How To Use the Upgraded My Views Feature and Track Your Recently Viewed Pages on the Website

My Views Upgrade
By Richard Rost

5 years ago

Upgrade to the My Views Features on the Web Site

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I made a quick but helpful upgrade to the My Views feature on the web site. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Feel free to leave your comments and questions below.

P.S. Oh, I forgot to mention in the video, that this feature only works with the NEW pages that are driven from the Blog Engine that I built. Anything created in the last year or two is fed from a database (like this page) and you can in the URL it's coming from "/blog/display-article.asp?ID=1504". Everything older than that comes from static HTML or ASP pages and those don't feed into the "My Views" system. So if you visit a page like this one, then it's not tracked. :)

Comments for My Views Upgrade

Age	Subject	From
5 years	I'm Not Tracked?	Alex Hedley

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Intro

This page introduces a recent upgrade to the MyViews feature on the website, aimed at making it easier for logged-in users to keep track of the last pages and courses they visited. You'll learn about the new breadcrumb-style MyViews dropdown, how it helps you quickly jump back to where you left off in your classes, and how you can toggle the user bar and menu to customize your experience. There is also information about accessing your full viewing history and where to suggest future website enhancements.

Transcript

Hey guys, Richard here.

Once in a while, I spend some time and put a little upgrade in the website, and I like to share this with you because I know that sometimes I like little enhancements that make my job easier for working with the website too, and I know that you guys will enjoy this one.

So, once you log into the website, this is only available for logged-in users. You have this user bar that appears across the top. Now, some of you may be familiar with the MyViews option. This used to take you to a full list of the last bunch of pages that you viewed.

The reason why I added this was so that you could see where you left off while you are learning. So, if you know you ended up on Access Developer 13, for example, you can go right back where you left off.

Now to streamline things, if you click on MyViews, it gives you this little breadcrumb trail. This is the last bunch of pages that you viewed. Here I could say I went to TechHelp directory, Access Alpha Grouping, and I can go right back to the last page I was on.

So, if you are watching your classes, for example, here is Access Beginner Level 1, it can take me right back here. Now, eventually I am working on a way where the individual classes themselves will stay marked as viewed - that is coming. But as of right now, it will tell you where you left off as far as what course you are on.

Yes, I am in the middle of re-recording Access Beginner 1 right now. So this will show you the last seven or so pages that you viewed depending on how long this line gets here.

You can still at any time go back to the full history page. It brings you back to this guy. That shows you the last 50 or so pages that you viewed and how long ago you viewed them.

I keep this data mostly for you guys so you can find where you left off in your classes. But I also use it to see which courses are more popular, of course.

You can turn this bar off by going back to MyViews. Again, just click on it there. It will disappear.

And another feature some of you might not know about, you can actually hide this bar right here, which is basically just advertising and some inspirational quotes. Just come down the bottom and go to Collapse Menus. That will actually collapse that menu up top. See, it goes away.

And of course, my ears are always open. So if you have any suggestion for enhancements to the website that you would like to see put in place, just let me know. Drop me a comment on pretty much any page on the website, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks for watching.

Quiz

Q1. What is the main purpose of the MyViews feature on the website?
A. To show a breadcrumb trail of recently viewed pages
B. To manage your account settings
C. To post comments on videos
D. To display current promotions

Q2. Who has access to the user bar and the MyViews feature?
A. Only users who have purchased a course
B. Anyone visiting the website
C. Logged-in users only
D. Administrators only

Q3. What does clicking on MyViews after logging in display?
A. A full list of all courses on the website
B. A contact form for support
C. A breadcrumb trail showing recently viewed pages
D. Search results for your recent queries

Q4. How can users see their full viewing history beyond the breadcrumb trail?
A. By emailing support
B. By navigating to the home page
C. By accessing the full history page
D. By logging out and back in again

Q5. What is one upcoming enhancement mentioned in the video?
A. A built-in course note system
B. Individual classes staying marked as viewed
C. Night mode for the website
D. Free downloadable resources

Q6. What secondary purpose does the viewing history serve besides helping users track their progress?
A. Allowing users to edit courses
B. Determining which courses are more popular
C. Granting access to premium content
D. Generating random advertisements

Q7. What happens if you click on MyViews to turn off the user bar?
A. The website refreshes
B. The user bar disappears
C. The course starts automatically
D. The login page appears

Q8. How can users hide the bar containing ads and inspirational quotes?
A. By adjusting browser settings
B. By going to Collapse Menus at the bottom
C. By contacting customer support
D. By purchasing a subscription

Q9. What does Richard encourage users to do if they have suggestions for website improvements?
A. Email him directly only
B. Post them on the forum exclusively
C. Drop a comment on any page of the website
D. Call customer support

Answers: 1-A; 2-C; 3-C; 4-C; 5-B; 6-B; 7-B; 8-B; 9-C

DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.

Summary

Today's video from the Access Learning Zone focuses on a new website enhancement I have recently added. Occasionally, I like to update the site with features that make navigation easier, both for myself when working on the site and for all of you using it. I believe you will find this latest update especially useful.

For users who are logged in, you will now see a user bar at the top of the page. Many of you might already know about the MyViews feature. Previously, this used to display a full list of the last pages you had visited. The purpose behind this was to help you easily pick up where you left off while working through the lessons. For instance, if your last lesson was Access Developer 13, you could quickly return right to that spot.

With the latest update, clicking on MyViews now brings up a concise breadcrumb trail that shows the last several pages you have visited. For example, you might see that you recently viewed the TechHelp directory, then went to Access Alpha Grouping, and from there you can return directly to the page you last visited. If you are in the middle of a course such as Access Beginner Level 1, this will allow you to navigate straight back to it.

At present, the feature remembers the last seven or so pages, although the exact number depends on how much information can fit in the space provided. I am currently working on further improvements so that each course lesson will be marked as 'viewed' for easier tracking, but for now, MyViews keeps a clear record of the last course page you were on.

If you ever want to look further back at your activity, you can still visit the full history page, which displays approximately the last fifty pages you have viewed along with the time since your last visit to each page. This tool is mainly for your convenience, so you can always find your place in your classes. It also helps me identify which courses are most popular.

You also have control over the visibility of these features. The user bar can be hidden by selecting the MyViews option again. Additionally, you can hide the top menu, which usually contains advertising and inspirational quotes, by selecting Collapse Menus at the bottom of the page. This collapses the menu and gives you a cleaner workspace.

I am always interested in how I can make your experience better. If you have suggestions for further features or enhancements you would like to see on the website, please feel free to leave a comment on any page. I read all of your feedback and do my best to respond quickly.

You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on everything discussed here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.

Topic List

This is a video describing new website features and enhancements for logged-in users.