News: WA website Bulletin 2010/15 Friday 6th August 2010

WA website Bulletin 2010/15 Friday 6th August July 2010

• To use the links below, first login then press the Ctrl key on your keyboard whilst you click a link in this bulletin.
• It's easy to generate a new password yourself - simply use the link in Welcome box on the Home page and follow the instructions.
• Please read "Website Tips repeated" at the bottom of this bulletin and if in difficulty refer to the online Help Forum.

Notice

The Executive Committee met on 2nd August at Portsmouth. Minutes will be posted on the website in due course. John Turner begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting (1962) is has become our Honorary Secretary following the resignation due to ill health of John Downs. Thankfully John Downs is now home from hospital. He seemed in good spirits when I visited him and is gradually recovering strength.

What's new

New members joining: A list of new members who have joined since the last AGM in December is now online here > New members 2010 (compiled by Jim MacIntyre begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting).

All Hands Summer 2010: Now available to download here >> Journals. Articles include: Chairman's Message; Best Cadets Annual Cash Awards 2010; The West Africa Route Remembered; Summer 1960 Graduation Photo, an extract from Day Gunn's (1955) history as well as other items and a good selection of pictures.

Some members opting to use the online version may by mistake have received a printed copy, as I did. Unfortunately our printers used the wrong address list (should not happen again). We are checking for anyone opting for a printed copy who didn't so this can be rectified. If you think you fall into this category and wish to email me please do so at webdirector@warsashassociation.net.

Are you a Skype user?: If so you can now insert your Skype address in your website Profile. (Skype is a software application that allows users to make video and voice calls over the Internet, often without charge. There are other competing products but Skype probably has the largest user base).

1. A new data field has been added to your Profile for to insert a Skype address. If you're an existing Skype user, if you want to share your Skype address do the following. After logging in click the "Control panel" link on the top line of the Home page. In the screen which appears, under "Settings" in the left side menu, click on "Edit profile" to display the form containing your personal details. Scroll down until you see the "Skype address" box below "Mobile phone". Enter your Skype address if you want other members to see your address and then use the "Save" button at the bottom of the form.
2. If not an existing Skype user you can find all relevant information here >> Skype. Read about using Skype (including free video and phone calls to other Skype users) and accessory prices (camera's, phones), also Policy and Legal stuff. You will need to download and install the Skype software and to set up your user account, all quite simple to do. Unless your laptop has a built-in webcam (mini-camera) you'll also need to buy one and install it on your PC. Many laptops today have a webcam above the screen.

I've only recently started using Skype and have video-called Jim Macntyre (US), John Hensford begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Tuvalu) and Geoff Stokoe (Florida). Try it - I don't think you'll regret it, not just for calls to other WA members but to family and friends overseas.

Personal or business website?: Do you have a personal or business website you'd like to invite others to visit? If so you can also now display the address in your website Profile. Load up your Profile (see 1 above). find the new data field "Personal/ other website" immediately below the Skype address box, enter the address and "Save" the change.

You can see examples of the new data in my Profile (ClarkeC59). You might also like to include any address details and website in your Signature so they are shown with every Forum message you create. Use the same process via "Edit profile" in 1 above, but this time using the "Edit signature" box , then click on the "Save" button.

Photos 1950-54: Some more early 1950s School of Navigation photos from Captain Wakeford's archives will shortly be available in the Gallery. First I have to weed out some duplicates and insert descriptions. I'll send out a message when they're ready to view.

Website usage

• The number of unique visitors to the website in July averaged 49 (39 throughout June). The average so far in August is 43.
• There are 1,934 posts in the Forum, 1,128 photos in the Gallery, 4,123 names in the database including about 375 members.

Kind regards,

Chris Clarke 1959

REMINDERS FROM EARLIER BULLETINS

Online All Hands Editions

If you don't need a printed All Hands you could set an indicator in your website Profile denoting this, which will save us printing and postage costs. Unless you decide to change the default setting you will of course continue to receive printed copies.

• To read how to set the indicator go to sub-forum >> Member's Profile then load the Topic Profile - opt for online or printed All Hands.
• Anyone belonging to our Australian or New Zealand Branches choosing to rely on a downloaded copy only should also let Neil Martin know.

All Hands Journal: If you have an article for the next 2010 edition please contact our co-editor Ron Caine.

All Hands download times - The time taken to download All Hands from the website depends on size and the speed of your Broadband connection at the time. You may need to wait patiently sometimes especially as Broadband speeds vary so much. I usually indicate download times based on 5 Mb Broadband speed at which speed journals with few exceptions, download within 1 1/2 minutes and most under 40 seconds. There are several exceptions however but even so its well worth the wait.

TRY YOUR HAND ON THE WEBSITE (even if not computer experienced - you won't break it!)

Put more in - get more out of the website!

Try your hand in the Forum. It's not difficult and you'll find plenty of guidance here >> Forum.

We have a number of Forums where you can raise and discuss a host of issues for anyone to read and respond to. You can ask questions, start discussions or try to track down out of touch colleagues. See an excellent example here >> Warsash legends. Further examples:

• To help trace long lost colleagues visit one of these e.g. Ex-School of Navigation, Ex-College of Maritime Studies or Ex-Warsash Maritime Academy.
• To relate your experiences with a particular shipping company visit here >> Shipping companies. If your company name is not shown let me know and I'll create a new sub-forum.
• In need of a laugh? Then visit here >> Have you heard the one about? for the latest humorous entries. Try this one for size >> Navy Recruiting Office! Better still create your own entries.
• What do you get up to in your spare time? Tell all in this forum >> Pastimes and hobbies. It might be golf, reading, sailing, dancing, climbing - even train-spotting (once had a friend who read old train timetables before going to sleep)!

Fancy a challenge?

• Go to Gallery Home > Where in the world is this? for a picture quiz. Five photos, only two solved so far, both by John Marshall 1959. Clues added. See if you can identify any of them.
• Upload your own photos to this gallery for others to identify. But don't give any clues in the name of the file uploaded which could give the game away!

WEBSITE TIPS REPEATED

Your first actions after logging in:

• List recent messages and photos created on the website using the function "View" in the top right corner of your screen.
• Click on "View - Posts since last visit".
• Click on "View - All photos last 4 weeks".

Lost your password?

• Generate your own new secure password via the website click "About this website/ Unable to login?" in the drop-down menu.
• This will email to you a link to change your email address and then another email to notify after the new password has been generated.
• Remember - passwords are case sensitive.

Step by step website instructions

• Click here >> Forum Home then place your cursor on the forum "Help".
• Lessons from the "Help" forum are sent o periodically from the website.