Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started

What is a social network?
In a web context, a social network is a site that helps you connect with like-minded people, typically through forums, message boards and keyword matching.
How do I learn more about Nature Network and ways it could be useful to me?
As well as this FAQ page, you will find additional information in our 'About' section. If you’ve registered, you can ask questions in the Nature Network Newcomers forum. One of the editors, or another user will quickly answer your questions. Beyond that, just have a play!
Do I have to register and login to Nature Network to use it?
No. You can still read and search all forum discussions, blogs, news, people and group profiles, as well as the events and jobs listings. But to post any comments or events or to create a new group, you need to login.
Logging in with my nature.com account for the first time using the red login box doesn’t work. Why?
First-time users, including those with nature.com accounts, need to join Nature Network to get the most out of it (click 'Sign up today' if you already have a Nature.com account). Giving a few basic details, including your location, will provide more options and a richer experience.
Why do I have to login to post anything?
We want to build an online community of scientists so it's important for all users to know who is saying what on Nature Network. When you login to post comments, your name will be attributed to your comments (with one exception, see next question). This is also one way to stop spam.
Can I post anything anonymously?
Yes, you can hide your identity when posting replies in the discussion forums. All other content you post, such as a topic to begin a discussion in the forums and comments on blog posts and news articles, will be clearly attributed to you.
Can I post content in a language other than English?
No. Nature Network is an English language website. We may allow posts in foreign languages if accompanied by the English translation.

Networking

What is 'My network'?
Clicking on 'Your network' shows your list contacts. You can add people to the list by clicking the link below their name on their profile.
What happens when I add someone to my network?
That person will receive an email to say so. You will not be automatically added to that person’s network, but he or she will be presented with this option.
Why should I add someone to my network?
Adding people to your network allows you to keep up-to-date with their activity on there site. 'Your network snapshot' shows all the comments, blog posts, and forum activity of your contacts over the past few days.
What happens if someone adds me to his/her network?
You will receive an email to inform you of this. You will have the option to add that person to your own network.
Can they add me to their network without my permission?
Yes, although you will be notified. Being part of someone’s network simply means that they will be able to view your recent activity through their 'Network snapshot'. On your profile page, you can decide whether to display your contact details to people whose networks you belong to.

Tags

What is a tag?
Tags are another name for keywords. On Nature Network, you can apply tags to your personal profile, blog posts, events and forums, to help you find the people and content that are of interest to you. You can also see the current 'buzz' in your discipline by checking which tags are being applied most often.
How do I add tags?
You can add tags to forum topics, blog posts, events and personal profiles. You will find boxes to do this when creating each type of item. Please seperate individual tags with a space. If the tag contains two or more words, use double quotation marks to clarify. For example, tags for an item on the structure of DNA might be entered as: DNA "double helix" Watson Crick Cambridge "base pairing"; or if you're talking about black holes, the tags could be "black hole" "event horizon" spacetime Einstein cosmology.

Groups and forums

What's the difference between a group and a forum?
Groups and forums are two sides of the same coin. Groups are collections of likeminded people. A Nature Network group page includes a short profile, a list of members, their publications and events, and a noticeboard for announcements. Every group also gets a discussion forum, which is the place to interact with other members of the group.
What are moderators and administrators?
The person who creates a group is designated as the group administrator. He or she has the ability to invite new members and grant additional powers to existing members. Moderators are appointed by the administrator, and have the ability to remove contentious forum posts.
Can anyone join any group?
When you create a group, you can set the level of accessibility. Open groups can be joined by anyone. These are ideal for topic- or discipline-based groups. Members-only groups are suited to a specific lab, department, institution or other organization with controlled membership. The Administrator allows only legitimate members of the organization to join. Private groups are by invitation only, and are not visible to anyone but members.

People

How do I find and get in touch with people?
To find users of the site, go to the People section and search by first name, surname or email address. You can also search by tag, to find people who share your interests. Users who wish to be contactable can display their email address on their profile page.

Blogs

Who gets a blog?
Anybody can apply by clicking 'Want a blog?' in the blogs section. We're looking for anyone with an interesting angle on the scientific world who can contribute at least once a week.

Events

What do the "add to calendar" links on events mean?
The "add to calendar" links on individual events pages link to an iCalendar (or .ics) file. This is a standard format for recording calendar information, and will allow you to import details of the event into modern calendaring programs. Microsoft Outlook 2007, Apple iCal, Mozilla Sunbird and Lightning are known to work. Earlier versions of Microsoft Outlook require additional software to support the internet standard iCalendar files; see the Wikipedia iCalendar page for futher details.

Moderation

Is this website moderated?
Yes, we closely and frequently monitor all activity and discussions on Nature Network. We reserve the right take down anything that contravenes our Terms and Conditions. We encourage group administrators and moderators to flag and take down content in their groups that they feel is inappropriate.
How do I report something for moderation?
You must be logged in to report a comment for moderation. When you are logged in, you will see, next to each comment in the forums and blogs, a link called "moderate". Click on that link and you'll be able to write a message explaining why you think that comment should be hidden from view. That message will go to the forum moderator(s), or the blogger, as well as to the website administrators, who will decide whether to take the comment down. You will be notified of the action taken by the moderators.
My comment or group has disappeared. What happened to it?
It is likely that we removed it, because it contravened the Terms and Conditions or it was inappropriate for Nature Network.
Sign in

New to Nature Network?
Sign up today!

Advertisement