General

The Beeline uses an area information retrieval (AIR) system for comprehensive local-to-global Web searches. This Help area should answer your questions on how to get the most out of The Beeline. (Please refer to the manuals that came with your hardware and software for all other information.) In the event a question is not answered in this extensive Help area, write us. (Who knows, it may bee added to the Frequently Asked Questions list.)

Areas of the Hive

The Beeline has many areas within the Hive: the Beehive directory with 16 sections, a special features area called Hivelights, The Beehive Sampler where you can tour the Beehive, and support areas called Tool Bars. The Beehive's directory sections (Level 1) are:

Agencies Culture Education Events Goods

Government Health & Fitness Interest Groups

Leisure Money Matters News References

Religion Safety Services Sports

These sections are divided into categories and each category is further divided into topics (or the counties that make up this Beehive's service area).

Headers

Only the Welcome Page and Main Menus (Level 1) have a banner header at the top of their pages. All other Beeline pages use headers linking levels and extensions. For example, the "Culture: Gardens" header bee-low is:

Note that the raised buttons have hyperlinks. The depressed Gardens button is not linked (it's bad form to link a page to itself).

The Menu Styles buttons (either for Internet or for HiveCD ) in the header will take you to the Styles Menu page where you may select your favorite menu style. To return to the Welcome Page, simply click on The Beeline's site label and go home.

As you can see, headers allow you to broaden your search to state and global levels, back out to a higher level within the directory's heirarchy, and start over with the Menu Styles Page or Welcome Page.

Footers & Tool Bars

Near the end of every page in The Beeline is the footer. The footer is a set of tool bars ready to assist you when you need them. (See Footer Bar for detailed information.) Following the footer is the page's trailer information (e.g.: legal notices, etc.). Sometimes other page-specific information will be included (i.e.: footnotes, credits, etc.).

Top of Page Returns

To return to the top of a page, just click on that page's Bee-ginning tool bar . Sometimes clicking on a red leader line (like the one below) will also take you to the top.

Buttons

You will see lots and lots of buttons in The Beeline. These buttons are usually linked (active) and will take you somewhere when clicked. Beeline buttons do not display a link border for aesthetic reasons. Instead, zero borders are used. This makes it necessary to help you know which buttons are active and which are not. The Beeline uses the early electrical "on-off" switch method of "up" and "down." An active button comes up out of the page like this . An inactive button goes down into the page like this .

Note: As with all things, there will bee exceptions to this "Beeline button rule." Dragging your screen cursor over a button will show you whether it is linked or not. Of course, clicking on a button will tell all.

Main Body

Between the header and footer is the page's main body. The page's content determines what type of page it is and its format. Page types are:

Menu pages for selecting sections, categories, topics, etc.;
Continuation pages with additional selection options or information;
Listing pages with resource links to sites and pages on a specific category or topic;
Bee-yond pages with links to Web sites just outside this Beehive's service area;
WeB Pix pages with links to some of the best sites the Web has to offer;
Other pages with cross-links to resources and other areas within this Beehive;
Home pages of other Web sites;
Information pages containing text, multimedia, resource links, support, etc.; and
Filter pages with resource links to pages within large Web sites (e.g.: governments); and
Form pages with entry fields for e-mail communications.

Each page type has a unique button design identifying it. It is linked for quick access to that page. (See Legend for detailed information and button descriptions.)

Searches

The Index area and Other Pages let you search The Beeline by subject, section, keyword, and in other ways. The Search Web area lets you search the rest of the Internet.

Summary

Probably the best way to get to know the Beeline-AIR System is just to use it. Browsing is an easy skill to master (and a great discovery process, too). The Beeline prides itself on its simplicity, agility and user friendliness. (In fact, it's recognized as one of the best Web sites in the world.) It may help to think of The Beeline as a parking garage with levels, sections, special areas, information stalls, and staircases that go everywhere! All you need is a garage key and that is simply http://bton.com.

Now, please go to the next page for Legend information.