COMWeb User Guide

Welcome to the COMWeb Website User Guide. Inside this document, you will find everything you need to know about becoming an active member including registration and login, creating a record for membership, and how to use a message board. As a new member, the COMWeb Website User Guide will be your reference tool for accessing and maintaining your account.

How do I register for a user account?

The Welcome menu button located in the top right hand section of the page contains the drop down menu option to begin the registration process. A Register link can also be found on the Login page.

Enter your email address in the prompt box; then click the Submit button.

The Site User Account Registration page will open to ask you to fill out information for the site administration. Finish by clicking the Submit button.

You will receive an email after the website administrator has approved your request. It will allow you proceed with your user account creation. Please follow the instructions in the email. If your mail provider filters spam messages, please check for the e-mail in your Junk folder as well.

How do I login?

You can login from the Welcome menu or by clicking on the Login link. Continue by typing in your Username and Password. Once you have completed the login; you will have access to the website. You can also find a Registration link on the Site User Logon page.

How to log out of the system

If you have selected the “Remember me next time” button on the login page; you will be able to remain in the system for a maximum of 45 days without revisiting the website. If you need to log out to allow someone else to use the system from your computer- or when using a public based computer system, such as library, hotel, airport, or business center computer- it is important to logout so others cannot get access to your information. Click on the Logout button to be logged out of the system.

I have forgotten my password and/or my password.
Clicking on either the Welcome menu option or by clicking the Login link will open the Site User Logon page to retrieve your forgotten password.

Simply type your Username and/or your email address in the Username field to start the recovery process.

An email will be sent to you with the username that was provided to the administration. You may also reset your password at this time too.
Please follow the instructions in the email. If your mail provider filters spam messages, please check for the e-mail in your Junk folder as well.

I need to change/reset my password

There are 2 places to change/reset an existing password

1. Once you Login to the website you change can change or reset your password. The drop down menu located under the Welcome menu has a Change Password menu option.

Clicking on Change Password will allow the user the change the existing password. The Password Change page will appear. Follow the prompts will change the existing password.

Remember to click on the Update Password button to save your new password information.

2. In the Profile Information section of the website; click on the tab marked Membership/Web; a link on the right side under Website Information will allow you to change your password.

Clicking on the link will open a Password Change option box. Following the prompts will change the existing password.

Remember to click on the Update Password button to save your new password information.

I need to update my profile

The drop down menu under the Welcome menu has an Update Profile menu option. Clicking on it will open the Member Record/ Profile Information page.

You can also access the Member Record/ Profile Information from the Member Directory by clicking on the Update your Profile link at the top of the page.

The Profile Information page will display the main contact information of the account. By clicking on the Update your Profile menu button, you can:

Adding /change a photo adds a personal touch to your profile that also allows other members to easily identify you. Your photo will also be seen next your information in the Member Directory.

Clicking on the photo icon will open up the Image Upload Tool.

Follow the steps indicated in the Image Upload Tool to upload your photo to your profile. Remember to click on the Save Image button to keep your current photo.

Helpful tips: It is easier to use a photo already saved in your “My Pictures” file. Also, clicking on the shadowed image box will allow you to choose the portion of the photo you want to use; and dragging the bottom corner of your photo will increase or decrease the size of the photo.

Main Information is where the directory locates all your main contact information. The Main Information page gives you the option of allowing other people to view your internet addresses or phone numbers- or you can mark them as private and restrict who you want to view the information by clicking on the Mark Private buttons on the right side on the page. Remember to click on the Save button at the bottom of the page.

Address information displays your addresses- both at home and at work. Keeping it up to date allows people to get in touch with you; quickly and easily. Clicking on the Mark Private button blocks people from viewing your information.

Personal information displays gender and age. Although optional, supplying Personal Information will make it easy for you and fellow members to create groups like play dates, babysitter lists, neighborhood activities, and other neighborhood resource lists. Clicking on the Mark Private button will block other members from viewing your personal information.

Relationships display the names of persons living at the displayed address as well as primary contact information. You can also edit or add related persons of your group from the Relationships page.

This option groups members of the common address or company. It is also a way to quickly gather localized information about a group. As part of a group, you have the ability to change Profile Information of anyone in the group.

Membership/Web allows you to view your status as member of your organization. The Membership tab allows you to see the primary login name, account status, and member number. Located here is also the Password Change link. Clicking it allows you to change your current password.

Subscriptions are emails sent to the entire group. By clicking on the Subscription tab, you can manage membership emails from the subscription link. The Managing Subscription link will allow you to the ability to accept or reject incoming group emails.

Notes are a place for you have reminders about people or events, keep records, or create lists.

How do I add a Related Member to my Group

Adding someone to your group allows them access to the website or allows you to add them to your profile. Adding a spouse or child to your group can also be displayed in the group directory. Adding someone to your group can allow others to manage the group account and have access to the website.

From the Edit Member Record page; click on Save or Cancel button to display the Show/ Edit Related Members page.

The Show/Edit Related Members page will appear.

If related members exist in the Records related to primary contact, they will be listed on the page. Click on the Show/Edit link next to the person’s name to open the record. However, if the related member is not yet listed on the Records related to primary contact list, they will need to be added to the list by creating a record for them in the system. Create a record for someone in your group by clicking the Add Related Record button on the bottom of the page. It will open a new Member Record (Related Record) contact information page.

Follow the prompts on the information page for the new member. Click Save to store the new Member Record. Home phone and address information will transfer across from the Primary member to save you from having to type it in again.

Each member needs their own email address in order to have a user name.

Click on the Save or Cancel button under your Member Record to display Records related to the primary contact. Click on the Show/Edit button of the person who wants access to the website.

This will bring up the new Member Record. Click on the Membership /Web tab to display website info located on the bottom left of the screen. Here you will create a New User Account for the new member.

Clicking on the Create New User Account button will send an email to the new member with a registration link. Have the member follow the instructions of the email or have them refer to the user set up section within the help document for additional assistance.

How to look at the Member Directory

The Membership Directory lists the names and street address of members. Locate your Membership Directory and click on the link. This example shows the Membership Directory located under the Member Only toolbar option.

Once the Membership Directory page is open, you can scroll thorough pages to find the member you are trying to locate.

The Member Directory automatically lists up to 15 member names per page;

However, it is possible to change the displayed number of records by changing number in the Records to Display field. The last number on the page indicates the total records within the system.

The Membership Directory will page also allows a Quick Search option. You can search by a member’s last name, by first name, or by the name of the street. Start by typing in the letters of the name. The directory will automatically begin sorting and listing name options.

How to look at the Calendar of Events

The Calendar of Events displays upcoming events in the neighborhood. Locate the Calendar of Events and click on the link. This example shows Events located in the Members Only drop down menu.

The Calendar of Events will open to display upcoming events. You can choose to view events by day, week, or month by clicking on the options at the top of the page.

Upcoming events will be highlighted on the page. You can also view more information by clicking on the highlighted event. An Event Details box will open on the page. Close the Event Details box by clicking on the red (x) located at the top.

How to use the Message Boards/Forum:

To start the process of posting a message to be viewed by the members of the website; click on the Forum tab. Forums can also be called Message Boards.

This will open up the Forum page. Find the category that you would like to post information. Click on the link that opens up the Forum for the subject that needs to be addressed.

The Forum will display specific topics. To post a message under a specific topic, click on the New Topic button at the top of the page.

A new page will open. The top of the page is the Subject line. The Subject line is where the title of the post is written. For example, if the category is lost and found; the Subject line could be, “Lost Jacket”-

The next line is Priority. How important is the message? Most messages will go out with the normal default setting. A message with a normal priority will place it on the list in order of the date it was written. A message with a red sticky flag places a message on high priority and will keep it at the top of the Forum. Announcement (blue icon) messages will be placed at the very top of the Forum and will not move in priority.

Persistent topics are topics that are not archived after a certain amount of time. Usually, the older a posting is, the more likely that at some point it will have to be archived to make room for new posts. If a post is checked Persistent; it will stay on the board indefinitely.

Creating a Poll is a way to get feedback from members or to allow choices by members of the group. Click on the Create Poll link and a page will appear that will allow you to create a poll for the message.

You can decide on the amount of time that a poll will run with your topic. Leaving the Run Poll For field blank will let the poll run indefinitely; a number in the Run Poll For field will run the poll that number of days.

After typing in your message; you also have the option to add an icon from the Smiley Icon Box. Clicking on the smiley will insert it into the message. You can preview your message before posting by clicking on the Preview button. Please remember to click on the Post button to publish your message to the Forum. Please note, asking members to utilize the PM (private message) for replies is preferred when replies do not need to be publicly displayed. It will also have the benefit of not sending out repeated alerts. You will be notified by email of when you receive a PM.

If you need a word to stand out in your message, you can make it Bold, Italicized, or Underlined . Highlight the word or sentence by holding down the left click button on the mouse and dragging the curser across the word or phrase. It will highlight the word or phrase. Then select the Bold, Italicized, or Underline button. You can also select more than one option such as making a statement bold and underlined. To remove a word or phrase that has been Bold, Italicized, or Underlined; simply highlight the word or phrase and deselect the previously chosen option.

Adding attachments such as a photo, word document, or pdf. file, check the attach files to post button at the bottom of the page. Click on the Post button to bring up the Browse files option.

The Attachments page will open. Click on the browse button to select the appropriate file. Please note the allowable file types listed on the page. After selecting the file, click on the Upload button to upload it to your Post.

How to reply to a post

You would like to reply to a message that someone has posted to the Forum. You have the option to reply directly to posting or you can send a PM (private message). To reply directly to a posting, click on the Post Reply button at the top of the posting. Your message will show up under the posting and it will be seen by the community.

If you want to send a private reply, click on the PM Button below the message. It will send a private message not able to be seen by the community. It is also preferred to send a PM when replying to a post that does not require a public response. Please note, every public posted reply has an alert sent to members and it is possible for everyone to become inundated with emails.

You have the same options for a PM that you would for a regular post. You can Preview your PM message before sending or click on Post to send.

How do I access my Inbox

To access your member Inbox, click on the Inbox link at the top of the Forum page. The Inbox will open to display incoming messages, any message that you have sent, or any archived messages you’ve selected. Clicking the link to the message you want to view will open it.

How to access FAQ’s and Help Documents

From the Welcome menu for Login and Password Help

Click on the Help button from the drop down Welcome menu options. If there is no Welcome button, you can click on the Login Help link on the Login page.

The Help topics will instruct you how to register, what to do if you have forgotten your username or password, or if you are not able to login.

How to access FAQ’s and help documentation for use of the website

Click on Help from the drop down Welcome menu options.

The Help topics can be accessed by clicking on the Text (the book icon) or Video (the movie icon) formats. Locate the topic of your question and choose either Text or Video help. The Help for the topic will appear on the page.

What are and how to find the Site Terms of Use and Privacy Statements

The Site Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy statements are located at the bottom of the page. Scroll down the bottom of the page and click on either highlighted link.

The Site Terms of Use displays the terms and conditions related to using the website.

The Privacy Policy discloses the use of privacy within the website, by whom, and why information may be needed. You will be able to review these documents by clicking on the appropriate link.

What is a Sitemap and how to use it

The Sitemap is an interactive table of contents where each listed link takes you to the corresponding page on the website.

Sitemap allows you to navigate throughout the system for the information that you need when you can’t locate it on the website. To use the Sitemap, locate its listing and click on the link. It will open the corresponding page within the site.

How to find Support for questions and comments

For questions not answered in the Help Documents, you can create a Support call. Located on the bottom of the Help Document section is the Create New Support Call button. Clicking on the Create New Support Call button will open the Support contact page.

The Support page will open. Please fill out the form and choose the type of inquiry. You can even send suggestions or comments through the Support page. Finish the Support inquiry by clicking on the Submit button at the bottom of the page.