CORDIS aims to help users to make more effective use of its services
To help CORDIS users navigate its Web services in the easiest and most efficient way, the CORDIS Help Desk in Luxembourg publishes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the CORDIS Web service. These queries evolve along with the changes to the CORDIS Web pages and therefore the FAQ list is updated as soon as users show a particular interest in a specific service or experience a new problem. The launch of the first calls for proposals under the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) has resulted in a huge increase in interest in the CORDIS Web service. This in turn has generated an increase in questions aimed at the CORDIS Help Desk, which answered over 1,000 queries during March 1999, the month when most of the calls were launched. These enquiries are always welcome as they help CORDIS to understand better the needs of users and improve its services accordingly. One of the most recent questions to be added to the FAQ list is why users sometimes experience difficulties viewing the CORDIS pages or downloading documents. This is often due to the configuration of the user's own equipment, and by accessing the FAQ list, users may obtain details concerning the minimum browser requirements and other useful technical information. A number of visitors connecting to the CORDIS Web site have contacted the Help Desk with problems concerning the speed of response. This question, also answered in the FAQs, is a common problem for Internet users in general, and may result from problems at any stage of the user's connection to CORDIS. CORDIS bandwidth - the final stage of the user's connection into the CORDIS server - is constantly monitored and is normally not the cause of network delays. The Help Desk may be able to pinpoint the user's problem by looking at their traceroute result. How the user can carry out a traceroute operation is also explained in the FAQs. Additionally, there is a section for new users of the CORDIS Web service, which answers general questions on how to access the various CORDIS services and how to find them from the CORDIS homepage. The CORDIS FAQs may be accessed through the "Guidance" section on the CORDIS homepage at: URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/