Print out this page. [See Common Notes at end (CN) 1], and use it as a reference to guide you through the steps that you will perform on the screen to accomplish these steps.
Step 1: Go to the ARCOA Website by loading your browser and clicking on http://arcoa.org [CN 6]. Click on the 'Communications Center' tab as outlined here in red. If you are not already logged into the Communications Center, then you will be asked for your username and password. All members as of 7/15/2011 have been pre-registered, but may not yet have gotten a password. Contact admin@arcoa.org to receive your username and/or password. Enter your first and last names. Your username will be assigned and will use a shortened version of these two. You can enter any string of letters and/or numbers for password. It should be at least 8 characters long. Passwords and distinct usernames are the key to keeping your and other members personal information restricted from view to non-members, so design a password that YOU can remember, but that no one else would be able to guess.
<ARCOA Main Page>
Clicking on the 'Communications Center' tab on the main ARCOA website brings up this screen. This screen is what is presented to anyone trying to access the CC. It can be found through internet searches, but only registered ARCOA members with the correct username and password can enter it. [CN 2].
You can login directly from this screen by filling in the blanks below the message area where it says login or you can click on 'login' above this area and to the right.
<image 01>
Step 2: This is the login screen presented by using the second login method shown in the previous Step. Using either of these two options, you can check the 'Log me on automatically each visit' and you will automatically be logged in each time without having to go through the 'username/password' process.
<image 02>
The following screen will appear after a successful login. It will timeout and proceed to the next screen within a few seconds, or you can click on 'Return to the Index page' [CN 3] to proceed.
<image 03>
This is the main Index page for the CC.
You may examine the Tutorial Guide for category one, 'Member Lists&Newsletters' by using the following link. http://arcoa.org/Files/Newsletters.html [CN 4]. Some of the information presented here is duplicated there.
Other guides will be written as soon as possible.
<image 04>
|
The following pages represent the user's ability to modify his/her information which is presented in his/her profile. By clicking on the 'User Control Panel' link below the 'Communications Center Index' link, this page is brought up. Notice that there are tabs across the top and a list of subjects on the left side. These subjects will change with each tab. | |
 | |
|
Clicking on the 'Profile' tab plus the 'Edit Profile' menu option, as shown circled in red, brings up this page which contains the first of the basic information on the member. Only 'Location' 'Occupation' and 'Interests',(on next screen), might be of interest to our members. The others contain various links to other communication methods. | |
 | |
|
This second page, (scrolled down to from the one above), contains the ARCOA specific custom fields. The fields are all shown on the user's profile. Any corrections should be made and the 'Submit' button push to complete the transaction. | |
 | |
Modifying Member's Account
Clicking on the 'Profile' tab plus the 'Edit Account Settings'menu option, as shown circled in red, brings up the next page. Here you may change email address and password. The current email address is shown, but the password is filled with asterisks. Changing either email address or password requires you to enter it twice. You must enter your current password in the 'Current Password' field to change either of these. and the changes will take place when the 'Submit' button is pressed. You may request a username change by contacting me here. Changes in username should be only for the purpose of correcting errors in the initial registration and should continue to be in conformity with the First Name + Last Name convention. Many members did not have an email address at the time they were pre-registered, so the email address on their profiles is actually mine. You are not required to have your own email address. For the options open to you, click here. The current password is shown only as a string of asterisks. When you enter new passwords, they are also hidden from view. Follow the same procedure as with the email address if you wish to change it. On changing either password or email address, if the two entries do not match, you will receive an error and required to re-enter them. | |
 |
If you are printing in black and white, underline or otherwise mark on the printout all of the referenced links mentioned in the notes below which are not themselves shown on the screen so that you can tell what you need to copy to access those links or email addresses. Other than the 'TABS' to switch from one tutorial guide to another, none of the links shown in this documentation are 'live'. In other words, clicking on them here has no effect. Only the ones you see on your screen are 'live'.
If you are not an ARCOA member, but wish to join, use this link http://arcoa.org/membership.html and your request will be forwarded to the membership committee. To obtain your username or password, Use this link http://arcoa.org/contact_email.html.
All screens with the title 'Communications Center Index' below the logo are known by the term 'Index'. This term
indicates 'a selection of reference links to other sections'. Technically, the login screen is also an 'Index' even
though there is only the single 'reference'. Here the term refers to the first
member-available Index, not the login screen.
Links to various 'Index' screens are often sent to people to for various purposes. Each of these will present the login screen if the person receiving it is not registered and logged in.
The phrase 'Members Lists' is used throughout the Communications Center as a synonym for Member Directory. It emphasizes that there are two different lists, one sorted by last name and one by first. Other informational lists may also be added at a later date
The word 'Post' refers to any Message posted in the CC by members or Administrators. Posts and reply to posts are what make the CC able to provide information and instruction as well as to carry on conversations in the 'Discussion Topics' Forum.
All links to webpages external to the tutorial guide system are shown in blue Email addresses are shown in red and may be used to send messages.
If at any point in the sequence, you do not see what is expected, then copy the program below to your computer, save it on your desktop or your 'My Downloads'. Execute it and it will show a hand in the box list at the bottom right. With the incorrect result showing on your screen, click on the 'Prnt Scrn' (Print Screen) key on your keyboard. on 'File-->Save the picture' and save it. Send an email to admin@arcoa.org and attach the saved picture. This program is located at http://arcoa.org/Files/Printkey.exe
'Back-Arrow' refers to the left-pointing arrow at the top left of the screen.