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[Dave]

Admittedly our process of image distribution can be confusing at first glance. I am asking those of you who have extensive experience accessing OPR through Photoshelter how we can make the step-by-step  instructions  that we provide for first-timers easier to understand so we can avoid the initial confusion that many have gone through.

Keep in mind, that I am not seeking advice on alternatives to Photoshelter. We have a sweet deal in that they are donating considerable space to us free of charge. I would just like your suggestions on how to make this part of the organization run smoother for not only the newbies, but everyone involved.

I also welcome the opinions from the new crowd as well. Please let us know the speedbumps you have encountered so far.

Fire away.

Dave

[glennab]

Hi Dave

I'd certainly see no reason to use anyone but PhotoShelter.  They've been great.  I worked up a list of procedures to get signed up and logged in, and I'll offer them here.  If I've forgotten anything, someone else can jump in and let me know.

If you've never used PhotoShelter, the first thing you'll want to do is sign up.  The home page has a button called "Sign Up".  Clicking that button will take you to a page with 3 choices of accounts.  Sign up in the Free Photo Buyer Account area.  The information they need is all listed, sign-up only takes a couple of minutes, and you'll choose a user name and password (I suggest that you WRITE 'EM DOWN!).

When you log in to PhotoShelter, you'll be taken to a My Account page.  Click on Gallery Invitations on the top menu.

That takes you to Gallery & Gallery Collection Invites.  There's a box that says Gallery, and your name should be listed in that box.  Click on your name and you can go to your gallery, which will show the photos you've requested.

If you want to choose a photo to restore, there's an arrow and Operation Photo Rescue at the top left of that page.  Clicking on that will take you to the gallery from which you can choose your next restoration.  When you've chosen your image, click on it.  You'll get a page with an image enlargement, and underneath will be a box for comments.  That's where you'll post that you wish to work on the restoration. Leave your request and your e-mail address.

If the image isn't already spoken for, you'll get an e-mail invitation to let you know that the photo can be downloaded from your gallery.

To upload an image, when you're on your account page, the second to last menu listing at the top right is Upload to PhotoShelter MU. Click on that and you'll go to the upload page.  Select OPR under select organization, type in a brief description, click on browse and you'll go to your computer where you can choose the file to upload (depending on your ISP, uploading can take a while).  Once you've done that (and you'll get a message when your file is successfully uploaded), go to the Coordinator's Header in the OPR Virtual Offices and leave an e-mail with Christine Pentecost that you've uploaded the file.

PhotoShelter has an uploader that looks pretty user-friendly, but you have to own fairly new operating systems and have Java.  I just downloaded and installed it, but I haven't used it yet, so I can't speak for its efficacy.  Maybe someone else has tried it.  Supposedly you can open the program and transfer your file to PhotoShelter without going to the web site.


Hope this helps!

Glenna

[kiska]

There are 3 threads; restoration, uploading, downloading. in the FAQ section.

http://www.oprworkshop.org/forum/index.php?board=25.0

[Dave]

Glenna and Kiska,

Thanks for chiming in. I guess the real issue that I'm dealing with is that some of the new volunteers and a few veterans have trouble following directions no matter how easy we make them or how many FAQ'S we provide.

My main goal is to come up with a universal easy way that will eliminate the need to handhold these people through the process. I have a couple of ideas, but want to refine those ideas through input like Glenna provided.

Dave

[glennab]

Hi Dave

If our newbies are having problems with PhotoShelter (or any of our other day-to-day workings), my suggestion would be to create a 1.… 2.… 3.… procedure list, as abbreviated as possible (mine's a bit wordy -- go figure), with simple step-by-step ways to accomplish a download, upload or whatever. I think it'll be helpful to tell them where they'll go (what page) when they click on a menu item so they'll know they're where they need to be. Perhaps there could be an addendum that would flesh out the information or discuss problems that might arise and how to overcome them.  When I started my "career" with OPR, I'd never been on a forum or used a service like PhotoShelter, so I was definitely a newbie and I had no issues with PhotoShelter's site!  It was seamless.

I was an ISO 9000 auditor in a former life, so I'm pretty good at writing procedures.  If I can help with that, let me know.

Glenna

[Dave]

Glenna,

A simplified procedure list is right on target. Perhaps, we could get John to also anchor here in the forums or on our website.

And that is a very kind offer and I am more than happy to take you up on it. I just want to be sure that I wouldn't be adding to what already seems a full plate at your table.

Thanks.
Dave

[glennab]

Dave -- I'd be bored without a lot to do!  That's a vewy, vewy scawey thing!

Let me know how you want me to go about this and I'll run (well, totter) with it.  I can write up some ABCs , e-mail them to you and then maybe John or someone else could check out everything and be sure I didn't miss any steps.  Give me a list of the procedures you want listed and simplified and I'll make it so.  I checked out all the steps I wrote down in the earlier post, but there may be an eventuality I haven't encountered that should be covered.

Glad to be able to help.

Glenna

[glennab]

Hi again Dave

What do you think about a pdf with not only the ABC part but screen shots of each page from PhotoShelter that's described?  Is that something we could make available only to members, either to read on-screen or to download?  Do you think PhotoShelter would mind our using screen shots of their pages?

I can make pdfs of any procedure you want, then if John can make them available from the forum, they'll be easily accessible to anyone who's having problems with the process.

Another thought was to compile some of the great tips and tricks from the various threads into a pdf or pdfs to help with the restorations.  There's a wealth of information in this forum.

Glenna

[John]

Is this something that we could send via email to each new volunteer as they are approved for membership?

I think if we can do a simple (and fun) graphical instruction sheet that we can post here as a sticky and also distribute as an initial contact to new members that that might help alleviate some unnecessary frustrations.

If we can pare it down to three steps, no more than 5, I think we'll be ahead of the game.

maybe something along this format:

[glennab]

John, doggone it, you have way too much fun!

I'm a firm believer in keeping it simple -- but I wonder if people are having problems because they don't know what to look for once they get on the PhotoShelter site.  That's why I thought a very simple description of what one is trying to do, along with a screen shot of the page they can expect to see would be a succinct way (not as much fun as yours, I realize) to guide our members through the process.

I know that being a newbie is awfully confusing, so any help we can offer that everyone can quickly understand will make it easier on them and take a load off of Dave and Chris.

Anyway, I'm open to helping you with whatever you want to do.  Or do it.  Or whatever!  Just let me know, webmeister!

Glenna

[Ausimax]

 Hi Glenna

I'm waiting with anticipation for your tutorial, then I may find out how to use Photoshelter, I only use the up-loader and follow the link in the Invite email, I have an account with them and can never find anything I want on the site, this is exacerbated by the fact that Photoshelter must be the slowest site on the web, it takes me on average 2 min to open a page there. I have just upgraded from 256Kbs  to 512Kbs  Internet  and that has made no difference, so the net result is I usually "spit the dummy" and leave the site in disgust.

Max

[Dave]

To be blunt, the people who are having the most trouble just aren't paying attention to the instructions that we are providing them. I don't mind helping people out, but some of them have been downright rude. It's as if we're intentionally making it difficult for them.

Photoshelter is not the problem either. I've been on that site less than the average volunteer, but can still navigate easily and find what I need without being told where to look.

I'll concede that the site may be confusing at first glance. But, we send out invitations with specific links and we put the word out several times over on this forum and through direct email on how to find the images.

I like John's idea of using graphics/icons to make things easier. Paired with Glenna's project of simplifying the instructions and I think we'll go a long way to solving some of these problems.

Glenna needs me to break down the in-process for her. What do you need from me John?

Dave

[glennab]

Dave

RUDENESS IS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!!  It would be wonderful if people would realize that this is an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization still in it's infancy (toddlerhood???), and most of admin work full-time jobs as well as dedicate so much time to OPR.  As a long-time volunteer, I have to say I find that behavior unacceptable.  We're  here to help other people, and part of that mind-set is to be decent to and supportive of each other!

Okay, I've spouted off and I feel better.  Thank you so much!

Dave -- you're the absolute best.  Let no one make you feel otherwise!

Glenna

[Dave]

Thanks Glenna. I've pretty much have learned to let it roll off my back and not to read my OPR email first thing in the morning.

[glennab]

Good man!  If you need any reinforcement, you know how to find me!

Hugs!

Glenna