Community

Did you know that you can link Akoka missions that you’ve played (or have had confirmed) to the public?  They don’t even need to log in!

Here’s how to do it.  On any mission that you’ve played or that you’re browsing, there is a “Permalink” button.

Click on it.  This will bring you to an Akoha event page.  The URL will look something like this: “http://akoha.com/event/####/”.   You can paste that URL to anyone, and they will be able to see the content of your mission play.

Enjoy!

We just pushed a new site update!  Here are some cool things that you can look forward to seeing:

• New forums have been deployed to http://forums.akoha.com
• We removed the “Akoha” user from the leaderboard (wasn’t fair that it was there!)
• Landing page, home page and confirm card page have been completely redesigned!
• An improperly filled form on the “Edit Profile” page now lets you fix your errors.
• The buttons in the “Find Friends” page now scroll properly in Internet Explorer.
• Google Maps works in Chrome and Safari.
• On the feedback page, Get Satisfaction discussions now show up in IE6 and IE7.
• Comments in Wall with extra long links show up properly.
• The site should be faster.

As always, please don’t hesitate to email support@akoha.com or go to our GetSatisfaction support page at www.getsatisfaction.com/akoha to give us feedback, report bugs, etc.

Thanks!

Wondering how to get started with your missions?  Here are a few quick tips:

• Play with a friend: We find that it’s better to play your first Akoha mission with someone you know and trust.  This will allow you to practice your Akoha mission pitch and help you work out your motivations for performing a good deed.
• Start simple: Try playing a mission where you will do something that you normally do anyways.  If you like to go out for coffee with friends, play the “Invite Someone For Coffee” mission.  If you like to give your friends surprise gifts (like knitted hats!), use the “Give Someone a Surprise Gift” mission card.  Play Akoha with the acts of kindness that you already do. It makes it easier and gives you practice.
• Explain how Akoha works: Your Akoha experience (as well as the points you get) increase when your cards are claimed in by the recipient and played forward.  To increase the chances of this happening, take a moment to explain what Akoha is about.  Show them the unique ID and explain how they can go the home page and ‘claim’ the card.  You might want to mention that if these cards are confirmed 25,000 times a school is being built in Nepal.  You can also mention that this project is in its infancy, and that you are giving them access to a private beta and a chance to be amongst the first wave of users to play Akoha.  We find that all these little pieces of information increase the likelihood that the recipient you play with will confirm the Akoha mission and then pass on the mission themselves.
• It’s not all easy: Consistently doing acts of kindness can take effort.  To work around this, some of our users are setting goals for themselves: “I will do one act of kindness with someone once a week”.  By scheduling ten minutes in a day to dedicate to making someone smile, you will not only better their lives and yours, you will also be inspiring others to do the same!

Are you interested in connecting with us?  Here is an epic list of the different ways you can interact with Akoha!  Note: We’ll keep on editing this list as we add/change/remove accounts and notify you accordingly.

Frequently updated accounts

We use these accounts on a regular basis to give updates on where we are and to interact with others:

• Akoha blogs: We’re blogging regularly at http://community.akoha.com.  We usually blog 3 to 5 times a week, but we promise that we won’t flood you with posts.  Blogs are the best way to get news and updates about Akoha before anyone else does.  You can subscribe to the feeds on that page.
• Akoha forums: You can hang out and discuss with other Akohans at http://forums.akoha.com.  This is a good way to get connected with others and to share your Akoha experiences.
• Akoha twitter account: We’re pretty active on Twitter.  Our account can be found at http://www.twitter.com/akoha.  If you add us, we’ll add you in return.
• Akohans Twittering:  Many of us on Akoha are Twittering as well.  You can find additional team blogs and Twitter accounts on the Akoha team page here.
• Your voice: We have a GetSatisfaction account that you can access here: http://getsatisfaction.com/akoha

Akohans on Akoha

You can find the Akoha team on Akoha as well!

• Alex, Chaos Wrangler
• Anthony, Unix Pipefitter
• Austin, Executive Instigator
• Benoit, Frontend Ninja
• Eric, Chief Geek
• Georges, Simplicity Engineer
• Harlene, Taskrobat,
• Juan, Software Janitor
• Malini, Apprentice Ninja
• Martin, Python Charmer
• Mélanie, Professional Vandal
• Maxime, Apprentice Frontend Code Wrangling Ninja Instigator
• Rosalie, Assistant Controller
• Sean, Community Gardener
• Simon, Drunken Master
• Todd, El Luchador Financiero

Other accounts

We check these accounts periodically:

• Facebook: We have a Facebook account that we’ve quite a bit in the past.  We will be looking for new and creative ways to use this account to keep you all updated.
• Microblogs: We’re on Plurk, pownce and Identi.ca, though we’re not yet actively using these accounts, we’re looking at doing so.  Help us by telling us what you’d like to see.  Feel free to add us as well, so we can get started!

We also like to have fun

• Flickr: You can find pictures of us on Flickr.  We usually update this account once or twice a quarter.
• MySpace Music: We even have an Akoha Myspace page!  Akoha team members can post music that they’ve done or are working on.  We use this account purely for fun

Are we missing a network that we reaaaaally should be on?  Let us know!  Now you know how to reach us!

Dear Akohans,

The Akoha forums have just opened! You can now enjoy another place to get together with other members of the community.  The forum itself can be found at http://forums.akoha.com and you should probably read the rules first.

Once you’ve read the rules, check out the “Introduce yourself” thread and tell everyone a bit about yourself!

You can also access the site by going to http://community.akoha.com and clicking on Forums. You can also visit the forums directly at http://forums.akoha.com.

You’ll find a place to discuss missions, to talk about your Akoha experiences, to ask questions, or simply give suggestions to us or to others.

The forum is in total beta mode; there are many features that we’re planning to add when we get a chance (such as RSS and Email notification).

See you there!