A Manual that Thinks the way You Think
- By Bruce McKinney
Operator's Manual - always in the upper right corner
By Bruce McKinney
AE is a complex site that includes many useful services and when you have the interest or the need you can master any of them quickly. We have issued an Operator's Manual to efficiently answer your questions. It's posted on the AE home page in the upper right corner as a link and can always be accessed there. We recognize the dual personality of a reference site. You may be using a single feature extensively and not quickly move beyond that specific function. But we offer extensive additional services as part of your subscription and want to make experimentation with these features easy and rewarding. How and when someone will be open to using new tools is uncertain. Our solution is an easily accessible, quickly read document that relies heavily on links and images. When a service or feature explanation is needed it's immediately found.
The Operator's Manual is deceptively short. It's only about three pages but contains 28 links to visual presentations and brief explanations that elaborate specific features. On the web images more effectively than words explain function because page layout varies from screen to screen according to the individual's operating system, internet browser and personal settings. When we look at the same book we all see the same book. When we look at something online it varies from computer to computer so seeing the explanation saves time. On line words divide, images unite.
The OM is divided into three services sections
- Free Service
- Research Subscription
- Premium Subscription
| Free Service |
Research Subscription |
Premium Subscription |
| AEMonthly |
AEMonthly |
AEMonthly |
| Current Issues |
Current Issues |
Current Issues |
| Back Issues |
Back Issues |
Back Issues |
| Books for Sale |
Books for Sale |
Books for Sale |
| Traditional Auctions |
Traditional Auctions |
Traditional Auctions |
| Free unlimited searches |
Free unlimited searches |
Free unlimited searches |
| Messages Boards |
Messages Boards |
Messages Boards |
| Show Calendars |
Show Calendars |
Show Calendars |
| | AED full access |
AED full access |
| | Keyword Search |
Keyword Search |
| | Advanced Search |
Advanced Search |
| | Estimated Current Value |
Estimated Current Value |
| | Keyword Identification |
Keyword Identification |
| | IBSD Listing Previlege |
IBSD Listing Previlege |
| | Displayed Advertising |
Displayed Advertising |
| | | Books for Sale |
| | | Listing Privileges |
| | | AE Footnotes |
| | | Attached to Books for Sale Listings |
| | | As Email-able Files |
| | | MatchMaker |
| | | Firefly Searches |
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A Manual that Thinks the way You Think
- By Bruce McKinney
Each link leads to visual explanations
If you are like most members you'll initially use one service extensively and also read AE Monthly when it's released on the first. Perhaps one in every ten times you visit AE you're curious about a feature you aren't yet using. The Operator's Manual is intended to make it easy to find it and its explanation. The goals are to be clear, simple and accessible.
We will update the OM as frequently as there are recurring questions. You do not need to be signed in to access it.
Here is a link to it: www.americanaexchange.com/NewAE/admanual/aemanual.asp
If you have other questions, comments or suggestions click here to send us your message.
If you prefer to speak by phone call 415 823-6678.
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