Browsers

• A browser is a program to access the Internet from your computer (e.g., Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, Firefox, Flock).
• A modern browser is essential for good performance. Use the most current version and keep them updated regularly. Older versions of Internet Explorer are buggy and don't work very well.
• Migrate from Microsoft software and platforms whenever possible as they're not compliant with Web 2.0 standards
• If you're having problems whatsoever upgrade to the most current version of Internet Explorer, or download another browser like Safari, Opera, Firefox or Flock. These are all free downloads.
• Flock is my preferred browser as it's designed for social networking and has a sophisticated sidebar for tracking friends, accounts and rss feeds.

URL

• A URL is the address of any web destination you enter into your browser bar, then hit "Return"

Macintosh or PC?

• The Ashland Resource Center is platform neutral so it doesn't matter if you're using a PC or a Macintosh. We prefer Macintosh because of their ease of use and it's immunity to viruses.
• Your keyboard and mouse may vary though in function from PC to Macintosh
• For example you can take a cropped "screen shot" of any photo or graphic on a Macintosh keyboard with the "Apple+Shift+4" keys combined. Then select the area to crop and hit "Return."

1. Enter your email address and password
2. Enter your birthday and type in the code, then push "Sign Up" button
3. Answer the profile questions once prompted
4. Now, you can proceed to create your "MyPage"

Beginner's Tip:

• Write down the email address and password you're using for each account in a secure location so you don't lose them.
• You may "Sign Up" for multiple accounts providing you have a unique email address for each.

Forgot Which Email You Used?

• Send the ORGANIZER a message and we can tell you which one you used.

Forgot Your Password?

• Go to "Sign In" at: http://www.gbds.us/main/authorization/signIn?target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gbds.us%2F
• Select "Forgot your password," enter your account email address:  xxxx@xxxx/com
  and "Reset Password."
• You will get an email with a link to reset your password.

1. Profile questions are the best way the ORGANIZER and other members to get acquainted with who you are.
2. Answers to profile questions can be seen by anybody visiting your "MyPage."
3. Edit your "Profile" questions from your "MyPage" or within your "MySettings" at any time

Advanced Tips:

• For those members versed in html you can insert the code into a larger box in the profile (e.g., photo, live links, even embedded media)

Privacy Statement:

• This information is not used for any other purpose except networking and information resource sharing

1. Once logged in, go to "MySettings" in the top right corner and upload your personal/business photo logo or "Change Photo" on your "MyPage"
2. Change your email address and password here
3. Get or change the URL of your "MyPage" here
4. Get the URL to add photos or videos via mobile phone here
5. Change your privacy and email notification settings here
6. Edit your "Profile" questions here

Advanced Tip:

• You can change the theme of your "MyPage" in the upper left column by selecting "Change MyPhoto or Theme"

1. Each "MyPage" has multiple boxes with "Edit" in the top right corner of the middle and left columns on your "MyPage" to configure your text box, RSS feeds, profile, music, photos and videos.
2. Your "web page" is configured in the text box in the middle column.
3. Select "Edit", type a title and text for your web page.
4. Select the desired text, format with bold (B), italic (I) or underline (U) by selecting the appropriate icon from the wiki editor.
5. Select any URL's or email links within the text, click on the "chain icon" on the wiki editor and enter the address.
6. Place your cursor in the text where you want to add a graphic/photo, then click on the "graphic icon" on the wiki editor, browse and upload your graphic. Note: See advanced tips below for resizing, aligning and embedding media.
7. If you can format text, upload photos and make a link live you'll have what it takes to create a beautiful profile in the simple wiki editor on your "MyPage."

Beginner's Tips:

• The text box supports a basic wiki (like word processing) editor and basic html (with invisible <p> tags).
• Remember to push the "Save" button after all changes, preview and adjust as needed

Advanced Tips:

How do I adjust the width and height of the graphic/photo?

• After uploading graphics/photos you can adjust the width and height proportionally (144, 288, 432 widths are good sizes)
• For example: If the uploaded graphic/photo is <width="566" height="418"> and you want to reduce it's size proportionately, then change the numbers to<width="288" height="209">

How do I align a graphic or photo to the left, middle or right and wrap the text?

• Align a graphic/photo left, middle or right and wrap text by embedding in the <p style= tag either align="left" OR align="right" OR align="middle" after the alt="" container. 
• For example: <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ashlandresourcecenter.com/profile/ORGANIZER"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/7yakaAUCqXZ7Eot3NeJKEb3kOSkbNEbXgH-iAhXRt5aDPhqSgGEn4Tmn-N35Fr-yqeljIs2GUCnVLKg7Zct*thPvsHXXOLI9/deeppoolstillwater288.jpg" alt="" align="right" width="288" height="209"  /></a></p>

How can I drag and drop a photo to my desktop?

• If you need a photo you can find one anywhere on the Internet (providing you give credit to the source).
• Find the photo, point your cursor, click, hold and drag the image to your desktop. Note: The only images you cannot do this with are database-driven images.

How can I take a screen shot?

• Most computers have programs for taking screen shots of your desktop. This is built-in to the Macintosh.
• Bring up the area of your desktop you want to take a screen shot of.
• From the keyboard, select the "apple+shift+4" keys simultaneously. You'll notice the cursor changes into a cross. Select the area you want to take a screen shot and hit "return". The screen shot will appear on your desktop as a .png file.

How can I make a graphic or photo a live link?

• Make a graphic or photo a live link by embedding an <a href=...</a> link in the <p style= tag
• Example: <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ashlandresourcecenter.com/profile/ORGANIZER"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/7yakaAUCqXZ7Eot3NeJKEb3kOSkbNEbXgH-iAhXRt5aDPhqSgGEn4Tmn-N35Fr-yqeljIs2GUCnVLKg7Zct*thPvsHXXOLI9/deeppoolstillwater288.jpg" align="right" alt="" width="288" height="209"  /></a></p>

How do I embed audio or video?

• You can embed live audio or video media by cut, copying and pasting the embed (like in YouTube or Google), object or script code into the text box and enclosing in <p style=>[EMBED OBJECT HERE]</p> tags (exactly like graphics/photos).

Facebook/MySpace Tips:

• For Facebook/MySpace users with a bookmarklet installed on your browser, you can "Share to Facebook"  or "Add to MySpace" your "MyPage" and it will automatically post to your Facebook/MySpace profile page.

1. For your first blog posting go to the "Blogs" tab menu and select "My Blog" and "+Add New Blog Post"
2. If you already have blogs and want to edit them, go to "Manage Blog" under "Admin Options", select a title and "Edit Post"
3. You have the same edit ability for blogs as you do for any other text or comment box with some added features such as tags, publishing date, privacy and comment moderation settings
4. For each posting, enter a title, enter text and format with bold, italics and underlines from the toolbar
5. Select any live links or email addresses then push the toolbar "chain" to enter the URL
6. Add and upload graphics or photos by inserting the cursor where you want it, then push the toolbar "picture" and upload (Standard size = 525 pixels width)

Beginner's Tips:

• You can either "Save as Draft" or "Publish"

Advanced Tips:

• After uploading you can adjust the width and height proportionally (525, 288 or 144 widths are good sizes)
• If you do not use the standard size, you can also align the photo right, left or middle by adjusting the code in the <img src= "http://..." align="right" alt="" width="288" height="?" /> container
• You can embed live audio and video media by cut, copying and pasting the embed, object or script code into the text box
• Tagging is one of the most powerful features of blogging. This is how people will find you and your postings over the Internet

Copyright Notice:

• Please respect the copyright holders for blog postings and articles by citing the author and source including a website link if possible. Thank you.

Facebook Tips:

• For Facebook users with a bookmarklet installed on your browser, you can "Share to Facebook" your blogs and it will automatically and seamlessly post to your Facebook profile page

1. For your first event posting go to the "Events" tab menu and select "+Add an Event"
2. If you already have events and want to edit them, go to "MyEvents" under the "Events" tab menu, select a title and "Edit Event"
3. You have the same wiki toolbar and edit ability for events as you do for any blog, text or comment box with some added features such as event image, type, start and end times, location, website, phone number and ORGANIZER
4. Events can be private (for your invited friends only) or public (for all members)
5. Enter an event name, upload event image, enter text and format with bold, italics and underlines from the wiki toolbar under description
6. Enter eventtype, start and end times, location, website, phone number and ORGANIZER
7. Select any live links or email addresses then push the toolbar "chain" to enter the URL
8. Add and upload graphics/photos by inserting the cursor, then push the "picture" on the toolbar, browser and upload

Beginner's Tips:

• You MUST upload an event image to be able to save your event. The image can be any size greater than 250 pixels wide and will automatically size itself. For Macintosh users you can use a "screen shot" or .png as well as a .jpg (and other formats too)
• There is a 4000 character limit in the description wiki box
• You can manage your RSVP and guest list

Advanced Tips:

• After uploading you can adjust the width and height proportionally (144, 288 and 525 widths are good sizes)
• You can also align the photo left, middle or right by adjusting the code in the <img src= "http://..."  alt="" align="right" width="288" height="?" /> container
• You can embed live audio and video media by cut, copying and pasting the embed, object or script code into the text box
• For more detail: "How do I create my initial profile in a text box? Align and wrap text? Embed audio or video? Make a graphic/photo a live link?" FAQ

Facebook Tips:

• For Facebook users with a bookmarklet installed on your browser, you can "Share to Facebook" your events and it will automatically and seamlessly post to your Facebook profile page

1. Go to "Events" tab menu and "Create An Event".
2. Follow the instructions and create a thorough event description with at least text formatting, photo and live links.
3. Manually (one at a time) send an invtiation OR upload your entire address list and send them a broadcast about the event.
4. Doing this accomplishes three things: (1) You invite more people to the Resource Center; (2) You promote your event and build a friend list; (3) Other members can promote your event with our lists and friends. 

Effective, low-cost marketing involves opening multiple channels of communications:

1. Personal Email (free)
2. Broadcast Email (monthly fee)
3. Word-of-Mouth & Referrals (free)
4. Posting Flyers and/or Postcards (low-cost for design, printing and distribution)
5. Resource Center "MyPage" and "Event" listing (free)
6. Facebook/MySpace/LinkedIn profiles and event listing (free)
7. Traditional Advertising and Sponsorship (for a cost) 

People often need to see an announcement coming from five or six places to really tune in and take action.

1. To add photos go to the "Photos" tab menu, select "MyPhotos" and "+Add Photo"
2. To Edit your photos go to "My Photos", select a photo and "Edit Photos"
3. Be patient for upload, then title group, tag photos or uploads, name each photo and upload
4. Each photo may be up to 10MB in size, but smaller photos will upload faster. We support photos in the .jpg, .gif and .png file formats
5. Then you can create and title a photo album from your photos
6. Then you can configure photos on your "MyPage" by selecting the "Edit" box and choosing from the options given

Beginner's Tips:

• Selected photos can be organized in folders on your desktop for ease of uploading
• Photos can be bulk uploaded or uploaded one-at-a-time

Advanced Tips:

• Photos can be sized in Photoshop or another program to standard widths of 144, 288 and 525 pixels before uploading

Copyright Notice:

• Please respect the copyright holders for photos by citing the photographer and source including a website link if possible

1. Photos can be configured for a slide show under “Edit Photos” under "My Page/My Photos"
2. Create, title and describe a photo album. Select photos from yours or everyones photos and drag into album and save
3. All photo albums are branded with the "Resource Center" and will direct people back to the network
4. In the alternative organize photos in Flickr and get an API key

Advanced Tips:

• You can embed any photo album and insert into any text box or html page.
• In the top right corner of each photo album you can access the "embed" code. Copy to clipboard and paste into any text box or html page.

Facebook Tips:

• For Facebook users, you can "+Add to Facebook" any photo album and it will automatically and seamlessly post to your Facebook profile page as a menu option
• In the alternartive your can "Share on Facebook" and it will automatically post to your Facebook profile page

1. To add videos go to the "Video" tab menu, select "MyVideo" and "+Add Video"
2. To Edit your videos go to "My Videos", select a video and "Edit Videos"
3. Videos can be uploaded (if original), embedded or linked to a URL from another source (e.g., YouTube or Google) 
4. Be patient for upload, then title group, tag group, name each photo and upload
5. Files must be 100MB or smaller. We support .mov, .mpg, .avi, .3gp and .wmv file formats
6. Then you can configure videos on your "MyPage" by selecting the "Edit" box and choosing from the options given

Advanced Tips:

• You can get the embed code for any video here, share via email or add to a favorites list
• You can add the embed code by copying and pasting to any text box or html page
• Remember to enclose the embed or object code with<p> tags
• You can align the video or object with align="right" or align="left"

Copyright Notice:

• Please respect the copyright holders for videos by citing the producer and source including a website link if possible

Facebook Tips:

• For Facebook users, you can "+Add to Facebook" your video player and it will automatically and seamlessly post to your Facebook profile page as a menu option

1. Select your music feature and upload mp3's directly

2. You can upload up to 100 MP3s! Each MP3 file may be up to 20MB in size, but smaller files will upload more quickly.

3. Give the song name, artist, album and upload artwork if any
4. To protect the copyright holder please uncheck the box "Enable download link" (unless this is your original copyrighted material)
5. Please only upload songs if you have permission to do so from the artist or copyright holder.
6. Under "More" please add the artist website link and select "All Rights Reserved" for the copyright
7. Then you can configure music on your "MyPage" by selecting the "Edit" box and choosing from the options given

Advanced Tips:

• To convert audio CD's into mp3 format the easiest way is to import your music into iTunes or a comparable program.
• Before importing go into the iTunes preferences and change the "Import Settings" to mp3 encoder.
• Then import the CD and it'll be part of your iTunes library.
• To upload a song just drag one from the iTunes window to your desktop and upload

Copyright Notice:

• Please respect the copyright holders for music and audios by citing the author and source including a website link as instructed above

Facebook Tips:

• For Facebook users, you can "+Add to Facebook" your music player and it will automatically and seamlessly post to your Facebook profile page as a menu option

1. Either go to “Invite” tab menu OR "Members" tab menu and "+Invite More People"
2. Select one of three ways to invite people include: one email at a time, importing email addresses from another program or importing your address books
3. Add a short message and select which emails you'd like to invite
4. Manage friends under "Members/My Friends"

Advanced Tips:

1. Upload your lists from your Web Address Book: Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail or AOL
2. Uppload your lists from your Address Book Application: Microsoft Outlook, Apple Address Book, Excel or any .CSV format directly

• Go to "Forum" tab menu and join whatever "Discussion/Forum" are of interest to you
• You may facilitate and "+Add a Discussion" to the network
• Discussions/Forums are also connected to groups and events
• You may participate in "Groups/My Groups,""Join a Group" and join a "Discussion/Forum" for that group or "Comment"
• You may participate in "Events/My Events" and "Comment"

1. RSS means "really simple syndication"
2. An RSS feed is an automatically generated content source that propagates live on your "MyPage."
3. Each "MyPage" has one RSS feed in the left column. You can insert any RSS feed in this box
4. When you see the orange icon on the right on any webpage on the Internet, you can copy the link location or URL (with the right click on the mouse) and paste it into the RSS box in the left column of your "MyPage"
5. For example: You can go to a media source, such as the New York Times, and copy any RSS feed and paste it on your "MyPage"
6. You can also create a free account on " www.delicious.com", bookmark and tag links, then copy the link location or URL and paste it into the RSS box in the left column of your "MyPage"
7. Enter title, URL of RSS feed, display and number of items then save

Advanced Tip:

• We suggest each member open a free account on "www.delicious.com", then begin bookmarking and tagging great websites, links and other articles of interest on the Internet.
• Then each tag or bundle of tags can become a unique RSS feed for your "MyPage"
• Select any tag or bundle of tags, then copy and paste the RSS feed link location or URL (at bottom left of your "MyDelicious" page) into the RSS box (at bottom left of your "MyPage")
• This RSS feed will now go live to your "MyPage"
• For Example: http://feeds.delicious.com/v2/rss/icresource/imdb-film?count=15
• Note: "Count=15" in the RSS feed URL indicates the number of items to "Show" on your "MyPage" and must match

Share on Facebook:

1. For the easiest and fastest posting on Facebook or MySpace "Profile" page, go to any web page, or URL,  click either the "Share on Facebook" bookmarklet, or "Add to MySpace" bookmarklet from your browser toolbar. This will post the URL with a photo icon (if one is available) to your Profile page, or in the case of "MySpace" the post will be to your blog. You must have installed the "bookmarket" for this shortcut.
2. Then in the pop-up window, follow instructions, select a photo icon, "Post to Profile," or "Send a Message."
3. You can post any blogs under the "Blogs" menu tab, then "Post to Profile."
4. You can post any photo albums under the "Photos" menu tab, then "Post to Profile."
5. For Facebook "Groups" or "Fan" pages you can post by entering the URL of any web page and follow the same steps as above.

Beginners Tips:

• On Facebook find the "Share on Facebook" bookmarklet at: http://www.facebook.com/share_options.php 
• On MySpace find the "Add to MySpace" bookmarklet at: http://www.mitchelaneous.com/2008/03/13/add-to-myspace-bookmarklet
• For bookmarking on Delicious find the "Bookmark on Delicious" and "MyDelicious" bookmarklet at: http://delicious.com/help/bookmarklets
• These are the shortcuts for posting to Facebook/MySpace, or bookmarking any URL on Delicious

Caveat:

•  There's a Facebook limit on certain activities such as posting on walls (@40 in two hours) within a certain time frame. If you exceed certain limits they might block or cancel your account.