The public version of the directory, viewable without the need to register, shows listings but no feedback and there is no ability to add new entries. Great care should therefore be used with this as the fact that an organisation is listed does not mean that it is recommended.
The following help topics should answer most questions about using the Residents Enhanced Version of the directory. The Overview provides basic information to get started. Click any subject below to jump straight to the explanation, or scroll down and read all topics for a comprehensive guide to using all the directory features. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, have any suggestions for improvements or spot a problem please contact admin@hgs.com.
Overview
Why must I register to use the directory
Add a new Entry
Change details for an existing Entry
Delete an Entry
Add Feedback
Change Feedback
Delete Feedback
Contact the person who provided Feedback for more information
Add a new Category
What to do if you experience any problems with the directory
What to do if you suspect an entry or feedback is malicious or libelous
The directory is based around three key elements:
Entries - information about a specific company, organisation, supplier etc.
Categories - groupings of similar entries, such as Plumbers, Cinemas, Restaurants.
Feedback - based on a resident's personal experience of using a specific supplier or organisation.
To enter the Directory you must enter the user id and password you used for registration on the HGS web site. You will then see the Top Level Categories such as Education, Home and Garden etc. The number in brackets after the Category name shows the number of Entries within that Category. If no number is shown there are no Entries yet recorded but you can still add one yourself. Click on a Category name to see a list of Entries for that Category.
By each Entry name you may see a star rating. The best is 
, the lowest 
. This is based on the Feedback entered by fellow residents. If there is no star rating the entry will have been added for information only. Next to this you should see FEEDBACK. Click on this and you will see all the individual Feedback details entered.
You can add your own Feedback by clicking on ADD/Change Feedback. If 
is displayed against a Feedback line you can click on this to request more information from the person providing the feedback.
At the top of each page there is a Navigation Bar such as:
Back To: Top | Home and Garden | Plumbers.
Click on the Category name to return to the list of Entries for that Category.
You can add an Entry to most Categories by clicking ADD a new Entry. If you think a new Category would be useful click Suggest a new Category.
A more detailed explanation of these facilities is described below.
Why must I register to use the directory (Top of Page)
A system such as this is only useful if the feedback provided can be trusted. No system is perfect, so you should never rely on the directory alone, but registration provides additional security by ensuring that the home address of everyone able to add information is verified before they can join. All Entries and Feedback can be traced back to the originator although this is not shown on the web site.
Your contact details are not displayed on the directory. If you choose to let people contact you for more information the system uses an internal link to forward a request to your registered e-mail address.
After clicking on a Category name you will be presented with a list of Entries for that Category. On the page will be a link ADD a new Entry. Click on this and you will be presented with a new page to enter the details. You must enter the name of the company, organisation or other appropriate name and, for most categories, at least one of the address, telephone number or web site. The more information you can enter the more helpful it will be for others.
After entering details click "Submit". If there are any errors these will be highlighted in red, otherwise a confirmation page will be displayed. Click "Continue" and you will normally be presented with a page to enter Feedback (see below) or click "Finish" to end input.
Change details for an existing Entry (Top of Page)
Entry details can be changed by the person who originally added the entry, but anyone can request a change. Click Make a change to this entry on the FEEDBACK page for the Entry. If you are not the entry 'owner' a message will be displayed and you should click where indicated. Your e-mail program should launch for you to send an e-mail request with the entry id already displayed in the subject line.
If you are the owner you will see an update screen which is basically the same as the new entry screen. Just change any details required and click "Submit". There is one extra option - normally the Name and Address fields are automatically Capitalised (ie. first letter of each word upper case, others lower case). By clicking the override box you can choose your own formatting.
You cannot delete an entry but if you think one should be removed request a change as described above.
Click ADD/Change feedback on the FEEDBACK page; a new page to enter Feedback will then be displayed. You must select a rating value (the text on the page will explain what the values mean) and then enter a short comment. The comment will vary depending on the category but for, say, a plumber this should give a brief description of the work and how well it was done, backing up the rating you entered. Comments should not exceed 4 lines. If you want to provide more detail there will normally be a "more feedback" box at the bottom of the page.
You can optionally enter your name or initials. This will be displayed on the directory and is useful so that others can see who provided the feedback. If you prefer your feedback can remain anonymous by leaving this field blank.
You can also specify whether you are willing for others to contact you for a reference or more feedback. This is very useful for other residents. Requests for more information will be sent to you by e-mail but your own e-mail address will not be disclosed unless you choose to reply. Only other registered members will be able to use this facility.
You can only enter feedback once for each entry. If you have already entered feedback, click ADD/Change feedback and you will be able to change the details you previously entered.
You can only delete your own feedback. Click ADD/Change feedback, set the rating to "information only" and delete the short comment.
Contact the person who provided Feedback for more information (Top of Page)
If is displayed against a Feedback line you can click this to request more information from the person providing the feedback. An information request page will be displayed. Please re-enter your password and the text of the e-mail message that you would like sent.
This request will be sent as an e-mail from your registered e-mail address which will be visible to the person receiving the request. They will reply directly to you by e-mail.
Please respect use of this facility and only make genuine requests for information.
Add a new Category (Top of Page)
You cannot add a new Category directly to the Directory, but if you would like to suggest a new Category to be added click Suggest a new Category and this should launch your e-mail program. Enter the proposed category name and why you think this would be useful and send.
What to do if you experience any problems with the directory (Top of Page)
If you experience any problems using the directory or have suggestions for improvements please contact admin@hgs.com.
What to do if you suspect an entry or feedback is malicious or libelous (Top of Page)
Everyone with access to add information to this directory will have signed up to the terms and conditions for the HGS registration which strictly prohibits malicious, libelous, offensive, illegal or similar information being posted to the web site.
If however you believe that information posted should not be on the site please contact admin@hgs.com.
If any organisation, supplier etc. objects to any details or feedback entered about them on the site the offending comments will be removed, but a note explaining that this has been done will be shown against the entry.