3D Web Ring FAQ

[P3D Jonathan R. Gross <catalyst@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can tell by the e-mails that I am getting that an explanation is in
order.

**********What is a WebRing?**********
A WebRing is really nothing more than an index of related WebPages.  The
reason that it is called a ring is that each site on the ring has a set
of buttons that allow a visitor to go to the next site (members page)
in the index.  When you visit the last site in the index, and press
next, you end up back at the first site, which is why it is called a
ring.

Each ring has a home page. The home page for the 3D Web Ring is
http://www.bolomedia.com/catalyst/ringhome.html

The rings home page is usually the first stop that a visitor makes to
the ring, but it does not have to be.  If you start at ANY site that is
a member of the ring, and press the next button, you will go all the way
around and end up where you started.

There is also a way to visit member sights randomly or through a listing
page that shows some information about each site.


**********How do I join the Ring?*********
First of all, anyone can visit the ring without being a member.  You
only need to join the ring if you have a web site (page) that you want
to have added to the index.  To be a member of the ring you must have a
home page on the web.  This is very easy to do, however, it is beyond
the scope of the Ringmaster (thats me) to help everybody with that
step.  If existing ring members are willing to help potential members
get set up, then they should let me know, and I will put prospects in
touch with volunteers.
 
If you already have a web page and would like to join, the first thing
you do is add your request to a queue (waiting list).   The application
form for joining is on the rings home page listed above.  You will need
to make up a password for your application.  DO NOT USE YOUR LOGON OR
E-MAIL PASSWORD; nobody should ever provide their system password to
another person.  This password will be used by you only to change
information about your membership in the ring.  For example, suppose you
change Internet Service Providers (ISPs).  You will need to change your
URL (site address) to stay in the ring.  When you submit a membership
request to the ring, you will be provided with a site ID.  This will be
your one and only unique identifier that is your place on the ring if
you are added.


**********After I have my site ID and Password, am I a member?
**********
Not yet.  You must first add some special HTML code to your home page
that links it into the ring.  This information will be provided to you
after you submit your membership request.  Also, your home page is
reviewed for theme appropriateness to be a member of the ring.  That is
what my previous e-mail was about.  I am repeating it here so you wont
have to look back:

> Before I actually start up the ring and register the home page, there
> should be a defined criteria for adding  (or removing) a page from the
> ring.  Here are some rules converted from another ring home page:
> 
> The sites accepted into the ring must: 
> 
>  1)    Be related to stereoscopy, holography, or virtual reality; 
>  2)    Have sufficient depth of content; 
>  3)    Have content and form comprehensible to Photo-3D List members; 
>  4)    Contain original or properly credited material; 
>  5)    Contain more than just a product to sell; 
>  6)    Contain decent language and material; 
>  7)    Include the required HTML code and display the ring badge with
> all its links on the approved page; 
>  8)    Place the ".gif" files containing the badge graphics into the
> site's directory on the owner's own server (or use the HTML code without
> graphics). This is required, because of the potential activity on the
> ring's home page.  If you called the graphics from my server, it would
> slow down the loading time and inflate billing statistics without
> representing the traffic at my site. 
> 
> All sites are subject to approval by the 3D Web Ring administrators who
> reserve the right to refuse or remove any site for any reason. 
> 
> A site can be removed from the ring if: 
> 
>  1)    It brakes the ring and the webmaster doesn't respond to two
> notices; 
>  2)    It doesn't display the required HTML code on the accepted page; 
>  3)    It adds (or removes) material (after the initial approval) that
> violates the above stated rules (Otherwise, adding stuff is OK.); 
>  4)    It moves without advising the administrators of the new address. 
> 
> In such a case, the site is moved back to the queue, the webmaster is
> notified (if the e-mail address is still valid) and given reasonable
> time to make all necessary corrections.
> 
> Please post your comments to the photo-3d list in order to make this
> stage of the process public. 

Once you are added to the ring, there is nothing more for you to do
except publish information related to 3D Web Ring.


**********How do my ring buttons know the next and previous sites in the
ring?  What if they change?  Do I need to do anything? **********
Remember I mentioned the site ID that gets returned to you when you
apply for membership?  (if not, see "How do I join the Ring?" above). 
When a visitor presses one of the ring browse buttons that are added to
your home page, it sends a request something like this:  "I am site 1 on
the 2eyes ring, please take this visitor to the next site on the ring." 
All you need to know is what your site ID is, and leave the HTML code
that you added to your home page alone.

I hope that helps.  If you want to visit some rings try visiting
http://www.webring.org/rings.html
as soon as 3D Web Ring has more that 5 sites, I will add it to the
index.

Jon Gross


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 1805
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