I am posting this as near to simultaneously as possible on both sites.

Now that the initial shock of first contact has gone by, I propose we develop some kind of memorandum of understanding (MOU) - a contract if you will - between the members of the two sites. As I am sure most of us are reasonable people, this can be approached in a similar manner, not like a bunch of kids arguing over who said something first or can do something better. If you can agree with this concept, read on.

I have drafted some initial points below that I put to the members of both sites to consider, and hope both site administrators support this as well. I hope this could end the bickering. These points are by no means final, but just a starting point for discussion. For the most part, it is an agreement to politely ignore each-other, but also to respect each-others efforts when they cross paths. Suggestions for additional points should be posted here or e-mailed directly to me. (Both sites have my e-mail address after all!) As this initial draft MOU will change over time with your input, I will publish updated drafts in about two week intervals, or send them directly to you if you would rather have it that way.

Then, hopefully before the New Year, I will publish a final MOU on both sites when it seems no more significant suggestions are coming in. Members will vote on whether to accept or reject the MOU by a simple accept/reject message to their site administrator. During the voting period, no new comments will be allowed either on the forum or to your site administrator. Both sites must accept the MOU by a margin of 50% plus 1 of those votes received by their site administrator. Once accepted by both sites, it is binding on all members. As many people do not necessarily have daily access to the net, a voting period will exist for about 96 hours, to include a weekend, plus the Friday and Monday that bracket it. Site administrators will publish their own results at the end of the voting period.

Keep in mind the ultimate purpose of both sites - to have fun tracking the movement of bills!

Anything in parenthesis are my editorial comments, and will not be included in the MOU.



DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (v1) between the
Where'sWilly and Cdn-Money memberships

As members of both sites recognize the pleasure gained from tracking the progress of bills in their movements across Canada and beyond its borders, the members have agreed to the following principles:

1. Spheres of influence - As money is a highly transportable commodity, no site shall declare a specific region of Canada or the world as ‘theirs' and the other should stay out. Money that has been registered by either site has the potential to move virtually anywhere in the world.

2. Membership - Members can belong to either site or both, as they so choose.

3. Bill Marking

A. Members who receive any unmarked bill may enter it on the site they consider as their's, and may choose to mark it with that URL, or not mark it at all. Those who consider themselves full members of both sites must not mark more than one URL.

B. Members who receive a bill marked with the URL of the other site are encouraged to enter that site and register it, generating a ‘hit' for that site, and will also enter it on their own site.
(CMT has an ‘anonymous' category for entering bills. A WW member can enter it through there, and should include in the comments ‘entered by WW member {name}'. CMT members will do the same at WW. Note for WW administrator - can something similar be set up for CMT members who wish to enter a WW bill? Either a similar category or a unique member name & password all CMT members can use?)

C. A bill marked with a URL will be considered ‘claimed' for tracking purposes by that site. Members will not obscure or over-stamp the URL of that site in any fashion. No bill is to carry the URL of more than one site.
(This has a three-fold purpose. First, a bill with multiple URL's will only confuse people observing them for the first time. Second, bills with multiple markings will attract the attention of the banks, deeming them unfit for circulation much sooner than necessary. Thirdly, if members get over-zealous in marking and obscuring URL's, then we WILL attract the attention of the Bank of Canada, who just may shut both sites down! See also para 3A)

4. Site advertising in the Media - Each site may promote their site in any way, through any method, by any media they seem reasonable. Promotions will include the enjoyment factor by members, a description of the site, etc. Promotions WILL NOT include mention of the other site in any terms. Should a media member bring up the topic of the other site during discussion, negative comments are not permitted. However, comments referring to a ‘they have a different approach, with similar objectives, but ours is best' can be used.
(Consider how the major auto-makers deal with each-other in advertising.)

5. New members to a site will eventually come across bills from the other. This Memorandum of Understanding, will be placed somewhere in the FAQ at each site. The question itself should read something like "I've been a member of {site name} for a while. I recently found a bill with the URL of another site on it. What do I do?" The question would then be followed by this Memorandum or more reasonably a link to it.

6. Other Bill Tracking Sites - Members who learn of the creation of subsequent sites should let their own site administrator know as soon as possible. These new sites will be encouraged to join in this memorandum.
(For the WW administrator: Are there other sites in the US that co-exist with WG?)