How Should The Book Raffles Work?

[mangaman]

I also don't see the problem with a raffle. In fact it ought to be fairer, because 'first come first served' gives a better chance to people online more. Time was, I could only be online during the day when I was at a Uni computer, now I'm mostly only online in the evenings and weekends. Giving people a day to respond and picking one out of them gives the day time and evening people a chance.

If people don't pass a book on, then that's not ideal, but if you give something away that's that as far as I'm concerned. Good karma works for those who follow the code. I don't think there ought to be a time limit either - stuff happens and gets in the way of reading. Anyway, you can't appreciate a book if you have to rush it.

I also see the raffle as the fairest solution, even though I started one yesterday and then gave the book to the 1st applicant

(Probably the worst solution of all )

I think it was purely the hassle. It's selfishness on my part I accept, but organising a raffle, choosing the winner fairly etc, seems harsh if it falls on the person who is giving away a free book anyway.

I think maybe the 1st come/1st served type post is more simple and more likely to lead to more book exchanges than if you have to organise a raffle. (Although I accept your point that most of us only log in at certain times so it's not a fair means of distribution.)

I don't have an answer but still think it's great to be a part of a bunch of people who are prepared to send free books to people they've never met.

I certainly don't care how long Tynan has the book - I've given it to him as far as I'm concerned to do with as he will.

 

[longers]

Oh golly longers - I still haven't finished reading that book you lent me ages ago!

Finish it at your leisure Colin, no problem. You can borrow the Karen Darke one once your done. I'd like to read the John Peel book one day but there's no rush eh?

 

[Arch]

I think it was purely the hassle. It's selfishness on my part I accept, but organising a raffle, choosing the winner fairly etc, seems harsh if it falls on the person who is giving away a free book anyway.

It's hardly much effort. Start a thread (you have to do that anyway), give it a day, write some names on bits of paper, pick one at random. Or use a random number generator online and pick that name from the list. Or if you only have a few names, roll a dice or two and use that number.

If people didn't want effort, they'd chuck the book in the bin or give it to Oxfam. If you're going to go to the effort of giving it to someone specific, you're going to have to do some stuff anyway.

Having said all that, I think I've only recieved one book, and that was offered by PM, and passed on by raffle - luckily the rafflee coincidentally lived in York so I hand delivered!

However, I've recieved a fair few unsolicited gifts and bike parts (and offers of bike parts), which is karma for all the knitted animals I've sent folk...

 

[MacB]

How about the raffles keep on, just as they are, start a thread, collate the names, do the picky thing and announce a winner. While all that's going on the current holder of the book can send it on to a quick reader. By the time the raffle's over that reader can send it to whoever has won

 

[Dayvo]

I posted a lovely book on with the proviso that it should be re-advertised but sadly it has never reappeared. I won't name and shame but I'm with you on this one Al.

I have a horrible feeling you might be referring to me! I've sent on more than I received, but I do know that there are some waiting for me on my return - I just can't remember if I nicked bought them or had them sent to me!

I thought the original premise of first come first served worked and thought the raffles worked too.

Thought you'd like that method better, longers! You got at least two from me as soon as you saw my ad!

 

[ColinJ]

When people first started doing the raffles, I thought that they weren't really necessary but, thinking about it, some people only come on CC at night or infrequently and they would often miss out on the first reply system. I'll do raffles in future.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Whatever we do, I don't think we should formalise it. If you have a book and you want to choose the next owner by seeing their face in a jar of marmalade, that's up to you. For my part, I might still have the forum copy of "It's Not About the Bike", but I posted at least two threads trying to get rid of it and had not a single reply. I think I might have charity shopped it by now.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Ye Gods - I don't think there's any hard and fast rule about these things. I've had a few books from this forum and passed them onwards after I've finished them (and one or two took a long time as I really don't read all that much ) and have "raffled" each one so more than the first person gets a chance... but each to their own, I guess.

In one instance I actually looked at the thread I got the book sent from, and used the names therein to pick the next person rather than starting a new thread as I actually finished the book quite quickly.

I also just had a browse to try and find out how many books I've received via the forum (but gave up after a while) and to my shame I see that I have had 2 DVDs which I don't remember passing on... so I'm assuming they are still knocking around the house somewhere!!

I shall try to dig them out and put them back into circulation... and shall self flagellate when I get a chance, by way of penance.

 

[Crackle]

I'm also anal so have a list of what books I've had, who they came from and who I sent them on to

What's worse is he's got list of who else has lent books, where they went and who didn't pass them on.

Raffle for me, I will always raffle them, gives irregulars a chance but beyond a couple of months and it's time to think about passing it on whether you've read it or not.

Incidentally who's got the Robert Millar book I shoved into circulation?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

For my part, I might still have the forum copy of "It's Not About the Bike", but I posted at least two threads trying to get rid of it and had not a single reply. I think I might have charity shopped it by now.

Just found it at the bottom of a box of maps. Anyone want it yet? I've had it since November 08, I think.

 

[mangaman]

Slightly OT, but my first post on cylingplus was to ask if anyone knew the route of the 1981 world champs (held in Goodwood) just near me. (This was pre-internet and no amount of Googling could tell me)

I had a week off and was planning looping the world championship circuit pretending to be Sean Kelly. I posted a tentative request before work.

By lunchtime I logged in, and someone who was there 24 years earlier still had the program, and had scanned in the route and sent it to me, and someone else had offered a free video of the race.

Needless to say I was very impressed and thankful.

 

[Arch]

Slightly OT, but my first post on cylingplus was to ask if anyone knew the route of the 1981 world champs (held in Goodwood) just near me. (This was pre-internet and no amount of Googling could tell me)

I had a week off and was planning looping the world championship circuit pretending to be Sean Kelly. I posted a tentative request before work.

By lunchtime I logged in, and someone who was there 24 years earlier still had the program, and had scanned in the route and sent it to me, and someone else had offered a free video of the race.

Needless to say I was very impressed and thankful.

Hang on, what was cyclingplus on, if there wasn't an internet? Oh! Oh, I see, sorry, as you were....