August Newsletter (2017)

[hotairballoonist]

Almost August!

It’s been a while

I have not sent out a newsletter in a couple of months.  As some of you know we have done a complete revamp of the HotAirBalloonist.com site.  This has consumed a bunch of my time and there is still more to go.  When you get the chance have a look around.  Remember LOG IN!  If you go to the site and are not logged in you are considered a guest.  A guest does not see the entire site.  In fact a Guest is not viewing even HALF the site.  So make sure you log in to see the entire site.

START A CLUB

We now have a new feature called simply “Clubs”.  If you click on the Activities & Interest’s tab you will see the first link is called Clubs.  This is a new area where you can start a club! You can create a club That is completely private or you can make a club that you invite members to join or you can create an open club for all.  Within your club you can create a caleander, Club topics, Photo gallery and even share files with your club membership.  This is a fantastic feature and one you should check out when you have a chance.

Member Map

We have even done an upgrade with the Member Map.  We have included Calendar Events on the member map.  When you place an event on the events calendar a pin will automatically appear on the member map.  The member map is now scalable.  If you click the small icon just below the +/- the map will become FULL SCREEN on your computer.  The Markers on the map now contain links and other information so you can click directly to the item even if it is outside the HotAirBalloonist.com site.

Activities and Interests

This is another new area on the site.  Here is where you will find the link to balloon clubs as well as other helpful links.  On the Activities and Interests tab you will be able to find all the items you have created and topics you have started as well as find all the items you choose to follow in one place.  There is also a very powerful search bar as well.  If there is an item you once found that you want to find again this is where you would go to search for it.

SUPPORT

There is now a new support tab on the main menu bar.  Here you can find staff, See who has been posting stuff, the leaders of the site as well as follow a specific member.  The ability to follow a specific member is also another new feature.  Also on the support tab you can see who is online.  Generally at any given time there are about 30 to 40 people roaming the site.  You can also see what members are online.  Of course the Support Tab is where you would go to get support as well. Click on Support and start a new request.  We want everyone to get the most out of the site so please if you have any problems submit a support request and let us help you.

MOBILE READY!

Did you know we now have a mobile ready version of the site?  Go ahead and use your phone or tablet to go to HotAirBalloonist.com  The site will automatically scale for your device.  Using the site is easy on any device. 

LOG IN > LOG IN> LOG IN.

REMEMBER most of this site is not viewable by a guest.  More than half of this site is only viewable by members who are logged in!  So when you have the time to visit the site please remember LOG IN.  If you do not remember your password just click the sign in button and use the password recovery system.  If all else fails just send us an email with your name and we will send you your account credentials so you can log in.

New in the STORE

There is now a tab on the store menu called “My Details”.  Here is where you will find all your purchases, print receipts, manage purchases, put a credit card on file or change a card, shipping address and more.  REMEMBER YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN to see this.  That is the only way the system will know what information to access for your account.

MAP FILES

Once again we would like to ask if you are involved in a balloon event.  Please provide your event maps.  More and more pilots are using Phones and Tablets to fly with.  We have a section in our Download Center just for maps.  Currently we have maps loaded for the National Balloon Classic in Indianola Iowa.  Pilots can go into the maps section and download files directly into their phone or tablet for use during the event.  We would love to provide this service for other events too but, we can’t if you don’t give us the files.

SO MUCH MORE

There are so many new features I could go on and on but fortunately for all of us I need to start loading the van to go fly.  REMEMBER this site is run by the Dues members pay.  Once again THANK YOU to the members who help support this site.  If you are not a paid member please at least get a “General Membership” it’s only $20 a year but helps us in so many ways.

As always, All the best to you.  Fly safe, have fun and if you need anything please drop us a note.

Jeff

 

Almost August.docx