1. What exactly is EverydayCitizen.com?

Everyday Citizen is a magazine without paper, a think tank without walls, a collection of original journalism, analysis and opinion - and, it's also a very diverse and interesting online community that continues to grow. Members of our group also post link-intensive musings, ramblings and other assorted writings. Everything that is written here is imperfect and outstanding.

3. What's the purpose of this site?

Our combined aim is to engage, motivate, or stimulate interaction of ideas and thoughts across gender, generational, and ethnic lines. Our authors often seek to inspire advocacy or citizen action. The power of blogging is that bloggers not only reach out to one another, but this venue can also serve as its own form of activism, a tool to spur action on issues that matter most to the writers and to you.

2. Who posts here?

Good people with heart. While very diverse in the their values and views, these authors, story tellers, and citizen journalists share some things in common with one another. They all care deeply about some social, economic, environmental or human conditions in our nation and our world. They hope for positive change and progress. And, they are likely to write about these things that they care so much about. Here's a Directory of Contributing Authors.

3. Is this a political site?

No, not necessarily. Many authors here probably believe that governments have a role in either causing or solving many problems. Most are politically minded, politically active, are very likely to vote in all elections. They may, or may not, write about their political beliefs - it's entirely up to them. To the extent that they may also be aware that certain elected representatives are either part of the problems or part of the solutions, it's fairly predictable that those bloggers and authors will write about policy and political strategy - and, they may even promote particular candidates, if they wish.

4. Is this a progressive website, and what is a progressive?

While eclectic, diverse, and interesting are adjectives that also describe this site, it's true that most of the authors here would probably define their views as progressive too. For a definition of progressive and explanation, you may wish to read this article that answers the question: Who's Progressive?

5. Is there an easy way to refer this site to others?

Sure, click here.

6. Is there one person that was the primary inspiration for this site?

Yes, it's Thomas Paine. If you're curious, you can find out why.

7. Are the bloggers and authors at this site using their real names?

EverydayCitizen.com does not have a policy that requires bloggers to use their real names publicly. While most (if not all) do use their real names, it is possible that authors now or in the future may choose to establish blogs here using pseudonyms, thereby keeping their real names anonymous. There are many valid reasons why a person may wish to keep a real name confidential. So, for this reason, EverydayCitizen does not have a policy barring this practice.

8. What's a "blogroll"? Do you have a blogroll at this site?

Since the weblog community operates very much like a real community on the internet, it is customary for weblog sites to reference other blog sites in their postings. In this manner, we not only give credit to other sites but we also are able to send readers (you) back and forth between the sites so that you can access exactly the information you are looking for. We do this by providing links to other sites. Also, when bloggers find that they are visiting certain sites frequently, sometimes they just want their readers to know which sites they like - so, they list their frequented sites all in one place in what's called a "blogroll". Yes, EverydayCitizen.com has its blogroll right here.

9. What's a "feed"? Can I subscribe to an RSS or ATOM feed at this site? Why is it so great?

EverydayCitizen.com has its own feed right here. RSS and ATOM are technologies that make staying on top of your favorite websites easy. How? By sending you the news and updated blogs that you care about, directly. You subscribe to "feeds" or topics that interest you, and any time we publish something new, your feed reader will display it automatically. It's great because it saves you from having to scan our site hourly for updates. You'll get updates delivered straight to you the moment they're published. For more information and help with subscribing to fees, see our All About Feeds page.

10. Can I be an author at this site?

Authors are added here by invitation only by the website moderator and must first be recommended by one of the founding authors. So, if you'd like to join us here as an author, and you know one of the founding authors, then, start by asking them to recommend you. Otherwise, if you don't yet know a founding author, you can establish yourself here by posting substantive comments. In this way, over time, we'll get to know you. You can contact the authors from their individual blog pages. The list of authors is provided in the column on the left side of every page.

11. Can I write comments at this site?

Yes, all visitors and all authors can add comments to any blog here. We welcome comments. At the bottom of every weblog entry, you will see there is an opportunity for you to comment. We do require though that all of our commenters log in first with a TypeKey registration. Unfortunately, spammers and bad people attack blog sites by posing as commenters. These spammers are notorious for leaving behind a slew of automated comments that are either vulgar or commercial and have nothing to do with the blog. So, because that's the way things are, we use a free, confidential, and widely respected service called TypeKey. The TypeKey service is a method for locking out the automated spammers.

12. How does TypeKey work?

When you begin to leave a comment, you will be asked to give your TypeKey username. If you have never signed up with TypeKey before, the system will also give you the opportunity to sign up. One thing to keep in mind about TypeKey is that you will be able to remain anonymous if you choose to. No one here at EverydayCitizen.com will ever know your real name, if that's the way you prefer it. TypeKey is a completely pseudonymous system meaning that no personally identifying information is required to use it. However, if you wish to tell the world a little bit more about yourself, you can put whatever information you choose to share on your TypeKey profile page. A link to that page is displayed next to every comment your make when you authenticate through TypeKey. If you've never signed up to TypeKey, you can do that right now here. Also, when you sign up, go ahead and let your browser remember your password for you. That way, it will be so much easier to leave comments any time you wish.

13. Will my comments show up immediately?

Yes. However, we rarely block any valid comments. We appreciate and value your interest in participating.

14. What kind of comments or commenters will get barred?

At this site, we encourage the sharing of opposing ideas. We never censor comments based on political or ideological point of view. We don't bar comments or commenters simply because they disagree with the post they are commenting to. However, we strongly discourage commenters (and authors) from deliberately writing words that are inflammatory, attacking, or denigrating to any other individual in any personal way. So, please avoid ad hominems and stick with substantive, constructive criticism only. We strongly discourage commenters from using profanity, so we ask you to think very carefully before using any curse words. We only delete those comments that are abusive, off-topic, use excessive foul language, or include ad hominem attacks. We pre-moderate comments on our blog posts

15. When commenting, isn't it OK to disagree with what the author has said?

Yes, of course. When you disagree with what an author of a blog has said, just please choose your words wisely. Reasonable people will accept reasonable criticism. But, unfair criticism will only needlessly inflame. And remember, deliberately inflammatory comments are prohibited.

16. What other suggestions do you have for our comments?

Don't overdo the use of text formatting. To get your point across, it is not necessary to use CAPITAL letters or tons of exclamation marks!!! In blogging, it just isn't appropriate to shout. The best comments are those that add to the discussion with some substance. The best are those that showcase new information, original research, or original analysis. We also like to see calls for action or announcements for grassroots activities or other opportunities for others to get proactively involved in something.

17. Any last minute advice for me about commenting?

From time to time some bright bulb decides to post an executable script or a webbug, such as an image linked to a browser stats package, in a diary or comment. Doing so will result in the immediate banning of that commenter.

18. This site looks great. Who designed it?

You can contact the site designer here.

19. Sometimes the feed or search function acts weird here. What's up?

If you reach an error page quickly, or if your new page is loading very slowly or not at all - this is just a fluke in most cases. Just look to the top of your browser and click the "back" button or the blue or green arrow that points left. This will take you back to the other page your were on. Now, just click the link you wish or attempt your operation again. 99% of the time this will take care of it. If not, repeat the procedure. Also, keep your browser updated. We strongly recommend that you use an up-to-date browser and make sure that yours is the most current version available. Internet Explorer is a good browser, but most of us use Mozilla Firefox. It seems to be faster, overall. You can download Firefox here. If you continue to have problems with the website, please let us know. We will want to get right on it and get it fixed.

20. What is your privacy policy?

At EverydayCitizen.com we appreciate your readership and value your personal privacy. We respect the personal nature of the information you provide us on our web site and acknowledge the importance of protecting this information. You may provide personal information to EverydayCitizen.com in only one way - by giving your e-mail address when you post comments on our posts or stories. We may also ask for other information at other times but at no time will you be required to share any personal information to gain complete access to our site.

When you give your e-mail address in order to leave a comment, it will be kept 100% private and will not be shared with any other entity. We will never ask you to disclose your personal information publicly. If you do, it will be your decision alone. If you correspond with any writer here by e-mail, that correspondence is between you and that individual. In this latter case, EverydayCitizen.com cannot monitor the privacy of that exchange and cannot be held accountable for private e-mail communications that you engage in. Furthermore, if you give your e-mail address in the body of your comments or disclose it in any other public way voluntarily, it becomes public information. We cannot control the actions of our site users and advise you to use your discretion in sharing information about yourself on the internet. All information sharing is optional and done so at your own risk. Privacy is a very personal matter and we encourage you to be careful and responsible when disclosing personal information online.

21. Can you explain your copyright policy?

All content on this site is copyrighted and all rights are reserved, except as stated below, or when otherwise specified. Rights are reserved first by each respective author of each individual posting, and then by the owner of EverydayCitizen.com for all other and otherwise unreserved website content at this site. The individual authors and bloggers here welcome and encourage you to copy, reference or quote freely from the content of their blog postings, provided that you include obvious author and website attributions with the content reprints and links to the original postings, in accordance with this website's Creative Commons License. To provide a link to any posting, simply go to that "full text" page and copy the URL and include whenever you reference the blog or what the author has written. Just as EverydayCitizen.com from time to time excerpts materials from other sources in order to support the various commentaries and writings contained herein, we respect the right of others to make "fair use" of the materials contained on EverydayCitizen.com; accordingly, you may from time to time excerpt and use materials set forth on this site, provided, that you must give the original author credit and such use must be for a non-commercial purpose only and not, for example, for re-sale. EverydayCitizen.com and Everyday Citizen are trademarked names. Please be advised this website uses services and products protected by one or more U.S. Patents and patents pending.

22. What if someone here has used information that I own the copyright to?

We will promptly remove any material from this site if it violates your copyright. Please let us know. If you are a copyright owner or agent thereof and believe that User Content infringes upon your copyright, please submit notice, pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. � 512(c)) to our Copyright Agent with the following information: (i) a physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright; (ii) a description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed; (iii) the URL of the location containing the material that you claim is infringing; (iv) your address, telephone number, and email address; (v) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; (vi) a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your Notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner's behalf. Please note that attachments cannot be accepted at the email address for security reasons. Accordingly, any notification of infringement submitted electronically with an attachment will not be received or processed. Please address your correspondence to Copyright Agent and send by certified mail to the address provided here, to the attention of "Copyright Agent".

23. I don't like something that one of the authors have said about me and I think that it may constitute defamation or slander. What's your policy on this?

EverydayCitizen.com and its owners are not be responsible for injury or liability to any reader or commenter resulting from its own communications or those of commenters and authors, that may be considered offensive, misleading, inaccurate, illegal, or otherwise unsuitable in the view of the reader. This policy constitutes an agreement between all website users and the owners. Readers and commenters agree to indemnify and hold harmless EverydayCitizen.com and its owners from claims resulting from the use of any material appearing on EverydayCitizen.com which damages the reader, commenter or any other party.

24. OK, I get it. The website and its owners are not responsible for the content and communications posted by authors and commenters, but, I still would like to do something about something that was posted here that I think is slanderous, defamatory or harmful to me. What can I do about it?

First, it is important for us to repeat that the views expressed in the blogs by the individual bloggers or authors are strictly views of the authors and should not be attributed to EverydayCitizen.com, this website, or this website's owners. Nor should the opinions of one author be associated with any other author at this site. Each author here is independent. Secondly, please keep in mind that authors here engage in commentary and expression of opinion, and rarely if ever represent themselves as definitive sources of fact. It is unlikely that an author here would wish any harm to any other human being. Even so, an author at this site could, without malice, inadvertently publish a statement, worded to sound like a fact, that may not entirely be substantiated in fact. If you believe such particular statement has been made about you, personally, in this manner, your first approach should be to submit a comment to that blog entry. Comments are the recommended and very effective method for submitting an opposing view or attaching a specific correction to an entry. If this is not satisfactory to you, and you believe that an author at this site has printed an untrue "fact" about you (as opposed to an "opinion"), then, we advise you to contact that individual author by e-mail and politely ask that author to amend or re-phrase his or her statement. A decision will then be made by the author regarding whether he or she will correct or amend his or her published statement. If you have contacted the author in this manner and you still believe that you have not received the proper response, you may contact the site owner here by certified mail and ask for assistance in appealing to the author. However, please keep in mind that the owners will not respond to requests regarding misprinted facts or minor errors, in general. Only requests for corrections regarding content about you as an individual that are submitted by you from your own verifiable US postal mailing address will be responded to or acknowledged. 25. Do you all approve of all the content that is provided by the external links that you have supplied on your links pages?

This site includes links to other sites operated by third parties, in our blog posts and on pages such as our links page and our action center page. These links are provided as a convenience to you, the readers and users of this site. We have not reviewed all of the information on other sites and are not responsible for the content of any other sites or any products or services that may be offered through other sites. The inclusion of these links in no way indicates their endorsement, support or approval of the contents of the third party sites by anybody associated with EverydayCitizen.com.

26. Anything else you want to make clear?

We have the right to edit, remove or deny access to content that is determined to be, in our sole discretion, unacceptable. Please respect the rights of others to be heard and to be respected. We welcome all viewpoints, but we do not welcome personal attacks on our users, in any form. The moderators of EverydayCitizen.com retain the right to ban any user from posting at this site for behavior deemed inappropriate.

27. Who owns EverydayCitizen.com? How do I contact the owner of EverydayCitizen.com?

If you want to contact an individual author, please consult our Directory of Contributing Authors. You can contact the publisher of Everyday Citizen here.