After logging in you are directed to the ‘home’ screen. This is set up as followed:
The Virtual Network is separated into different areas. Each particular area can be accessed over the main menu. At any time it is possible to change from one area into another.
The main menu contains following entries:
This button will direct you back to the central ‚home’ page at any time.
Here you may view and up- and download documents. These documents are filed in folders. Further Information can be found in the Documents area.
Here you receive an overview of all registered members. Additionally you have the option to update your own data.
Here you can access the latest news. Additional Information can be found in the News area.
Here you may edit the properties used to display documents and characterize members. Further Information can be found in the Characteristics area.
Here you can log out of the platform.
The Search function allows you to search for documents and members by entering keywords. Simply enter the keywords you are looking for in the text field and confirm by pressing the adjacent arrow symbol. All folders, documents, members, news, appointments and groups related to your keyword are listed in the results list. A full-text search within the selected documents is also conducted.
A navigation tree exists for every area, displaying all objects filed in that respective area. The document area contains folders and documents, the member area shows members and groups and the news area includes news categories and appointment scheduler.
The content area offers detailed information on the selected object of the navigation tree. In the beginning it is always the main folder. The view of the main folder gives various information on recent changes to the platform.
The content view is separated into following areas:
- User account area
Here you may find out everything about your account and your groups and visit them. Further information can be found in the account and group areas.
- Logged in users area
The name of the newest member is displayed here. Additionally you receive an overview on all currently logged in users.
- Newest documents area
Here you can see a list of all recently uploaded documents. You can directly access the documents. Additional information is provided in the document area.
- History area
Here you can view all recently visited objects. These are presented in chronological order meaning that the most recently viewed object is on top.
- Upcoming events
Here you can see on overview on all upcoming events. Further information on events can be found in the news section.
- Newest documents area
Contains a list of the lastly uploaded five documents. Further information on documents can be found in the documents section.
- Unread news area
The most recent 5 forum entries. With one click you can enter the respective discussion in the forum.
You have the option to create and/or join groups in the Virtual Network. Find out more on founding and administrating groups in the group area. If you are a member or founder of a group the platform offers a special group work area custom fit for your group. At this central location you can work on all important group related issues such as documents, news and members.
There are two ways of entering the group work area:
Choose the top folder (home) in the workspace. Then you will be able to find links to all group areas in the user account area.
Select the desired group by dragging the mouse over the pull-down-menu on the left side of the screen. This menu shows all the groups with membership status.
This will automatically take you to the group work area.
This area will offer you a reduced view of the navigation tree. An overview of all group members, folders and news categories is displayed as well.
If you are in the group work area the main menu functions as navigation within the group. This means if you move to and from other areas all content displayed is group related.
In order to leave the group work area you must select the tab in the pull-down-menu on the left side of the screen.
Various menus with navigation and editing functions are offered on the right side of the screen.
Following menus can be found here:
Depending on what object is selected in the navigation tree and on your user rights this menu point offers different options to view and edit the selected object.
Here you have the chance to navigate within your profile.
The platform offers the possibility of adding documents, members and groups to your favourites. Find out more in the favourite area.
Here you can find links to the recently visited member sights, groups and documents.
Each menu expands on mouse over. To permanently expand a menu point just click on its title.