How to Join and Use the Upgraded Gateway

The site has a similar structure to the older version in that each region has its own domain, but a single login will get you access to all sites. (due to the way authentication works you will need to login again if you change regions though).

Joining the site

If you don't have a login then you can create a new one by choosing the  "Join this site" link in the login box on the left.

Logging In
All existing logins from previous sites should work. Simply login as usual, though if you login to one site, such as the Victorian site, then move to a regional site, you will need to login again.

Editing your Group Page
It will probably be easiest to use the search at the top of the page to find your landcare group/organisation. The search will work across all regions. Once you have found your group, then login and navigate to the group page.

During this beta period you will see a new link towards the top of the page saying "Are you a member of this Organisation? Click here to get editing rights on this Organisation and its contents". By using this link you will be able to gain editing rights for the group instantly. This will only be possible during this beta period and will be removed once the site goes live, so please take this opportunity to gain editing rights this way. Once the site is live you will need to contact the site administrator to allocate rights.

Group Pages
We have now extended the functionality of the group pages to allow you to publish News, Events, Volunteer activities, Projects and Photos. More detailed help will be available on the site but generally you can follow the following tips:

Each Group has several "sub folders" into which content can be placed. You can create/edit content using the "advanced editing" method by clicking on the "contents" tab that you will see at the top of your page. Or more easily, you can simply click on the "Click here to add <something>" links that are placed around the page. These links will take you straight to the content add forms making it much faster. Similar links exist for editing content, so in most cases you can add/edit your page contents from the one location.

Note also that many of the editing forms are multi-page forms with sub sections for sets of data such as Default, Contact, Categorisation, Dates, Ownership, Settings (see links at the top of the edit forms). More on these is published in the help online but do take the time to edit all sections of the content as this greatly improves content searching and publishing.

Mapping
One major addition to the system is the ability to link almost all content to a geographical location. In most cases this is done in the "Mapping" set of fields. When editing your content you will be able to find and save a map location and zoom level. This will be stored and displayed to users when they view the content. Thus you will be able to show maps for Organisations, Projects, Events and News items. Further more, these items will then be searchable via the mapping search features in the site.

The best method is to first type in the street address (even if just a suburb/postcode and state) then click on the "find location" button. The system will provide a best guess map and you can then navigate to the exact spot before saving the map.

General
We are aware that there still remain quite a few broken links on the site. This is due to the migration process of the old content. It will take us some time to regroup all content and fix all these links. This is precisely what this beta period is for. You should see the site stabilise rapidly over the next week or so, but please do feel free to contact us about anything you feel should be addressed.

Please not also that during the next few weeks we will be restarting the server occasionally as we release code upgrades so you may find short periods when you cant access the site.

If you are a network coordinator or know of others who should be using this site then please do feel free to pass this email onto them.

And most definitely do contact us directly if you need a hand, we are very keen to get everyone up and running as quickly as possible.

Email landcarevic@mooball.net or phone us on 07 3843 0516.

Regards
Tom Cameron
Mooball IT