Cyn.in User Guide - v2.x

Getting Started

About Cyn.in

Cyn.in is a group collaboration software created by Cynapse, that inter-connects your people with each other and their collective knowledge, seamlessly. Cyn.in helps teams to build collaborative knowledge by sharing and discussing various forms of digital content within a secure, unified application that is accessible using a web based interface or a rich desktop client. Cyn.in combines the capabilities of collaboration tools like wikis, blogs, file repositories, micro blogs, instant discussions and other social applications into a seamless platform. The cyn.in desktop client keeps users updated with its unique activity stream while enabling instant discussions within any document, file or content.

This user guide will help new users understand how to get started with using cyn.in.

Assumptions made about the user - that he's already got a cyn.in site, with a user account in it.

Browser Requirements

cyn.in can be used easily with most of the browsers available. To ensure that you have complete access to all functionality, we recommend the following browsers:

Firefox 3, Firefox 2, Internet Explorer 7

Due to functionality difference between browsers, using other browsers might provide a variance in the user experience. The following browsers provide basic functionality such that users can read, write and perform administration tasks in cyn.in:

Safari 3.1, Google Chrome 2.x

Cyn.in Desktop Client requirements

The cyn.in Desktop client comes bundled with the required software like AIR and can run smoothly on most of the operating systems. Following are the recommended requirements to run the client optimally:

• Computer and Processor: Single core processor with speed of 2.0 gigahertz (GHz) or higher
  
• Operating System:  Windows XP, Vista,  Linux (Beta),  MAC OS
• Memory: 100MB
• Display Resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher

Anatomy of a Cyn.in Site

This section will acquaint you with the user interface of the cyn.in site.

Start your web browser (Supported Web browsers) and point it to your cyn.in site. You are required to be a registered user of the cyn.in site in order to access information on the cyn.in site. Upon successful login, you will see the cyn.in user interface.

Main Space : Root of all Content

Spaces are the pivotal aspect of cyn.in. Spaces help a group of users to create a secure work area within their cyn.in site and allocate explicit permissions to select users within it. Spaces are vital to most large companies with diverse teams. For a simplified central collaboration area, that is accessible to every user of the cyn.in use the Main space. This is where All users of your cyn.in site can create or edit any content, without worrying about permissions or sharing rights. This makes the main space the best place for free form collaboration, and its no more necessary to create a bunch of spaces before new users start using cyn.in. Spaces should only be created when there is a need for security isolation.

Application Views in Cyn.in

Every space in cyn.in now come pre-fit with application perspectives. Simply create or upload any kind of content (such as a wiki page or an excel sheet) within a space and the content appears in the correct application view. The important thing here is that all content is created within a space and not an application container. This helps users to focus on creating content and stop worrying about creating containers. This also facilitates easier interlinking and reusing of content between applications.

All Updates - Activity Stream

A view called ‘All Updates’ is available in all spaces. This shows all activity within a space (and from all spaces nested inside the space). This bridges content from all applications and types into a simple unified interface.
A great deal of user experience enhancements have been designed for the all updates perspective, as we expect this to be the most used perspective on a daily basis.

Wiki View

Wikis in cyn.in can be used by teams as a collaborative whiteboard and a knowledge base. Team members can use the WYSIWYG editor to insert images, tables in wiki pages as easily as inserting them in office documents. Powerful internal linking allows convenient linking to files, blogs, or other wiki pages. Wikis follow workflows ensuring security of content.

Wiki Page Detail View

Blog View

Blogs can be used to build a structured platform required for an environment that stimulates emergent innovation. Blogs in cyn.in leverage existing workflows resulting automatic generation of extra knowledge as you go. Blogs in cyn.in enable peer-to-peer communication, present ideas and get feedback without the fear of inbox clutter.

File Repository View

File repositories replicate the file system on your desktop computer providing a familiar interface to add and manage files. File repositories have structured folders to which multiple files can be bulk uploaded. Version history of all files added or edited is maintained and can be easily used for document management.

Image Gallery View

Structured image galleries in cyn.in allow you manage your digital assets with ease. Automatic thumb-nailing of images, slideshow view, image transformation and exif data management are just some of the features of the gallery.

Calendar View

Event Calendars allow coordinating schedules for team members. The event calendar can be used for setting up personal appointments, enterprise-wide meetings or project team events. Upcoming event notifications are visible across the spaces to authorized users.

Bookmark Directory View

Link Directories in cyn.in are a powerful knowledge sharing tool. Users can add bookmarks and categorize links creating a link base that is great for finding information later. Link directories serve as a secure way to find what trusted peers are researching on, look for recommended links. Categorizing the links helps in finding relevant information using the internal live search.

Contextual Discussions

Contextual Discussions enable users to hold one-to-one conversations with others on a range of topics from ad hoc interactions or quick questions to other users about their domain expertise. Conversations in discussions are ongoing between a group of people or a few specific persons. Conversations are stored forever creating a corporate memory that can be accessed and reused anytime.

Adding / Editing Applications

Editing a Wiki / Blog Page in Cyn.in

Categorization / Tagging of items in Cyn.in

Editing Files in Cyn.in

User Profile in Cyn.in