User Guide (Support / Help) — v1

C1. Getting started #

Create an account (recommended for participation) #

1. Open the site and select Log in / Register (or the account option in the top menu).
2. Create your account and verify your email (if prompted).
3. Log in and complete your profile (name, organization, location/region if relevant, interests).

Browsing the Knowledge Base is typically public; participation features (posting, groups, messaging) generally require an account.

Set your profile up for real collaboration #

• Use a clear display name (person or organization).
• Add a short bio: what you work on, what you’re looking for, and your region/watershed if appropriate.
• List interests (e.g., monitoring, passive treatment, education, funding) to help others find you.

C2. Finding information (browse + search) #

Browse by category #

• Go to the AML Knowledge Base from the main navigation.
• Start with a top-level category that matches your goal (Basics, Tools and Methods, Treatment, etc.).
• Use subcategories as a reading track. If you’re new, begin with overview/hub content before jumping into technical resources.

Use search effectively #

• Try short, specific queries first (e.g., “pH”, “alkalinity”, “anoxic limestone drain”, “volunteer monitoring”).
• If results feel broad, add a second term (e.g., “monitoring plan pH”).
• When you find a useful page, use its Related pages and Key resources sections to continue.

C3. Using resources (documents, reports, templates, links) #

What to expect #

• Knowledge Base pages explain concepts and methods; resources provide the original supporting artifacts.
• Many resources are PDFs or external web pages. Some may be hosted in the Resource Library; others may be linked directly from authoritative sources.

Good practice when you download or share #

• Prefer the canonical file/link that the Knowledge Base page references (avoid circulating duplicate copies).
• If you share a resource externally, include the page URL where it is referenced so context is preserved.
• If a link is broken or a file is missing, report it (see C7).

C4. Asking questions and participating in discussions #

Before you post #

• Check the Knowledge Base page for Key resources and Related pages (your question may be answered there).
• Search existing discussions for the same topic.
• Decide if your question is general (good for a public forum) or project-specific (better for a group).

How to write a good question (template) #

Copy/paste template:

Topic: [Short, specific title]

Goal: What are you trying to accomplish?

Context: Location/setting (if relevant), constraints, and current approach.

What you’ve tried: Steps taken so far.

Question: What decision do you need help with?

Links: Add any relevant Knowledge Base pages or resources you consulted.

C5. Groups (project or place-based collaboration) #

When to use a group #

• You have an ongoing project team (monitoring program, treatment build, outreach effort).
• You want a space for a watershed, county, or region to coordinate.
• You need a working area where updates, documents, and discussion stay together.

Group participation norms #

• Use group updates for real progress notes (what happened, what’s next).
• Keep working documents organized and labeled clearly.
• When a stable lesson emerges, flag it as a candidate for Knowledge Base improvement.

C6. Messaging and notifications (optional features) #

If direct messaging and notifications are enabled, use them for quick coordination—not for information that should be public and reusable. When a message thread produces a durable answer, consider posting a summary to a discussion thread or suggesting a Knowledge Base update.

C7. Contributing to the system (without needing to be an author) #

• Submit a resource: provide a title, short abstract, source/provenance, and permission confirmation.
• Report a broken link or outdated page: include the page URL and what you observed.
• Suggest a Knowledge Base improvement: describe the issue, propose a fix, and attach supporting sources if available.

C8. Safety, privacy, and conduct #

• Do not share sensitive personal information or location details that create security risks.
• Be careful with field safety: do not encourage risky behavior; follow local protocols and access permissions.
• Keep discussions respectful and practical. Assume readers include partners, agencies, and community members.

C9. Troubleshooting (common user issues) #

I can’t find the page I want #

• Try search with fewer words first, then add one qualifier.
• Browse by category and use hub pages to follow the intended path.
• If you still can’t find it, post a question or request a page (include what you searched for).

I can’t access a feature (posting, groups, messaging) #

• Confirm you are logged in.
• Some features may be members-only or restricted to certain roles.
• If you believe you should have access, contact the administrator with a screenshot and your username.

The Knowledge Base page looks cut off or won’t scroll #

• Try a different browser or a private/incognito window (to rule out cached scripts).
• Disable any aggressive browser extensions (ad blockers can sometimes break page scripts).
• Report the issue with your device/browser details so the site can be adjusted.

C10. Where to get help #

• Use the User Guide and Using AML Connect category first.
• If you need help with an account or technical access, use the site’s Contact/Help option.
• If you found an error in content, report it with the page URL and a short description.