Web FAQs - Reserve Officers Association web site - Brief Article

"How do I find_____"; "Why isn't ______ on the Web site; and "How do I logon to the Web site?" These are the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we get concerning the Web site.

This is the first in an occasional series of columns that will attempt to help you navigate the ROA Web site.

OVERVIEW

ROA's Web presence comprises three components: the Web site itself, the iMIS E-module, and the ROA membership server (Figure 1).

The Web site resides on a state-of-the-art server at VERIO, a secure tier-one network operating center in Northern Virginia connected directly to the Internet.

The iMIS E-module is the interface between the Web site and the ROA membership server. It provides the connection to the membership database that allows verification of member credentials during the login process. It is also the conduit through which members access their membership record and ROMR reports.

The ROA membership server is located in the ROA HQ building and hosts the membership database and ROMR (department and chapter monthly reports).

NAVIGATING ROA.ORG

Please refer to Figure 2. Across the very top of the front page, in the red banner you'll see several links:

* Home: always returns you to the main page.

* Join Now: Direct access to the online membership application.

* Affiliated Sites: Access to CIOR-U.S. and ROAL Web sites.

* ROA Links: Links to government, military, department/chapter, and other Web sites

* Contact Us: Direct e-mail and telephone information for department and staff personnel at ROA HQ.

* Site Map: Grid of direct links to major pages in the Web site.

Just down the page about an inch you'll find the main navigation bar. This contains drop-down menu links to the major sections of the Web site. From left to right they are: About ROA; News; Military Sections; Events; Members Area; Legislative Affairs; Defense Education Forum; Member Account, (shows up after you login); and Member Login.

On the right side of the page are three Special Feature panels:

* ROA Alert: This panel is used to display urgent or otherwise important information and provides a direct link to the details of that item.

* ROA Weekly Survey: Short survey eliciting members' position on a piece of legislation, current event, or ROA agenda item.

* ROA Feature Item: Highlights ROA benefits and logo merchandise on a rotating basis.

The center panel displays links to our "Operation Enduring Freedom" section and dynamically displays News and Events.

DROP-DOWN MENUS

Generally, the Web site is organized so that most information can be accessed directly from the front page through the menu links just described. The main navigation bar features drop-down menus and appears on virtually every page of the Web site (Figure 2).

The menu titles link to the main or "overview" page of that section. For example, place your cursor over "Member Area" on the navigation bar. Note that placing your cursor over a menu item changes the color, indicating your selection. Clicking on this item will take you to the main Membership area page.

Placing your cursor on "Member Area" also activates the dropdown menu for that section. Move your cursor down the menu to the item of your choice and click to go immediately to that page. Some of these menu items ("benefits" for instance), have additional sub-menus to further help you refine your selection.

If you've selected a "members only" page, the member login screen will automatically be displayed. Information in the Members Area can only be accessed by members after logging into the site. This is the only "password-protected" area in the ROA Web site.

USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS

This iteration of the ROA Web site was launched on 19 January 2002. That date marked a major change in the design and composition of our Web site. Prior to this, members-only information consisted of an off-line copy of the membership database, message boards, and the email forwarding service provided as a package from an outside vendor. The new Web site brings all these services in-house.

Primarily for security reasons, we decided to assign new temporary usernames and passwords to each ROA member. You can determine your temporary username/password in several ways.

* Click "member login," then click "forgot my password." Follow instructions. You will be e-mailed your password. This only works if your e-mail address is correct in your member record.

* Use the "feedback" button in the front page to e-mail a request to ROA. You must include enough information for us to confirm your identity and membership.

* Call ROA toll-free at 800-809-9448 and ask for membership assistance.

When you've logged in using your default info, you should click on "Member Account" in the menu bar, (near the top and right of page). Then click on "Click here to update your member information." This will open a new browser window. There you will find, on the left side, links to change your user name and password and to update your membership record. We strongly urge you to change user name and password as soon as possible to something only you know. Passwords must include at least one number and be at least six total characters/numbers in length.

WEB SITE SECURITY

Security has always been a high priority. Whether you're logging onto the Web site, registering for an event, submitting a membership application, or buying ROA logo merchandise through the Web site, your personal information is protected.

ROA's Web site uses 128-bit encrypted Secure Socket Layer security to protect your information. As soon as you click on login, Join ROA or any other link requiring personal or credit card information, you are transferred to our secure server.

You can confirm this several ways. In your browser's address line, "http://www.roa.org" will change to "https://www.roa.org. The "s" after http indicates a secure server. In the lower left corner of your browser, a lock icon in the closed position also indicates a secure server. We've also placed the Verisign logo and security notice at the bottom of most secure pages. You can see these items circled in red in the representation of the "Login Screen" in Figure 3.

NEXT TIME

Our next column will focus on just how we determine where and how information is posted on the Web site. ROA

COPYRIGHT 2002 Reserve Officers Association of the United States
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group