Getting Started

(directions/instructions: This is what I had in mind for INTERNAL USE in setting up the site. Actually there should be a Getting Started for the public to make it friendlier and easier for the "expert dummies" or non-tech persons. I can definitely help on this section.)

A workspace is different. It's a place where people can work on writing documents together. Anyone can edit, assuming the group permissions allow it. Just click Edit on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and you'll see what I mean.

As you begin to edit more and more complex documents, it's important to keep this plain text clean. Don't be overly concerned about the presentation of your document; instead, focus on the content and readability in the plain text. If it isn't readable in the Edit box, your colleagues won't be able to contribute.

One fun thing about workspaces is that you can create new pages just by naming them in your document. For example, here's a new page now: Sandbox Notice that it's a single word, and followed by a single underscore. If I wanted to create a page with multiple words, I would enclose the page in back-ticks, like this: My experiments To get that, I typed this: `My experiments`_

But remember, just creating a new page doesn't make it easy to find. And if other people can't find your page, what's the point of working on it? Make sure you don't create orphans. Always think about linking to your pages from a Home page of some sort. If you can't think of a Home page for your pages, then at least use an Index page to gather them all in one place.

Now, another tip on how to format your documents. Remember, the plain text is the most important thing: it has to be readable to be useful. So, use plenty of white space. Always leave a blank line between paragraphs, and before and after headings or lists. Just take a look at the plain text of this document, and you'll see what I mean.

Also remember to start every paragraph at the left edge of the Edit box; don't indent paragraphs like they taught you in typing class. If you indent a paragraph in the plain text, it will end up indented a lot more on the web page. Use that to your advantage when you like, but sparingly.

Beyond that, there are a few fancy tricks you might want to learn as you get more familiar with this workspace. Be sure to refer to the /help/Punctuation Help document to learn more if you get stuck.

Now, it's time to get back to play/work!

Announcements

Add announcements here

I am leaving the above instructions, and adding draft text below it, so if this is in the wrong place, we can cut and paste elsewhere.

What shall we put where?

1.1 About Appreciation (like the menu at the restaurant describing the food offered) Introduction, context, vision, why, purpose, objectives, benefits (what would you like to know about appreciation?)

2.l Planning for future websites; perspectives; opportunities, other aspects

2.2 AppreciationBlog.org: what are your first thoughts and expectations of what you will find in this domain or future website? What visions, dreams, insights have you received along your journey back to appreciationzone(sm) ? Share any thoughts here. However if the thought is an appreciation for someone, please post it also at AppreciationBoard(tm) in the Appreciation Project at Omidyar.net

2.3 AppreciationBoard.org This is a space we are all co-creating and posting to honor and appreciate those people who have had a positive impact on our lives, including the people closest to us. What are your first thoughts about what you expect to see on a community AppreciationBoard (tm)?

2.4 Discussion Question and Answers about the appreciation project

WHERE SHOULD THE FOLLOWING GO?

CONTENT OF PROPOSED HOME PAGE OF NEW WEBSITE: AppreciationBoard.org

INTRODUCTION to the APPRECIATION BOARD (sm)for community participation:

Many people in our family, groups, organizations and in our community deserve our appreciation and gratitude. The sponsors of this Appreciation Project are happy to develop with your participation a model community Appreciation Board(sm) to encourage people "to appreciate and honor" each other.

Please join us in dentifying truly helpful attitudes and actions, especially among people who may not be rich or famous or powerful but who every day contribute to building A Beautiful Community by their choice of thoughts, words and deeds...by acts of kindness and anonymous good deeds.

After identifying such attitudes aor actions, then please take the next step to describe it and post it on this AppreciationBoard.org (protype here). As research has shown even one thought of appreciation affects everyone around you. In addition, by posting it on the community Appreciation Board (sm), the positive impact of your words will be magnified in the local and global community.

Expressing appreciations are one way everyone can help to counterbalance negativity and heal misperceptions in our community. You positive message will inspire and emppower many people for years.

On behalf of Allies Building Community Inc. (A.B.C.), the Archway Network, we thank you for working together with us to realize our vision of the world as A Beautiful Community of allies and friends of diverse backgrounds, sharing joy, friendship and prosperity as a model for personal, economic and community development to undo misperceptions, fear, lack, negativity and suffering.

To read more about the important and beneficial impact of your Gifts of Appreciation, see the book, "The Hidden Messages in Water" by Masaru and books by Dr. David R. Hawkins.

POST AN APPRECIATION (content)

I would like to express my gratitude to NMW (Norbert) for his critical leadership role in setting this up for all of us to play, learn and benefit ourselves and others through this appreciation project.

I would also like to thank the sponsors who gave up 5 points each to to make this project possible at Omidyar: NMW, Ted Ernst, Brandon Sanders, Elizabeth Garcia-Gray, Brian Lewis, Brad Byrne, Ravi Arapurakal, Jean Russell, Julie Caldwell, Nancy Peddle and others.

I am very grateful to Pierre and Pam Omidyar for creating and sponsoring this awesome Omidyar.net Community. The people, talent, expertise and resources are truly inspiring and empowering! THANK YOU again and again!

And, last but not least, I wish to thank all the people who have helped me get to this point and are helping to co-create and support this first appreciation project at Omidyar.net.

PERSONAL MESSAGE to Pierre and Pam Omidyar, Norbert, Ted Ernst, Elizabeth Garcia-Gray, Brian Lewis, Ravi Arapurakal, Brad Byrne, Jean Russell, Brandon Sanders, John Stone, Julie Caldwell, Nancy Peddle, Sandra D. and members of Omidyar.net Community,

"You are the Gift I have been seeking all my life. You are the Present that lifts me away from the world of form into the formless embrace of eternity. You are the One I have been seeking, and now that I have found you ALL THINGS DO SHINE."

(quotation from The Art of Spiritual Peacemaking by James F. Twyman, introduced by Barbara Horst, page 86)

Directory

Items you may want to include in your group workspace.

D1.l- People

D2.1- Projects appreciationblog.org, appreciationboard.org (to start with)

D3.1 - Resources (you may list your related or similar project here because we wish to support each other in any way we can to increase the level of awareness in Omidyar and in the world.

D3.1.1 many domains have been reserved for this project for future convenience.

D3.2.1 for some other resources: see www.archway2.org In 1986 my associates and I helped to develop the largest single span Friendship Archway in the world, located at 7th and H Streets NW, DC. This monument is an asset for promotion and marketing of this new East-West tradition of making frequent Gifts of Appreciation as well as for related websites we are planning as part of this Appreciation Project.

Over 23 million people come to visit Washington D.C., this will be a way we can give them more than they expected as a result of their visit to Washington D.C. i.e. not only reminding them of their personal power to choose to give a Gift of Appreciation on AppreciationBoard (tm) but also to join Omidyar or Meetup groups we sponsor for mutual support and creativity. The nonprofit organization, Allies Building Community Inc. (A.B.C.) co-sponsors free monthly get-togethers and free weekly programs which can be utilized to get the word out in the future.

The founding members and their businesses or organizations will be acknowledged and hopefully that may generate more support for them as well. Thanks again!