Welcome Members!
A few things to help you get started:
- The site is designed for view on a display at least 1024 x 768 pixels. Since this has been the de facto minimum for Web browsing for a few years, this shouldn't be a problem for anyone. If you're set up with 800 x 600 or less, and the site looks really bad (other than having to scroll left/right a lot), let me know. You also need to have Javascript enabled in your browser, but this is the default and very few people turn it off. If you have no idea what Javascript is, you're almost certainly good to go. :)
- Although relatively efficient, the site is not especially dial-up friendly. If you're on a dial-up connection, you can expect long page loading times. Don't even think about browsing the photo galleries. As with the rest of the Internet, this will only get worse going forward. If you're not on a broadband connection, you should seriously consider getting one. AT&T offers basic DSL for only a few dollars more than typical dial-up rates. You'll appreciate it for browsing far more than just this website. :)
- If you're not logged in, you will not be able to view member information (so sorry, spammers), and you will not be able to post comments or other content (ditto). All other content to date is viewable by the public, or will be when the site goes live. Note that we can easily restrict certain pages, forum areas, etc. for viewing by members only.
- Once you receive your login credentials, please log in and set up your member profile: click "My account" at upper right, click the "Edit" tab, and there are five pages of profile information. Don't worry about the signature and preferences stuff at the bottom of the first page; the required stuff is marked with red asterisks, and there isn't much of it. The intent here is to make this a quick and easy way for you to keep your e-mail, phone, etc. up to date, and the secretary will automatically be notified of those changes so the Club roster will always be current.
- While you're setting up your profile, do change your password to something more secure than the default, and something you'll remember. Note that, if you forget your password, I can reset it, but I can't read it to give to you. And if I can't, a hacker can't do it either. This site is much more secure than aircraftclubs.com, but a lot of that security depends on the members. Don't use easy-to-guess passwords.
- By all means feel free to post comments in the forum and elsewhere. I recommend against creating stand-alone content until you're familiar with the process, which is admittedly a bit awkward. (I'm working on that.) Use the "Sandbox/Test" forum if you want to experiment. You can freely edit or remove your own posts - and only your own posts - in any forum, so don't worry about messing things up.
- And that's about it. Once again, feel free to roam around; there are about 20 pages of content at the moment. In particular, take a look at the "state of the website" posts in the forum (some of which are also linked on the home page), which have a lot of information about what the site is about, and future plans. Feedback and general comments are appreciated and encouraged. This is nit-pick time; if you find a typo, incorrect information, or whatever, please report it. I'm especially interested in feedback from people involved in marketing and web design, if you are someone like that or know someone like that to whom you could show it off. Bottom line, this site is ultimately by and for the Club members, and your input is critical to its success.
Have fun.
