Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do I Upload an Image?
The easiest way to upload an image to FashionCollaborative is to select the Add Images link which is near the top right hand side of the Images page. You can upload images one at a time from your computer, or there is also a bulk uploader that simplifies uploading multiple images.

How Do I Upload a Video?
The easiest way to upload a video to FashionCollaborative is to select the Add Videos link which is near the top right hand side of the Videos page. You can upload videos one at a time from your computer, or there is also a bulk uploader that simplifies uploading multiple videos. It is also possible to upload videos via your phone, using email, or directly from YouTube, Google Video, and other popular video sites. The easiest way to upload videos from these sites is to use the “embed” code they provide and paste that into the FashionCollaborative video uploader. For example, the YouTube embed code appears on the right hand side of the screen adjacent to the video.

How do I Create an Album for my Images?
After going to the All Albums page, select Create New Album which appears towards the top right hand side of the page. This will allow you to create your own image album, choose a cover, tags, and description for it, and fill it with your own images, or those of other members. This is very useful if, for example, you want to store images from a recent shopping trip of Fall 2008 store windows. You can simply click and drag images from your image library (or all images) and add them to your album. You can view all of your albums on the My Albums page.

How Do I Add Images or Videos to “My Favourites”?
While viewing an image or video, select the "Add to Favourites" link immediately beneath that item. Likewise, if the item is already one of your favourites, you can remove it from that list by selecting the "Remove from Favourites" like that now appears below it. To view all of your favourites select the My Favourites sub-tab that appears on the Images and Videos pages.

How Do I Search Images or Videos?
On both the Images and Videos pages, you will find a "Sort By" filter at the top right hand side of the page. This filter has a drop-down list that allows you to order the respective items by Latest Posting, Top Rated, Most Popular and Random categories. You can also refine your search further by entering relevant words/tags in the Search field.

What is a Tag?
A tag is a word or phrase that you can add to any image or video that will help you and other members find it when searching. For example, If you are uploading pictures of a recent shopping trip to London, you could apply the following tags to an image of Topshop store windows:

Topshop, Store, Shopping, Windows, Fall, Autumn, August, 2008, 08, Womens Fashion

To use a phrase or more than one word as a tag, simply enclose it in quotes (i.e. "Womens Fashion").

The more tags you add, the easier it will be to narrow the search on what you are looking for. It is also useful to remember geographical differences, for example, Fall in the USA versus Autumn in the UK. By using both tags, you will be sure to capture all of the items you are looking for. You can also search or add tags by date, so if your search results do not yield what you are looking for, try 2008 versus 08. Note also that tags are not case-sensitive.

Another tip is to use tags for trend details so that members can search under a specific trend criteria, such as Metallic, Shine, Fall, or 2008.

How Do I Rate an Image or Video?
While viewing an image or video, you can rate it by selecting the appropriate number of stars shown immediately below, and to the right of the item. Your rating will be combined with the ratings from other members to provide an average rating for the specific image or video. This overall rating is shown below the item and to the left.

Why Should I Tag or Rate Images and Videos?
It is important to tag images and videos because it makes searching easier for you and other members. Likewise, ratings allow others to assess the relative "goodness" or appeal of a particular image or video.

Where Can I Find Photos to Add to FashionCollaborative?
You can find images in many different ways. You can upload original photos from your computer or from other web sites. Please be sure that you have permission to do so before you upload someone else’s photos/images. If you upload photos from another website, we encourage you to tag the website name so that they can be credited for the content, and so that other members can research the original source.

Some of our favourite image sites are:
Flickr
Photobucket
Istockphoto
Getty Images

What is a Blog?
The Wikipedia definition of a blog can be found here. Refer to the presentation 25 Basic styles of Blogging for additional information on blogging.

How do I Create My Own Blog?
All FashionCollaborative members automatically receive their own blog. To begin blogging, go to the Blogs page and select the Add New Blog Post link at the top right hand side of the page. You can also select “Blog Post" from the Quick Add option that appears on every page.

How Do I Add Pictures to My Blog?
When writing your blog posting you will see a small toolbar immediately above the main body of your post. To insert a picture, position your cursor where you want the picture to go, and then select the blue/green rectangular icon from this toolbar. You will then be prompted for the specific image you want to insert - this can be from your own computer, or from other web sites.

Adding photos to your blog will make it more interesting for people to read. Blogs with more photos, videos, links, etc. are always more popular and tend to get better ratings.

How Do I Add a Hyperlink to My Blog?
Hyperlinks allow you to cross-reference other articles or web sites within your blog posting. To add a hyperlink to your blog posting, highlight the word or phrase that you want "linked" to the other reference and then select the "Add Hyperlink" icon from the toolbar immediately above the main body of your blog posting. The Add Hyperlink icon looks like a small chain, or "link". You will then be prompted for the web address of the item you want to link to.

Why Should I Use Hyperlinks?
Linking to external sources directly adds credibility to your blog posting and provides a rapid mechanism for readers to explore that topic or reference further.

How Do I Add a Document or Other File to My Blog?
To upload and attach a file (document, spreadsheet, presentation, etc) to your blog posting, select the "Upload a File" icon from the toolbar immediately about the main body of your blog posting. This icon looks like a small white sheet of paper. You will then be prompted to browse your computer and upload the relevant file.

What is RSS?
RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". It is a way to easily distribute a list of headlines, update notices, and content to a wide range of people.

Why Should I add an RSS Feed to My Page?
By adding an RSS feed to your page, every time you log on you will be able to see instantly if any of your favourite websites and blogs have new content for you to view. You can also check the RSS feeds of other members to gain insight into websites that they find interesting.