JISC Answers

You can download a high quality version of the screencast (Apple Quicktime, 44MB) or watch the low-bandwidth version below.

JISC Answers Screencast

What can I do here?

JISC Answers has three key functions:

• find an answer – search or browse the site to see if somebody has provided the answer you need;
• ask a question – submit a question to the site to hopefully have it answered by one of the JISC experts or other members of the HE / FE community;
• answer a question – submit an answer to the site to share your knowledge or opinions with others.

How do I use the service?

Finding an answer

There are two main ways to find content in the site:

• keyword search – type a keyword (or part of it) into the ‘search’ box in the top right hand corner of the page, and click the arrow to execute your search.
• browse by tags – Click a tag in the 'Top tags' on the right hand side of the page to see a list of all questions in the site relevant to that tag.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you could always ask a question yourself.

Asking a question

You are encouraged to check whether your question has already been asked before asking a new question. This will help ensure that answers are not dissipated or duplicated. Do a keyword search to see if your question appears.

To ask a question, click the ‘Ask a New Question’ button at the top of the page. You must be logged in to ask a question; if you are not, you will first be taken to the login page.

When logged in, you will be taken to the Ask a question form.

Title – enter the brief form of your question (e.g. ‘how do I ask a question?’). This is a required field with a limit of 155 characters.

Body text – use this text box if you need to expand on your question, perhaps to provide context, background information or more detail. This is an optional field with a limit of 250 words.

Once you’re happy with your question, hit ‘Add’ to publish it to the site.

Answering a question

if you find a question you wish to answer, you have two options:

• you can click ‘Answer this question’ immediately by the short form of the question;
• you can click on the question title to read the full detail and any existing answers and then click ‘Answer this question’ by the initial question.

You must be logged in to answer a question. If you attempt to answer a question without being logged in, you will be taken to the log in page.

Profile

You are encouraged to fill in your profile and upload a photo of yourself on your profile page. Each section of your profile (job title, specialism, etc) should fit on a single line. Pictures should be square and 90 pixels by 90 pixels. You can edit your details and change your photo any time you are logged in.

You can view other member profiles by clicking their username where it appears next to questions and answers.

Members I'm watching

If you want to watch other users' activity (perhaps they offer intelligent responses?), click 'Watch this user' on their profile page. Their name will appear on your profile page under the 'Members I'm watching' header. You can stop watching a user anytime by clicking 'Stop watching this user' on their profile page.

Top answers and reputation points

If you receive an excellent answer in response to a question you've asked, you can select an answer as a Top answer. That user will receive 2 (two) reputation points. If you decide later you prefer another answer, you can change your Top answer. The original Top answer's reputation points will drop by one point, and the new Top answerer will receive 2 points.

All content in the JISC Answers service is subject to moderation by site administrators. Inappropriate content will be deleted. Whilst all content is published immediately, it may be retracted at a later date. If you find anything in the site offensive or inappropriate, please contact us.