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Q. How do I get started with the EDIS Editor ?

A. First, visit the EDIS Editor Resource Page at http://help.ifas.ufl.edu/edis_editor/index.html. There you will find the latest version of the software, along with a user guide and a set of tutorials. Training is available for the Editor. Check with the Help Desk (352-392-INFO) for class scheduling.

In order to submit documents with the EDIS Editor you will need to obtain an ID number from Dr. Howard Beck (352-392-3196, hwb@agen.ufl.edu).

Procedures for new documents

Documents on EDIS are official UF/IFAS publications and as such require departmental approval. Some departments require you to obtain an IFAS Publication Number while other departments do not. To obtain an IFAS Pub Number or to ascertain whether one is necessary or not, contact the Cluster Editor for that department. The Cluster Editors and their departments are listed at http://ics.ifas.ufl.edu/Publications/Publications2.html#EditorialContacts.

Each document on EDIS is identified in the database by a Digital Library Number (DLN). To obtain a DLN for new publication, contact the EDIS librarian, Jack Haldeman (352-392-3196, jch@mail.ifas.ufl.edu).

Now you are ready to start creating the publication at your computer. By following the EDIS Editor instructions you can save and edit it on your hard drive. To check your progress online or to enable selected people to view it, first save it to your hard drive and then submit it as a "review" document. This will place it in the EDIS database as a review version. Review versions are not listed anywhere, but can be viewed if you know the URL. The URL for review documents is in the following format:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/REVIEW_XX123

Simply replace XX123 in the above example with the DLN for the document (a DLN usually consists of two letters followed by three numbers). Share the URL with anyone who might need to view the document during production.

When editing is finished and the document is ready to go, simply save it to your hard drive and submit it as a "release" document. It will then be an active document in the EDIS database. If you have not already told Jack Haldeman where in the EDIS menu system to place this document, email him this information. The URL for active documents is as follows, substituting the DLN for XX123:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/XX123

Procedures for existing documents

1. RETRIEVE the document from the online database, using the document's DLN

2. LOAD that document in the editor

3. EDIT the document

4. SAVE the document

5. SUBMIT to the online database

If you submit it as a "Release" document, it goes immediately into EDIS as an approved document.