Access to USANZ Communities
Transitioning from NetWit to USANZ Communities
Member Profiles
Contacts / Connections
Communities / Discussions
Library / Resources
Access to USANZ Communities | TOP
Q: How do I log-in?
A:
The first time that you log-in must be via a browser on a desktop computer. You are unable to login via a mobile device (tablet or smartphone) for your first login. Type
https://communities.usanz.org.au to navigate to the USANZ Communities Sign In Homepage.
Q: Which browser should I use to access USANZ Communities?
A: USANZ Communities is compatibility with all browsers, including Chrome, Firefox Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer etc. In some cases (particularly with Chrome) users may experience difficulties with remaining logged in. If this occurs, please clear your browser cache, history, and cookies.
If users have privacy settings or ad blockers on their browser, this may also affect performance or the ability to save log-in information.
Q: Why am I not receiving emails?
A: Your email may be being blocked for a number of reasons.
First, check to see that your email preferences are not set to “No Email”.
Secondly, check your junk mail box to ensure they are not being treated as spam.
Another reason our members emails are sometimes blocked is, if they are using a practice or employer based email address, the employer may have upgraded the security filters and the community emails are being captured and filtered out so they never reach your inbox or junk folder. This can be addressed by asking your IT manager to “whitelist” the USANZ community domains. If the IT manager requires further information, please ask them to contact us directly.
A less common reason is that the Communities platform may have decided that your email address is problematic. Please let us know and we will review the administrative settings for email management to ensure your email has not been blocked.
Q: What happens if I select 'Stay Connected' when I log-in?
A: When you enter your email and password for USANZ Communities on the Sign In Homepage there is an option to ‘Stay Connected’:
- If you tick this box before logging in you will remain signed in to USANZ Communities until you log out via the drop down arrow in the top right of the screen.
- If you do not tick this box before logging in you will be required to login before posting a new message or replying to other members messages.
Q: What is my username?
A: Your
Username for USANZ Communities is your email address. It is the same email address you use to login to your USANZ Member Dashboard.
If you need assistance with your USANZ Communities login, please contact the office via
secretary@usanz.org.au.
Q: What is my password?
A: You choose your own password for this site. Your password can be anything you like and does not need to be the same as the password you use to login to your USANZ Member Dashboard.
If you need assistance with your login, please contact the office via
secretary@usanz.org.au.
Further information about passwords will be sent to you in the future. When the USANZ Communities platform is fully integrated with the USANZ Website and Membership Management System, you will need to choose one password to access both systems. Information and instructions on this will be sent closer to the time of implementation.
Q: If I log-in to USANZ Communities, will I automatically be logged in to my USANZ Member Dashboard?
A: No. The USANZ Website and Membership Management System is different from the USANZ Communities Platform. There are plans to integrate the 2 systems at a later date. Information about the integration will be sent at the appropriate time.
Transitioning from NetWit to USANZ Communities | TOP
Q: How do I find some advice about a particular topic that was on NetWit?
A: USANZ Communities and NetWit are 2 separate systems and are not linked or integrated in any way.
USANZ Communities will replace NetWit as the software that powered NetWit is no longer supported.
If a member posted a particularly useful piece of advice or documentation on NetWit that you would like to be available in USANZ Communities, please ask them to re-post it on the new platform.
Q: Why is USANZ Communities so complicated when NetWit is so straight forward?
A: While the NetWit list serve was comparatively simple, the software that powered the system is outdated and no longer able to be supported technically, so an alternative replacement service was needed.
USANZ Communities provides a comparable experience to NetWit while also providing a range of other features that will help USANZ Members manage their experiences with the content shared on the site.
The initial experience you have with USANZ Communities may be overwhelming or frustrating, however the platform is highly intuitive and familiarity with the site’s features will develop quickly with use.
Additional help is available if you are having difficulties with USANZ Communities – please contact the office via
secretary@usanz.org.au.
Member Profiles | TOP
Q: How do I update my contact information?
A: All updates to your contact information details should be done by logging in to your USANZ Membership Dashboard.
The USANZ Membership Dashboard will sync with the USANZ Communities platform overnight. You can access your USANZ Membership Dashboard here.
Q: How do I control what information is visible in my USANZ Communities profile?
A: The minimum information required to participate as a member of USANZ Communities is:
- Your first name,
- Your preferred first name (if relevant),
- Your last name and
- Your email.
This information is populated by the USANZ Membership Management System..
Q: How are USANZ Communities moderated?
A: USANZ has implemented a “self moderation” model under which new posts and files do not require admin approval and are added to the Discussion or Library immediately. However, all members who have access to USANZ Communities can moderate a post or file using the “Mark as Inappropriate” option on the post or file page. The user will then be prompted to give a reason for marking the content as inappropriate.
At this point, the content is removed and the USANZ office will review the post or file and the reasons for it being deemed inappropriate. The review may involve consultation with members of the USANZ Board, Specialty Advisors or the member who first posted the message or file. Moderation requests that are rejected will result in the post or file being added back into the Discussion and/or Library.
Q: Can I change my Discussion Post Signature?
A: Yes. USANZ encourages you to amend your Discussion Post Signature to include your preferred or more ‘friendly/casual’ name. As USANZ Communities is a members-only space and USANZ acknowledges the many rich relationships and networks within our community we encourage members to use their preferred ‘friendly/casual’ name in their Discussion Post Signature.
Contacts / Connections | TOP
Q: How do I find other members?
A: Select ‘Participant Directory’ on the main navigation bar. The Participant Directory lets you search for other users based on:
- First and/or last name; and,
- Email address.
Q: How do I add contacts to my contact list?
A: There are several ways to add contacts to your contact list.
After performing a search in the Participant Directory, click the ‘Add as Contact’ button in the list next to each individual’s profile.
The ‘Add as Contact’ button is also available on the individual’s profile page.
Q: Why should I add contacts to my contact list?
A: Creating your own virtual address book makes it easy to send your contacts messages through the USANZ Communities site to stay in touch, ask questions or even build a referral network. Additionally, when you view another member’s profile, you’ll be able to see any contacts you have in common. You can also choose to let your contacts view certain demographics in your profile that others can't.
Communities / Discussions | TOP
Q: What are communities?
A: Communities allow you to participate in discussions and share resources with other members. Initially, USANZ has established one Community: UroChat.
Q: What communities am I already a member of?
A: Initially, USANZ has established one Community: UroChat. In the future there may be other Communities that are established that you could join.
To see the list of Communities that you are a member of, navigate to OUR COMMUNITIES>MY COMMUNITIES in the main navigation bar.
Q: How do I join a community discussion group?
A: Initially, USANZ has established one Community: UroChat. In the future there may be other Communities that are established that you could join.
Information on how to join new Communities will be distributed at the appropriate times.
Q: How can I control the frequency and format of emails I receive?
A: Changes to your email preferences are managed in each Community's Settings.
Go to OUR COMMUNITIES > ALL COMMUNITIES.
Choose 'UroChat'.
At the time of launch, USANZ Communities was comprised of only one Community. That Community is called UroChat. Information about any future Communities that may be established will be distributed at the appropriate time.
Click on the 'Settings' button:
Adjust your email preferences.
For each community discussion, you have the options:
- Real Time: sends an email every time a new message is posted.
- Daily digest: sends one email to you each day, consolidating all the posts from the previous day.
- No Email: allows you to be part of the group without having emails sent to you. You can still post and read others’ messages by logging into the USANZ Communities site.
Save.
Q: How do I leave a community discussion?
A: Choose the Community you wish to leave.
At the time of launch, USANZ Communities was comprised of only one Community. That Community is called UroChat. Information about any future Communities that may be established will be distributed at the appropriate time.
Click on the 'Settings' button:
In the ‘Status’ section choose ‘Leave Community’.
Q: How do I respond to others’ posts?
A: There are 2 main ways to respond to other member’s posts.
In the email digest you receive (whether it is Real Time or Daily Digest) there are 2 buttons:
- Reply to Group will send your reply to all members in the Community
- Reply to Sender will send your reply only to the member who made the post.
USANZ recommends ‘Reply to Sender’ for simple comments like “me, too” that add little value to the overall discussion; and ‘Reply to Group’ when you are sharing knowledge, experience or resources that others could benefit from.
You can also respond through the USANZ Communities Platform:
- Select BROWSE>DISCUSSION POSTS.
- Find the post you want to reply to and click its ‘Thread/Subject’ to go to the post.
- Select ‘Reply’ or select the arrow next to it to see your other options.
OR
Select OUR COMMUNITIES>MY COMMUNITIES and select the Community with the Post you want to reply to.
At the time of launch, USANZ Communities was comprised of only one Community. That Community is called UroChat. Information about any future Communities that may be established will be distributed at the appropriate time.
- Select the Post from the ‘Latest Discussion Posts’ widget on the Community Home page or find the post on the Community Discussion page.
- Select ‘Reply’ or select the arrow next to it to see your other options.
Q: How do I start a new discussion thread?
A: Select PARTICIPATE>POST A MESSAGE from the main navigation bar.
Alternatively, from an email notification (Real Time or Daily Digest) use the link ‘Post New Discussion’ located near the top of the email.
Q: I’m having trouble viewing the HTML email messages. How do I fix this?
A: If images are not appearing, it is likely that your email client is set to suppress images. This should be something you can change in your security or viewing options.
If you would rather receive text-based email, please contact the office via
secretary@usanz.org.au.
Q: Can I search for posts across all the communities?
A: Yes, please enter a keyword in the search bar located in the main navigation. To refine your search results, please select "Show Advanced Search". The search results will also include files that have been uploaded to the Library..
Q: How do I see a listing of all of the posts to a specific Community?
A: Select OUR COMMUNITIES>MY COMMUNITIES from the main navigation bar. Select the Community Discussion you want to view.
At the time of launch, USANZ Communities was comprised of only one Community. That Community is called UroChat. Information about any future Communities that may be established will be distributed at the appropriate time.
Use the Discussion tab to view the list of posts in the community discussion.
Select the Subject line to take you to the entire thread. “Show Original Message” at the bottom of all posts in a thread will display the original message that started that discussion.
Q: Do I need to select a 'best reply'? How do I do it?
A: If you use a Discussion Post to raise a question or seek opinions, you may want to highlight that (which in your opinion) is the ‘Best Answer’.
You can make a reply the ‘Best Answer’ by clicking the drop down near ‘Reply’ and selecting ‘Make Best Answer’.
There is no obligation to select a ‘Best Answer’, however other members may find it useful in narrowing their search for information.
Q: Where is the Draft Discussion post that I saved?
A: Saved Drafts can be found by navigating to MY PROFILE>MY CONTRIBUTIONS.
Library / Resources | TOP
Q: Is the library unique to each user?
A: No – the library is unique to each Community Discussion. Currently as there is only the UroChat Community there is only the UroChat Library.
Q: Is there a librarian who will keep things in order?
A: No. – USANZ Communities (including UroChat and any additional communities that may be developed in the future) are spaced dedicated for USANZ Members. USANZ Staff are only involved to troubleshoot technical issues; plan and develop the USANZ Communities site structure and assist in moderation when required.
Members who post to the Discussion (and subsequently the Library) are reminded of the importance of meaningful Subject Lines in posts and also in the file names of uploaded attachments.
Q: The image I inserted in to my post didn't upload to the library.
A: Only images and files included as attachments are automatically uploaded to the Community Library.
It is possible to include images in your post by using the ‘Insert Image’ icon, however if you also want these images to be included in the Community Library please also include them as attachments to your discussion post.
Q: How do I find resources that may have been uploaded by other members?
A: There are a number of ways to locate resources.
You can search for the items in the Search area of the main navigation bar. Enter your search terms just as you would into Google or a similar search engine.
If you know the Community Discussion that the resource was uploaded in, navigate to the community via OUR COMMUNITIES>ALL COMMUNITIES. On the Community Library tab, browse the entries to find the resource you are looking for.
At the time of launch, USANZ Communities was comprised of only one Community. That Community is called UroChat. Information about any future Communities that may be established will be distributed at the appropriate time.
Q: Can I search for specific file types?
A: Yes. Enter your desired keyword in the main search box. From the search results page, click "Show Advanced Search." Then select “Search for Specific File Types.” This gives you the option to specify file type: Document, Image, Spreadsheet, etc.
Q: How do the libraries get populated?
A: The libraries are populated in two ways:The libraries are populated in two ways:
• When you include an attachment in a discussion post, the system automatically places it in the library for that community.
• You can also upload documents directly to a library by using the “Share a File” link found under “Participate” in the main navigation bar or "Create New Library Entry" button on any community's library page. Library resources are not required to be associated with a discussion thread.
Q: How do I upload a file?
A: There are 2 ways to Upload a File
• Select the “Share a File” link found under “Participate” in the main navigation bar, or
"• Create New Library Entry" on any community home page or Library page
Please note that uploading a document is accomplished by completing a few steps, and each step must be completed before you can move on to the next:
• Choose a title for your document and include a description (optional).
• Select the library to which you’d like to upload it and select a folder to which you’d like to upload it (optional).
• Then, choose an Entry Type (most will be Standard Files, but be cognizant of any copyright licensed material). Once you have completed these steps, please click “Next.”
• Upload your file.• Select “Next” if you want to further describe your files and/or add tags to your file. Otherwise, please click “Finish” to post your library entry.
Q: What kind of files can I upload?
A: The system supports dozens of file types including hyperlinks, standard files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), webinars, images and YouTube videos..
Q: What are the “tags” for?
A: Tags are content categories or keywords applied to posts and documents to help with on-site searches. Tagged items are prioritized in the search results.
Q: How do I add “tags”?
A: To add a 'tag' in the body of a discussion post, initiate the tagging process by typing '#', then start typing the keyword for the 'tag'. A list of suggested tags will appear (if any exist). Make your selection from the list or keep typing and press 'Enter' to create a new tag.
Do not use spaces when typing as this will prevent the creation of the tag. Use an underscore to separate workds ie #overactive_bladder NOT #overactive bladder
Q: How do “tags” help with searches?
A: Tagging content creates a link that users can click to view all content associated with that tag. As more and more content is tagged with the same keyword, it will become easier to find associated content.
Tagged content can be searched for by either clicking on the tag within a discussion, library entry or other contribution, OR enter the tag into the search bar. Both search methods will display content associated with that tag.