Questions About Pods

So what is a Pod and what do you do when you're in one? This section tells you all about our Pod communities: from how to join them and why you should.

What are Pods?
Why Pods?
How can I join a Pod?
Can anyone join a Pod?
How many Pods can I join?
Does it cost anything to be a member of a Pod (or Pods)?
Do I have to have a homepage on Tripod to join a Pod?
What does it mean to be a member of a Pod?
Who are the Pod Publishers, and how can I become one?
Can other people find out which Pods I've joined?
What does it mean to be Best of Pod?
What happens if someone publishes offensive material within a Pod?

Q: What are Pods?

"Pod" is the term we use to describe our online member communities. Pods are created based on themes, topics, or interests that are generally shared by the Pod members. Tripod members send us topic and theme suggestions, and we base our decisions for new Pods on what our members request.

Pods are member driven, and all Tripod members can get involved in as many Pods as they like. As a member of a Pod (or Pods), you can participate in all the Pod events, such as chat and conferencing (message boards). If you have a homepage that is related to the Pod topic, you can submit it for inclusion on the Pod Publisher's list.

Pods are built and maintained by volunteer Poderators who help keep the Pod focused on the theme or topic, help manage the Pod chats, and keep the Pod members informed of goings on by writing and distributing a newsletter to all Pod members.

Q: Why Pods?

Well, why not Pods? Who doesn't want to find interesting people to talk to? Pods are online communities, but it's probably easier to think of them as home base. Pods will grow and change in response to what our members need and want, but they will always have the same goal: to help people find each other, and to give people a place to meet, talk, rant, rave, and discuss the subjects that interest them the most. It's simple, it's easy, and it's only on Tripod!

Q: How can I join a Pod?

Joining a Pod is simple: Every Pod comes equipped with an "Add me to this Pod" button. Becoming a member or a publisher is as easy as clicking on that button.

Q: Can anyone join a Pod?

Free Tripod Membership is required to participate in a Pod.

No membership is required to view the Published Pages in a Pod or any other Tripod member pages, which means anyone on the Web can see your stuff.

Also, you do not need to be a member of the Pod to read that Pod's conference. All Tripod members can read all conferences. But, if you want to post in a Pod conference, you must be a member of that Pod.

Q: How many Pods can I join?

You can join as many Pods as you want — just one or even all of them (you must be a fascinating person if you're interested in all of them!).

Q: Does it cost anything to be a member of a Pod (or Pods)?

No. Joining and being a member of a Pod (or of many Pods) is free.

Q: Do I have to have a homepage on Tripod to join a Pod?

No. Pod membership does not require you to publish any Web pages, although publishing a page, even a simple one, about the Pod's subject is a great way to get involved in the community of the Pod. If you would like to submit a homepage to a Pod, that page must be in your Tripod member account and it must be on topic to the Pod you submit it.

Q: What does it mean to be a member of a Pod?

Being a member of a Pod means that you are interested in the Pod's theme and that you would like to be part of that community. Members have access to all Pod activities, such as chats, conferences (message boards), and great Web resources. Any Tripod Member can become a member of any Pod; and there is no limit to the number of Pods you may join.

Q: Who are the Pod Publishers, and how can I become one?

A Pod Publisher is a member of a Pod who has created a homepage about the theme of the Pod s/he has joined.

There are 'I'm a Member' Pod graphics for your page — show off your membership! Information about how and where to do this is on the 'Add me to this Pod page' in every Pod.

Pod Publishers' pages can be original content about the Pod topic, or a collection of great resources that are related to the topic.

If you are interested in becoming a Pod publisher, be sure to check out the guidelines for Pod before you submit your page. All content must be of your own creation. Copyright infringement just isn't cool. Pod Publishers, just as all Tripod members, are expected to abide by the Tripod Terms of Service.

Pod Publishers are also eligible for additional recognition on the Tripod site through Best of Pod awards and member page spotlights. Pod Founding Members also have additional recognition - Founding Members are those publishers who help start off a new Pod.

To become a Pod Publisher, you need to submit the URL (or Web address) of a page that you have created on Tripod - make sure it offers content related to the Pod topic! The form to submit a URL is accessible from any Pod by clicking on the "Add Me to this Pod" graphic and then following the directions.

Q: Can other people find out which Pods I've joined?

Only if you choose to tell them. On the 'Add me to this Pod' page, there is a checkbox that, when checked, allows Tripod to add your Pod memberships to your Tripod Member Profile. If you would rather not have any particular Pod memberships displayed on your profile, you can just uncheck the box, and we will keep all of your Pod-related information private. However, we strongly encourage Pod members to keep this information on their Tripod Member Profile, as it helps Tripod members search for other members who share the same interests.

Q: What does it mean to be Best of Pod?

Biweekly, the Poderator of a Pod awards certain Pod Publishers with the distinction of being included in the Best of Pod. Criteria for the Best of Pod might include: Great writing, useful information, or strong design - in other words, these are pages to be proud of. The better you make your page, the better the chances that it will be named Best of Pod.

Best of Pod pages are featured on the front page of the Pod for one week and may also be included in the member spotlights on the front page of Tripod. In the Pod Publishers list, past and present Best of Pod pages are listed with a star next to their title. Best of Pod pages are also given a small graphic to place on their page as a badge of honor and a testimony to the fact that they are, in fact, the best the Pod has to offer.

Q: What happens if someone publishes offensive material within a Pod?

If you see any material published on any Tripod Member page which you feel may be in violation of the Terms of Service, whether it is in a Pod or not, you should e-mail the Tripod Membership Department at [email protected]. Tripod will determine when a violation has occurred and remedy the situation.

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