Guidance - Making a request

Before starting

Before starting a request we suggest that you look at the quick tour and read the guidance notes on safety.

Preparation

Before you write your text we suggest that you:

• search through the archives to see what other people like to have read out aloud and the locations and styles that they have selected for readings - you might like to modify your personal search filters when doing this - read the FAQ on how to filter out material that you might find offensive;
• think carefully about what you would like to have read out aloud and why;
• identify the location in which you would like the reading to take place;
• consider the style which would be most appropriate for the reading;
• think about any special requirements for the reading such as the view to capture, weather conditions, dates and times, etc.; and
• identify which format (video, photos, sound) you would prefer for the recording.

You will need to decide whether your reading is to be a petition which needs public support prior to delivery and whether you will read it and record the event.

Writing

When you know what you would like to have read out:

1. We recommend that you write it in some other document first, and don't try to compose it on-line using Cinnaminta. Keep it reasonably short. Use a simple text editor such as Word, Notepad, Wordpad or even a new e-mail to write the text in an electronic form that can be copied into the reading request. That way you will have a permanent original copy and can check your thinking, creativity, grammar, spelling and style offline. Don't forget to spellcheqk your text.
2. Your text should not exceed about 2,500 words (maximum 20,000 characters). It can contain headings, sub-headings, emboldening, italicisation, and lists.
3. Read it out aloud to yourself or get somebody else to read it out to you to see how it sounds.
4. Give it a title of up to about 16 words (maximum 100 characters long) that captures the essence of your writing.
5. Write a short 'Abstract' / brief summary of up to about 40 words (maximum 300 characters long) and identify the keywords which will help with searches. These will appear in the public area listings and be used for both internal and external searches (e.g. people will be able to find your 'public' work through Google).
6. Make sure that you can find the location for the reading on a Google map.

Choosing the type of delivery

You should think carefully about the type of delivery that you ask for. It does not have to be a video. The delivery could be:

• A simple message to confirm that the reading has been carried out, possibly with a photograph or two;
• A series of photographs of the reading location which have been converted into a slide show with the audio added;
• A simple video of the event;
• A series of carefully editied video scenes with audio and sub-titles.

Other combinations or variations are conceivable, but please consider that you will be more likely to get somebody to offer to provide a slide show with audio than complex edited videos. Also, there is a limit of 50 MB on the size of video files that can be uploaded into Cinnaminta.

Requesting

When you have written your text then:

1. Go to the appropriate reading category - the list is in the top right of this page.
2. Click on the "Request a Reading" tab and work through the request form. Read the advice for each stage.
3. Copy the abstract, text, etc. from the text editor and paste them into the relevant text entry boxes.
4. Carefully check the preferences, text and keywords.
5. Try not to be too specific with the requirements for location and timing.
6. Once you are sure that everything is correct and as you want it then submit it.

Note: You can edit the main text and abstract of your request for up to 14 days but you cannot edit the category or type of delivery. We suggest that you make sure that you complete the editing on the day that you submit it. The final version of the text you submit will end up in the archives.

When you get an offer to read your request then you can use the member's message systems to work interactively with the potential reader to develop the style for the reading.

Selecting specific readers

To make it easy to select a specific reader for your text, try the following before you make your request:

1. Search through the profiles to see if there is a specific member that you like who is near to the location. You can contact them directly using the Cinnaminta members message service to see if they will do your reading.
2. If they agree then add them to your 'Trusted friends' list in your Cinnaminta address book
3. Then, when you make your request, restrict viewing to 'Trusted friends' before you post your request.

In this way, only your trusted friends (including the person who has agreed to read) will be able to see the request.

Alternatively, if you have agreed in advance who will do the reading and you are familiar with the request system then you can avoid the need for the reader to send a message offering to read your request because you can assign them as the reader immediately after posting the request. The method is described in the FAQ on the short cut method to assign a specific reader

The delivery stage

When you have agreed who will perform the reading, the requester will need to change the status of the request to "Delivery in progress" and enter the readers name into the system to enable the reader to upload the recording of the reading. Only the requester can set the reader's name. This is done using the messaging system or the Edit Request page.

The upload facility in Cinnaminta will not be visible to the reader (i.e. uploads are not possible) until the requester has changed the status of the request to "Delivery in progress" and confirmed the name of the reader.

Review and archiving

The reader will send you a message when the recording is uploaded. You can then review it. You can access the recording through the link in the message or through your "readings" tab. If you like the result then you can add comments relating the the delivery and place it the public archive or your own private archive. You can decide whether to make the comments public. Nobody else can add to the comments once they are in the archive. The reasons for limiting comments to the reader and requester are explained in the FAQ Why can't I comment on a request or archived reading?

Content of requests

Please note that:

• you will have to identify whether your request is suitable for people under 16 years of age due to its subject or content. This is your own decision but other members, and Cinnaminta, will not look favourably on an incorrect classification;
• requests with profanities, or containing words relating to sex and drugs will be filtered out and not seen by some members;
• you must not submit abusive content - please see the terms and conditions;.
• for your own privacy and safety, please avoid publishing requests that reveal private, sensitive or personal details about yourself, and avoid anthing that would require a reader to undertake something that you know to be illegal or dangerous.