How To Get Started With IEEE Collabratec

 

LMAG Collabratec InformationWhat is Collabratec

Collabratec is an interactive set of webpages that was initially designed by IEEE as a way for potential authors to get together to share information. It is not restricted to IEEE members. Despite its open nature, it is branded “IEEE Collabratec”. Some think of it as a competitor to LinkedIn or Facebook.IEEE Collabratec® is a research, collaboration and professional networking platform offered to members, researchers, authors and volunteers. According to the IEEE Support Center

IEEE Collabratec is an integrated online community where technology professionals can network, collaborate, and create---all in one central hub.The IEEE Collabratec platform is available to all technology-minded professionals at NO COST! IEEE Members receive added benefits and expanded functionality

It has been developed to provide special, or extra, access to IEEE members. To encourage, perhaps force, IEEE members to go to the site, it has replaced myIEEE which was a member's personalized gateway to IEEE membership. See Figure 1: myIEEE (No longer exists, drives to Collabratec). It also replaces the IEEE membership directory. It is the place to get your IEEE membership certificate.

The chair of the Canada Life Member Committee uses it as the equivalent of a free website, a place to store documents of interest to Life Member Affinity Groups, and blog of answers to LMAG questions.

(The following information is based on my laptop running Windows 10, using Chrome as the web browser. I do not have any experience using Collabratec on tablets, smartphones, Unix or Apple computers.)

How to connect to Collabratec

Using your web browser enter ieee-collabratec.ieee.org

Enter your IEEE credentials (the ones you used to renew your membership). See Figure 3: Collabratec SignIn Page). (Be careful, clicking your mouse on a figure number jumps to that figure... and I haven't figured out how to come back without scrolling)

Welcome to Collabratec

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 1 of 8

IEEE Collabratec

The first time you log into Collabratec, there will be a bunch of screens you will never have to see again.

• Survey Screen• Collabratec Page• Signin Page• Welcome Screen Accept Terms, see Figure 4: Collabratec Welcome Page• Collabratec Quick Instructions, see Figure 5: Collabratec Quick Instructions

Using Collabratec

You will start at the Collabratec Home Page, see Figure 6: Collabratec Home Page. It may be daunting the first time you see it, but it will be come familiar. I suggest you bookmark this site as a favorite. If you allow your browser to remember your signin (it might just be cookies stored in your browser) you will always start here.

1. Create a network of people you know

You may or may not want to connect to people. I want to connect with you, and depending on privacy settings you may not be visible. You can only request to connect to people, i.e. add them to “My Network”. Due to privacy rules, you can't connect directlybut only ask them to join your network. They'll get a notification to see the request and accept it. Connecting to me is an example, see Figure 7: Connect with People. 1. You have to go to the People screen by clicking on the menu in the left hand side.2. You need to reduce the thousands of people available by typing their name in the search bar. Four or five

choices drop down as you type a few letters; and you can hit enter at any time to see a complete list of possiblities.

3. Click the + sign icon beside my name. When I get notification, we'll connect.

2. Join a Group

This is easy to do. I suggest three groups you should join: Life Member Canada Chairs Canada LMAG Training Region 7 Volunteer TrainingTwo of them are private groups that you will have to ask to join. Canada LMAG Training is public and you can see stuff in it right away. See Figure 8: Join Group "Canada LMAG Training".1. You have to go to the Groups screen by clicking on the menu in the left hand side.2. Type “life” in the search bar.3. Click the icon with the three life member pins for Canada LMAG Training, which will say “Access

Now” when you move your mouse over it.

3. Wait for people and private groups to accept you.

4. Explore the Canada LMAG Training Group.

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 2 of 8

IEEE Collabratec

5. Play with Settings.

One of the IEEE people that is familiar with Collabratec, Julie Bernicker, made a picture of what to do when you are new to Collabratec. See Figure 9: Bernicker - Getting Started Guide. On her Collabrated post it linked to https://ieee-collabratec.ieee.org/app/manage-profile/communication-preferences

Another person, Victor Manganaro, posted in the community called “IEEE Collabratec Users Forum” Have you seen the NEW One-stop "Personalize" settings area?It allows you to more conveniently customize your IEEE Collabratec experience to suit your needs.See Figure 10: One-stop "Personalize" settings.

As you explore, you will find many ideas and recommendations on how to get the best out of Collabratec. Share the best ones with others, they will be included in this document when it is updated.

List of Figures Figure 1: myIEEE (No longer exists, drives to Collabratec)...........................................................................4 Figure 2: IEEE Home Page (Offers link to Collabratec).................................................................................4 Figure 3: Collabratec Sign In Page..................................................................................................................5 Figure 4: Collabratec Welcome Page...............................................................................................................5 Figure 5: Collabratec Quick Instructions.........................................................................................................6 Figure 6: Collabratec Home Page....................................................................................................................6 Figure 7: Connect with People........................................................................................................................7 Figure 8: Join Group "Canada LMAG Training"............................................................................................7 Figure 9: Bernicker - Getting Started Guide....................................................................................................8 Figure 10: One-stop "Personalize" settings.....................................................................................................8

First draft 2019-Jan-06 Part 1John Harris

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 3 of 8

IEEE Collabratec

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 4 of 8

IEEE Collabratec

 

 

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 5 of 8

Figure 3: Collabratec Sign In Page

Figure 4: Collabratec Welcome Page

IEEE Collabratec

 

 

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 6 of 8

Figure 5: Collabratec Quick Instructions

Figure 6: Collabratec Home Page

IEEE Collabratec

 

 

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 7 of 8

IEEE Collabratec

CollabratecHowto_LMAG.odt Part 1 2019-Jan-06 p. 8 of 8

Figure 10: One-stop "Personalize" settings