Group settings
From Freegle Wiki
When you set up a new Freegle Yahoo! Group, you will be given a number of choices of settings. This section will guide you through the settings that we recommend.
Contents |
Which category do I put my Freegle group in?
The most commonly used category is:
You can chose other appropriate categories but beware of any adult only ones as some members will have trouble accessing your group if you place it there.
Naming your Group
When you choose an email address for your group there are various things you should bear in mind
- Group names that are very long, mean that members won't always get to read all of the subject line when a post arrives in their in box.
- It's nice if Freegle group names make sense and is somehow related to the geographic area it covers.
- If you can't get the group name you want (because someone else already has it) you can try again using an under_score or a dash, you can also use captial letters or add UK at the end.
- You can't have any spaces
The name can be identical to the email address if you like, but the email address needs to be unique, so that's where you employ things like underscores and capital letters to make it so, the name doesn't need to have them.
Description and Appearance
Below Group name and email address you will find 'Describe your group'. The text that you enter into this box will appear on your home page. On this page the basics that need to be here are a description of what your group does and how it works, but there is a lot you can do besides! for more info on this you can visit [1] and for support you can visit [2]
Customising your group
After you've filled in this box and chosen which yahoo profile and email address you want to use you've created a basic Yahoo! Group, now you need to customize it, click on the blue 'customize your group' button.
On this page step 1 of 3 you want to mostly stick with the default settings,
You DO want your group to be in the directory, and you only want group members to post. The middle section 'how can people join your group' is up to you. For more information about whether you want to pre-approve members and how to set this up you can visit this page. Also, you can always start with 'anyone can join' and change it later.
For step 2, again you need to mostly stick to default settings, apart from the first section. We recommend you tick the approve messages from new members box, for more information on why this is you can visit Moderation.
Step 3 deals with access to the web features of the group.
Files
We recommend limited (members can download files; moderators can upload/modify/download files)
You will put your guidelines etc. in here and you don’t want members being able to change them to suit themselves. See Autosend Files
Photos
Members (upload/modify/download photos) There is also now an option for photos to be approved
They need to be able to be able to put photos on showing what they are offering.
Links
Limited (members can view links; moderators can create/modify/delete links)
You don’t want links to inappropriate groups.
Database
Moderators only (create/modify/delete tables)
You may wish to use it for putting information about members on (note on data protection), why they are to stay on moderation, whether you have received complaints, etc.
Polls
Recommend moderators create polls, members can vote. You don't want your members setting polls asking for unlimited Wanted messages/pets because you've rejected a post.
Members
Moderators only (moderators can view profiles/change settings)
Many members will ask you to change their settings as they cannot access the website to do it themselves unless they have a Yahoo ID. But they can using the special email addresses?
Calendar
Moderators only can add, members can view. It has been found that people were joining groups, seeing a calendar and putting in their doctor's appts and when they were having dinner with Johnny's grandparents! They didn't realise that it wasn't a personal calender, but one which everyone in the group received.
Promote
You can chose Members (get sign-up boxes) as some members may have their own websites and want to promote Freegle. I don't understand this, so others might not either.
Membership
· Membership Type
You can choose either restricted or open
It is recommended for groups on Facebook and Direct to opt for open membership, as the Application requires pre approved, Yahoo memberships to issue to new members.
If you select Membership restricted then they require approval. This means you can vet all prospective members and require answers to specific questions before admitting. However, you do lose a lot of prospective members, this way.
If you opt for open membership, you must set the post setting to "new members on 'messages require approval' You can then catch any spammers or inappropriate members and make sure you are happy with them before you unmoderate them and put them on group settings.
Email Address Display:
We recommend you do not tick the box. If you allow complete anonymity it may lead to abuse. It also prevents members responding to emails direct to the individual because the email address is hidden. The only way they can respond to a post is via the list.
Welcome Message
You can ignore it for now and add one later which you will be given to adapt. You can instead load one into your files section which you will request to go out to new members.
'Messages'
· Posting and Archives
Who can post: Members
Reply-to: Sender
Moderation: New members
This enables you to keep an eye on new members until sure they can post correctly and follow your guidelines. It also is easier to put the whole group on moderation if required. (Add link to explanation of when that might be appropriate)
· Attachments: Store on site, remove from email.
· Spam Filtering: On
· Archive options: Members
Podcast.
Here is a short video to show you how to get around. shared.ilovefreegle.org/mods/FreegleManagementTools_Part1.mp4
Back to First Steps
