Tag: Call Admins

Post of interest to call administrators.

The EAS Method for Simplifying Forms

The folks over at Nielsen Norman Group recently published a handy guide to the EAS Method for Simplifying Forms. Basically, it’s a framework for making online forms easier and less time-consuming to fill out by following three steps:

  1. Eliminate questions that are nonessential, nonurgent, or irrelevant.
  2. Automate the remaining questions as much as possible by leveraging existing or inferable data.
  3. Simplify what remains with helpful defaults, alternative input, and smart formatting.

ProposalSpace gives you a number of ways to apply the EAS Method:

Use the Branching feature to eliminate irrelevant questions. For example, if you collect submissions for both posters and panels you can ask which type the submission is for, then display only questions relevant to that type. This can make the form much shorter by eliminating questions starting with something like “If this is for a poster…” (Note that the Branching feature is available for both the submission form and the review form.)

Use the Return for Edits feature to postpone asking nonurgent questions. For example, a headshot is probably only necessary if a submission is selected for presentation. Rather than asking for one when a proposal is initially submitted, wait until a submission has been selected then return it to the author with a request for them to provide one.

Use the Default Answer feature in the form builder to automatically pre-fill information from the user’s profile. For example, if you need to collect someone’s organization, select Organization for the question’s Default Answer setting. The user can then edit the default answer if needed.

Use the Default Answer feature to pre-select an answer from a list of options. Save the user time with checkboxes, dropdowns, or radio buttons by identifying one of the options as the default answer. Keep in mind however that while this can be helpful in some situations, like when selecting a state or country, it can also be counterproductive since users rarely change defaults.

If you have other tips for eliminating, automating, or simplifying forms in ProposalSpace, please leave your ideas in the comments!

Tips for Avoiding Malware in Submissions

We’ve all been cautioned for years never to open files from suspicious sources. And even if a file is from a trusted source it’s best not to open it until it’s been scanned with antivirus software. Otherwise you run the risk of installing malware, like a Trojan horse, spyware, or ransomware. Opening a file—or even clicking a link—can be one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain control of your computer.

But what if you’re a call admin or reviewer? It’s difficult to assess the quality of submissions without opening documents or following links. This is the security dilemma inherent to every call for proposals: You have to collect content but the only sure-fire way to avoid harm from that content is never to open it.

Unfortunately there is no bulletproof solution. There are, however, a few best practices call admins and reviewers can observe to help reduce their risk:
Continue reading Tips for Avoiding Malware in Submissions

Bulk File Downloads Are Here!

File-upload fields are one of the most convenient ways to collect information from authors. And in some cases, like for photos, there really is no better option.

But one downside to using file-upload fields has been that in order to collect the files, you previously had to pull up each submission and download the files individually.

Not any more! Now you can download files all at once using the Data-export tool.

Continue reading Bulk File Downloads Are Here!

New Feature: Upload Restrictions

Call admins now have the ability to restrict which types of files are allowed for uploads.

The new setting is in two places: the form builder and the Publishing Module. In both cases it is a safelist (as opposed to a blocklist) meaning authors are only allowed to upload files with extensions you specify. Or put another way, authors are prohibited from uploading files not in the list.

Continue reading New Feature: Upload Restrictions

PubMod Updates

The Publishing Module has a number of exciting improvements in place:

  • The module now uses the domain mtgsked.com instead of the main proposalspace.com domain.
  • Virtually all of the ProposalSpace-specific branding is gone, making the meeting-specific branding stand out more.
  • The meeting name, location, and dates can now be customized in the module’s settings.
  • Pages are responsive (i.e. they display nicely on mobile devices).

Continue reading PubMod Updates

New Feature: Admin Session Copies

Calls using the Advanced Scheduling Module now have a new option when creating admin sessions:

Previously all admin sessions had to be started from scratch. This posed a bit of a challenge, however, if someone wanted to combine multiple submissions into a single session (for a panel discussion, for example).

Now admins have the option of either starting an admin session from scratch or making a copy of a submission or another admin session. Hopefully this helps to minimize the need to copy and paste most, if not all, of the content into the new session.

Submittable Reviews

One of the Review Module’s most useful features has always been the ability for reviewers to save incomplete or provisional reviews. It’s especially handy for reviewers who want to record their initial assessment of a submission then finalize it later, after they’ve analyzed their other assignments.

Up to now, though, there was no way for reviewers to “lock in” their reviews. Unfortunately this meant call admins and review chairs couldn’t be 100% certain a review was ever final, even after the review deadline had passed.

That’s no longer the case! Reviewers now have the option to submit completed reviews, marking them as final for call admins and review chairs. Continue reading Submittable Reviews