Hello Friends,
Well, I think I have semi-finished the Portal page. I thought I would give you a break down of what the portal page is, section by section.
The Big Bend Portal Home Page:
1. This is the main navigation bar. It includes all the links you need to get around. From the Portal's home page to the page to download the Big Bend Screen Saver. Please note: Not all the links you see in this screen shot are available to you; ie., premium screensaver, and live chat. These are only available if you are a Golden Eagle, a paid subscriber, to BigBendChat.com. The blog section can be viewed by anyone, however, only Golden Eagles can author their own "Bender Blog."
2. The Last Shout: This is kind of a drive by chat. If you want to say something loud and clear (please be kind) you can say it here. It will be there until the next person comes along to shout something. You can say anything you'd like (within reason).
3. Main Menu: This is basically just like #1 above. It is an extra navigational menu for your convenience.
4. Personal Menu: This is where your avatar will be displayed along with a link to your profile, your PM inbox and a logout link.
5. Site Stats: Pretty self explanatory. Just provides stats for all the various posts, uploads, users, etc. An informational block only.
6. Online Users: This "live" stats as to whom(gr?) is online, etc. For your information only.
7. Random Quote: Quotes from famous (or not so famous) people, lines from books, etc. written or said about Big Bend. Golden Eagles can enter a quote in the "BIBE Quotes" section if they run across one that is not entered yet. This block will display a random quote from the quotations page.
8. Live News Feed: Currently, this is the live news feed from the NPS, and the latest 5 posts from BBC. Coming soon will be a news feed from Google News showing the latest news about the park that has hit the press.
9. Latest BIBE Photos from the Forum: This block will display the latest FIRST post from the "Big Bend Photographs" forum on BBC. It will display whatever is being displayed in the first post. There is a link that can take you to the discussion on BBC. (This is one of my favorite blocks.)
10. Board Menu: These are direct links to the forum. It includes a link to the New Posts, New Replies, Memberlist and the help page for the board.
11. Random Image: This is a random image from the BIBE Photo Gallery. When you click on the pic, it will take you to the BIBE Photo Gallery displaying the pic in full size. From this gallery, you can browse the rest of the pics in the gallery. As a registered, paid Golden Eagle subscriber, you can upload your own pics to the public gallery or upload your pics to your own personal gallery. Note the personal gallery will not be displayed in this random image block. Golden Eagles can also send an eCard using their favorite image from the public gallery.
12. Window Webcam: This is the Live Window Webcam from the Basin. It is updated as long as the webcam from the basin is updated. When clicked on, it will take you to a pop up window displaying the full sized image.
13. Random Site: These links are taken straight from the portal's "Top Site" listing. The "Top Site" listing is a listing of all websites relating to Big Bend. Currently I only have two sites listed. As a Golden Eagle member, you can add a site as well. However, I have to approve the site before it is listed. My only criteria has is, the site (or section of the site) must have to do with Big Bend in some way. Two images have to be accompanied with the link submission. A large banner for the "Top Site" page and a small button link for this random site block.
14. Calendar: Self explanatory. Displays today's date and you can change the calendar as a helpful tool.
15. Live Chat: Chat live with others using the Portal's live chat page. It is powered by IRC, Internet Relay Chat. You can enter the chat page simply by clicking on the "join chat" link or clicking on the "Live Chat" link at the top navigation bar. Only registered, paid Golden Eagle's can access this chat link. Secret: There is a work around. If you are familiar with IRC, you can download an IRC client on your PC or MAC and enter the chat room using the following channel: #bibechat.
I hope this helps! Post your questions about the new Portal here.
NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY. BEFORE YOU CAN VIEW THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE PORTAL, DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. LOGOUT OF BBC.
2. CLEAR YOUR BROWSER'S CACHE AND COOKIES.
3. RESTART YOUR BROWSER.
4. GOTO WWW.BIGBENDPORTAL.C OM
5. LOGIN.
