Section 1. Accessing the data entry page
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• When I go to the login page, I get a message saying "WARNING: YOU MUST ENABLE JAVASCRIPT TO USE THE DATA ENTRY PAGE. What does it mean and what should I do?

  JavaScript is a component of Internet browsers that is necessary for the data entry pages to work. Most computers are now equipped with JavaScript compatible browsers, but you must make sure that it is also activated on your computer. Here is how you can enable JavaScript:

  INTERNET EXPLORER 5 or 6: In Explorer, go under the Tools menu and select Internet Options. Click on the Security tab and set the Security level for this zone to Medium.

  FIREFOX 1: In Firefox, go under the Tools menu and select Options. Click on the Web Features tab and make sure that the option Enable JavaScript is checked.

  NETSCAPE (any version) : In the Netscape menu, go under "Edit" and select "Preferences...". Click on"Advanced" and make sure that "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript" are selected.

  Other types of browser have variable compatibility with JavaScript, and some do not support it at all (such as AOL browsers). Even if your browser supports JavaScript, we strongly recommend that you use either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

• When I go to the login page, I get a message saying "WARNING: YOU MUST ALLOW COOKIES TO USE THE DATA ENTRY PAGE. What does it mean and what should I do?

  In order to identify which atlasser is accessing a page, the server stores a unique ID in a little text file called a cookie. If you disable cookies completely, you will not be able to use the data entry page. If you have enabled cookies and still see this error, you can try clicking on the link called "try again".

  INTERNET EXPLORER 5 or 6: In Explorer, go under the Tools menu and select Internet Options. Click on the Security tab and set the Security level for this zone to Medium.

  FIREFOX 1: In Firefox, go under the Tools menu and select Options. Click on the Privacy tab, expand the Cookies section, and make sure that the option Allow sites to set cookies is enabled (or that the site mba-aom.ca is entered in the list of exceptions).

  NETSCAPE (any version) : In the Netscape menu, go under "Edit" and select "Preferences...". Click on"Advanced" and make sure that either "Accept only cookies that get sent back to the originating server" or "Accept all cookies" is selected.

• What web browser should I use?

  The data entry pages have been tested most thoroughly on Mozilla Firefox 1 Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, and we recommend any of these two versions or better. If you have at a minimum version 4.5 of Netscape Navigator, version 1 of Firefox or version 5 of Microsoft Internet Explorer, you do not have to download a new browser. Please note that we will not support any other types of browser than IExplorer, Netscape and Firefox. Please note that some users have reported problems with earlier versions of Netscape 4, such as 4.01 and 4.03, and that you should consider upgrading if you use these versions. These programs can be downloaded for free from the internet:

  Microsoft Internet Explorer: www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm

  Firefox:www.mozilla.com/firefox/

  Netscape Navigator: browser.netscape.com/

• Where can I get my atlasser number?

  If you registered as a participant in the Atlas, you should have received either a letter or an email informing you of your Atlasser ID number. Your ID number should also be listed on the address label of most correspondence from the atlas office (for example, the newsletter).

  If you don't have an atlasser ID number you can obtain one by registering on the web page (select "Register" from the atlas home page main menu bar, then "Register as an Atlasser") or by emailing your contact information to Beth Wells at Bird Studies Canada (bwells@bsc-eoc.org). If you have already registered and can't find your atlasser number, contact the atlas office (atlasmaritimes@gmail.com).

• I tried to login for the first time, and I am asked for a password. How do I know what it is?

  The initial password is your POSTAL CODE (e.g., P1J 2K0). The password is not case-sensitive. You will be asked to change your password after you first log-in successfully. Make sure that you remember your new password. We suggest that you write it down on the first page of your "Guide for participants". You can later change it at any time.

• I have my atlasser number and I tried using my postal code as a password, but the login still fails.

  First, make sure that you are using the correct atlasser number. This will normally be a 4 or 5-digit number. You can look it up yourself by accessing the user lookup page under the menu bar (Resources, Coding Sheets and Find atlasser ID). Another possible reason for this is that your postal code has been incorrectly spelled in our database, and that it is not recognizing you when you try to log in. The spelling should be the same has it appears on your atlas label (the middle space must be included), for example on the newsletter address label. If it is spelled wrong, you can use that one to log in. You will be able to correct your postal code in your profile after you have logged in. Also read the next point to find out how you can receive your password by email. If all else fails, please contact us (atlasmaritimes@gmail.com), and we'll be happy to assist you.

• I forgot my password. How can I recover it?

  If you have provided an email address during the registration, or if you have entered one in your online profile, you can have your password sent to you by email. On the login page, there is a box called Forgot your login information? You can type in your atlasser number there, OR your email address (exact spelling is required). The password will be sent to the email address you provided us. This way, no one else can retrieve your password. If you still can't recover your password, please contact us (atlasmaritimes@gmail.com), we'll be happy to assist you. Please note that regional coordinators do not have access to your password.

• Can I store my login information so that I don't have to provide it each time I want to enter/review data?

  Yes. On the login page, there is a checkbox that says: Check this box if you want your browser to remember your login information. If you check it, your browser (e.g., Netscape or IExplorer) will keep a "cookie" containing the login information for the next time. This will only work for sessions done on a single computer, and only on a computer that allows cookies. If you try logging in using a new computer, you must enter your number and password again. Do NOT save your login information if you are working in a public place (e.g. a library) as anybody using that computer would then be automatically logged in as you.

• How can I be sure that cookies are enabled on my computer?

  Cookies must be enabled on your browser if you want to use the data entry site.

  In Explorer, go under the Tools menu and select Internet Options. Click on the Security tab and set the Security level for this zone to Medium.

  In Netscape, go under the Edit menu and select Preferences. Click on Advanced and select your preferred option with cookies. The data entry site will not work at all if you check "disable cookies".

  In Firefox, go under the Tools menu and select Options. Click on Privacy and under Cookies, select Allow sites to set cookies, or enter mba-aom.ca in the list of exceptions (if you only want to accept cookies from the Atlas site.

• I click on many links or buttons and nothing happens. What's going on?

  The most probable answer is that you must activate JavaScript in order for these links to work properly (see this question). There may also be a JavaScript error in the code that may prevent the page from working properly. If you are certain that JavaScript is enabled, and this problem continues to occur, please contact us.

• The page does not fit into my screen and I have to scroll from left to right to view the rest of the page. How can I change this?

  All of the atlas web pages are designed to fit within a screen using a minimum resolution of 800x600 pixels. If you have to scroll left or right the see the page in full, your screen resolution is probably too low. The data entry page will still work fine, but you will end up scrolling left and right more than you should. Most computers will support at least a resolution of 800x600 pixels. Note that it is normal that you have to scroll up and down however on some pages. To change your screen resolution in Windows, go to the Control Panel (under the Start Menu and Settings) and select the "Display" icon. Click on the last tab (Settings) and make sure that the Screen Area bar is set to 800 by 600 pixels. Changing this value may also affect the number of colors that your screen can display. Normally, you will want to set the Colors to the maximum value available for that resolution. Before clicking OK, we suggest that you close all the programs currently running.

  When you click OK, Windows will ask you if you want to try changing the setting without restarting the computer or if you wish to restart. In most cases, you can select the first option. The screen resolution will change and a prompt will appear to ask you whether you want to keep those settings. If your screen becomes illegible, just wait 15 seconds and your original settings will come back in effect. You can go to a higher resolution if you wish, but 1024x768 pixels is probably the maximum you want to use.

Section 2. Personal information
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• How can I change my contact information or my password?
• I do not want to receive the newsletter by email. Why is it important to provide my email address anyway?
• How are you going to use my personal information?
• On the personal information review page, there are 3 drop down lists: status, assistants and squares. What are they?
• I have changed my list of squares or assistants, but the new ones don't appear in the drop-down lists on the review page.

Section 3. Before you start entering data
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• I try clicking on one of the forms to enter data, but I am being told that I must select a square first. Why and how?
• Can I enter data for a square, even if I have not been assigned to it?
• I did some observations away from my region. How can I find out what square number these were in?
• I have defined my square, but it still doesn't show in the drop-down list on the first page.
• If I enter my data online, should I also send the paper forms to the Regional Coordinator?
• What else should I know about data entry?
• If I send my data using paper forms, will they also be available for reviewing online?
• When I try printing the page, I cannot see the right hand-side of it.

Section 4. Error messages
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• What are the different types of errors and what do they mean?
• "Your session has expired or has been closed. You need to log in again"
• "Sorry! You have exceeded the number of failed login attempts. You will be able to try again in 30 minutes."
• "The page requested does not exist"
• "Objects are not loaded in memory"
• "No user information was found"
• "You cannot edit this form because it is being "locked" by another user"
• "Sorry! Data Entry has been temporarily disabled by one of the administrators of this site."
• "The login has just been disabled by an administrator. Your current session will be terminated within 30 minutes."

Section 5. Entering data
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• I have entered data, but when I returned to the page, it was not there anymore. What happened?
• What is the Reset button and what does it do? I click on it and nothing seems to happen.
• I cannot find a species that I have observed on the list that is displayed. Where is it?
• I accidentally entered data under the wrong square number, but I cannot change the number on the form! Do I have to start all over again?
• When I use Internet Explorer, there is a long delay when I try to move among the fields within the form.
• I can now see online the data that I have submitted on paper, but there are some errors. How can I correct them?
• I have submitted data on paper forms, but I don't see it online. What happened?
• There are now several entries for the same person(s) in my list of assistants. How can I fix this?

Section 6. Breeding Evidence Form
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• What is the list of assistants and can I modify it or add a new person?
• I try to enter a visit number, but I get a message saying that it is not a valid number. What does that mean?
• I am upgrading the breeding status of a species that I have reported previously. Should I also change the visit number?
• On the species pages, I enter a visit number, but it is not saved when I save the data. Why is that?
• On the species page, why are some species displayed in a different color or with a symbol?
• What should I do if I have read through the instructions, and the FAQs and I still need help entering my data?

Section 7. Point Count Form
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• Why can I only select the months from May to July?
• Why do I get a warning when I try entering the time of the point count.
• I have moved the location of one of my designated point counts, but I cannot enter both the point number and the new coordinates. Why is that?
• In the "Coordinates" box, what does "GPS, Map and Web" mean?
• How can I find the coordinates of my point count?
• What does NAD83 and NAD27 mean?
• Where can I find the habitat codes?
• If I know my habitat codes, can I enter them directly on the point count form?
• Why are some species displayed with color comments?
• How can I enter a species that is not listed on the form?
• Can I use the list of additional species to enter all my records?

Section 8. Rare/Colonial Bird Form
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• I can see the Rare/Colonial Bird Form that I submitted on paper, with the site information, but the Site and Species Description sections are all blank.