CULTURECLOUD BASICS

What is culturecloud?

culturecloud is a unique social network connecting people and facts the way your own brain would - in several layers. Our two-level "tagging" system allows you to dig deeper than simply get stuck on the word "Emeril." Here, you plunge right past that and into a broader discussion, just as you would in real life. And suddenly, you know about Cajun cooking, TV chefs, and New Orleans traditions.

Who is culturecloud for?

Your ideas and passions are the cornerstone for culturecloud. Our neighborhood is for everyone who believes that ideas exchanged at the right time don't just change minds, they can change governments. We exist as an outlet and a unifier for people who long for a real, reasoned, debate that can change their own opinion and inspire fresh thinking.

When was culturecloud founded?

The idea for culturecloud started at the end of 1994.  The company was formed in 2005 and the site launched in 2006.

REGISTRATION

Why should I join culturecloud?

There are lots of good reasons to register. Only members can create a profile, input writings and images, rate content, post comments, email members and participate in Conversation Starters. If you want your voice heard, become a culturecloud member.

How do I join?

Just register by clicking the Join link located in the header of every page.

Is culturecloud free?

Yes.

How do I get started?

See Getting Started located in the footer of every page for step-by-step instruction.

A friend sent me an invite but the link didn't work.  What do I do?

Not to worry. Just click on the Join link located on the header of every page.

How do I change my username?

Unfortunately, usernames can't be changed. You could delete your account and open a new one, but your work would need to be input again.

How do I change my password?

Just go to the Personal Information page in your Portfolio. Type in a new password and retype it in the confirmation box.

What if I lose my password?

No sweat. Click on the Forgot Password link on the Login page. Enter your e-mail address and we'll re-send your password.

How do I delete my account?

Send a request to support@culturecloud.com All of your content, preferences and favorites will be deleted from culturecloud.

Do I have to fill out all the personal information?

No. The only information you have to provide is: a username and a password and providing your location and your email address.  Everything else is optional.

What does culturecloud do with my personal information?

Please see our Privacy Policy for details on how we use this information. .

GETTING STARTED

What do I do first?

See our Getting Started page. If you have not registered, click on the Join link found in the header of every page of culturecloud.  If you have registered and are logged in, click on the Portfoliolink in the header to start building your cloud.

What is my Portfolio?

It's where you manage all aspects of your Profile. It's the place to input and edit writings and images, change your personal information, set or change your site preferences and manage your favorites. If you've logged in, you can easily get to it at any time by clicking the Portfolio link located in the header of every page.

How do I start forming my profile?

If you are registered and have logged in, then click on the Portfolio link located in the header of every page of culturecloud.  Input some stats on the Personal information page and some content in your Notebook and you're on your way. If you haven't logged in, please do so by clicking the Log In link located in the header. You can't get to your Portfolio if you haven't logged in.

TAGS AND TAG CLOUDS

What are Tags?

Tags are simply words or phrases used to best describe something. Think of each tag as a topic of conversation. On culturecloud, when you write about something or upload an image, we'll ask you to "tag it." That means, give us a few words or phrases that best describe what you're writing about - that way, others can find it easily. You can find out more about tags and tag clouds by clicking the Use of Tags + Clouds link located in the footer of every page.

What are Tag Clouds?

We organize the tags into tag clouds. It's visual display where all the subject-related tags crowd to form, literally, a "cloud." The tags are displayed inside the cloud so that the larger a tag's font size, the more popular or referenced the subject is. For instance, if more members are into talking about Prince, his name will appear larger.

What's the benefit of using Tags and Tag Clouds?

The tags you supply are at the heart of how one idea links to another. The human mind can make connections between related ideas better than any machine can. You may want to think of each tag as the launching pad to a journey into a crowd of like-minded people you suspected were around the corner, but have never met. And now, you can. Think of it as a more human way of doing what we have always trusted simple computer-based searches to find: the answer you wanted, but which looked different than you thought. The human element is what culturecloud is about.

What is a cloudmember cloud?

This is where you'll find people who are interested in a given topic - or in something connected to it.  On this cloud, if a username is appears larger than others, that person has input more on that particular topic.   At culturecloud, we have a unique, simple way for you to find out if you might be interested in more of what a person has to say: Anytime you see a username, just mouse over it and you'll see a snippet of their personal cloud. You can then decide if you want to check out the Pogues fanatic who is also into Shakespeare's early works, or if you're more curious about the MG enthusiast whose life soundtrack is more Miles than Mozart. It's easy.

I saw my name in a cloudmember cloud.  How did it get there?

You tagged some of your input with the topic of that page.  If you have used that tag a lot, your name should appear large.

I wrote something about a particular topic but I don't see my name in the cloudmember cloud. Why?

There are a couple of possibilities.  First—even though you wrote about a particular topic, did you tag your piece with that exact topic name?  If you didn't use the exact tag your name won't show up. You can always go to the Manage Input page of your Portfolio and change your tag. If you did use the same tag, it might be that you are in the cloud, but you haven't used that tag as much as other culturecloud members, and therefore appear further down in the list.  Click on “View All” and you'll see the complete list of cloudmembers.  You should find your name there.

How can I find out more about other cloudmembers?

culturecloud makes this easy.  Almost everywhere on culturecloud, anytime you see a username on, you can roll your mouse over it and see a snippet of that person's personal cloud.  You'll see some of their topics of interest and can decide if you want to go to their profile to see more of their work.

What are Main Topic Tags?

Main topic tags describe your work. You must enter at least 1 and up to 2. These are the terms most related to what you wrote. Good uses of main topic tags are: 1) the titles of created works such as books, films, songs, albums; 2) the creators of those works such as authors, composers, performers, directors; 3) places and things such as The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, ice fishing on Lake Champlain, whale watching, Key West lighthouses, etc.

What are Related Tags?

Related tags are optional tags that let people in on what your work is about; your ideas, themes, etc. You may add up to 5 of them. While related tags are optional, in many ways they are the magic behind culturecloud because they take conversations beyond the narrow subject field of a book title or work of art. Related Tags take your search further.
Related tags take you beyond the literal subject - such as the name of a book you're writing about - and tie your input to larger themes that can spark the imagination and passions of others and lead to vigorous discussion. For example, you're not only writing about the Ian McEwan book Enduring Love, you're also writing about situational ethics. So go ahead, tag that, too. Don't you want to see what that conversation looks like? Related tags are the way to do this.
Good uses of related tags are: 1) the themes of your work, or of the work you are currently writing about (e.g., ethics, redemption, human kind vs. nature, tradition vs. progress); 2) subject matter (government and the arts; public health, immigration, etc); 3) other works by the same author/composer/band/director.

What are ID Tags?

"ID Tags" will be included in your personal cloud.  They should be words or phrases that provide a great - brief- sense of you. These will literally be a shorthand version of how you see yourself. Since they're tags, they will help people find you when they search for those terms. Some good uses of ID Tags include: Schools you've attended; demographic facts (marital status, age, etc); zip code, geographic location, areas of interest, political affiliation and areas of personal activism.

To enter your ID tags click on the Personal Information link in your Portfolio.

PROFILE

What is my Portfolio?

This is where you manage many aspects of your account.  You can add, edit or delete content you're working on or have published; set preferences; manage your favorites; add your bio and set ID tags.

Do I have to fill out all the personal information?

No. The only information you have to provide is: coming up with a username and a password and your email address. Everything else is optional.

Do I have to display my personal information?

No. If you choose, the only information that others will see is your Username.

Do I have to allow other culturecloud members to email me?

No. You have the option to not allow other culturecloud members to email you.

I haven't received any email from other members.  Is something wrong?

First, check that you've allowed members to email you. Click on Personal Information in your Portfolio and make sure you've selected YES in the “can members email me” box. If you have already checked ‘Yes,' consider adding more content to your profile or commenting on others' input. This will help others "see" you better.

Do I have to write a bio?

No, it's totally optional.

What are ID Tags and how are they used?

"ID Tags" are words or phrases that provide a great sense of you. These will literally be a shorthand version of you and will be included in your personal cloud. They're optional, but should you so choose, you can select up to 5. Because they're tags, they will help people find you when they search for those terms. Some good uses of ID Tags include: Schools you've attended; demographic facts (marital status, age, etc); zip code, geographic location, areas of interest, causes, political affiliation and areas of personal activism. Your ID tags will become part of your personal cloud.

Can I change my ID tags?

You can change some or all of your ID tags at any time. Just click on the Personal Information link in your Portfolio.

Do I have to include a picture of myself?

No. culturecloud is much more about identifying yourself through your thinking and interests. That being said, if you're so inclined, go for it.

How do I upload a picture of myself?

From your Portfolio, click on the Personal Information link. Once you have selected the image you want to use, click on “Browse” to locate it.  Click on “save these settings” (after you have filled out the Personal Information page) to upload.

Can I change the picture of myself?

You can always swap your photo. Just go to the Personal Information link in your Portfolio. From there, click on the “delete” box under your image.  Then click on “browse” to find a new image to use.  Once you've selected the new image, click on “save these settings” to upload and save.

How do I change my personal information?

You can change your personal information anytime by clicking on the Personal Information link in your Portfolio.

What are my preferences and do I have to set them?

Setting preferences is optional.  However, if you only want to see certain kinds of content such as images, you can do it by setting this as a preference on the Personal Information page of your Portfolio.  Remember, these are site-wide preferences, so your selection will apply to every page of culturecloud. .

I am only seeing writings and not any images (or images and not writings), what's wrong?

Check to see that you haven't set a site-wide preference. Click on the Personal Information page of your Portfolio and make sure that the “All” button is clicked in the site-wide preference section near the bottom of the page.

How do I get to my Profile?

Once you have logged in, you can click on your username in the header.

How did my personal cloud get created?

Your personal cloud is a reflection of the subjects you care about most, as well as the ID tags you have used as a shorthand description of yourself. It's a mix of the tags you've tagged your input with as well as your ID Tags. The more you input into your notebook, the more your personal cloud will be a full representation of what you're about.

How often does my personal cloud change?

Your personal cloud is changed every time you add some content and tag it, or change your ID tags.

Can I change what displays in my personal cloud?

There are a number of things you can do that influence how your cloud will look. You can change your ID tags by clicking on the Personal Information Page in your Portfolio In addition, the more content you input, the more your cloud will change. You also can go back and change some of the tags on your already published work.

Can I change the way my profile looks?

Sorry. Right now, we don't provide customization options.

What can I select as favorites?

You can select any other members' profiles, topics, particular pieces of content and Conversation Starters as favorites. In the area with the topic, article or profile name you're interested in, you will have the option to "add this [topic/profile/article] to my favorites". Clicking on this option will add the selected item to your "picks".

How does the “Favorites” section of my profile get created?

The Favorites section of your profile is made up of all the topics, profiles, Conversation Starters and articles that you've selected as favorites throughout the site. As you go through the site selecting favorites they become part of your Favorites view. You can easily remove picks by clicking on the Favorites link in your Portfolio.

How can I delete something I have selected as a Favorite?

You can easily remove favorites by clicking on the Favorites link in your Portfolio. Once there simply click delete next to any item you want to remove from your favorites.

How do I bookmark things I like (users, topics, content, Conversation Starters)?

The best way to bookmark things you like so you can find them easily is to select them as favorites. Then, whenever you want to check in with your favorites, just go to your profile page and select the Favorites tab. You can easily get to your profile page by clicking on the Profile (live on site) link in your Portfolio.

Why should I bother selecting favorites?

There are a number of reasons to mark your favorites as you explore culturecloud.  First, it's an easy way to bookmark things you like so you can easily go back to them as often as you like. Additionally, it's an easy way to point people to interesting things and let them know how you think.

How do I get selected as a Thought Provoker?

culturecloud's staff scours the site on the look for profiles that we think are provocative, different, and will engage others in debate. Our staff is small and can't be everywhere at once, so perhaps you'll feel overlooked. But please don't. We're reading and will get to you, too. Just keep writing.

ENTERING CONTENT

How do I enter content?

To enter content, you must be a member and be logged in. Your Notebook, located in your Portfolio, is the place to go whenever you have something you want to input. You can always get to it by clicking on the Portfolio link located in the header of every page of culturecloud. Once there use the pull down menu to describe the type of content (is it a writing? A list? Or a collection of photos?). Then give your work a title. Use the pull down menu to find the category that best describes your work. Supply at least 1 Main Topic Tag. Now enter your work in the provided area or just cut and paste from your word processor. You can also click on the"add your ideas" button located on a topic page to add your work to an existing coversation.

What kind of content can I input?

The short answer: smart, opinionated, creative thoughts that you can't keep bottled up inside.  You can input just about anything you like.  On just about any topic: reviews of favorite artists; essays on the state of national politics; lists of the best restaurants in Umbria, photos from your trip to Tibet.  However, culturecloud prohibits some input: adult content, sexually explicit material, defamatory material, content prohibited by U.S. and international treaty law, content that infringes on the rights of others, or any material that may be offensive. For the full list of prohibited material see culturecloud's Terms of Service Agreement.

What are Original Works?

While all your original input on culturecloud is your creation, we use the term Original Works to refer to creative pieces that are not reviews, commentary etc.  Examples might be first chapters of books you are working on; first acts of your screenplay; a new poem etc.

Can I use my Profile for promotion?

Yes you can promote things subject to the limitations in culturecloud's Terms of Service Agreement. .

Does the title of my work matter?

Don't you select a book by an author you never read if the title is catchy? There you go. Selecting one is a great way to inspire people to look at your work. .

Who owns the content?

You write it, you own it.  Anything you create and publish on culturecloud that's “original” is protected by copyright law as soon as you click “Publish.”  By publishing content on culturecloud, you're giving culturecloud Serial Rights to your content.  This means that you are giving culturecloud rights to use your content for marketing and related purposes as it relates to culturecloud only.  You can edit or delete your content any time. If you want to learn more about copyright law go to www.copyright.gov.

What is the editorial policy?

The editorial function at culturecloud exists primarily to help foster a positive, thoughtful and creative environment that allows for a free-flowing stream of ideas. We also highlight topics and content we think will inspire, inform and activate our members.

We don't prescreen or edit work before it is published.  We do, however, follow up when our members have reported content as inappropriate or offensive, and take appropriate action.  You are responsible for everything you publish on culturecloud including material that is offensive or infringes upon the rights of others as stated in culturecloud's Terms of Service Agreement.

How do I remove my content from the site?

You can delete anything you have published by clicking on Manage Input from your Portfolio. You will see a list of all your published work; simply click delete next to any piece of work you want to remove.

Once I delete a piece of content, can culturecloud still show it?

No.  Once you've deleted something, it will no longer be displayed on the site.

Can I quote something or publish an image that's not mine?

The general answer is “no”.  There are some “fair uses” of other people's original creations, where you use a brief quotation and cite the original source, but you should consult with a copyright attorney to be sure. You can learn more about fair use at the Copyright Office website www.copyright.gov.  Keep in mind that infringing another's intellectual property rights violates the Terms of Service Agreement.

Can I make a change or edit something I already published or saved?

You can change anything, anytime you'd like.  Just click on Manage Input from your Portfolio.  Go to the particular work you want to modify and click edit.  Any comments or ratings will still remain attached to the work.

Can I save my work without publishing?

Yes, from your Notebook, after you've finished inputting your work, just click Save as Draft. Then when you want to finish it, just go to Manage Input.

Is there a limit to how much I can publish or save?

For images, 20MB total per user. For content, 5000 words per article.

How do I publish something?

It's easy.  Just go to your Notebook (which you can get to in a number of ways: by clicking "add your ideas" on any topic page, Conversation Starter page, or from your Portfolio).

• First use the drop down to decide what type you feel like inputting: do you feel like writing something, or making a list or uploading some photos.
• Then give your work a title.
• Use the pull-down menus to find the category that best describes your work.
• Then decide on the main topic tags (up to 2): the main words or phrases that describe the subject matter of your work.  You will have to select at least one.
• Now, if you wish, select up to 5 related tags: words or phrases that let people in on the ideas your work is about. These tags are optional. Good uses of connected idea tags are: 1) themes of your work or the work you are writing about (e.g., ethics, redemption, man vs. nature, tradition vs. progress); 2) subject matter (government and the arts; public health, immigration, etc); 3) other works by the same author/compose/band/director.
• Now enter your content:
• For a writing, you can type directly into the provided space or cut and paste from your word processing program
• For a list, simply type into the boxes provided
• For a photo, click the Add Image button and in the pop-up click the Browse button to find the image you want to upload (it must be a JPEG or a GIF; 150K or less)
• Add an optional title or caption
• Click the Upload button
• Decide whether you want to submit your work for Staff Pick consideration.

When you’re done, click either “Save as a Draft”, “Publish” or “Cancel” to start over.  For Photos you can Preview as well. You can add up to 9 photos in one collection.

How many images can I include in one group?

You can include up to 9 images in any 1 photo collection.

Can I swap out or add images to an already published work?

Yes.  Just click on Manage Input in your Portfolio.
For any images you want to swap for something else, just click the Edit Imagebutton. In the pop-up, click the Browse button to find the image you want to upload instead. Once you find the image you want to use, just click the Upload button. To add a new image to a collection, just click the Add Image button next to any blank entry field. Once you find the image you want to add, just click the Upload button. Don't forget to click Publish.

Do you censor the content?

No.  culturecloud does not edit or censor.  However, we do reserve the right to remove content that we or the community find inappropriate, obscene, infringing, unlawful, offensive, libelous or defamatory.  We also have the right to remove any user from using or participating in culturecloud.

Can I include links in my content?

Absolutely. Feel free to link to any site subject to the terms in the TOS Agreement including - but not limited to - the fact that sites must be lawful, cannot contain adult material and must be consistent with international treaty laws.   Also keep in mind that some sites will permit links but not the use of their icons for linking, so check the terms of service of the sites you want to link to before creating the link.

What are main topic tags and do I have to input them?

You must select at least one main topic tag for each writing, list or image you input.  This is important because it's the key to having your input become part of a larger conversation and allows others to hear what you had to say.
These are the terms most related to what you wrote. Good uses of main topic tags are: 1) the titles of created works such as books, films, songs, albums; 2) the creators of those works such as authors, composers, performers, directors; 3) places and things such as The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Ring of Kerry, whale watching. Etc.

What are related tags and do I have to input them?

Related tags are completely optional. However, they offer the ability to become part of a broad range of conversations. They are really the magic behind culturecloud. Related tags are the way to take the discussion beyond the literal subject, such as the name of a book that you are writing about, and tie your input to larger themes that can spark the imagination and passions of others. For example, you're not only writing about the Ian McEwan book Enduring Love, you're also writing about impermanence. Don't you want to see what the conversation on impermanence looks like? Related tags are the way to do this. You can add up to 5 related tags that let people in on the ideas your work is about. Good uses of related tags are: 1) themes of your work or the work you are writing about (e.g., ethics, redemption, man vs. nature, tradition vs. progress); 2) subject matter (government and the arts; public health, immigration, etc); 3) other works by the same author/composer/band/director.

Can I change how I tagged something once it's already published?

You bet.  Just click on “Manage Input” in your Portfolio.  Click on edit next to the work you want to change.  From there you'll be able to change your tags.

How do I get more people to see my work?

There are many ways to raise your profile on the site.

One good way is that when you see that a topic has a lot of input add some of your own.  Go to your Notebook right from the topic page and add a list, writing or image.  Going to your Notebook right from the topic page assures you'll be a part of a lively discussion.

Another way is to submit your best work for Staff Pick consideration.  Staff Picks are highlighted on all topic pages.  Also start commenting on topics and others' input.  The more people become familiar with you, the more likely they are to go to your profile to check out what else you had to say.

You might reconsider how you have tagged your input.  Are there tags that would better help someone find your work??  Do the related tags describe the themes and big ideas behind what you've input? Do they deal with the big issues and concerns that culturecloud members are interested in? Do the main topic tags provide the most specific description of the topic of your input? Members have very discrete interests—don't be afraid to tag your work to reflect a highly specific area. See section on Tags and Tag Clouds in this FAQ for more ideas.

You can also invite your friends to culturecloud and let them know how to find your profile. Simply click on Invite a Friend in the footer of every page.

How do I improve my ratings?

There are many ways to raise your profile on the site. One good way is that when you see that a topic has a lot of input add some of your own. Click on the Notebook icon on the topic page and add a list, writing or image. Going to your Notebook right from the topic page assures you'll be a part of a lively discussion. Another way is to submit your best work for Staff Pick consideration. Staff Picks are highlighted on all topic pages. Also start commenting on topics and others' input. The more people become familiar with you, the more likely they are to go to your profile to check out what else you had to say. You might reconsider how you have tagged your input. Are there tags that would better help someone find your work?? Do the related tags describe the themes and big ideas behind what you've input? Do they deal with the big issues and concerns that culturecloud members are interested in? Do the main topic tags provide the most specific description of the topic of your input? Members have very discrete interests—don't be afraid to tag your work to reflect a highly specific area. See section on Tags and Tag Clouds in this FAQ for more ideas. You can also invite your friends to culturecloud and let them know how to find your profile. Simply click on Invite a Friend in the footer of every page.

What is the policy on adult content?

We don't allow it. If you publish prohibited content - see the TOS for more information on this - we have the right to remove the content and to delete your account as well as prevent you from using culturecloud in the future. But think about it for a second: Knowing we love frank discussion, not obscenity, doesn't that make sense?

How do I report a copyright violation?

Click on the Talk to CC link located in the footer of every page.  Use the pull down menu and select “Report Abuse”.  Give the specifics regarding the piece of content in question: the name of the user who created it, the title, date as well as information about the work you think it infringes.  See the TOS for more details about what information we need to see.

Can I upload audio and video content?

Currently we do not support audio and video. You can link to legal audio and video content

What is a Conversation Starter?

Conversation Starters are topics that the staff of culturecloud initiates by posing a question on the Homepage.  You can go to any of these at any time and join the conversation. You can go directly to the Conversation Starter of the day from the Homepage or check out past ones in Zeitgeist (located in the header of every page).  It's never too late to join a conversation.

How do I suggest a Conversation Starter?

Just go to the Talk to CC link in the footer. Select "Submit a Conversation Starter" from the pulldown menu and pose your question.

RATINGS AND COMMENTING

What can I rate and how do I do it?

You can rate any topic or piece of content. In the topic information area right under the header of every topic and content page, you will see the current rating for an item. Just mouse over it and click on one of the stars to add your rating. You must be a member to rate something.

Can I change a rating once I've made it?

Yes.  Just mouse over the rating and follow the prompts.

What is commenting and how do I do it?

Commenting is when you have something to say about other people's input (as opposed to creating your own). You can comment on any topic or piece of content, or even on someone else's commentary - it's endless, really. culturecloud loves a good debate, and the heart of that is respectful discussion and an open mind. To comment on a topic or a piece of content just go to the “add a comment” area below the “All Published” content. To comment on another member's comment just click on the “reply to this” button next to the comment you wish to respond to.

Why should I comment?

Commenting is a great way to jump into a conversation and be seen. It also provides another forum for people to gain insight into your thinking and be inspired to go to your profile and check out what else you have to say. Anyone can link to your Profile right from your comment by clicking on your username.

How is commenting different from adding a writing?

Comments are always in response to someone else's input.  And while they're reasoned, insightful and creative, comments are also a bit more free-form and have their own life.  This means they're not categorized or tagged, and they don't create new topics of conversations.

How do I respond to a comment on my work?

Simply click on the “reply to this” button next to the comment you want to respond to.

Can I edit a comment once I've made it?

You can add a new comment to modify an earlier statement.

Can I remove a comment someone has made on my work?

Not at this point.  However, you can report any abuse by clicking on Talk to CC in the footer; and selecting “report abuse” from the pulldown menu.  Make sure to provide specifics of which topic or writing the comment is attached to, who wrote it, and perhaps an identifying quote.

Can I include an image in a comment?

Not at this time.

STAFF AND PEER PICKS

How is something selected as a Staff Pick?

The culturecloud staff is looking for smart, opinionated, creative work. That means anything that motivates others to join in a conversation, shed new light on a topic, or even inspires someone to become more active in real life—to take a more decisive role in life, pick up a book, take a detour to experience something non-obvious. The staff is small, but we're working our hardest to keep up with you.

Can I submit the same piece of work more than one time to be a Staff Pick?

Unless you've changed something substantially, we'd prefer that you didn't. Why don't you pick up your pen or sit in front of the keyboard and create something new? It's more fun for all readers that way, after all.

Can I submit something for Staff Pick consideration once it's already been published?

Yes.  Just go to the Manage Input link in your Portfolio.  Click the edit button next to the piece of content you want to submit. Then click "Yes" under "submit for staff pick consideration". Then click Publish. Note you will have to click Publish.

I submitted my work for Staff Pick consideration, how do I know if it was reviewed?

We have a small staff so it may take us a moment.

How does something become a Peer Pick?

To be a peer pick, your average rating from culturecloud members must be above 4.0 stars.

Is all work able to be a Peer Pick?

Yes.

My work used to be a Peer Pick, but now it isn't.  What happened?

As more and more people review work ratings will go up and down. So it is possible that something that was a peer pick might no longer be one. It's also possible that something can become a peer pick at a later date.

EMAIL AND PRIVACY

If I allow members to email me, can they see my email address?

No.  When an email is sent by clicking the email button, members never see other members email addresses. However, should you choose to reply to an email that has been sent to you, the recipient will see your email address as you are responding directly and not going through culturecloud.

Can I block a particular user from emailing me?

Yes.  Simply go to the Favorites link in your Portfolio. From there, in the blocked user section, click on “add blocked user”. Enter either the member name or the username of the member you wish to block. You will then see a list of member matches. Click on “add to blocked users” next to the name you want to block. That's all there is to it. You may also block emails from a particular user on their Profile page.

If you want to unblock go to the favorites link in your Portfolio and click "unblock" next to any name you now want to receive email from.

Can I email a non-member a piece of content that I like?

Yes.  Simply click on “send this to a friend” located in the Topic Strip and you will be able to forward the piece.

How can I find a particular member?

Go to the search box located in the header of every page.  Type in either a member name or a username. You will be given a list of matches that link to their profile page.

I don't want to receive emails from other members.  What can I do?

Simply go to the Personal Information Page in your Portfolio. From there just select “No” to the question “can other members email me”.

What personal information can users see?

You have a choice.  You can limit it to just your username or you can let them see the optional information that you input.  If you elect to allow others to see your optional information they will see all of the optional information that you input. You can determine how much optional information you answer.

Does culturecloud view emails I send or receive?

No.

Someone is pretending to be me.  What do I do?

Please report this immediately.  Click on the Talk to CC link in the footer and select report abuse from the pull down menu. Provide details about the situation.

REPORTING

When is it appropriate to report a person?

It's appropriate to report any user whose behavior or communications are in violation of the TOS.  Any behavior or communication that is abusive, defamatory, obscene, offensive, infringing, libelous, sexually explicit, unlawful communications should be reported.

What kind of content, comment and/or topic should I report?

It's appropriate to report any communication or topic that is in violation of the TOS.  Any abusive, defamatory, obscene, infringing, libelous, sexually explicit, unlawful communications should be reported.

How do I report a bug?

Just click on Talk to CC in the footer.  From the pulldown menu select “site issues” and let us know what you experienced; where on the site you experienced it and at what time it occurred. Thanks!

How do I report a copyright violation?

Click on the Talk to CC link located in the footer of every page.  Use the pull down menu and select “Report Abuse”.  Give the specifics regarding the piece of content in question: the name of the user who created it, the title, date as well as information about the work you think it infringes.  See the TOS for more details about what information we need to see.

SEARCH AND ZEITGEIST

What kinds of things can I search for?

At culturecloud searching is a rich experience. You can search for both content and people. On the content side, you can enter any topic that is of interest to you (e.g., an author, band, city, issue, etc) and you will find articles and topic pages that relate to your search.

In addition to finding content we'll also let you know which members are interested in the same topic. You can also search for members by searching either their name or username.

An advanced search will let you filter in a number of ways, such as by category, article type, and others.

How do I find a topic I'm interested in?

The easiest way to find what culturecloud has to offer on a particular topic is to go to the search box located in the upper right hand corner of every page and just enter it.  You'll see all the related topic pages and content that has been input about your area of interest.

How do I find a particular user?

Simply go to the search box located in the upper right-hand corner of every page and type in either the member name or username. From there you'll be able to link to their profile page.

How can I refine my search?

You can use the advanced search function. Simply go to the header and click on Advanced Search. From there you have a number of options.

You can filter your search by content, tags, content and members. For example, you can narrow down the kind of content you want to find. For example, perhaps you only want to see photos? Or just lists? Advanced search is the way to do that. You can also narrow down by category. Perhaps you only want to see information on the movie version of The DaVinci Code and not on the book. Advanced Search is the way to do that.

What is The Zeitgeist?

The Zeitgeist, which is located in the header of every page on culturecloud, is where you'll find a number of ways to discover the content and people on culturecloud.  From the top-rated, to the most contentious, to what's new on culturecloud it's all there in The Zeitgeist. You can even go back and jump into various Conversation Starters.