To become a member-user of Freecycle Bermuda ? the new website for offloading and acquiring recycled items for free ? founder Vanessa Cooper provides the following instructions:

Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bdafreecycle

Click on ?Join This Group? (near the top right corner)

If you already have a Yahoo account, log in using those details. If you don?t have a Yahoo account, you need to create one as follows:

Click on ?Sign Up?.

Fill out the required information and agree to the Terms and Conditions

Follow the instructions for opening the account and logging in. This takes you to the group sign-up page where you must fill in the ?Comment to Owner? section. This could be something like why you want to join the group, what you are hoping to get out of the group. It will only be seen by the group owner. (choose one):

lTo receive every message sent to the group immediately.

lCombines one day?s messages into single e-mail sent at day?s end. Disadvantage: Since many items are taken very quickly, items can be missed out on. Advantage: Prevents inbox being filled with many messages.

lFor those who prefer checking what has been posted through the website themselves rather than receiving e-mails. Recommended for holidaymakers not wishing to return home to an overflowing inbox. Messages sent by the group moderator and limited to special announcements will still be received.

lNoe-mailFor those checking the group website regularly for information but who don?t want any e-mails from the group or moderators.This will depend on what software is used to receive e-mails. Most will accept HTML. Type in the verification code. Click ?Join?.

Displayed message indicates your membership is pending ? i.e. awaiting approval by the moderator. This prevents spammers registering with the group. Moderator then checks your Yahoo profile. This is a family-friendly group, and anyone with adult material in their profile will be asked to create a second, modified profile for use on Bermuda Freecycle.

Once moderator approves membership the following e-mails are sent to member?s registered e-mail address:

lThis has a link to the group site, the e-mail address for contacting the whole group, an e-mail address to unsubscribe, and a link to the main Freecycle Network website.

lFile explains how to post on the group; offers general information on Freecycle, and how to use this specific group.

lA reminder that you use Freecycle at your own risk.

lConfirms group moderator has approved your request to join, plus information on how to e-mail the group or moderator and how to unsubscribe.

Upon completion of registration, e-mails will be received in member?s chosen format. If something is offered which member wants, he/she replies accordingly, perhaps including details to convince owner of desire to own/collect. This message goes only to original e-mail sender, not the group. Donor chooses recipient of his/her choice. Collection: Be honest about when you can collect. It is up to the person wishing to take the item to fit in around the donor, not the other way around. Two choices here to post to whole group. Either send an e-mail from your registered Yahoo account to the group e-mail address listed in your welcome e-mail, or log into the group homepage and click on the ?Post? link in the list down the left hand side of the page. This takes you to the equivalent of an e-mail ?compose? screen, but without having to type in the recipient address.

Whichever method is used, certain information must be included:

Subject line should start with the word ?Offered?. This indicates something is available. Subject line should also include the title of the item and a general location, such as the parish or a local landmark ? e.g. ?Offered: plastic storage boxes, St.Georges?.

Main text of message gives item?s description - e.g. ?4 clear plastic storage boxes, 20-quart capacity with lids.? Photos of items can also be posted by linking photo to main message text so that people can see exactly what is being offered.

Do not include your address or phone number for reasons of security, and to prevent people phoning in response. This is a strictly an online group. A general idea of the location the item is to be collected from is sufficient at this stage.

Responses go directly to your e-mail address. You decide who will receive it. Generally, we ask that you give it to the first person who responds, but there may be cases where a charity group wants the item, or someone has a very specific reason for needing it and can come and collect it immediately. Having chosen who will get the item, and it is collected, please e-mail all responders, and whole group, saying item has been taken ? e.g. subject header says: ?Taken: plastic storage boxes, St Georges?. This ends further unwanted e-mails.

Arrange with recipient collection arrangements you are comfortable with. Remember: no money must change hands. This is not a free auction site. can be posted ? e.g. In subject header write: ?Wanted, plastic storage boxes, any location?. We ask that people do offer items as well as requesting them. The system doesn?t work if everyone wants things, but no-one is offering anything.

For any questions/further information please contact me at bdafreecycle-owneryahoogroups.com Mailto:bdafreecycle-owneryahoogroups.com and I will be happy to help.