How Do I Use the Phelps YDNA Google Discussion Groups?
Revised 8/9//2010
Many problems and questions are addressed at this Google Q&A page. Two key points are covered there:
Q: Do I need a Gmail address to be able to use Google Groups?
No, you don't need a Gmail address (which can also be considered as a Google account) to be able to use Google Groups. However, if subscribed to a Google Group with a non Gmail address, you'll need to create a Google Account for your email address before accessing the group through the web interface
Q: Do I need a Google Account to be able to use Google Groups?
Yes and no, depending on how much you will be using Google Groups. No, if you will not need to sign in to Google Groups for example to create your own group and if you don't need to change your Google Groups settings (for example your name and email delivery settings).
Yes, if you want to sign in to Google Groups to be able to discuss posts using the Google Groups web interface, if you want to create and manage your own groups and if you want to change your Google Groups settings.
You can create a Google Account associated with your email address
here: https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccoun
Other typical Q&A's that apply to the Phelps google groups:
How did I become a member of a Phelps Google discussion group? Can I drop out or change my registration? In most cases the Phelps project administrators joined you automatically, based on your Phelps lineage. Every posting to your group is emailed to you. You can log on to the google group and change your profile including your email address and how often you wish to be notified of postings. You can even upload your photo and other bio info. You can also drop out if you wish. You are asked to created a Google signin id which is usually your email address and a password. Please make a note of it. And remember... you have a single Google log on and password for ALL Google facilites. One logon/password suffices for all google groups.
How can
I find out how many Phelps discussion groups there are? you want
to know how many google discussion groups we have, either
1. Go to home page of the Phelps Project and click "Tested Lineages".
To the right of each Phelps line is a link to the associated Google Group. Just click the link.
And remember... you have a single Google log on and password for ALL Google
facilites. So one logon/password suffices for all google groups.
What causes me to receive an email from my google group? Any time a posting is made to the google group, all group members receive a copy of the post (or a notification of the post).
How do I view my line’s google discussion group? There are two ways:
1. Go to the Phelps main web page Click the "Tested Lineage" on the left. Scroll down until you see the Phelps line of interest. To the right click the words “Go to this line’s Google forum”
OR
2. Go to Google’s sign in at https://www.google.com/groups/signin Enter your email address and password. After the first time, your PC should remember and display the email address. You will then see a list of your google discussion groups.
When must I logon to my google discussion group? When you want to view, or post to, the google group discussions or files directly. To post directly to the google group (as opposed to replying to an email from the google group), you must first logon. AND... remember that there is only one Google logon/password and it allows access to ALL Google facilities. Of course you have to be a member of each Phelps google group.
I forgot my google log on id and/or password . How to I get them? At the google window where you are to enter your signon, click the small words you see just below the signin. It will read "I cannot access my account" Click the words and follow the instructions which follow.
AND... remember that there is only one Google logon/password and it allows access to ALL Google facilities. Of course you have to be a member of each Phelps google group.
I get lots of emails from several google groups. How do I know which google group initiated the email I got ? and how do I know what the subject is? The google group name(abbreviated) is in the prefix of subject in your email. The subject of the google group is appended to the end of that.
How do I respond to an email from my google group? Simply REPLY as you would to any email. It is best to put your kit number in your response so that others know who you are .Your message is then posted in the google group under that subject. SO don’t change the subject in your email response UNLESS you want to really change the subject. Your reply is then also emailed to all the members of the google group. Depending on the settings of your email program your reply may also include the originating text. Sometimes it is better to manually erase all the originating text to clean up the info. If so be sure your response can be understood
I want to post a new topic. How do I do that? Two options:
Go to google and log on. Then go to the group you want. (your pc may remember your logon automatically) Click Discussions. If this is a new topic, click “+ new post”. If you just want to reply while reviewing old topics, find the topic, position to the specific post to which you are responding and click the small “reply”
Or go to your google group and click “about this Group” The next window will show the group’s email address. Copy and paste that email address into your email sendto address. Key a new topic in your email subject. And send it.
I want to post with an attachment. How do I do that?. If you are REPLYING to an email send from your google grouip, simply attach it as you would normally in an email. The attachment will be emailed to all the members of the group. If this is a NEW topic, key the email as you would in a reply but enter the email address of the google group you want to send it to. You find that address by either copying the address from some other email from your group, or logging into your google group and clicking "About this Group" then copy the email address beside "Group email"
Is my google discussion group totally private? All the google groups are now private except for those listed otherwise on the Lineage Indices page. Only members may view or post to it.
Will my identification be revealed at the Phelps google groups? Your project administrator makes every effort not to relate kit numbers with email addresses or names - But this is not promised in these google groups. Of course, you may chose to identify yourself on the google group. Most members do. You may view the members by logging on and clicking "Members" Then click the abbreviated email address shown to view the full address.
Who can be a member of a google discussion group? Only those who are Y-dna tested or have a strong interest in the family line can be members. Anyone may apply via the google facility and the request is sent to the owner of the specific google group. This person is a volunteer who has an interest in the Phelps line