AOL Users
AOL browsers are incompatible with OASIS. You can still use AOL to access the Internet. When the AOL welcome screen displays, minimize the window and open your browser (for example Internet Explorer) to access OASIS.

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Pop-up Windows
Pop-up windows can be used to provide additional information for a Web Site. Many users disable pop-up windows to avoid unwanted advertisements. However OASIS uses pop-ups to present some information.

You must allow pop-up windows to use all OASIS features. Pop-up blockers can be included as part of your spyware or security software, built into your browser or built into add-ons, toolbars, or extensions to your browser. If you experience problems using OASIS, check to be sure your pop-up blockers are set to allow pop-ups on culturegrants-fl.org.

When working in a pop-up window during the application process you can just close the window to return to the application. Close the window by clicking on the "X" in the upper right hand corner of the child window (upper left hand corner for Mac users).

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Cookies
Cookies must be enabled to work with OASIS.

A cookie is a small amount of data that a Web site stores on your hard disk. The OASIS cookie stores information about the application you're currently working on so that your browser can save and display your application information correctly.

When you log off of OASIS that cookie is automatically deleted. Most browsers enable cookies automatically, if your cookies are disabled, you must enable them for OASIS to work.

For PC Users:

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer 6:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Go to the TOOLS menu and click INTERNET OPTIONS
3. Select the Privacy tab and set the slider to MEDIUM level.

To enable cookies in Firefox 2 or Netscape 9:

1. Open Firefox or Netscape
2. Go to the TOOLS menu and click OPTIONS
3. Select the Privacy tab
4. Check Accept COOKIES FROM SITES and click the OK button.

How to Bookmark/Add to Favorites
To save OASIS as one of your favorite Web pages, go to the WELCOME PAGE (http://www.culturegrants-fl.org) of the online grant application. Make this page a “Favorite” Web site for easy access. To save the Welcome page as a favorite, pull down the FAVORITE/BOOKMARK menu from the task bar located at the top of the page in your browser. Then click ADD TO FAVORITES/BOOKMARK THIS PAGE.

Do not save bookmark pages other than the welcome screen. The system will not remember your username and password and you will not be logged in when accessing the Main Menu page as a favorite.

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Applying for New or Multiple Grants
If you are starting a new application first check the guidelines to be sure you are eligible. Do not create a new profile for a new grant application.

Log-in using your User Name and Password, and select an application from the list of current grant programs available. All applications can be managed from one User Name and Password.

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Multiple Users
The system was designed so that more than one person can work on a grant application. One individual might focus on one specific section of the application, such as the NARRATIVE, while another person might focus on another section of the application, such as the BUDGET. It is very important for each user to save their work frequently. To avoid losing any work, ensure that only one person is working in a given section at any time. The LAST person to save on a given section will overwrite anything that has been previously crafted. We recommend that multiple users communicate frequently with one another to ensure that data is not lost or overwritten.

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Saving Your Work
There is a Save Work button at the bottom of each application page. Each time you click on SAVE WORK the page will refresh and you will return to the top of the page. Do not go to your Internet browser’s File drop down menu and select save. When you select save from the File menu, the Web page you are viewing will be saved like a document and your work in the system will not be saved.

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Lost Data

If you return to your application or go to another section and you cannot see any data, the issue might be one of the following:

1. Your computer may have cached an older version of the page, meaning that your computer saved a snapshot of the page and it has not yet been updated. You will have to update the page manually. You can do this by holding down the SHIFT button on your keyboard while clicking the REFRESH or RELOAD button in your browser. This action forces the system to retrieve data that was saved successfully in the database and bring it back to the text boxes in the application.
2. You are not logged in to the system. If your Internet connection is disrupted, the system will automatically log you out when you attempt to save work, preview the page, or move to another section of your application. If this is the problem, return to the WELCOME PAGE and log in to the system, then return to the page where you left off. If you saved your work, the data will reappear.
3. You have disabled or blocked "cookies." OASIS requires cookies. Therefore, if your "cookies" are disabled you must enable or activate them in order to allow access to our content. If you have purchased software that specifically blocks cookies, such as CookiePal, you must disable this software in order to enable cookies for OASIS. Please refer to the section of OASIS Tech Tips regarding various procedures for enabling "cookies" for more information.

How to Preview and Print
The PREVIEW APPLICATION button found at the bottom of each application section allows you to not only preview your appllication but also print your application. To preview and print the application, you must have a PDF reader. You can download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

Clicking the preview button will open a new window in your browser. If you return to the application and make changes and then return to the preview page, make sure you hit the REFRESH or RELOAD button in your browser. This will update the preview page with the most current information.

You can close or minimize the preview page window to go back to the application.

To print your application, there are two options:

1. You can print a PDF of the application by going to your Current Grant Applications.
2. You can also print the a PDF while you are working on the application. Next to each SAVE WORK button, at the bottom of each section, there is a PREVIEW APPLICATION button. Click on the PREVIEW APPLICATION button and a new window will open displaying the application. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the application. To print the page, go to the FILE MENU, at the top of your browser, and select PRINT. You can print individual pages by designating which ones.

Submitting an Application
Before submitting your grant application, make sure that you have printed a paper copy and that you have fully reviewed the data. Make sure that there are no spelling errors or text errors. Also, make sure that all required information has been entered completely. Finally, make any corrections necessary and save your work.

What Happens to Your Application
The Division of Cultural Affairs will automatically receive your grant application. You will get an e-mail confirmation notifying you that it has been received. Keep in mind that after submitting your application through OASIS you will no longer be able to edit it. You can still log in and save a copy of your application..

Storing Your Data
One of the many benefits of OASIS is that, once you complete an application, all your profile information will be stored. If you choose to apply for a grant in future years the time spent entering data will be greatly reduced.

Accidental Submission
If you accidentally submit your application, please call the Division of Cultural Affairs at 850.245.6470 well before the application deadline. You can also email oasis@florida-arts.org.

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Working with Text
We suggest that you work in a word processing application first. If you enter your narrative directly into the system and your computer loses its connection to the Internet, you may lose your work. In this instance it may seem that you are still connected to the Internet, but you will have unknowingly lost your connection - despite being able to see the actual application page. At this point, if you try to save your work after having lost your connection to the online application database, it will not know where to store your information and that information will be lost. Having saved this information in your own computer files offers security and easy access to the text should there be any unforeseen disruption in the connection.
Another important reason to compose narratives in a word processing application first is to use the spell check and word count features it provides, which are not available in OASIS.

Text Only
To save your document as text only without any formating select "Save As" from the File menu. The "Save As" dialog box will then appear. Choose "text only" from the "Save as Type" drop down box found at the bottom of the dialog box. Your work will then be saved as “text only” and the filename will include a .txt extension. The .txt extension indicates that all formatting for this file has been excluded.

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How to Copy and Paste from Microsoft Word

These directions only apply if you are using Microsoft Word.

1. Compose your narrative in Microsoft Word. Use the spell-check and character-count tools in Word.
2. Save the document as text only. What is text only? (link to info below)
3. Highlight the text that you want to copy into the text box within the online application (use/click your cursor and drag over text to highlight).
4. Go to the EDIT menu and select COPY.
5. Before pasting to the online application you must make sure that you are logged in. If so, place your cursor in the desired text box of the narrative page, click to the EDIT menu in your browser then select PASTE.
6. Save your work in the online application by clicking the SAVE button at the bottom of the page.

Formatting
Do not use bold, italics, underlines, bullets, numbered bullets, indents, or any other formatting options available in most word processing tools. Formatting will not transfer into the online grant system and may cause problems with the alignment or readability of your text. Also, do not format your copied text in the online grant system text boxes. We recommend that you use asterisks (*), dashes (-), or all capital letters and white space to indicate special words or to create sections in your narrative text.

Do not use HTML.

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HTML
Do not use html to create formatting in your narrative. If you use html formatting for the narrative, it will not be readable.

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Word Count
There are limits on how many characters are allowed in each narrative section of a grant application. To conduct a character count in Microsoft Word you must highlight the specific text that you want to count. Then, click on the TOOLS menu and select WORD COUNT. Pay attention only to the "Characters (With spaces)" number which will be displayed. The character count in OASIS includes spaces, punctuation, and carriage returns (enters). If necessary, make adjustments to your text which will conform to the allotted character count in the particular narrative on which you are working. Remember to make all your text changes in the word processor then repeat the copy and paste instructions to insert the text in the online application. The process above give you a close estimate on your word count. Each browser calculates word counts differently.

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Associates
OASIS requires organizations to designate an associate for each application they fill out. This process requires participation by both the organization level user and the individual that will be associated.

Organizational Level User

1. Create a new organization profile or log into an existing organization profile.
2. Click on the "Associates" button on the left navigation bar.
3. Click the "create new position" link (or edit an existing open position). Make sure the postion has a passcode and the appropriate permissions. Please note that a passcode is not the same as a password. This code is only used to create an association and will be visible to all users with organization level access.
4. Tell the individual user the position name and the pass code.

Individual User

1. Create a new individual profile (for yourself) or log into the existing individual profile.
2. Click the “Associations” link. You will see a list of all open posistions ordered by organization name.
3. Select the position indicated by the organization level user.
4. Enter the passcode in the text box below the list and submit the association.
5. If everthing happened correctly, you will see a link to the organization under “current associations” at the top of the page. You can log into the organization by clicking on that link at anytime. This allows you to work within the organization profile based on the permissions set in your position. This also allows you to be set as a grant contact on organization grant applications.

Your individual profile is separate from the organization profile and you can associate with multiple organizations.

Deleting Temporary Files/Cache
Temporary files, otherwise known as caches, is a temporary storage area where frequently accessed data can be stored for rapid access. This can be incredibly useful when browsing because your computer remembers your internet browsing patterns. However, you will want to delete these temporary files when you use OASIS in order ensure your the pages you are viewing is up to date and then information you input into the system is secure. Everytime you enter a Password or User Name, this information is stored into your cache.

For PC Users:

To delete your cache in Internet Explorer 6:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Select the TOOLS menu and click INTERNET OPTIONS
3. Select the GENERAL tab.
4. Under the Temporary Internet Files, click DELETE FILES.

To delete your cache in Firefox 2 and Netscape 9:

1. Open Firefox or Netscape
2. Select the TOOLS menu and click CLEAR PRIVATE DATA
3. Check CACHE and click on the CLEAR PRIVATE DATA NOW button.

Technical Assistance
If you are having difficulties with the system and need technical assistance, please call the Division at 850.245.6470 to be transfered to help desk staff. Office hours are between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, Eastern Standard Time. The office is closed for all state holidays.

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