Can An eBoard Help You? - My Life Outside Epinions
Written: Jun 25 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to set up, free
Cons: Can go down & not take changes
The Bottom Line: A very useful tool for presenting info on the Net, and easy to use.
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| KMINER's Full Review: Archived Web Services Reviews |
I have a life outside Epinions, yes, it's true. It occupies almost as much time as this site does, and it has become something that I love to do. I Sweep. What is Sweeping you say? Well, to some, it's getting onto lists and webpages that list a multitude of Sweepstakes for people to enter. Myself, I don't swing that way, and have found personal sweeps to be more my liking. Personal sweeps are hosted by a real person (like you or me) who offer prizes in return for items that we all can use. Having been a Sweepster for over 2 years, and hosting as well as entering my own, I am always looking for easier ways to manage the information I need to present to potential contestants. In the past, I have had to type my lists in AppleWorks and then send a copy to my email, copying and pasting onto each Sweepsboard or individual email as needed. While not impossible, it can be a pain and become rather a time consuming project.
Then, while entering another sweeps, I found out about a free service called eBoard. Created in 1999 in the Boston area, eBoard utilizes what looks like a giant corkboard, and a series of sticky notes that you create to leave information for others to read. The site takes messages, photos, and files.
eBoard's main page can be found at http://www1.eboard.com/eboard/servlet/IndexLoginServlet
There you can Create a board, Lean more, Take a Tour, Read FAQ's/Support, Read About Us, Read Press Releases.
The site claims it takes under 2 minutes to create an eboard, which is true for the initial creation. Any information posted on it however, takes as much time as setting up text in a typical webpage. Per the site, here is some information about eBoards:
What is eBoard? eBoard is the easiest way to post messages, photos and files online. You can use it for group communication or as a homepage. Using the familiar image of notes on a corkboard, it enables you to post pictures, announcements, files, messages, links and interactive discussions online in seconds.
You can password-protect your eBoard so that only authorized persons can enter. It's simple enough for second-graders and adult newcomers to the Internet to use. And, every eBoard gets its own URL! (e.g. http://eboardname.eboard.com)
Unlike a Web site, an eBoard is typically up and running in under two minutes. (We've clocked it!) You can keep your eBoard going for a weekend, a semester or for years. Updating it is as simple and fast as sending email.
Who can use an eBoard? eBoard suggests:
Teachers
Sports Teams and other Groups
Families
Businesses
Friends
Event Planners
Individual Home Pages
Info regarding an eBoard so you can decide whether it's right for you:
Free, Unlimited number, family friendly advertising banner at the top (excepts for schools and the like), can set a password to enter, Options of up to 4 Tabs (Pages - look like notebook tabs), storage of up to 10 megabytes of information , maximum size for each attachment is 5 megabytes.
TO BEGIN
Since my needs are pretty basic, I signed up. Pick a previously unused name, and you are set! An email is sent quickly to you from the site giving you a little information and letting you know the URL/URL's to access your board. A screen that looks like a giant corkboard comes up, with what looks like a big folder tab (like a manilla folder). At the top, click to post/edit mode, and there are 3 options, go to read mode, add a note, or go to control panel. The read mode lets you see what exactly others will see when they enter the board. The control panel allows you to change passwords, create the need for them to complete some tasks, and so on. Add a note is used frequently, as that is how any data is stored. A subject is then required (max 30 characters) and then a text box is available. I have yet to see eBoard put a limit on how long a note can be. You then have the option to create an attachment (file, photo, etc) and to browse through your files for what you want. You also have the option to write a caption with the attachment. You can add additional attachments if desired, or make the note a chat note (meaning like a small message board/guestbook) so others who visit the page can leave you information. You then pick the color desired of your note (options are Yellow, Sky, Pink, Lime, Aqua), hit Submit, and you have a note!
The note looks like a sheet of paper with a tack through the top, and has the option for you to then edit that or delete it. The site keeps these editing options as long as you are in Edit mode. Again, to view how others would see your site at any time just click the Read mode. When having multiple notes, you can also choose to move the position of the note (what gets seen first, second, and etc). While editing, there will be a new box that says move this note to position and a drop down box with number options. Just select the numbered position that you now want, and the site moves it for you.
ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT THE SITE
While working on or viewing your eBoard, there are options to create a new board, technical assistance, and to exit the board. I often hit exit when done just to be safe, rather than simply clicking to the next site.
Again, we are allowed 4 tabs (or pages) but I often just use 1. I have seen some people separate into various pages (I can email you a sample if you'd like to see how that looks). Want to add your email address or website URL? No fancy tricks, just type it in as you normally would do, hit enter, and the note now has a clickable link on it!
Overall, the site has been very easy to use. I have had a few problems not being able to access the site while they have been upgrading, but they sent everyone emails letting us know a week in advance when that would be. There are also a few problems I have had where I had thought I had entered information, thought it was submitted, and the site did not have it. Just in case, I keep a copy elsewhere. The problem seems to be with making sure the site had taken my editing (I have found that hitting refresh often helps me now see whether I submitting things correctly).
It would be impossible for me to explain every nuance of the site, and there may be some information you would be interested that I may have not addressed. If my basic introduction to the site had you interested I'd suggest going to the site yourself. (link above)
eBoards have been an excellent way for me to manage one of my great online loves,entering Sweeps. It has not required that I learn any new skills, learn new HTML codes, or have to download anything. It has been a great tool to use and access, and I use the site daily.
If interested in viewing, here is the URL to the Eboard that I created:
http://www.kimmminer.eboard.com
* Note - Information in italics was taken directly from the site - they explained it better than I ever could.
Recommended:
Yes
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