How to Use PTI OpenAtrium

PTI Staff Contact: Dale Bowen, 202-626-2456.

PTI’s online working groups use the OpenAtrium (OA) application for group blogging and document sharing.

It is a new capability separate from PTI’s council and forum mailing lists.

Here are basic instructions on using OA. Additional help is in the Site Help group within the OA site. The Site Help group includes a blog for discussion and a documents book that contains answers to frequently asked questions.

You must be logged into the site to participate in the Site Help group. All members of PTI OpenAtrium are also members of the Site Help group.

Getting started

PTI OpenAtrium is available only to Institute members collaborating in its working groups.

When PTI adds you to a working group, you will receive an E-mail message containing a password and link to login.

Your OA username and password are independent of your current PTI.org website password. PTI keeps no record of your OA password, so be sure to retain it.

Your browser must have JavaScript enabled to use PTI OpenAtrium.

Logging in

Login to PTI OpenAtrium at citycountytechnology.org using the password you received in E-mail. You can change your password at any time.

You can also use the login dialog box to request a new password, provided that you are already registered on the site. The site will E-mail you a new password.

What you’ll see

After login, you’ll see View: Recent activity, which lists all the latest posts made to the site.

Click All Activity to see a record of everything that has happened on the site. My threads will take you to those discussions you’re following.

You’ll also receive summaries of site activity in your E-mail.

Be sure your E-mail system doesn’t block mail from pti.org or electricembers.net.

See your groups

Click the groups icon to see a directory of all the groups on the site.

The My groups tab lists just the groups to which you belong.

Member Directory

Click the members icon to see a directory of PTI OpenAtrium members.

Find your username in the directory. Click it to set your profile, and add your avatar portrait or mascot.

Your group blog

Each group has its own blog. Any group member can enter new topics and comments in the blog.

New posts will be notified to members automatically by E-mail.

Your group documents

Each group has its own collection of documents, called “Books”. This feature is a simple wiki.

You can attach files to Book pages. Earlier versions of pages can be stored and the Book reverted to those earlier pages.

Create content

Create a blog entry or book page with this button.

Group members will be notified when entries or pages are added, unless you specify otherwise when you post your material.

Getting help

Please post your questions in the Site Help group on PTI OpenAtrium, or E-mail your PTI staff contacts at the top of this article.

Logging out

Click your username or avatar for a menu that includes Log out.

11-03-2009     Send a link     Topics:  Member Discussions  Online Services  How do I...     Print version