ICA is found on the World Wide Web. Use Netscape, Internet Explorer or other web browser to access the Nicenet webpage that provides free web space, globally. (See more information about the system once you are logged into it. A good FAQ link provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions.)

1) Start up Netscape or other browser.

2) Enter this URL: www.nicenet.org (if you are curious, click on Learn More about the ICA).

3a) First time ICA2 users continue (existing users skip to 3b)

• Under New ICA Users: click Join a Class [Don't press RETURN]
• Enter Class Key P823Z0G52
• Click the Join the Class box
• Enter all the data requested: create your ICA Username and Password; you might use your e-mail address as both a username and your password, if you don't want to have to remember a new one; you do not have to include your phone number if you do not wish to do so.

3b) Existing ICA2 users (but NOT those who set up ICA1 accounts before)

• Scroll down to enter your ICA Username and Password
• Click the Log In to the ICA box
• Note: If you already are a member of an ICA2 class, find ENTER NEW CLASS (listed on the menu on the left), then click on the arrow and JOIN under GSworkshop;
• Enter the class key, P823Z0G52, and complete the registration process
• Go to 4

4) Once in the GSworkshop Nicenet class, check for:

• Conferencing: find reports of any new messages;
• Topic: find subjects with links
• Reply: to a single message or
• Send a personal response to the author of the message.

When you want to post a message (e.g. your personal introduction) you need to go to the start of the topic and click Post Message to ... Then enter the message Subject and Message Text; end and save with Post Message to add the item). You will be able to edit it afterwards if you want to.

• Link Sharing: Provides helpful links. These contain links to web sites related to the GSworkshop.

• Documents: Will contain instructional reference materials (e.g. GSworkshop Nicenet Class Registration for copies of this set of directions).

• Class Schedule: Will indicate scheduled items and events.

• Class Roster: Contains the names, e-mail addresses, and telephones (if listed) of all persons registered for the GSworkshop Nicenet class. If you want to send a message to a member, just click their underlined e-mail address after their roster listing. However, in class or when you are using a school computer, you should use the Personal Messages option instead (See below)

• Personal messages (click View or Send) to communicate with others registered in ICA2.

• You can send a message to anyone in the group. You just click the box of those to whom you are writing, enter the message SUBJECT and finally the MESSAGE. When you are finished, click Send Message button.
• View Your Personal Messages: If someone has sent you a message using the ICA message system, it will appear when you check for messages here. You can Reply, Archive(save) or Delete the message after reading it.

• Edit User Profile: This allows you to make changes in any of the personal information you originally listed when you logged in the first time.

5) Click LOG OUT at the bottom of the screen to end the session.