Getting started

Anybody can access the main interface of the site as an anonymous visitor. Here one can see the latest observations, as they are sent to the site, news and some data analyses, among others (see image Example of main interface as shown in Faune-France protal). A quick search can bring observation results that better fit your interests (see section Browsing records). It is possible to visualize the site in different languages (available languages depend on the local portal you are using), and get information on the sun and moon at the given location.

Example of main interface as shown in Faune-France protal.

Although anyone can be informed of what, when and where some species were recorded, to share your own observations with the community, or conduct advanced searches you must be registered (see section Getting started > Registration).

Registration

To participate and share observations, one must first register. Other advantages include seeing observations, and getting information regarding sun and moon, tailored to your location. A registered user can also customise the web site and have access to sections hidden to anonymous visitors. Registration is free and fast. To do so, go to your local portal, or to that of any other participant organization. Examples will be drawn from the French portal Faune-France. Click register and register again (see image Starting the registration process), and fill in the form page (see image Example of registration form). Fields marked with an asterisk are mandatory. Note that while your observations and locations will generally be available to other users (check cases where data will be hidden), your personal data will only be used to contact you regarding confusing records. You will be able to modify it at any time (see section Web interface > Getting sarted > Changing personal data, password or email). Do not forget to check and tick terms and conditions, and when done, click Register at the bottom (see image Example of registration form).

Once the form is submitted, you will receive an email with your password. Make sure it does not go to your spam folder. With your username (the email address provided while registering) and the password you received, you can now start sharing your records!

Starting the registration process.

Example of registration form.

Logging in

Once you have been registered, log in to access more content. To log in, go to register as for previous subsection Web interface > Getting started > Registration, but click on log in (see image Logging in). Enter your username (this is the email address you registered with) and the password you received at this account. We advise you change your password to a more memorable one soon after logging in (see next section Web interface > Gettig strated > Changing personal data, password or email).

Logging in.

In case you cannot remember your password, click on I have lost my password and a new password will be sent to your registered email address within minutes. If logging in from a safe device and connection, you can Store your password to facilitate the process next time.

Changing personal data, password or email

After logging in, a new section will appear at the bottom of the left-hand column titled My account. Under the different sections, you can modify your personal data, including email and password, customise the website and see some personal statistics (see image My account). Change the necessary fields in any of the sections (except in My personal card, these are the statistics) and click Modify (see image Changing personal data, password or email). Note fields marked with an asterisk need to be filled in.

My account.

Changing personal data, password or email.

Customise website

This section allows you to choose how you want to visualize certain parameters on the interface when you are logged in.

Customise the way sightings are displayed on the home page

This subsection refers to the latest observations displayed on the right hand column on the main interface (see image Example of main interface as shown in Faune-France portal). Choose which region you want to see the records from, and which ones regarding how common or rare they are (ex. Ticking common and unusual, as well as Ain will only show those observations catalogued common or unusual in the region of Ain). Use select/unselect to choose between all regions or none (see image How to display data).

How to display data.

Customize the way sightings are displayed in lists

This subsection is as in Customise the way sightings are displayed on the home page (see image How to display data) but refers to the lists obtained from the left hand column (see section Web interface > Browsing records > as a registered user).

Cartography

You can visualise maps in different formats. Click on the name to open an expandable menu with all available options. You can also choose if you want to be able to zoom in the map or not by ticking/unticking the field. You will see maps when Web interface > Submitting records and Web interface > Browsing records.

Recording language

For each taxa, choose in which language you would like the name of the species displayed. You can choose between Latin/Scientific name, or any of the languages the web site is offered to. By default (Automatic) species will appear in the language you selected for the site on the right hand corner at the top of the page (see image Example of main interface as shown in Faune-France portal).