Each program and site under The Commons is being built up and extended in iterative stages in an attempt to create an efficient, cooperative, 21st Century "knowledge building" space. Each is supported by an impressive array of communications, research and sharing tools which are steadily being expanded and improved. But before you dig in, take a few minutes to review the following navigation help. Believe us, it will make life a bit easier around here.

1. Finding your way around
   This is a quite large and in some ways a rather complicated site (Site Map). If you are concerned with the challenges of sustainable development, you may find it a useful tool for your work. At last count The Commons hosts more than five thousand "pages" of carefully prepared information, in addition to accessing many times that in the form of files located in the several dozen specialized Libraries. All this wealth of information and resources is organized into problem or program areas. A good way to get started is by consulting the short introductory section Functions and Organization.

2. Side Menu Bar ("Table of Contents")
   Your first guide in getting around here is the main Menu Bar the you will find just to your left. The Menu is your constant companion and source of orientation as you move around the site. Think of it as your ever-present 'table of contents'. You will note that it expands and contracts to provide links to additional programs and items. If this is your first visit we suggest you to take a moment to click your way down it quickly to get a feel for how the site is organized.

3. Top Quick Bar ("Bookmarks")
   As an additional quick aid in getting around, you will see at the very top of the site a 'quick bar' which is pointed to some of the sections of the site that you are likely to most often need as you work your way through the welter of pages and tools found here. If the menu is your 'contents, this serves the role of your bookmarks. (As the project progresses, the specific links placed here can be expected to evolve, reflecting the current needs of the team for whom it is intended.)

4. Help Desk
   The Help Desk is directly reachable from the Quick Bar, and there it stays no matter where you are on the site. In addition to providing an introduction to many of the tools that are included in our rather comprehensive package, it also can be useful as a check out for your own equipment, software and work routines. Strongly recommended for the first time user.

5. @World Forum
   Each work area under The Commons is support by what we call its @World Forum: an array of information sotrage adn communications tools which includes Group and private mail, Library, Links, Media, Communications Support, Polls, etc. Before using the first time kindly take a minute to read the Welcoming Note before proceeding. For a general overview of how the @Forum is organized, have a look at the section, Putting the @World Forum to Work.

6. Search/Research Functions
   Looking for something on the site? Try the search box at the base of the menu with your key words. If that does not give you satisfaction the first time, click the Search Tips link at the topic of that page. Still no satisfaction? Try Search Help for further background and tips on how to use. As you will note there are some powerful tools there for the assiduous user.

7. Quick Translations
   For more on how this rough but valuable tool works between six languages, see Translate Help

8. Knowledge System ("Working with layers")
   While The Commons offers a steadily expanding constellation of programs of quite considerable range, there is nonetheless a basic "knowledge system" at its base. Thus, you may find that it may be useful to tie into not just one but several related programs or layers in order to get full benefit of these tools and offerings. We invite you to have a quick look at how that works here.

9. The Commons
   No matter which program, site or specialized interest has brought you here, we suggest that you take a few minutes to have a look around here. It is The Commons that gives the basic explanation and explains the meaning of all the rest. The short section Opening Guidelines for The Commons should be helpful in this regard.

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