• Listings are free, but registration is required to add a listing, submitted sites must in some way show Indigenous content, ownership, or be resourceful to the variety of users this site serves.
• Organized alphabetically and categorically; sponsored, top 100, and new listings are, by default, placed at the top of each category.
• Searching the Database: Aboriginal Connections comes with a sophisticated indexed web directory which offers both the traditional boolean search as well as AltaVista style search syntax. You can also search within categories, as well as search on specific fields. Search Results find the word(s) you enter in the listing's title, description, or domain name
• Powerful Review System: Aboriginal Connections comes with a built in review system allowing validated reviews. Also available is displaying a users review summary, displaying how helpful a review is and displaying a summary of the votes.
• Users must register before adding a listing. Listings are then approved by Rob Wesley, or a category editor. Registration is required in order to reduce automated scripts and spam.
• Newsletter that forwards all new listings added in a specific time period.
• New Listings: Users can quickly and easily call up a list of all new listings added to the database by clicking on the "New Listings" text link.
• Top 100: Users can see at a glance the "Top 100" listings, determined solely by Aboriginal Connections directory users (via a calculation of total visits through the Directory).
• Top Rated: Aboriginal Connections offers visitors the ability to rate a listing, and the highest rated listings can be quickly displayed by clicking on the "Top Rated" text link.
• Random Site: A user can call up one random record if desired by selecting "Random Site".

Some other key points that I hope you will find useful in this directory:

1. All pages load quickly.
2. Easy to navigate.
3. No frames.
4. No popups. With one exception, the links users post in the forums use them as a security feature.

For users already listed in this directory - if you are trying to increase your hit count and reloading your browser, you will that notice no changed has occurred. That change only occurs when the site is updated, and that occurs quite frequently.

• Powerful Search The search can use MySQL full text indexes, or our own internal index system (same technology used in the Web Directory) for very fast searches on large databases. You can also search specific forums, categories, users, or by post date.
• User Avatars Users can upload their own custom avatars, or pick from an admin supplied list.
• Email Subscriptions Users can subscribe to a forum and get a nightly digest of all new messages.
• Thread Tracking Users can "watch threads" and get an email notification any time a thread is replied to (only one email is sent out per reply, so the user is not flooded with emails on a popular thread).
• Fully Threaded Posts are threaded properly, and users can pick if they want to see a post in threaded view, or in flat view.
• Private Messages Users can send private messages to each other if so desired.
• Spellcheck A very quick spellchecker is included. Users can also add words to their own custom dictionary.
• Customize Display Users can set a wide range of display options, from the time- zone messages are displayed in, to how many messages to display per page.
• Who's Online Users can view who else is on the forum, and what they are doing. You can also see how many guests are viewing the forum at any specific time.
• Edit Posts Users can (optionally) edit posts. You can also set a time limit for how long after a post has been made can it be changed.
  

Some of the features I intend to implement include:

• Forums (Bulletin Board), an advanced system allowing interaction for all users for any number of topics. Completed
• Aboriginal Web Advertising, this will be an advanced banner management system, allowing customers to log into their advertising accounts and view the complete history of their advertising performance. Near Completion
• Ecommerce, this web store management system will be used to display items available for purchase through the AboriginalConnections.com website. My main intention for this service is that it benefits Native people in various industries, by making advanced ecommerce technologies and solutions more easily accessible. It will be system that will provide First Nation peoples a medium through which their products can be displayed, and ultimately purchased by potential customers anywhere in the world. Near Completion
• Business Directory, a system that will contain various types of business and organization contact information searchable by name, location, company, etc. Commencing Q4 2005
• Employment Advertising and Recruitment, this system would give both the employer and employee an excellent venue to exchange both employment opportunities and resumes. Some features include: Establishment of an ongoing recruiting process for sourcing talent pool. Automation of recruitment process with tools to manage job listings and job applications. Saves time by enabling candidates to self-screen for potential opportunities. Speeds process with instant notification of interested and qualified candidates to hiring managers. Ability to apply online through Aboriginal Connections for employment opportunities. Requires further Financing
• Matchmaking/Singles/Dating Service, will provide users a venue to place your personal ads and 'meet' other users. Requires further Financing

Should you have any other suggestions regarding other projects that can be developed, possibly in cooperation with other parties, let me know.