Help
It is very early in Cumbria's Secret Life, so if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or have experienced any problems, please email us directly — andrew [at] blinkmedia [dot] org.
Problems sending a message?
Make sure your message is formatted correctly... like in this example:
tullie I had a stripey clothkits jumper that was abolutely lovely. I think the happy colours made everyone else happy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
+How much does it cost?
It only costs the same as sending a normal text to a friend's phone.
The message you get back from The Secret Life of Cumbria is completely free.
The Secret Life of Cumbria is not, we want to repeat that, not, a premium rate number.
The Secret Life of Cumbria has no relationship of any kind with any mobile phone network.
+Will I be signed up to anything?
Registration is optional, you do not have to sign up to anything.
+Will I get messages I don't want?
No. You will only get a message back if you send a message in first.
After that it stops forever unless you send in another message.
But of course you'll enjoy The Secret Life of Cumbria so much you'll want to take part regularly.
+What happens to my phone number?
Your phone number is never made public. Ever.
The Secret Life of Cumbria will not pass on your mobile number to anyone else.
+What is The Secret Life of Cumbria?
The Secret Life of Cumbria is a way for people in Cumbria to be creative, and be part of the places and events they care about.
By reading The Secret Life of Cumbria, the County Council will be able to discover how people feel about Cumbria, using your messages as a data bank of contemporary views of culture in areas of creative and geographic isolation.
And most importantly, The Secret Life of Cumbria is a way of everyone to share some fun using the new technology that we all have: mobile phones and the web.
The Secret Life of Cumbria is unique, and has been funded by Cumbria County Council and commissioned by folly, a leading digital arts organisation working in the North West of England and online.
The Secret Life of Cumbria has been designed by Blink using the Thumbprint platform.
Blink are a not-for-profit creative technology organisation with a seven year track record including the Guardian's text message poetry competition; City Poems in Leeds and Antwerp, commended in the British Interactive Media Awards, and Bluevend, installed in Tate Britain and featured in the Independent on Sunday.
+How do I find the Secret Life of Cumbria on my mobile?
To read the secret life of a place, just send the name of the place to 07786 202 994
It only costs the same as sending a normal text to your friend's phone.
The message you get back from The Secret Life of Cumbria is completely free.
+How do I write something using my mobile?
To create the secret life of a place, begin your text with the name of the place, then a space, and send it to 07786 202 994
But write no more than one text message in length, so it's quick and easy.
It only costs the same as sending a normal text to your friend's phone.
The message you get back from The Secret Life of Cumbria is completely free.
+Who owns what I write?
You do, but if you have sent something to The Secret Life of Cumbria, that means you accept that it will be public, and we can publicly quote the words you've written in other contexts if we want.
+It's not working properly!
The Secret Life of Cumbria is very new and it is still being developed and improved.
If you find something that doesn't do what it is meant to, or you have an idea for making things better, please do email to let us know, and we'll act on your comments as soon as we can.
But because the service is still being developed we can't guarantee that any part of it will work faultlessly at any time, so please bear this in mind.
If you would like to contact us about The Secret Life of Cumbria, please email andrew [@] blinkmedia [dot] org
+What can I post?
The Secret Life of Cumbria is about creativity and public free speech.
But please remember when you post to The Secret Life of Cumbria is always public, even though it is anonymous.
If you would be embarrassed if your Grandma know what you'd written, think twice before you send it.
You are solely responsible for what you write.
Do not write anything offensive.
We will remove any inappropriate material without notification.
Please exercise common sense in what you write.
Do not post personal or contact details ever.
+What do I do if I don't like a post?
Please report any posts you consider to be inappropriate or offensive by emailing andrew [@] blinkmedia [dot] org
+Can I write private messages?
No. Everything you write on The Secret Life of Cumbria is public.
If you would be embarrassed if your Grandma read what you've written, think twice before you send it.
You are solely responsible for what you write.
Do not post offensive material.
We will remove any inappropriate material without notification.
Please exercise common sense in what you write.
Do not post personal or contact details ever.
+Do I need to show some common sense when using The Secret Life of Cumbria?
Yes. Please exercise common sense in what you write.
Do not post personal or contact details ever.
Remember that everything you post to The Secret Life of Cumbria is public.
You are solely responsible for what you write.
Do not post offensive material.
We will remove any inappropriate material without notification.
+Am I too young for The Secret Life of Cumbria?
If you are under 16 years old you must consult a parent or guardian before using The Secret Life of Cumbria.
+Contact The Secret Life of Cumbria
If you would like to contact us about The Secret Life of Cumbria, please email andrew [@] blinkmedia [dot] org
We always welcome your feedback and suggestions and will try to reply to every email.
+How do I create a place?
Just send a text message starting with the name of the place, then a space, and send it to 07786 202 994
But write no more than one text message in length, so it's quick and easy.
It only costs the same as sending a normal text to your friend's phone.
The message you get back from The Secret Life of Cumbria is completely free.
