schoolwires

Basic help information: =SW2 will cover the following topics:= 
 * 1) adding new pages and page types
 * 2) adding links, including new pages, internal and external links and mail-to links
 * 3) forms and surveys
 * 4) photo galleries
 * 5) adding audio and video media to your page
 * 6) schoolwires subscriptions
 * 7) interactive calendar
 * 8) simple HTML editing (to add YouTube and TeacherTube videos, etc.)
 * 9) getting the word out about your page... if you build it they WILL come!
 * 10) other tips and tricks

=Adding Pages=
 * Types of pages
 * once you create a page type, you cannot change it, so choose wisely!
 * some do not allow extra text boxes, and are only useful for specific things, like Article Libraries (files only), Podcasts (Audio Files) and Link Libraries
 * if you think you might want to have mixed-content, use a Flex Page
 * if you want to keep it simple, use the type of page for the content you desire
 * Audio Files are more flexible on Podcast page, as you can download and subscribe to them easily via iTunes links

= Links (hyperlinks) =
 * site, section or page
 * internal or external web page
 * easy to link to ANY other school web page
 * suggest always open in new window
 * email address (:mailto)
 * put your email address in as the link text for those that use web-based email (hotmail, etc.) and want to type the address in otherwise it opens up the default email client
 * HIGHLY suggest typing it in as username AT domain.com and not username@domain.com to prevent bots from harvesting your email address for spamming
 * bookmarks can be added into large pages and then linked to for ease of navigation

= = = Forms/Surveys = =Photo Galleries=
 * file link (can be document, audio or anything else) use the "insert file" button
 * will allow you to browse to the file, either internally (already uploaded to the site) or externally
 * can be ANYTHING... audio, video, document that you want people to be able to open and save to their own computer
 * highly suggest using PDF's for documents (more below)
 * audio files can be downloaded (can't from rich media content inserts) and will play in a separate browserv window
 * created under "tools" at the top of the site manager
 * versitile way to collect information easily
 * statistical information automatically collected
 * insert using the "insert form" tool once created
 * similar to forms, must be created before they are inserted
 * easy way to get a lot of pictures on your page without making the viewer scroll endlessly or formatting each identically
 * can have music added to them
 * pictures CANNOT be downloaded easily (good and bad points to this...)
 * create the photo gallery first by uploading photos
 * can edit the order of the pictures, time on each, wipes, etc. simply

= = =Adding media files (video, audio)=
 * will create a media player window on your page, with playback controls
 * use the Toolbox control

= = =School Wires subscriptions=
 * playback windows can be set to play automatically (when page opens), to loop (play continuously)
 * does not work for videos from sites like YouTube (see below), only videos saved on your computer
 * suggested that you inform students and parents that they can receive automatic updates when your page is updated
 * can subscribe to any district page or subpage
 * once signed in to School Wires, click on "Access My Information"
 * you can add an email address to receive updates, or a cell phone number to receive text message updates