Continually improving student achievement through the use of technology.

| Pinellas County Schools | Schools | Teachers | NovusEDU |

PLACES stands for People Learning About Curriculum, Education, and Student achievement.

At the end of this document is the PLACES Usage Agreement. Every time you log into PLACES, you are "signing" your name to this agreement. Please read the agreement carefully to be aware of your responsibilities as a PLACES user.

What is PLACES?

PLACES is an electronic bulletin board system (BBS) with internet capabilities. Through PLACES you can send messages to other PLACES and internet users; participate in districtwide discussion groups; download curriculum resources, documents, and software; get the latest information from the district office, and provide your own information for the benefit of the PLACES community.

How can I be a part of PLACES?

To become a user, you must be a Pinellas County Schools employee and have access to a computer with either an internet connection, or a modem and phone line. You must install the PLACES software (FirstClass Client) and log in to register for your own account. Your technology coordinator or library information specialist has been trained and can help you get connected. If you are unable to get help, you may call the Office of Instructional Technology at 588-6304. You can also get help on the web at http://www.places.pinellas.k12.fl.us

Back to Top

How do I...?

One of the icons on your PLACES Desktop is Help. Inside here you can find basic answers for most of your questions concerning everything from sending messages to changing your password. This is a good place to start if you have questions.

Another area that can provide you with help is in PLACES Info. This area contains the latest PLACES software, information on PLACES training opportunities, and an area for you to ask questions and find answers to questions already asked by other users.

I can't find it anywhere!

To search for information anywhere on PLACES, including the PLACES Help area, go to the conference you wish to search, then choose Search from the File menu. Fill out the form that appears and click the Search button. A window will appear that lists all the messages in that conference containing the information you are looking for.

Scheduled shut down

The need for a regular scheduled shut down of PLACES has been eliminated. On occasion, it will be necessary to shut PLACES down for emergency or maintenance reasons. When possible, we will provide a system wide announcement to make you aware of the scheduled date and time.

Some things you may want to change...

Please change your password. It's very simple and extremely important. Choose Change Password from the Service menu.

When you reply to a message you have received, the default sends the message back to everyone who received the first message. You may want to change this to send the message back only to the one who sent the message. To change this, choose Preferences from the Edit menu, click on the MailBox tab, then for Reply Preference choose Reply Sender.

Everyone on PLACES has a Resume. This isn't a resume for you to sell yourself for a new job, but a resume that will let you tell everyone on PLACES who you are. Some resumes are as simple as the person's name, title, and the school or location at which they work. Others include pictures, jokes, hobbies, and all kinds of creative things. When you see a name listed somewhere, chances are if you double-click on it, it will bring up that person's resume. If you don't want a blank resume, fill it in by choosing Resume from the Edit menu.

Limitations and Expirations

This section contains information regarding limits such as how long messages stay where they are and how long your User ID will be valid.

Items in red reflect the most recent changes.

Private mail expires after: 180 days
Conference items expire after: 180 days
Default daily time limit: 24 hours (no limit)
Logoff if no activity after: 60 minutes
Logoff warning time: 60 seconds
Delete users who have not connected for: 150 days (5 months)
Mailbox size limit: 30720 (30 MB)

If you exceed the Mailbox size limit you will be unable to create new mail messages until you have deleted some of the messages out of your Mailbox. You may want to immediately delete any messages that have attachments, once you have downloaded those attachments to your computer.

Messages you desire to keep longer than 180 days should be saved to your computer. You can check this by selecting a message and choosing Get Info from the File menu.

Conferences which need longer or shorter expiration periods can be changed by the conference Controller.

To maintain a User ID on PLACES, you will need to connect at least once every 5 months.

PLACES Usage Agreement
Rev 1/23/98

As a user of PLACES, I will not: violate local, state or federal laws; harass other PLACES users with repeated and unwanted mail messages or chat invitations; show disrespect for other PLACES users' opinions or views; transfer copyrighted materials without prior consent of the author(s) and PLACES administrators; transfer software containing viruses; transfer messages, attachments, or software containing material PLACES administrators deem as obscene, objectionable, impolite, or abusive; use any account other than my own except as directed or permitted by PLACES administrators; use my privileges for commercial purposes or financial gain without consent of PLACES administrators.

I understand that mail sent or received by me through PLACES is viewable by PLACES administrators and may be viewed during the course of administrative processes. I understand that if I am suspected of breaking this usage agreement, PLACES administrators may view my personal mail to determine what course of action, if any, should be taken.

If PLACES administrators determine that I have broken this Usage Agreement, I understand that I will receive one warning and instructions on how to correct the situation. If PLACES administrators determine that I have broken this Usage Agreement a second time, or if I have not followed the instructions given by PLACES administrators from the first offense, I understand that all privileges to PLACES will be terminated for an indefinite period of time, no less than the remainder of the school year.

As a user of PLACES, I will not hold Pinellas County Schools or PLACES administrators responsible for any loss or damage resulting from use or misuse of information, software or documentation I find on PLACES, or for information which is not correct, current, or complete. I understand that the information on PLACES does not necessarily represent the views of Pinellas County Schools. I understand that I have no right to use or have access to PLACES, but that I may be given the privilege of being a PLACES user. I understand that at any time, without prior notice, PLACES may become unavailable to me permanently.

In consideration of being allowed to use PLACES, I agree to indemnify and hold the School Board of Pinellas County, Florida, harmless from any and all liability, claims, damages, costs, and expenses, including but not limited to expenses of litigation and attorney's fees incurred arising out of my use of PLACES. Additionally, in any litigation related to my use of PLACES, I agree to reimburse the School Board for any and all costs and attorney's fees incurred by the School Board.