About Bakotopia.com

What Is Bakotopia.com?

Bakotopia is an online community for the young, hip, and young-and-hip-at-heart of Bakersfield, California (and Kern County.) We're here to help you meet, hook up, sell stuff, buy stuff, vent and much more. We know that as Bakersfield has grown and changed, it's become harder to do all of these things -- especially for young and hungry college students and people who are just starting out. While we can't make Bako smaller, we hope that in some small way we can make things a little easier.

And with a free events calendar and Bakersfieldbands.com, we're also the center of the hopping Bakersfield music scene. Don't believe us? Listen to what some of Bakersfield's most popular musicians have to say about Bakotopia.

Bakotopia is based in Bakersfield, and is specifically for people in Bakersfield (and our Kern County neighbors.) Unlike many other Web sites that offer local services, we are not part of any large national or multinational company. And we think that's cool! If you have thoughts, feedback or questions about Bakotopia, we want to hear them. You can post them publicly in our feedback board (under Rants & Raves> Your Feedback).

Or you can contact us in the following ways:

• Mailing Address: Bakotopia, P.O. Box 2454, Bakersfield, CA 93303
• Phone: 661-395-7660
• E-mail: matt@bakotopia.com

Bakotopia is a product of Mercado Nuevo, LLC.

Does Bakotopia Cost Me Anything?

Nope! This is the best part about Bakotopia, and something that makes us feel all warm and gushy inside. It's completely free to post anything on Bakotopia! This site does cost money to operate, and if this makes you feel guilty, there is a way you can help us out while also looking cool. Buy a T-shirt, sticker or (gasp) thong in our Cafe Press store at http://www.cafepress.com/bakotopia. Aside from that, we will do what we can to spare you from the pain of paying for anything.

How Do I Post Stuff?

It's easy! First, you will need to register for a free user name and password (click Registerat the top right of the site). To get one you will need a valid e-mail address. This is so that you can receive responses to your posts.After registering and signing in, just click the Post for Free button at the top left of any page. You can then choose a category for your post and get down to business. Note that you can also browse to a category, then click Post for Free from there. After this, just fill out some forms and click a button. It's that easy! Any boxes that are shaded a different color must be filled out before your post can go live.

Will People Be Able to Tell Who I Am?

It's up to you! By default, everything you post when you sign in shows your user name. You have the option of not identifying yourself. Just choose "Hide my user name" at the bottom of the editing screen.

But Can't People Read About Me in My Profile?

Yes, but by default we only show your first name and user name in your profile. Anything  else in our profile requires you to click a button that says "Show on my profile." There are a lot of reasons to identify yourself -- but just be sure you remember what you listed there so that you don't inadvertently expose something about yourself that you don't want to.

Is There Anything I Can't Post?

Yes. If you don't own the rights to something, or it's illegal, gross or in bad taste, play it safe and don't post it. You can find a current list of prohibited items in the Bakotopia Terms of Service, which you must agree to when you register for a user ID or post anything.  If you aren't sure if it's OK to post something and you don't see it in this list, please feel free to contact us to find out. But in general, use common sense.

What If I See Something That Violates the Terms of Service?

We want to hear about it. The best way you can help us is to click the yellow "Report Violation" button below a post  (you must click into the post to see this button). You can also find this link below any public comment or on any public profile. We will investigate reports, and if they violate the rules we will remove them as soon as we can. Please keep in mind that we will not automatically delete everything that is reported. Rather, we will evaluate if it against the Terms of Service and remove it only if it is in blatant violation. Also, remember that because Bakotopia is a community, we do not and cannot monitor every communication. To do so would destroy the very community Bakotopia enables. We hope that like us, you value this community enough to allow things that we as individuals may not approve of ourselves.

Toto, We're Not in Bakersfield Anymore!

We hear you! Bakotopia is your Bakersfield, your way. We know that Bako is a lot more diverse these days in all kinds of ways. As you go through the categories of Bakotopia, you may notice that we have a place for pretty much everyone with every background and interest. And if we don't, please shout out and let us know so we can create a place for you!

Be Excellent to Each Other!

It is inevitable that you will encounter people and posts that offend you or that you don't agree with. If this happens to you, we have a favor to ask: Don't go there anymore! If something offends you, it is very likely that the category the post was published in was probably not meant for you to begin with. Also, if someone personally offends you for any reason, please resist the urge to post something mean or offensive about them. That's definitely not cool, and if you do this you should be aware that we may revoke your membership.
Our rule is to let anyone post anything that does not violate the Bakotopia Terms of Service.The Terms of Service also prohibit you from attacking or impersonating people, among other things. You must read and agree to these Terms before posting, and we reserve the right to revoke the membership of anyone who violates anything in them.We hope you enjoy your time in Bakotopia, the Bakersfield you always wanted!