Navigating Mus

Overview

Zakaya's micro-communities (mus) are designed to help you connect with others who share your interests. Each mu contains several key sections that make it easy to stay engaged with your community. This guide will walk you through the main features and help you navigate your mus like a pro.

Getting Started

When you first join a mu, you'll land on the community's main page. Here's what you'll find:

The Activity Feed

The Activity feed is the central hub where you can track what's happening in your mu. It offers two viewing modes that you can toggle between at the top of the screen:

• Room Summaries - Shows a digest of recent activity across different rooms (chats, forums, etc.)
• Raw Content - Displays individual messages and posts in chronological order

Core Features

Chat Rooms

Chat rooms are designed for real-time conversations:

• General Chat - The default room for casual conversation
• Topic-specific Rooms - Created by moderators for focused discussions
• Voice Rooms - For audio conversations (look for the microphone icon)

To use chat rooms effectively: 1. Select the room you want to join from the list 2. For voice rooms, tap the microphone icon to connect your audio 3. Use @mentions to alert specific members 4. React to messages with emojis by long-pressing a message

Forums

Forums are perfect for more structured, threaded discussions that last over time:

• Each forum typically focuses on a specific topic
• Posts are organized in threads with replies nested underneath
• Great for in-depth conversations, debates, and knowledge-sharing

To use forums: 1. Browse existing threads or start a new one 2. Add your response to continue a discussion 3. Follow threads to receive notifications about new replies

Media Rooms

Media rooms allow community members to share and discuss visual content:

• Photo Galleries - For sharing images related to the community's interests
• Video Collections - For sharing relevant videos
• Document Libraries - For sharing PDFs, presentations, or other files

To use media rooms: 1. Browse existing content by scrolling or using filters 2. Tap on any item to view it in full size 3. Add comments or reactions to media items 4. Upload your own content using the + button (if you have permission)

Content Feeds

Content feeds are curated streams of information relevant to the community:

• May include articles, blog posts, news items, or other content
• Often managed by moderators to ensure quality and relevance
• Can be organized by topics or categories

To make the most of content feeds: 1. Browse by scrolling or filter by categories if available 2. Save interesting items for later reading 3. Share items that you find valuable with a comment about why you're sharing

Event Calendar

The event calendar helps you stay on top of community activities:

• View upcoming events in list or calendar format
• RSVP to events you're interested in
• Set reminders so you don't miss out
• Create your own events (if you have permissions)

Pro tip: Turn on notifications for events you're attending to get reminders and updates.

Member Directory

The member directory helps you connect with individuals in your community:

• Browse all members or search for specific people
• View member profiles to learn more about them
• Send direct messages by tapping the message icon on profiles
• Find your buddy match (if you're new and the mu has this feature enabled)

Finding Community Resources

Many mus have special resources for members:

• Pinned Posts - Look for pins at the top of rooms for important information
• Resource Library - Often a dedicated media room for important documents
• FAQ Section - Usually found in a dedicated forum or pinned post
• Community Guidelines - Typically pinned in the general chat or forums

Examples

Example 1: Joining a Discussion

In Chat Rooms: 1. Join the "Book Recommendations" chat room 2. Read the recent messages to get context 3. Add your thoughts by typing in the text field and tapping send 4. React to others' messages with emojis by long-pressing their message

In Forums: 1. Find a forum thread about your favorite genre 2. Read the original post and replies 3. Tap "Reply" to add your contribution 4. Include any relevant links or references in your post

Example 2: Finding and Attending an Event

1. Navigate to the event calendar
2. Browse upcoming events or switch to calendar view to see what's happening on specific dates
3. Tap an event that interests you to see details
4. Hit "Attending" to RSVP
5. Set a reminder if needed
6. Check back before the event for any updates or location details

Example 3: Using the Buddy Match System

If you're new to a mu:

1. Look for a notification about your buddy match
2. Find the "My Buddy" section in the member directory
3. Review your buddy's profile to learn about them
4. Send them a message introducing yourself
5. Ask questions about the community or how things work

Example 4: Exploring Media Content

1. Navigate to a media room related to your interests
2. Browse through the available content
3. Open an interesting photo or video
4. Leave a comment or reaction
5. Follow the creator if you enjoy their content

Troubleshooting

Can't find a specific feature? Different mus may have different features enabled. Ask a moderator or your buddy if you're looking for something specific.

Missing notifications? Double-check your notification settings both in Zakaya and in your device settings.

Need help with something specific? Most mus have a help chat room or designated moderators. Look for "Help" or "Support" in the chat rooms list, or find moderators (marked with a badge) in the member directory.

Happy exploring! Each mu has its own unique culture and specific features, so don't be afraid to look around and try things out. The more you engage, the more you'll get out of your micro-community experience.