New to this site? Start here.

A hearty welcome is in order! This community exists and maintains relevancy through the thoughtful participation of people like you. On behalf of Bioneers, I hope you'll feel encouraged and respected here.

So let's get down to business. Following are some tips for using the functionality available on this website.

On this site you can:

• Write blog stories
• Be featured on the homepage
• Start a general forum discussion
• Participate in a group discussion
• Add photos & videos to the community pool

I'll discuss each of these activities below.

Write Blog Stories

Each member of this site has their own blog. You can find their blog on their profile page. For example, my recent blog entries are located here:

http://connect.bioneers.org/profile/chantal

To write your own blog entry, just click My Profile in the navigation bar at the top of this site. On your profile page, click Add Blog Post.

Be Featured on the Homepage

So you're drawn to the spotlight? Great! Here are some tips for creating exceptional blog posts that our editors find irresistible:

1. Make sure your subject is relevant to the Bioneers Community. (HINT: Our motto is "practical solutions for people and planet.")
2. Enjoy yourself. Humor can help elucidate the most esoteric topic as can personal anecdotes and photos.
3. Use horizontal photos. A horizontal photo at the top of your post translates well on our homepage. See an example. HINT: When uploading a horizontal photo, select Options in the upload window. Then, set Create a Thumbnail to 600.
4. Use hyperlinks. If you are writing about an event, link to a news story about the event. If you are alerting people to a great post on another website, don't repost the whole story. Instead, tell us why we should read it and link to the original story. (What is a hyperlink?)
5. Learn to write for the web. Though at least 5 years old, the following articles provide an excellent introduction to writing for the web:

• Be Succinct! (Writing for the Web)
• 10 Tips on Writing the Living Web

On a regular basis, our editors read new blog posts by the community looking for relevant and well-formatted posts to feature on the homepage.

Start a Forum Discussion

This group has a general forum located at: http://connect.bioneers.org/forum. Here you can ask questions, pose a topic for discussion, or post a comment.

Here are some examples of how you might use the forum:

• Start a new discussion about healthcare disparities in your region
• Solicit tips on environmentally responsible investing
• Alert others to a new social justice website
• Post a call to action

Participate in a Group

Groups are special interest areas on this site. Some groups such as Ecological Medicine have been created by Bioneers. Others such as Climate Adaptation were created by readers just like you.

Each group has its own forum specific to that interest area. This is different than the more general site-wide forum.

• On the site-wide forum, you can ask questions or start discussions about anything.
• In a group forum, you should discuss issues, questions, or ideas related to the group's interest area.

Add Photos & Videos

Getting to know each other is an important activity on this site. Photos from your life or community add vibrancy to these pages and are greatly encouraged!

• Add a photo (or view the community photo pool)

Videos are an effective pedogogical tool as well as as being downright funny. Please share videos you think contribute to the purpose of this site.

• Add a video (or view videos uploaded by the community)

NOTE: Please only upload materials that are appropriate for all ages.

Welcome! Our work together has only just begun.