At the top of the view — vertically opposite the hex button — is the account pane.

On the surface, its basic role is to show the currently connected account. Tapping on the pane (or the Backtick key) reveals a menu, which — if you’re not connected — will guide you to logging in or creating an account.

Log in/Create Account

Tap the pane. Select ‘Share My Thinking’. Enter your details.

When creating an account, you’ll need to select a subscription plan, verify your basic details & complete your first payment.

Once Logged In

The pane will display an avatar you’ve set, alongside your display name (if any) or username (if any).

The menu now shows a link to your account settings.

Switching Profiles

While in Island View when multiple profiles are open, selecting ‘Profiles’ in the menu takes you to the Profiles dialog

The Avatar/Finder

The avatar icon is more than just a pretty face! It also:

• Changes to a ‘finder’ icon when concepts or a link is selected.
• Is a multi-purpose button
• Can be a slider, and
• When dragged and dropped onto the canvas, serves one of two special purposes.

Changing Roles by Selecting

When nothing is selected in a playpen (or when in Island View), the avatar Icon is visible. For a disconnected user, its main use is in Island View, as a slider. For connected users, see below its function as a button or ‘User Concept’.

Otherwise, it changes to a finder icon, which can be tapped, slid horizontally, or dragged and dropped into the playpen, in ways described below.

As a Button

Tapping the finder icon starts the Find tool.

For connected users, tapping the avatar brings up a dialog for changing biographical information.

The Finder Slider

In Playpen View, dragging the finder icon to the other side of the account pane is another way to start the Find tool.

In Island View, there is no finder icon, but sliding the avatar does the same thing.

Dragging & Dropping

Within the Playpen View only, either the user or finder icons may be dragged and dropped from the account pane onto the canvas. Each drop behaves very differently:

The User Concept

Dropping the avatar icon onto the canvas works with a special concept called the User Concept.

The Concept Seeker

Dropping the finder icon onto the canvas creates Concept Seekers. For more complex searches than are possible from a single concept.