Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the new local group websites. For even more information please download the user guide (PDF)
How can I transfer the content of my old website to the new one?
All website administrators have received a complete archive of their site. We recommend that you transfer only what is relatively recent and most relevant. Please take care of your archive to make sure you don't lose any content on your existing website.
How do I get the archive of my old website?
We don't want you to lose any of the content on your existing website when we switch it off. So we have sent all the administrators of local group websites an email that contains a link to download an archive of their current site.
To access your website archive, please follow these steps:
- Click the link in the email and download the .zip folder that contains your archive.
- Once it has downloaded extract the files from the .zip folder
- Open the folder titled 'yourgroup.amnesty.org.uk' This folder contains all the files that make up your website.
- To see your homepage open the file titled 'index.html'
This will open up the homepage of your existing website and you will be able to navigate around the site as you would normally. Please note that the styling on some pages may have disappeared. However all the content will be present.
Your archive will not automatically populate your new website with the content of your existing one. You will still need to manually migrate over any content that you would like to keep.
I didn’t receive the archive of my old website
If you didn’t receive the email and would like us to send it again please email activism@amnesty.org.uk
I've logged in but can't access my new website?
Have you logged in using the same email address that we have used to contact you about changes to your site? We have given each local group website officer admin access based on the email address we hold for you. If that has changed please email activism@amnesty.org.uk
If you are logged in with the same email we have used to contact you and you can't access your website please email activism@amnesty.org.uk
If you were initally able to access your group website, but now you have logged in again and it seems to have disappeared please email activism@amnesty.org.uk
How do I publish my new website?
Once you are happy for your new website to be published we will then redirect your existing domain name i.e. localgroup.amnesty.org.uk and/or amnesty.org.uk/localgroup to your new website. Once you new website is live please only promote the URL amnesty.org.uk/localgroup
Why can’t I create pages?
The new local group websites are based on the same platform as the new Blogs website and uses tags rather than pages to organise content.
Where you may have created a page for a specific campaign or series of events, with the new website you just need to tag each post with the correct tag.
For example you may have a meeting on the Arms Trade Treaty. This would be a single post tagged with ‘Groups meeting’ and ‘Arms Trade Treaty’. This way a user searching for either events or arms trade campaign information will find the post.
You are also able to create lists of posts that use a particular tag. Here is an example of blogs posts on the arms trade treaty: http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/tags/arms-trade-treaty
A full list of tags can be found here: http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/tag-index/1456 and we are currently working on new functionality that will allow you to add your own tags.
This approach allows for users and search engines to find your content more easily. It will also mean that we can give your content more visibility on the main site once it has been relaunched.
How do I add photo galleries?
The new local group websites only allow for one photo per post. If you’d like to have gallery of photos we’d recommend you use a service such as flickr and then to it from your website.
Flickr is easy to use, free and offers a number of useful features to make the best of your photos. Here is an example of a gallery we set up of photos of our Feb11Global rally www.flickr.com/photos/amnestyuk
How can I see what my new website looks like?
To see the public view of your website please go to www2.amnesty.org.uk/groups/yourgroup. e.g. www2.amnesty.org.uk/groups/wolverhampton
If your group's name is made up of more than one part just add a dash between the individual parts of the name. e.g. http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/groups/bognor-chichester-and-district
What is the long term plan for our websites?
This is just the first stage in a two year plan to provide a comprehensive set of digital tools to support Amnesty activists as they campaign for human rights. The old local group websites were built on a now outdated platform that is no longer supported.
This initial phase is about putting in place a secure and stable platform that we can use as a foundation to build interactive tools for activists?
Can someone help me with transferring my content?
Yes. You can request help by emailing us activism@amnesty.org.uk. We’ll be able to transfer a description of your groups, contact details, details of your next meetings or events and one updated for your new website.
Can I use my current local group site as normal?
Yes you can. However please note that the archive will only be up to the date we send it to you. Any new content you add from then on will be lost unless you save it yourself.
How can I get training on how to use this new platform?
We have produced a user guide and you can always contact us to assist you with any technical queries.
What can I post on the new platform?
You’ll be able to embed videos from Vimeo or YouTube, upload documents, add images to your posts and create text-based blog posts. Extra features such as image galleries will be available in later developments.
Which groups have alrady migrated to the new system?
If you would like some ideas about how you can set up your website have a look at the following groups who have already moved over:
- www.amnesty.org.uk/abingdon
- www.amnesty.org.uk/bognor
- www.amnesty.org.uk/dundee
- www.amnesty.org.uk/edinburghundercroft
- www.amnesty.org.uk/glasgowwest
- www.amnesty.org.uk/highwycombe
- www.amnesty.org.uk/manchester
- www.amnesty.org.uk/miltonkeynes
- www.amnesty.org.uk/salisbury
- www.amnesty.org.uk/shrewsbury
- www.amnesty.org.uk/stratfordonavon
- www.amnesty.org.uk/telford
- www.amnesty.org.uk/thame
- www.amnesty.org.uk/welwyn
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www.amnesty.org.uk/wolverhampton
What happens if I haven’t moved to the new website by the time the old one is switched off?
Don’t worry. Just email us at activism@amnesty.org.uk and let us know.
very useful - up and running!