A New Freegle System - Technical Aspects

Norfolk's Freegle moderators believe that to significantly improve Freegle and its level of use, the system must be redesigned from the ground up. Yahoo's "all or nothing" approach to message delivery, and its free-text information entry, create a system that is unworkable for large numbers of messages and large geographical areas. User frustration is hampering the growth of the system and preventing it from fulfilling its potential for diverting useful items from the waste stream.

Our proposed new system is an intelligent, database-driven system which offers the means for members to choose to browse and/or receive alerts of only the content that is of interest to them (by category of item, and geographically). The improved member interface will incorporate several of the elements that Freegle UK collectively already supports within its Message Maker system and Member plugin, e.g. guided entry of offers and requests, and easy follow up of Freeglers' own items and requests/offers of interest. The system will also allow for easier use of photographs, and a much-requested feedback system for members.

Through these improvements to the system's operation and interface, our proposed system will greatly reduce the some of the current burden on volunteer moderators (currently we spend a large amount of time explaining the system and enforcing rules that only exist to make "Freegle on Yahoo" workable, e.g. message subject line format). This will free up volunteer time to help promote Freegle locally, and the system will actively encourage the involvement of more volunteers, by offering opportunities at a more local level than present but with fewer requirements in terms of time commitment and technical knowledge.

If you are interested in contributing practically or financially to the development of the new system, please contact us and tell us more about what you can offer. We have a Yahoo Group (!) for technical discussions at Norfolk Freegle Tech - but please read the description on that group's home page to understand the principles on which this development is taking place. People who have in-depth experience of using and moderating Freegle groups are welcome to join NorfolkFreegleTech but please give some information about your role within Freegle when applying to join the group.

Return to the new system overview page.

Last modified: 25th Januaty 2011

Content Copyright © 2011 Norfolk Freegle Moderators