| A Dadooda Private Access Library, known
on this website as a PAL, enables members of Dadooda to set up or join
a multi-media online library to which membership is restricted to an invited
group of people or community. Every PAL must have a nominated Librarian,
whose role is to organise and maintain the PAL using a range of specially
designed tools.
A PAL works just like the main Dadooda library and can only be accessed
from the Dadooda website. PAL members can upload and publish text-based
items, digital photos and images, video and audio clips in just the same
way as they can in the main Dadooda library. The big difference is that
instead of being published on Dadooda for all users to access, only members
of the PAL will be able to access them.
A PAL thus enables a group of people or a community to create their own
online library of multi-media items customised to their particular requirements.
There is no limit to the number of members a PAL can have – it can
be any number from one upwards!
There is also no limit to the number of PALs a member can set up or belong
to. And, of course, members can continue to use and contribute items to
the main Dadooda library – you simply log in and out of the main
library or a PAL as you wish.
Think of a PAL as a private room with its own collection of specialised
items adjoining a public library. Anyone can enter the public area, but
only members with a special key can enter the private room.
Any member of Dadooda can set up a PAL. In so doing, that member automatically
becomes the first Librarian of the PAL, although the Librarian can then
be changed at any time.
The Librarian is equipped with two sets of tools called Organiser Functions
and Controller Functions which enable him or her to customise the PAL
to its particular purpose and to exercise some control over the quality,
quantity and relevance of items published in the PAL.
Organiser Functions include the ability to create a dedicated library
classification system with up to 60 subjects; to invite new members to
join the PAL; to switch on or off context relevant advertisements; to
email members and to maintain the PAL’s profile.
Controller Functions enable the Librarian to preview items submitted
by members and to accept or decline them; to suspend or archive published
items and to reinstate archived items. Controller Functions can be disabled
if the Librarian does not wish to exercise these controls.
The Librarian is also responsible for making any payments due to Dadooda
in respect of the PAL. PAL charges are based on a modest annual subscription,
which is the same for all PALs, and a “pay as you use” charge
for library items. You get 25 library items included with your first subscription
payment. This means PAL members can publish a total of 25 items before
the Librarian needs to buy additional items.
Put another way, a PAL is a completely self-contained multi-media library!
It’s like setting up your own community website, but at a tiny fraction
of the cost! The possible uses are endless. Use it for fun purposes, or
use it for more serious applications. And if you want to attract members
to join your PAL, you can even choose to display information about it
to all users of Dadooda!
Families, friends, students, work colleagues, teams, clubs, associations,
small businesses, agencies, teachers or just about any special interest
group can share their work or talent or knowledge or experiences with
each other in their own private website environment. |
