The Match Machine is Warming Up!

Signup has now closed. A little data cleanup and we'll launch the matchmaker.  Looking forward to the stories to follow!!

cheers all ... Jim E .. Elf in Residence

Time to Opt In Is Winding Down!

Time is winding down now .. only a week left to sign up. We've got 97 in right now, just a tad short of the past couple years.   Keep 'em coming!  (and you can see the list yourself .. click the "Who's In?" link...)

I really love this part, so will keep updating this note throughout the signup process (which ends VERY soon!!!) .. you'll be able to see the timestamp of when it was last updated.

-- Jim, head elf

Okay, rules might be a little strong (though there are a few things that just gotta be..).  This is a working list and you should check back and read through this page as the last thing you do before signing up once we open that....

First, for newcomers, just what is Galootaclaus? Here's the nuts and bolts.  It's a gift exchange .. a secret santa style gift exchange done on a global level. Crazy .. maybe, but these are good folks we're dealing with.  It is completely voluntary - you only get in by very intentionally putting yourself in by completing the opt in form which you'll find on the menu. We'll take signups for a couple weeks, then cut it off. We then run a little random match 'em up program.  You get a name, someone gets you. You send some stuff to your match, whoever got your name sends you some.  What to send?  Check out some food for thought over in the Claus Talk link..

1.  You MUST (this one is a rule!) be a member in good standing of the OldTools Mailing list.  Defined .. good standing for purposes of Galootaclaus means you have a bio. Preferably a reasonably up to date one!

2.  Do not sign up if you have doubts about your ability to send anything to your match.  This year, any match not cleared by the end of January will be made public unless you have some extenuating circumstances AND make me aware of them.  This is not a threat .. it's a promise. Hate that it has to come to that and I really don't expect any problems at all this year!

3.  Make a reasonable attempt to be somewhat timely about getting a package out.  This is an international event and we all know some things take a little longer, but hey, we're gonna start a little earlier, so let's see if we can get Jim out of the Galootaclaus business a little earlier than the following July this time around!

4.  Be reasonable about what you are sending. We've tried dollar limit guidelines but they've never been effective. Just remember it is about the thought behind the gift.

5.  You are allowed to remain anonymous. I will, as in the past, be happy to play messenger if you want to ask your match a question without revealing your identity.  And as in past years, my return address is fair game if you think it'll help at all to preserve your ruse..

6. I make no guarantees about the matches - they are done in a fairly random way by a machine.  I get tough ones too some years. The opt in form will have a field viewable only by me if you feel the need to communicate some sort of special request.

Jeez.. seems like a lot for an easy thing ... heck, let's just really enjoy it this year!!

----Jim, elf in residence