Portal Basics What is a Portal? A portal is a centralized point for accessing applications, information, and other resources using the Internet. This portal provides a desktop view of applications and information mainly from Windsor and Essex County. Learn more about the main differences between a true portal and a web site by clicking here.
a) SmartNote: Can you list the differences between a "true" portal and a simple website? Learn more in this section.
 Supported Browsers
b) SmartNote: Your web browser must be configured for optimal Portal use. Learn how in this section.
 Users must be on a vendor-supported operating system and browser. (Note: Beta versions are not supported, and Microsoft Vista will not support initial certificate generation). To access the Portal from your computer, use one of the following browsers:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6 or higher.
  • Depending on the content available on the Portal, it might be possible to use Mozilla-based browsers (Netscape 7, Mozilla, Firefox), but they are not recommended. Some services may not be functional.
Also required are Adobe Flash Player (for all browsers) and the Sun Java Virtual Machine.
c) SmartNote: Do you have more than one pop-up blocker enabled? You will need to disable them when using Portal.
 Note: Pop-up Blockers must be disabled. Registration Tutorials
d) SmartNote: Registration gives you on-line credentials called digital identities. These certificates are your keys to unlock the Portal's powerful collaboration tools. Standards provide a format for digital certificates to represent you on-line!
 For more information on the process of becoming a Registered User of the Portal, please visit the Registration Tutorials page. Certificates can be generated on Windows 2000 or Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 or later. If you are interested in accessing the Portal as a Registered User from multiple computers, please visit the Additional Access page. Microsoft Vista users can import certificates generated using Microsoft Windows XP. Reporting Technical Issues
e) SmartNote: Do you need to report a technical issue? Learn how in this section.
 If you have observed that some part of the Portal is not functioning correctly or is unavailable, please follow the Service Availability page, or contact a Portal Manager. Using the Portal Navigation Content in the Portal is organized into major Theme Areas. Each Theme Area contains a number of pages which link you to information, content and online applications from across the community. The Theme Areas can be navigated using the left hand menu.
  • To access a Theme Area, click on the appropriate Theme Area menu at the left side of the page.
  • If you are unable to view the movie in the centre of the homepage, please install the Adobe Flash plug-in for your browser (http://www.macromedia.com/go/flashplayer).
Online Applications The Portal has a number of online applications to give you direct access to information and community resources. These applications are accessed through the links located in the shaded area below the topic links. These applications include: Weather Information Weather information is provided through a link to an approved content provider.
  • By clicking on the Weather icon, detailed forecasts will be displayed in a new browser window.
  • To get back to the Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Portal Home Page, click on the home button link at the bottom right of the new browser window.
 Quicklinks Relevant, timely local information is provided in the Quicklinks section. The links in this area may change from time-to-time, depending on the needs of the community.
  • To get back to the Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Portal Home Page, close the browser window containing the quicklink information.
 Search Tools
f) SmartNote: "Search" is a complex application and some applications have built-in search tools. Watch for these tools to help you find information.
 Search
  • Clicking on "Search" will take you to the search homepage that will connect you with a number of valuable search resources.
 Announcements
  • Clicking on "Announcements" will take to you to important local stories. Clicking on any of the links takes you to the story detail. Click on "more Announcements..." to get the complete announcement listings. These listings will include news stories relating to activities in the region that may not be showcased by conventional media outlets.
  • Organizations may submit stories for consideration to a Portal Manager. (Please note: Content will be approved in accordance with the Acceptable Delivery Policy).
The Events Calendar The Events Calendar is an online application that allows you to view upcoming events and to submit events for listing in the Events Calendar.
  • The complete calendar can be accessed from the Welcome page of the Portal, as well as in the Play and Live sections.
  • The purpose of the Events Calendar is to provide a free listing service for events of community interest. This event calendar is open for submissions from all organizations within the City of Windsor and the County of Essex in accordance with the Acceptable Delivery Policy.
  • You can submit your event, provided it is not a personal or commercial sales event in accordance with the Acceptable Delivery Policy.
  • Such events can include: a fundraising event, recreation event, sports event, or a community-oriented function.
  • To submit an event for listing, click on the "Submit Event" link and say yes to any pop-ups that come up. You will then get an online form, similar to an e-mail. Fill in the required information and click on the "Submit for approval" button at the top left.
Viewing the Events Calendar The Events Calendar lists current events in the information box. By clicking on any of the events, the event details are displayed.
  • If you click on "more Events..." you will get the entire Community Events Calendar listings. Clicking on any of the events listed gives you the event details.
  • Clicking on "previous" or "next" allows you to get weekly listings.
  • Clicking on the month, gives you all of the listings in a monthly form. Clicking on "previous" or "next" gives you the adjacent monthly calendars.
The Community Connector™ One of the unique aspects of the Connecting Windsor-Essex™ Portal is the Community Connector™. The Community Connector™ allows groups and community members the ability to collaborate and share information and manage community projects online. You must be logged in to the Portal to get access to this information.
g) SmartNote: This application is one of the on-line collaboration toolsets in the Portal. Your digital identity lets others know who they are collaborating with. Without a digital identity, you can't log in. Get one by going to the "Sign up" link next to "Log in" on the Portal Homepage.
 Logging in to Portal
  1. To Log In, click on the "Log in" link in the upper right hand corner.


  2. When prompted, select your digital certificate.
  3. Select the identity you wish to use from the drop-down.
  4. Enter your password and click "Login".
Once logged in, click on the "Community Connector™" button. You will now be in the Community Connector™ Collaboration space.
  • The "CWE Demo Place" is a sample Community Connector™ Collaboration place. Each place has the ability to have discussion forums, an online library of documents and other digital records, a group calendar, a task management area and the index.
  • Feel free to explore the CWE Demo Place to see how they look.
  • For detailed information and information on how to have a Community Connector™ room set up for your group, contact a Portal Manager, or get information about upcoming portal training opportunities in the Community Calendar.
Please note that several features of the Community Connector™ require the use of Sun's Java Virtual Machine running on Internet Explorer on Windows. If you do not have the Sun JVM installed, you may download and install it from here. After the install, you may need to restart your computer.
h) SmartNote: Some applications require additional software be added to your computer. Learn what you need in this section.
 Advanced Functions The Portal allows users to do many advanced applications. If you are interested in learning more about how to use the Portal, contact a Portal Manager for training or a group presentation.