Announcing Forms on the Web

In Reply Refer To: 
Mail Stop 801 


                             MEMORANDUM



                          February 1, 2001 


To:       All U.S. Geological Survey Employees   

From:     Carol F. Aten      /s/ signed         
        Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services         

Subject:  Announcing Forms on the Web         

The Office of Information Services is pleased to announce Electronic Forms 
on the Web.  The purpose of putting the forms into electronic format is to 
automate U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) business processes.  With each of 
these forms, you, the originator, will decide the routing of the form.  As 
a form is processed along your chosen route, the next person in line will 
get a notice placed in the "to do" folder of the their e-mail.  They 
simply have to click on the URL embedded in the e-mail to go directly to 
the form.  As each stage is processed, that individual's electronic 
signature will be placed on the form.  Security was a main concern for 
us.  That is why we have built in security as the form is transmitted over 
the Web.  The form is encrypted so no one can decipher the contents, and 
the only people who can work on or view the form are those who were 
selected in the routing. 

Speaking of security, everyone will need to set a Lotus Internet password 
to access the forms via the Web.  Your ID is the same as you use for your 
e-mail but the password can be anything you choose.  If you choose to 
change your password or do not know what your current Lotus Internet 
password is, you can follow these five easy steps to change it to 
something easy for you to remember. 

1.        Go to your Lotus e-mail and click on the icon on the far left 
column that is a yellow folder with a blue book on it.  It says 
"Databases" when you move the mouse cursor over it.   
2.        Under the "Workspace Tab 1" is the USGS Address book.  If the 
Workspace Tab is closed, click on it to open it.  If it is open, click on 
the USGS Address book. 
3.        Click on the people folder, overtype the first name you see with 
your last name for the search.  Scroll down to your name and double click 
on it. 
4.        Click on the "Edit Person" button on the command bar above the 
list. 
5.        Your Internet password is the last field on the screen.  The 
password is encrypted, so delete everything in the field, including the 
brackets.  Retype your new password.  Remember it because this is the last 
time you or anyone else will be able to read it in English.  Click the 
Save and Close button.  If you forget your Internet password, you can 
follow these same steps to re-set it in the future. 

You have now set your Lotus Internet password, which will allow you to use 
the new USGS Electronic Forms on the Web, as well as access your e-mail 
from anywhere you have Web access.  It may take as much as 1 hour for the 
password to become effective because it has to replicate throughout the 
Domino servers.  You will use this ID and password at the login screen of 
the forms. 

After you have your Internet password use either Netscape 4.7 or Internet 
Explorer 5.5 to go to https://gsvaresa01.er.usgs.gov/welcome.nsf.  From 
here you will be asked to enter your ID and Internet password. 

Also, once in the forms main menu you will see a "FAQ and Tips" link.  
Please take the time to read these helpful hints.  We have tried to answer 
all of your most likely questions in this link.