially invited
to become a part of
the Time Trader community.
To share your skills,
to build community,
to make life better for yourself
and the people around you.If you are already a Time Trader, who do you know that you can personally invite to our community? There must be people you know -- in your neighborhood, in your faith community, in your workplace -- who are good at something. Could we use their talents at Time Trader? Can we offer them a benefit as well?
Right now there are many offers: for pet care, for snowblower repair, for jewelry making, for scrapbooking and paper crafts, and many more.
And there are requests: for carpet laying, for painting, for drywall work, for baking, for clerical and computer work, as well as many others.
Do you know someone with "mad skills" as Napoleon Dynamite would say? Invite them! Research tells us that people need to be presented with the concept of Time Trader 7 times before they take action and sign up. Seven times. So keep mentioning it.
Please note that we really need "handyman" type people; people who can do minor repairs, simple home improvement projects, and general home maintenance tasks. Remind them that they need only take on the jobs that fit into their lives and schedules -- we don't want to overwhelm people but we do need more people who can do these tasks in our community. I would like to have at least 3 people with these skills become members of the time bank before the end of 2011. If you know someone who fits the description, please put them in touch with me, and remember, you can earn TD$ for each person you refer who becomes a member!
Issuing an invitation is a form of welcoming, a formal way to introduce someone to our community, and a vital method of growing our community.
So, you are invited. Now who can YOU invite?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I feel guilty receiving TD$ for this!
Sometimes the "artificial" connections made through Time Trader become friendships. A Time Trader takes on a project for someone and they like each other. They decide to spend time together outside of Time Trader activities; they go out for coffee, they attend social events together, they go shopping.
This is EXACTLY what we want in Time Trader; people making connections and building community.
However, when a friendship develops, I am seeing a trend: people don't want to accept TD$ for things they enjoy doing, or for things they do for someone they consider a friend.
Please rethink this if you are one of those people. Some Time Traders receive services such as companionship or transportation to medical appointments. If you provide those services, even if you consider the recipient a friend, please record the transaction!
Part of the reason is here; the numbers tell our story. But there is more. We need those TD$ moving through our economy.
If you really don't want those TD$ because you feel guilty about accepting TD$ for something you enjoy doing, you can donate them. We have a Community Fund for just that purpose. You also may donate to one of our partner organizations such as the Rochester Area Family Y.
The most important thing is that we WANT you to accept the TD$. We want you to have fun while doing the service you provide for other Time Traders -- that's why we encourage people who love baking to offer baking, and people who love to do crafts to offer to do those crafts or teach them to others.
It's one of Time Banking's Core Values:
So, please record those transactions. the numbers tell our story and if you don't wish to keep the TD$ you earn you can donate them.This adds currency to our TD$ economy and keeps those TD$ circulating through our community.
This is EXACTLY what we want in Time Trader; people making connections and building community.
However, when a friendship develops, I am seeing a trend: people don't want to accept TD$ for things they enjoy doing, or for things they do for someone they consider a friend.
Please rethink this if you are one of those people. Some Time Traders receive services such as companionship or transportation to medical appointments. If you provide those services, even if you consider the recipient a friend, please record the transaction!
Part of the reason is here; the numbers tell our story. But there is more. We need those TD$ moving through our economy.
If you really don't want those TD$ because you feel guilty about accepting TD$ for something you enjoy doing, you can donate them. We have a Community Fund for just that purpose. You also may donate to one of our partner organizations such as the Rochester Area Family Y.
The most important thing is that we WANT you to accept the TD$. We want you to have fun while doing the service you provide for other Time Traders -- that's why we encourage people who love baking to offer baking, and people who love to do crafts to offer to do those crafts or teach them to others.
It's one of Time Banking's Core Values:
Social Networks
We need each other.
Networks are stronger than individuals. People helping each other reweave communities of support, strength & trust. Community is built upon sinking roots, building trust, creating networks. Special relationships are built on commitment.
So, please record those transactions. the numbers tell our story and if you don't wish to keep the TD$ you earn you can donate them.This adds currency to our TD$ economy and keeps those TD$ circulating through our community.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Hello? Hello? Anybody out there?
It's the most common complaint I receive:
People don't respond when I contact them through Community Weaver.
It's like I sent an email into a black hole.
I set up a time to meet them but they never showed up.
Yep. It's a common problem. But it has a simple solution:
Common Courtesy
Which, sadly, is not all that common anymore.
It is really important that, as a Time Trader, you respond quickly to messages you receive through Community Weaver. Really important.
We all want instant gratification. When we decide to do something, we are almost always in a hurry. So when someone contacts you through Community Weaver because you fix widgets and their widget is broken, they want to know right away if you can fix it for them or if they need to look for another widget-fixer.
As a Time Trader, one always has the right to refuse to participate in a transaction. No need to offer a reason, just please respond.
If one cannot participate in a transaction, here are some phrases that could be used in a response:
Your profile in Community Weaver is your responsibility -- check your messages regularly, and be sure your
contact information is correct. If you never check the email address where your Time Trader mail goes, think about changing it to a more convenient account -- or forward it to your primary account. Ask people to contact you via phone if you rarely check email.
It really is the complaint I hear most on a daily basis. Reply to your messages -- it is the most important thing in keeping our community active and healthy.
People don't respond when I contact them through Community Weaver.
It's like I sent an email into a black hole.
I set up a time to meet them but they never showed up.
Yep. It's a common problem. But it has a simple solution:
Common Courtesy
Which, sadly, is not all that common anymore.
It is really important that, as a Time Trader, you respond quickly to messages you receive through Community Weaver. Really important.
We all want instant gratification. When we decide to do something, we are almost always in a hurry. So when someone contacts you through Community Weaver because you fix widgets and their widget is broken, they want to know right away if you can fix it for them or if they need to look for another widget-fixer.
As a Time Trader, one always has the right to refuse to participate in a transaction. No need to offer a reason, just please respond.
If one cannot participate in a transaction, here are some phrases that could be used in a response:
- No.
- I'm sorry, that won't work with my current schedule.
- Actually, I was going to delete that offer because I am very busy right now.
- I can't do it until ______. You can either wait until then or find someone else.
- I am unavailable.
- That is not convenient for me.
- I can't accommodate your request at this time.
Your profile in Community Weaver is your responsibility -- check your messages regularly, and be sure your
contact information is correct. If you never check the email address where your Time Trader mail goes, think about changing it to a more convenient account -- or forward it to your primary account. Ask people to contact you via phone if you rarely check email.
It really is the complaint I hear most on a daily basis. Reply to your messages -- it is the most important thing in keeping our community active and healthy.
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