MegaSite Mania

Bookcrossing.Com ? An Overview

BookCrossing.com was initiated and established by Ron Hornbaker who was a partner in a software and internet development company, Humankind Systems Inc. It was in March 2001 that Ron Hornbaker got the idea to create the website inspired by sites such as the PhotoTag.org, WheresGeorge.com, where people tracked the journey of disposable cameras and US currency respectively. He and his wife Kaori did some research and registered the domain “bookcrossing” that night. His wife sketched the logo of the running book on a crossing sign. With the support of his partners in his firm, he established BookCrossing.com in April 17, 2001.

Initially the site had only about 100 new members each month until publicity and appreciation of the unique idea was made in several magazines, newspapers, TV shows, radio shows etc. It has been referred to as the world’s largest book club. The concept seemed to generate a lot of appeal as its membership seems to be ever on the rise. With several hundred thousand members, millions of books released and tracked, the club was well on its way to success.

Release A Book And Then Get It ?Caught?
? Public interested in the site register their names and become members.
? People register their books which are given unique tracking numbers.
? They print out stickers and labels that are put inside the books.
? The members then “release” the book in the “wild”, give it friends, charities, leave it in second hand book store etc.
? The members leave the books in the “wild” such as cafes, coffee shops, bus stops, airports, park benches etc.
? They post information at BookCrossing.com regarding where they released a book and when they released it.
? It is with hope that their books will be “caught” or picked up by someone who will then become a member, list the book as “caught” and become involved with the site, that the member registers with the site. Some people who have “caught” books have included reviews about the books they “caught” as well.
? Members will be notified when a book that was “released” has a new journal entry made by someone who “caught” it.
? Members can browse lists of books that have been released in the “wild”, browse through lists of “caught” books, the journey they made, and join in forums as well as have email discussions with other members.

It is a fact that only about 30%PRCTG% of the books released have been accounted for as captured. The members seem to be motivated by the fact that many of the books that were captured made a positive change to the lives of those who picked them up.

Technorati Tags : books members caught released