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What is HUZIZIT ?
Huzizit is a way of identifying lost property.
Simply register an item with Huzizit and inscribe the unique
Huzizit code on it. If you later lose it, anyone, anywhere, finding
it can look up the code at Huzizit by entering a URL to see who it
belongs to. If you opt for full privacy, the finder is only able to
compose a message which is mailed to you by Huzizit. They cannot
see your email address if you choose to hide it.
How does it work ?
As a Huzizit member, you are entitled to register up to twenty
items. If you need to register more that this, you can take out
more than one membership.
You may either create new item codes, or acquire existing free
codes. Item codes are designed to be engraved onto things, so they
represent the item, not the owner.
What is special about Huzizit Item codes ?
Item codes are a 15-letter identifying code designed to be engraved
onto valuable items such as laptop computers, bicycles, sporting
goods and so on. The letters used in the code may be inscribed with
straight cuts if necessary. The codes use an error-correcting
algorithm so that if one letter is obscured or unreadable the code
can be recovered.
Each item ID is unique and is assigned only once.
Why a Huzizit ID ?
Huzizit IDs have advantages over traditional forms of marking, such
as drivers licence numbers or Social Insurance numbers:
- They are based on a Universal Resource
Locator (URL), which is recognized worldwide.
- They do not disclose potentially sensitive information. Social
Security numbers may be used in identity theft, and names or
telephone numbers may be used in personal crime such as
stalking.
- They do not require special equipment or special privileges to
look up.
- They are transferable to another member if you sell an
item.
If I mark something with an ID, can I sell it ?
Yes. Simply use the Members menu to relinquish the ID. Another
member can then acquire it and use the original engraved ID.
What if my registered item is destroyed ? Can I reuse the ID
?
Yes. Instead, use the Member menu to mark the item destroyed. Your
ID quota will be credited and you may then register a new ID.
What if I don't want to engrave an ID ?
If you do not wish to mark a valuable item, you may register the
serial number and model number. However, these are more difficult
to search for since they must be entered exactly as printed. For
privacy reasons, Huzizit does not allow wildcard searches.
Where should I engrave an ID ?
The ID should be engraved on the frame or chassis of equipment
where it cannot be removed, and where it is protected from normal
wear. Often, adjacent to the manufacturers serial number is a good
location, since professional recovery agents may look there.
If possible, IDs should be engraved on a steel frame. Techniques
exist to recover erased serial numbers using acid or magnetic
methods. Methods are being developed, however, to recover engraved
numbers from plastic material.
Is Huzizit registration proof of ownership ?
No. Receipts or other proof of ownership are still required.
If you are buying an item secondhand, and it has a Huzizit
number which is registered to someone other than the seller, you
should ask to see proof of ownership. If an honest mistake has been
made, please contact Huzizit to re-register the item.
Can't I just mark my membership number on things ?
Yes. However, this is recommended only for low value items such as
books. Indelibly marking a Huzizit member ID on an item may cause
problems if you wish to sell it. Also, member IDs do not have the
error-correcting scheme which the item IDs have.
You may put your Huzizit Member URL (e.g. huzizit.com/012345678)
on keychains, luggage labels, identity bracelets, etcetera.
Should I mark items with my Drivers Licence ?
In North America, marking items with the state/province
code and licence number, e.g. CA DL 01234,
is an established scheme that police recognize.
It is not transferable or usable by ordinary citizens.
You should continue to use this scheme in addition to Huzizit
if you feel comfortable with it.
Can I register my credit cards ?
Yes, but we do not recommend it. If you wish, you may affix a
member ID decal on the back.
Will Huzizit report stolen items for me ?
No. However, you can use Huzizit to record serial numbers and
descriptions of registered items, so that you can log on from a
remote location and print a list.
Can I post a reward for a stolen item ?
At present there is no special procedure for this. You
can, however, update the item description to include
any reward offered or to say that an item has been stolen.
I need more than one membership. Can I refer myself ?
Yes. You can refer yourself and get a month free.
Is there any limit on referrals ?
No. You can refer as many people as you like and get a month
free for each one. However, spamming or any other promotional
activity that may damage the reputation of Huzizit is not allowed.
Please see the conditions of use.
What about privacy ?
The minimum information required for membership is a name (or
nickname) and an email address. This address may be a generic one
such as a Hotmail or Yahoo alias. Members may elect to register
more information, such as telephone numbers and additional email
addresses. They may elect to disclose these on an item search, or
only to Huzizit administration and authorized persons, such as law
enforcement. There is no way for a casual user to browse or search
the membership list.
For more information see the Privacy
Policy
Why does Huzizit use a secure server ?
Huzizit uses a secure server for two reasons:
- SSL encrypts your data and passwords so that they cannot
be seen on the net, in a proxy cache or firewall.
- Our signed certificate is your assurance that you have connected
to the right site, and that we are who we say we are.
Is my data safe ?
We hope so. For more information, see the security page.
Why is the service not free ?
The subscription fee is intended to ensure that, as long
as there are sufficient members, that your data is safe and
to provide reliable online access to it. Revenue from
banner advertising is unreliable, and generating revenue from
selling membership information would be contrary to our privacy
policy.
The subscription fee or subsciption period may from time to time
be adjusted in order to attract more business, and additional services
may in future be offered.
Members may use huzizit.com at any time to communicate in
an anonymous manner, not just when an item is stolen. Huzizit.com
does not require that a reward be posted or derive any
direct benefit
from recovery of stolen items.
URL
A URL is the text that appears in the Location box in your browser.
Strictly speaking , this includes the transport (http or https) and
port number (80), but most browsers will guess and will correctly
find e.g. huzizit.com/whatis.var
For an official definition of a URL, see e.g. RFC 1738
Copyright © 2000-2001 Huzizit.com