ACT launches web-microportal

Sought and not found!
We have all gone to an 'all-knowing computer' with a simple query, spent ages and found nothing! Even with a search engine it can take many time-consuming clicks, keying-in of details and searching of endless lists to get what you want.

Three clicks
ACT has solved the problem by attaching a revolutionary new form of website called a Microportal to our main website. We are calling it the ACT Insider . Essentially it focuses the Internet so that you can usually find what you need within three clicks - giving you near instant access to any site relevant to you, your school, your work, your church or leisure interests. It works like an index, but looks and thinks like a newspaper!   It needs to live on your homepage.

Immediate benefits of ACT Insider

1.  Quick access to the Internet - speedy, uncomplicated access to everything wholesome on the worldwide web. Please see the list below showing a few of the new things that you can do - all within three clicks. (To install the site filter, please go to Resources > Computer > Site Filter.  These can be installed either on single machines or for groups from 1 January.)

2.  Religious resources ACT Insider will provide you with real, sustaining, daily, lively, interactive religious resources integrated with your everyday needs - and hopefully your non-Christian colleagues (as they will find the Microportal just as useful).

3.  Communication channel  Provided you have made the Insider your homepage (one click), ACT can communicate regularly and informally with you and other members through Bulletin Boards. Equally you can communicate live with ACT and other members who have the Insider on their homepages.

4.  Members involvement  An opportunity for ACT members to contribute to the ACT Insider. With the relevant passwords you can:

     i)  Enter a Thought for 2day.
     ii) Create, with ACT approval, a new bulletin board.
     iii) Edit a new section - again with ACT's approval.

So, the first thing to do is to find http://act.2day.ws and make it your homepage.  (You can do this in one click by going to the top left of the Insider screen - second button down.)

  To get involved just email ACT and we will send you all the info
  plus the appropriate passwords.

5.  Create ACT clone sites  The ACT Insider can be instantly "cloned" as school, house, class, or pupil sites. These can then be completely customised to the particular needs of each group owning the new sites. Specific additional information, photos and special links can be entered directly on to the site by anyone in the group with the appropriate passwords. For instance, you can have any number of individual Bulletin Boards - which are great networking/community builders.

6.  Sponsorship  A key point is that Microportals can raise money so each cloned ACT site can be financially self-sustaining. The contact panel on the right hand side of the screen can display photos, notices, slide shows or advertisements. So you could raise money for your school or charity by selling an advertisement box to your local school outfitters, shoe shop, sports shop, etc.

7.  Easy access to ACT mainsite  Members are never more than one click from key elements and information on: www.christians-in-education.org.uk

So, the first thing to do is to find http://act.2day.ws  and make it your homepage. This will not only give you vastly simpler and faster access to the Internet but open up a networking communication channel between you and ACT and you and other ACT members.
It will also earn money for ACT as every click on the Insider creates sponsor money for them. If you would rather not put the Insider on your homepage the next button down will enter it in your Favourites. IT whizzes can even have the Insider on their desktop – providing total focused access to the Internet all the time.

What ACT Microportals can do for you
Here are just some of the things you can access very simply:
•  1 click to check the trains in your station - using the information on
      the platform! (This option requires customisation of a local clone
      of the ACT site.)
•  1 click to check your local traffic, plan a route or print the maps
•  1 click to find a daily bible reading or Thought for 2Day
•  2 clicks to listen to the Archers - from the beginning!
•  1 click to see the TV and Radio listings - and the news  
•  1 click to your own 5 day weather forecast
•  2 clicks to find a B & B or a car boot sale near you
•  2 clicks to translate a letter from German >< English (or any other
      languages)
•  1 click to see school events
•  2 clicks to find a plumber
•  2 clicks to book a restaurant table or order a Chinese
•  1 click to the day's news and sports headlines
•  1 click to see the programme at your nearest cinemas

If you are going on holiday you can temporarily relocate the site on a new location and see/find everything going on in Edinburgh or Truro!