Frequently Asked Questions

Upon opening the app, returning users who have previously logged out will land on the Login Screen. To log in, you need to enter your username and password and press the “Log In” button. If the credentials are incorrect, an error message will display, and the text fields for the username and password will turn red, indicating an error. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, there’s an option to recover them by following the prompts in the “I Forgot My Username or Password” section.

New users must create an account to use the app. This process starts by pressing the “Create Account” button. You’ll be prompted to enter a unique username, password, password confirmation, zip code and your contact details (phone number and/or email). The username field has specific requirements, and you cannot change your username after account creation. The account will not be created if there are issues like an invalid email, mismatched passwords, or a username that’s already in use. After successfully creating an account, you’ll be directed to a verification screen where a verification code will be sent to your phone or email. Following verification, if it is successful, you will be directed to Now Screen of the app.

If you don’t receive your verification code while creating an account or resetting your password, you can press the “Didn’t Receive Your Verification” button. This action will take you to a screen where you can review the phone number or email you entered. If the information is correct, you can resend the code. If incorrect, you can update the contact information and resend the code. This will send the verification code to the updated contact details, which are then saved in the database under your username. If the phone number or email entered is invalid, an error message will appear.

The “Now” Screen is the default screen users see upon logging in. It functions as an alert feed for all Groups. Alerts on the “Now” Screen are presented similarly to those on the Emergencies Screen. The main distinction lies in the filtering options at the top of the screen, allowing users to view Alerts from different categories: 

• All: The default setting, showing alerts from groups the user follows and recommendations. 
• Following: Displays alerts from groups the user follows. 
• Private: Shows alerts from private groups the user leads or follows. 
• Bookmarks: Features alerts bookmarked/saved by you using the Bookmark icon under each alert. 
• MyAlerts: Displays all alerts that are posted by you and displays them based of the date they are posted. 

The Emergencies Screen, accessed via the second button on the main navigation, displays recent alerts from Emergency Groups across the globe. The Emergencies Screen in the application offers a robust and user-friendly set of filter options, designed to streamline the user experience in accessing emergency alerts. These filter options are located at the top of the screen and include: 

• All: This is the default view. It displays all emergency alerts from various groups across the platform. This broad spectrum ensures that users are not limited to alerts from their immediate locality or follow list, providing a comprehensive overview of emergencies nationwide. 
• Near me: This filter narrows down alerts to those from local emergency groups that users are automatically following based on their location. It is particularly useful for staying informed about emergencies in one’s immediate vicinity. 

• Following: This option filters the alerts to show only those from the emergency groups that the user actively follows. This customization allows users to tailor their alert feed to the groups they are most interested in or find most relevant. 
• Bookmarks: Features alerts bookmarked/saved by you using the Bookmark icon under each alert. 

• Group Header: Includes the group avatar, name, handle, and time since the alert was sent. 
• Alert Subject: Provided by the sender or defaulted to “ALERT” if not included. 
• Alert Message: A brief preview with a “See more” button to view the full message. 
• Alert Media: May include photos, videos, audio, documents, and web links, with a limit of 10 media attachments. 
• Interaction Icons: For liking (heart icon), bookmark (bookmark icon). 

While both screens share similar structures in presenting alerts, the Emergencies Screen has unique features: 

• Critical Alerts: When an emergency group sends a critical alert, the group header turns red with a critical alert indicator before the alert subject. If it’s a local emergency group, the app header also turns red. 
• Filter Options: Users can filter to see alerts from all emergency groups, local groups, groups they follow, or trending emergency groups. 
• Direct Access to Group Profiles: Pressing a group header takes users directly to the group’s profile. 
• Liking and Bookmarking Functions: Users can interact with alerts through likes, bookmarks, with a unique interface for managing these interactions. 

The Create Screen is accessible via the third button on the Main Navigation, symbolized by an orange button with a white plus. This screen offers one primary functionality: 

Creating an Alert for Existing Groups: If a user has previously created groups, these groups are listed under the word “Groups”. To create an alert for any of these groups, the user can simply press the name of the relevant group, which takes them to that group’s Create Alert Screen. 

The appearance of the Create Screen differs based on whether the user has already created groups or not (referenced as Fig. CS1 and Fig. CS2 in the document). 

The Groups Screen, accessed via the fourth button on the Main Navigation, displays groups in four vertically scrollable sections. This screen offers one of the major functionality called Create Group.  

Creating a Group: Users can create a new group by pressing the ‘Create Group’ button at the top of the screen. This action navigates them to the Create Group Screen for further steps. 

• Leading: Contains groups owned or led by the user. It includes a Group Type filter with options like All, Public, Private, Premium, and Emergency. 
• Following: Displays groups that the user follows, featuring the same Group Type filter as in the Leading section. 
• Local Emergency: Lists local Emergency Groups based on the user’s location. This section does not include the Group Type filter. 
• Recommended: Offers a selection of Public, Premium, and Emergency Groups that the user doesn’t follow but might find interesting. 

Each group is represented with its avatar, name, handle, and follower count. Selecting a group name or avatar navigates the user to that group’s Profile Tab view. Additionally, Group Type icons are provided to indicate the type of each group. 

To create a group, you can press the “Groups” button and choose “Create Group” from the Leading section. The “Create Group Screen” requires you to fill out mandatory fields like “Group Name” (2-128 characters, alphanumeric, limited special characters) and “Group Type” (Public, Private, or Premium), Group handle. Additional options include uploading a Group Avatar, filling out optional fields like Group Description (up to 1024 characters) and Group Location (using a full-screen map interface). Once all required information is filled, you can click on Create Group button.

In Know NOW!, you can create two types of groups, each with distinct features and functionalities: 

Public Groups: 

• Functionality: Public Groups are open for anyone to follow. They are designed for broader engagement and visibility. 
• Key Features: 
• Visibility: They are visible to all users on the platform. 
• Open Access: Any user can follow these groups without needing approval. 
• Group Handle: A unique handle is automatically generated for identification. 

• Group Avatar and Wallpaper: Can be customized for group identity. 
• Group Description: Optional, up to 1024 characters to describe the group’s purpose. 

Private Groups: 

• Functionality: Private Groups offer a more controlled environment, suitable for exclusive or niche audiences. 
• Key Features: 
• Restricted Access: Users must request to follow and can be either verified or unverified as per the group’s settings. 
• Approval Required: Group administrators have the control to approve followers. 
• Privacy: The group’s content is only visible to its followers. 
• Unique Settings: Option to set follower verification status. 

To create an alert, press the “Create” button in the Main Navigation, then select the group you wish to send an alert to. The “Create Alert Screen” has several sections: 

• Alert Subject: Optional, with a 128-character limit. If not entered, defaults to “ALERT”. 
• Alert Priority: Only for Emergency Groups; must be selected between “Non-Critical” and “Critical.” 
• Alert Message: Optional, with a 1024-character limit, supports web links as well. 
• Alert Media: Add photos, videos, audio, documents, or web links. 
• Send Date & Expiration Date: Set when the alert should be sent and expire (up to 30 days in the future and 30 days post-send date, respectively). 

After filling in the desired information, you can send the alert. Plus Users have the option to save alerts for later use. If an alert creation is interrupted, the information remains saved for continuation. 

The Vault Screen serves as a dedicated storage space for Know NOW! Plus Users and Standard Users. It allows these users to upload and store various types of media independently of their groups. This media includes photos, videos, audio files, documents, and web links. Interestingly, all media uploaded to the alerts of any group is also automatically saved to the user’s Vault.

The Vault Screen displays the user’s Avatar, Username, and join date at the top, along with a usage bar indicating the amount of data storage used and their total available storage. Users can navigate and manage their media using a Media Navigation bar, which includes options like Photos, Videos, Audios, Documents, Web Links. Users can upload new media using the Plus button. Each media type has specific functionalities for upload and display. Long-pressing on any media thumbnail opens a modal to delete them. You can bulk delete multiple items by selecting each item.

The Know NOW! Header is a consistent feature at the top of every page in the app. It contains up to four buttons: 

• Back Button: Appears on the left-hand side in certain screens, allowing users to return to the previous page. It’s especially used when navigating outside the app, to return to the last app screen. 
• K Button: Serves as a visual indicator for Critical or Non-Critical Alerts from Emergency Groups. The K expands and changes color (red for Critical Alerts, yellow for Non-Critical Alerts) to display the Alert type and Number of alerts by using a number indication. Pressing it directs users to the Near me filter of the Emergencies feed. 
• Search Button: Opens a search field for finding Groups. This field spans almost the entire header width, and the search results show distinct visual differences for easy identification. 

The K Button is a critical feature for alert notifications: 

• Critical Alerts: The K expands, turns red, and shows the Alert type. It stays red for the duration of the Alert. Pressing it takes users directly to the Near me filter of the Emergencies feed. 
• Non-Critical Alerts: Functions similarly to Critical Alerts but the expanded K is yellow. 
• No Alerts: K stays grey when there are no alerts and indicates what it does when users tap on grey K button. 
• Back Arrow Presence: If a Back Arrow is required on a page during a Critical Alert, the expanded red K reverts to its normal size but remains red until the Back Arrow is no longer needed or the Alert expires. 

The Search Button is designed for an enhanced search experience: 

• Search Field Expansion: Pressing the button expands the field across the header, prompting users to search within the app. 
• Search Content: Users can search for Groups, with each having distinct visual identifiers for quick recognition. 
• First-Time Use: On initial access, the app suggests popular Groups to avoid an empty search screen.