For now the list is short. The longer it is means that I need to rework the site so things are simpler. The shorter it is means that I did a good job or there is no interest. Either way, I will be glad to answer your questions and to post the frequent ones here.

Table of Contents

1. What is the symbol to the right of the WebPages?
2. Why do I have to give so much information in order to join as a visitor?
3. Why do I have to pay to join as Associate?
4. Can I still be in touch with friends using Instant Messengers?
5. Why isn't "The Arabian Virtual Village" a non-profit organization?
6. How can I add family members to chat room and email servers?

1. What is the symbol to the right of the WebPages?

Most asked is No. 1, I have gotten guesses from snail, to snake, to pretty!!! but cannot make it out (maybe just trying to be nice), and, I have also gotten the correct answer: a village woman (drew it myself) with a straw tray separating burghul from the wheat skins among other usages for the tray, it was not just for decoration. To me the image is a reflection of the idea "The Arabian Virtual Village" and it embodies all what the village is about, hospitality, warmth, you name it. It is not long ago that most of us from the middle east could trace ourselves back to a village.

Clicking on the symbol also allows you to chat live with the attendant of the site.

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2. Why do I have to give so much information in order to join as a visitor?

In order for us to create a safe environment, we need to make sure that the person joining is not merely creating a fictitious account in order to get access to the community. The information a visitor gives is identical to what a member gave; that levels the field. We will review the information supplied. We reserve the right to check out the accuracy of the information given. Inaccurate information will result in the suspension of the visitor.

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3. Why do I have to pay to join as Associate?

Unlike other low cost internet providers, our overhead as a community is much higher. A low cost internet provider can serve about 40,000 members with a single server. Our community, due to the various services is limited to 3,000 members per server. Still, our prices are just as low and could be the lowest after you deduct the share of the non-profits.

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4. Can I still be in touch with friends using Instant Messengers?

Getting Internet access through the community has no effect on the Instant Messenger programs you have been using. You are not going to loose your friends and buddies.

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5. Why isn't "The Arabian Virtual Village" a non-profit organization?

The Arabian Virtual Village is not a non-profit organization for various reasons. One, the management of the community will be responding to the community and will allow the community to define itself, a non-profit organization does not have the flexibility of change. Two, the way the community is setup, that is for the benefit of non-profits, there are numerous regulations and guidelines that have to be adhered to involving significant paperwork, adding another layer would have been a very difficult task. Three, this effort, even though seems simple on the surface, is costly; the project was conceived as a for profit in order to attract seed capital, unfortunately, it fell on the shoulders of the very few who believed in it. In any case, it is the most gratifying project we have been involved in.

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6. How can I add family members to chat room and email servers?

After becoming an Associate member, you can access the add family members page and add those members. The form is also a consent form assuming that some members would be under 18 years of age. 

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