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[[Category: Guides]]
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#redirect [[Welcome to Support]]
[[File:HeaderImage.png|center|1000px|link=]]
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==Welcome to RideConnect==
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----
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[[Ride Sharing|Sharing rides]] doesn't need to be overwhelming. This guide will help you get started.
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We will also offer tips on how you can [[Guides|use RideConnect in your daily life]], expand your ride sharing community, and how you can ensure that your requests get to the right [[Driver|driver]]s.
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This is an interactive guide.  Blue links lead to more detailed explanations of that term, or section being discussed.
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In this guide, you'll learn about:
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#The way RideConnect works
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#How to use RideConnect
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#Ways to share rides with RideConnect and your community
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#Tips and Tricks
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If you have any questions that are not addressed in this guide, RideConnect offers a variety of valuable resources for getting started, including our [[Video Index|video index]], a [[Glossary|glossary of terms]], a searchable [[Guides|Knowledge Base of how-to and troubleshooting articles]] and a helpful support team.
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Now, let’s get started.
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==The Basics==
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----
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[[File:Version.png|right|200px|link=]]
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RideConnect is a smartphone application that works on iPhones and most Android based phones.  RideConnect requires that your smartphone has a working phone number and basic data service.
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To make sure that RideConnect works properly on your phone, you should apply all the latest system updates that are available for your phone.
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Before you watch our [[Video Index|tutorial videos]], you’ll need a [[PAM|current browser]] on your phone or computer, such as Firefox, Chrome or Safari.
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===Terms of Service===
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----
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When you create a RideConnect [[Profile|profile]], you agree to comply with all [https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/inbox/state_anti-spam_laws anti-spam regulations] and RideConnect's [[Terms and Conditions|Terms Of Service]]. Be mindful of these guidelines as you’re getting started:
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*RideConnect does not maintain your [[Social Network|social network]].  The inclusion or exclusion of people into your [[Social Network|social network]] is entirely controlled by you.  When you add people to your Facebook profile, or save someone's number into your contact list on your phone, they become available in your [[My Community|community]] so long as they have also saved your number into their contact list.
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==Downloading and [[Registration|Registering]]==
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----
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<div align="center">[[file:betasignup.png|400px|center|link=http://beta.rideconnect.com]]</div>
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RideConnect is presently in a [http://beta.rideconnect.com closed beta program], for which you may [http://beta.rideconnect.com sign up].
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RideConnect will be available on the latest [[PAM|iOS and Android releases]], and can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple app store.
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Once RideConnect has been installed on your smartphone, you will have to [[Registration|register]] your handset in order to share rides.
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During the [[Registration|registration process]], you will have to provide some information about yourself, agree to our [[Terms and Conditions]] and then connect your [[Social Network|social networks]].  Doing so will be bound by our [[Project:Privacy_policy|Privacy Statement]].
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===[[Registration|Registration Process]]===
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The [[Registration|registration process]] for RideConnect takes only a few seconds to complete, after which you can begin [[Ride Sharing|ride sharing]].
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First, your smartphone has to be validated. We do this because we want you to have a safe and reliable [[Ride Sharing|ride sharing]] experience.
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<div align="center">
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[[file:registration.png|400px|center|link=]]</div>
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Next, you need to setup your [[Social Network|social network]]s. This helps to speed up the process because your RideConnect [[Profile|profile]] is created from the information in your Facebook profile.
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In case you choose to not connect your Facebook, that's alright. However you'd have to enter all your [[Profile|profile]] information manually.
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Once you've finished connecting your [[Social Network|social network]], you need to complete your [[Profile|profile]], which may already be partially filled out. During this step, you can change your photo, select your [[Handle|handle]] and pick your security code.
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Finally, if you have a vehicle, you can turn on sharing with your [[Social Network|social network]]. In doing so, people in your community can ask you for a ride.
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That's it. You're now registered. Be sure to share RideConnect with your friends.
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===Information That We Need From You===
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RideConnect strives to maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible while still being able to provide you with a quality [[Ride Sharing|ride sharing]] experience.
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The below table shows the information that we need, and the information that's nice to have.
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{|class="wikitable"
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|-
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|'''Information Required to use RideConnect'''
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|'''Required'''
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|'''Nice to Have'''
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|-
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|[[File:Number@2x.png|10px]] Phone Number
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Handle@2x.png|10px]] [[Handle]]
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Name@2x.png|10px]] First/Last Name
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Email@2x.png|10px]] E-Mail
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Dob@2x.png|10px]] Date of Birth
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Gender@2x.png|10px]] Gender
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Profile@2x.png|10px]] Profile Photo
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Car@2x.png|10px]] Car Photo
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|
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|X
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|-
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|[[File:Key@2x.png|10px]] Security Code
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|X
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|
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|-
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|[[File:Fb@2x.png|10px]] Facebook
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|
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|X
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|-
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|}
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===Connecting Your Social Networks===
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<div align="center">[[File:SocialLink.png|200px|link=|center]]</div>
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You can connect RideConnect to your Facebook profile, if you have one. Once you've done this, RideConnect will identify other RideConnect users who are also your friends.
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RideConnect doesn't require you to connect your Facebook profile in order to work. In fact, all you need are mutual contacts in your phone book and your can be off [[Ride Sharing|sharing rides]] with them.
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However, by connecting your Facebook profile, you may have access to a broader group of people with whom to [[Ride Sharing|share rides]].
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===[[Ride Sharing|Ride Sharing]]===
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All RideConnect users can, by default, ask one another for a ride.
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However if you wish to share your vehicle, you will need to enable ride sharing.
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In order to do so, you will have to provide a picture of your vehicle.  This is so that when you offer someone a ride, they will be able to identify your vehicle when you arrive to pick them up.
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There is no restriction on the type of vehicle that you use, so long as it is legal, safe and you are allowed to share it.
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===Telling Your Friends About RideConnect===
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[[File:Tellyourfriends.png|frame|link=]]
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Sharing RideConnect is easy.  Click on the share button and then post the download link onto your Facebook news feed, or send it to your friends by SMS text message. Once they download and register with RideConnect, they'll automatically appear in your community and vice versa.
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Be sure to take a look at our RideConnect [[Guides|guides]] to learn more about how all you can use RideConnect.
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==[[My Community]]==
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RideConnect is all about [[My Community|communities]].  You and the people on your [[My Community|community]] are the ones who share rides together.  The broader your [[My Community|community]], the greater the number of sharing choices.
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<div align="center">[[File:SocialNet.png|center|400px|link=]]</div>
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The [[My Community]] section of RideConnect allows you to look at all the people with whom you can share rides.  Everyone on [[My Community]] are from your social network.
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Indicators on each entry shows you how you're connected to them.  For example, an entry with an ''f'' on it indicates that you and that contact are connected via Facebook.  If there is a phone icon, then it indicates that you are mutual phone book contacts.
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<div align="center">[[File:PostDetail.png|center|link=]]</div>
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You have the option to block people who are on your community list.  Blocking a person will keep them from receiving ride requests from you, and they won't be able to request rides from you.  In addition, your posts on the [[RideBoard]] will be invisible to anyone whom you have blocked.
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You also have the option of adding people to your favorites list.  By doing this, you are able to group your favorite social contacts together so that at a later time, you can ask them for a ride, without having to announce it to your entire community.
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==[[RideBoard]]==
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The [[RideBoard]] is the central element of RideConnect.  As is the case with a real, physical ride board, this is the place where you can post your ride needs.
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The [[RideBoard]] is made up of [[Post|post]]s.  All users use the RideBoard by creating and reviewing [[Post|post]]s from their [[My Community|community]].
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<div align="center">[[File:Thebasics.png|300px|center|link=]]</div>
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The [[Post|post]]s on the [[RideBoard]] allow you to tell your social community where you want to go, or where you are going.  You can restrict the visibility of that [[Post|post]] to a specific person, your favorites, to only your friends, or to everyone.
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Once a post has been placed on the [[RideBoard]], other users can interact with it.
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You would create a [[Post|post]] either because:
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#You are going somewhere in your vehicle and are able to take someone with you
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#You need to go somewhere and are in need of a ride
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#You are announcing some event or activity and are simply sharing the location of that activity with your community
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If you have enabled ride sharing of your vehicle, then other users can ask you for a ride.
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In addition, each post has a 140 character short message that can be included by you.  If you have an event that you wish to attend, you may want to tell your friends about it, so that if any of them are interested, they can coordinate rides with you to go there together.
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When you review posts on your [[RideBoard]], you have the opportunity to remove offensive posts, block users and mute users. 
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When you mute a user, you are still able to share rides with them but their posts are no longer visible on your [[RideBoard]].  They are not informed that they have been muted.
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Blocking a user is possible in two ways.
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You may either block only a user, or you may block their entire social network.  Doing either only keeps them from interacting with you.
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When you [[Blocking Users|block a user]] and their entire social network, no one on their [[Social Network|social network]] can ask you for a ride or see your [[Post|posts]]. In addition, your requests won't get sent on to people on their social networks.
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===Creating a [[Post]]===
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<div align="center">[[File:Ridenowridelater.png|center|200px|link=]]</div>
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The post, once on the [[RideBoard]], is a message to your [[My Community|social community]].  Each post can be created by clicking on the Ride Later button.
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Once you've clicked on the Ride Later button, you need to specify the following information:
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#The destination
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#Visibility of the post
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#Message to the viewers
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<div align="center">[[File:Creating a post.png|center|200px|link=]]</div>
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You can search for a destination either with the name of the place, such as a restaurant name, building name, or a location, or you can provide the exact address. 
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When you select a location from the search results, that is the destination to which you are either going (in case you are driving there), or want to go.
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The setting for visibility allows you to restrict the [[Post|post]] to only people on your favorites list, or people who are only your [[My Community|direct friends]], or to everyone who is connected to you in [[My Community|your community]].
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===Creating a Ride Request===
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A ride request is an announcement to drivers who are nearby informing them of your immediate need for transportation. 
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This is different from creating a [[Post|post]], which is an announcement on the [[RideBoard]] for a later need.
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To start, touch the Ride Now button.
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<div align="center">[[File:Ridenow.png|center|frame|link=]]</div>
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Select your current location, your destination and the selection of [[Driver|driver]]s who are to receive the request.
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<div align="center">[[File:RideRequest.PNG|center|200px|link=]]</div>
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On submitting the request, the system will inform [[Driver|driver]]s within a default distance about your request.  You can change that distance in your settings. 
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All the [[Driver|driver]]s who match your selection are informed of your transportation need.
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<div align="center">[[File:Driver RequestReceived.png|center|200px|link=]]</div>
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More than one [[Driver|driver]] can offer you a ride.  These responses are listed in your [[Notifications]], and is indicated by a number at the top right of your [[RideBoard]] screen.
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You can then decide which [[Driver|driver]] is ideal for you to ride with and only accept a ride with them.
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Once you've accepted an offer, the system goes into [[RideMode]].
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===[[RideMode]]===
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The [[RideMode]] is the sequence within RideConnect following the negotiation between a [[Driver|driver]] and a [[Rider|rider]] on a request for a ride, where the system helps the two parties coordinate so that the person [[Driver|giving the ride]] is able to find the [[Rider|person who needs the ride]] and they are both able to [[RideMode|travel together]] to the destination.
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The [[Driver|driver]] is made aware of where to pick up the [[Rider|rider]] only after both parties have agreed to the ride, and the system then tracks the progress of the ride. 
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<div align="center">[[File:RideMode.PNG|400px|center|link=]]</div>
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[[Driver]]s have the option of using Google Navigation from within RideConnect to help them reach the pickup and drop off points.
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[[Riders]] are able to see a photo of the vehicle that the driver is driving so that they may identify their ride more easily.
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Throughout the [[RideMode]], [[Rider|riders]] and [[Driver|drivers]] may communicate with one another within RideConnect using [[RideMode|voice messages]], until the pick up has occurred.
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On arrival at the destination, [[RideMode]] ends automatically.  The ride can also be terminated manually by either [[Driver|driver]] or [[Rider|rider]].
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==Understanding your privacy and visibility settings==
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Privacy is a cornerstone of RideConnect. We feel that you should be able to obtain transportation easily and safely with those [[Being Safe|people that you trust]].
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Within [[My Community]], you can block, mute or favorite the users who appear on the list. In doing so, you can exclude some people from sharing rides with you.
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By [[Muting a User|muting]] someone, they're still able to share rides with you but their posts do not appear on your [[RideBoard]]. This is helpful in case someone is being offensive or irrelevant to you.
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RideConnect only shows you [[Post|posts]] from people with whom you can share rides. This is controlled by geography and by your social connection to them.
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Additionally when you create a [[Post|post]], your [[Post|post]] is visible to your entire [[My Community|community]] by default. You can change this at anytime by adjusting the [[Post|post]] visibility settings.
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Finally, [[Being Safe|any information that is shared by you]] on RideConnect is available to anyone in your [[My Community|community]] and to RideConnect. You should not post anything on RideConnect that is illegal, dangerous or otherwise irresponsible.
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Your location is not revealed to other users. During a [[RideMode|ride]], the system computes directions that are then supplied only to the [[Driver|driver]] that you've accepted to be in a [[RideMode|ride]] with.
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Be safe and [[Being Safe|ride safe]] with RideConnect.
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==Using RideConnect for [[Ride Sharing|ride sharing]] and beyond==
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RideConnect is very effective for [[Ride Sharing|sharing rides]] amongst [[Social Network|social communities]]. It's also useful beyond [[Ride Sharing|ride sharing]]. Here are some [[Guides|guides]] on how you might find RideConnect useful.
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These [[Guides|guides]] can be useful for the groups below but don't hesitate to explore.
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*[[Guides|Students]]
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**Shopping
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**Nightlife
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**Campus Events
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**Internships
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*[[Guides|Families]]
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*[[Guides|Urban City Folks]]
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*[[Guides|Corporate Teams]]
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*[[Guides|Tourists]]
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*[[Guides|Taxi Drivers]]
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*[[Guides|Organizations]]
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*[[Guides|Restaurants and Entertainment Venues]]
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*[[Guides|Car Pools and Commuters]]
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Latest revision as of 11:35, 4 January 2017

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