Frequently Asked Questions
All Users
Here are some questions common to anyone who uses Directra. In additon to this FAQ we reommend that you also spend just a few minutes and review the User Guide.
Logging In
- Why do I need to log in?
- Can I use Directra if I don't log in?
- Why does Directra ask for my birthdate the first time I log in?
- I'm a member of more than one Group. How does Directra know which Group I'm logging into?
- I want to share info (e.g. a photo) with someone who is not a member. How do I do this?
Personal Information
- Who can see my contact information?
- When I view the list of all member I see a bunch of contact information for me but little or nothing for other members? Why is this? Am I the only one who has contact information and can everyone see it?
- It's ok for Group members to send me an email, but I don't want them to call me. How do I set this up?
Calendar
- What's the difference between the Monthly Calendar and the Calendar List?
- Can I synchronize my Directra calendar with my Google calendar?
- Can I export my calendar to Outlook or to other calendars?
- There is a lot of information on my calendar. Can I filter this so I only see certain kinds of data?
Telephone
- What phone numbers can I use to call Directra?
- How does Directra know who I am when I call a Directra number?
- How do I call another Group member?
- What if someone tries to call me using Directra and I don't want to talk with them?
Text Messages
Photos and Videos
- Do I need to pre-format my photos before I upload them?
- Do I need to prep videos before uploading them?
- Is there a limit to the number of photos, videos or other files I can upload?
Maps and Locations
Why do I need to log in?
Depending on how your admin has set up the features for your Group some items may be viewable by the general public but other items are members only and you must be logged in to see and use them.
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Can I use Directra if I don't log in?
Yes, there are two ways in which you can use Directra without logging in.
- You can view and use the Group web site features that are enabled for the general public.
- You can send email, text and call blasts for your phone or email program.
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Why does Directra ask for my birthdate the first time I log in?
Directra is compliant with COPPA and is commited to protecting the privacy of children. As part of our compliance we require that you provide your birthdate to confirm your age. The birthdate you enter is hidden and is used only for age confirmation. See our Privacy and Legal Policy for details.
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I'm a member of more than one Group. How does Directra know which Group I'm logging into?
It doesn't. When you first log in Directra will present you with a list of all Groups of which you are a member. You then choose which Group to view.
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Who can see my contact information?
Your contact information (information on your Member Page) is protected at two levels:
- Contact information is never available to non-members.
- Other members of your Group see and can use only the information you make available to them. When you enter contact information you specify if it will be visible, protected or unlisted. See Protecting Your Contact Information for details.
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When I view the list of all member I see a bunch of contact information for me but little or nothing for other members? Why is this? Am I the only one who has contact information and can everyone see it?
Only you and your Group admin see all of your contact information. Other members won't see your complete information, but will see their own. More specifically, members will see contact information you make visible. They'll see the word Protected for information you make protected. And they won't see anything for information you make unlisted.
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It's ok for Group members to send me an email, but I don't want them to call me. How do I set this up?
Simple. When you enter an email address in your Member Page, make sure that it's either visible or protected. When you enter a phone number, mark it unlisted.
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What's the difference between the Monthly Calendar and the Calendar List?
The Monthly Calendar presents your Group activites in the common month-by-month tabular layout. The Calendar List is row-by-row presentation of the same information. Why use one or the other? If you have a busy calendar, then the Monthly Calendar will probably work best for you, as your members will be more familiar with the layout and you know that you'll only display one month's worth of data at a time. However if you have just a few calendar entries then the Calendar List is for you. You can see all the information you need regardless of the month.
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Can I synchronize my Directra calendar with my Google calendar?
You can set things up so that information you provide on your Directra calendar automatically appears on your Google calendar. However this is not a full synchronization, as information you enter in your Google calendar will not automatically appear in your Directra calendar. See Exporting and Synchronizing a Directra Calendar with a Google Calendar for details on how to set this up.
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Can I export my calendar to Outlook or to other calendars?
Yes. You can export your calendar to a file (in iCalendar format), then import this file into Outlook or another calendar program. See Exporting Your Calendar to a File for details.
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There is a lot of information on my calendar. Can I filter this so I only see certain kinds of data?
If your Group is a team then you can filter your calendar to display only events, games or practices. Hover over the Menu tab and select which calendar entries you want to see.
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What phone numbers can I use to call Directra?
The main Directra number is 760-291-8097. You can use this number for Directory Dial, to contact any member of your Group by phone.
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How does Directra know who I am when I call a Directra number?
Directra looks at the caller-ID of the number you're calling from. Directra will recognize and greet you if either of the following is true:
- Your calling number matches the number you have entered in your My Preferences page.
- Your calling number matches a number in your Member Page and no other member (e.g. your spouse) also has that number in their Member Page.
If neither of the above is true, Directra will ask you to log in. Say or enter the phone number and PIN that is in your My Preferences page and you may proceed. See Logging In to Directra Using Your Telephone for more details.
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How do I call another Group member?
You have a couple of choices:
- Click-to-Call: In your Group web site, find the member you want to call, hover over their name and select Call [member's] Phone.
- Directory Dial: From your phone, call the Directra main line (760-291-8097), and follow the prompts.
Details are available at Using the Group Phone System.
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What if someone tries to call me using Directra and I don't want to talk with them?
If the caller is using Click-to-Call Directra will call you and ask if you want to receive the call. You'll be connected only if you approve. For Directory Dial you will receive the call. If this is not what you want you should update your Member Page and make your phone unlisted.
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Will I be charged if I receive a text message from Directra?
You will not be charged by Directra, but you may be charged by your mobile phone service provider. Check your service plan to see if charges will apply when you receive a text message.
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Can I send email to Group members using my own email program?
Yes. Each Group has a Directra subdomain name. You can send an email to any tagged member list using [member-list]@[subdomain.directra.com] in the To: field of your email. See Sending an Email Blast for more information.
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Do I need to pre-format my photos before I upload them?
No, you can upload any photo (file type .jpg, .gif or .phn). Directra does the following:
- From your original photo Directra creates versions that will display in the photo slideshow and can be used as thumbnails when viewing all photos.
- Directra keeps the uploaded photo with its original resolution. This is the photo that others can download.
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Do I need to prep videos before uploading them?
At this time it is necessary for you to prepare the video before uploading. Please see Video Encoding Overview for details.
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Is there a limit to the number of photos, videos or other files I can upload?
Not at this time. There is no limit to the number of files (video, photo or other types) you can upload. Individual video files are limited to 250MB each.
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Can I get driving directions to my Group locations?
If you have entered your home address in your Member Page then whenver you view a map of an Group location driving directions will be included automatically.
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