Getting Started

Website Users

The website supports different types of users with different access to the site.

• Visitors are users who have not registered on the site or are not logged into their account.  They can access publically-readable information but cannot rate content or create comments.
• Registered users have registered on the site and logged into their account, allowing them to access additional information, rate content and create comments. 

Website Registration

The registration process is relatively painless.  Click on the Create new account link in the left sidebar and:

• select a user name,
• enter your e-mail address
• enter your first and last name
• answer four survey questions

The website will e-mail you a password that you can use as a permanent password.  For additional security, the e-mail also contains a 'one-time link'.  Clicking on this link will login you in and allow you to set a password of your choice.  You can change your password at any time by clicking on the My account link in the left sidebar and then the Edit tab.

Member Groups

Groups of registered users can be defined that further controls access to content.  For example, paid-up members have access to current newsletters and associated discussion forums.

Website Support

Anyone (including anonymous visitors) can use the Contact Us link in the footer of all pages to contact the website administrator.  In addition, there are a number of forums under Website Support Desk that authenticated users can access and update.

Contacting Users

Authenticated users can contact other registered users through their account profile, which can be accessed by clicking on their username in content.  The Contact tab provides a form where the message subject and body can be entered.

Note: the website currently does not support private messaging - the e-mail address you entered during registration will be visible to the recipient of your e-mail.