IMCN Comprehensive User Guide

This section will guide you through the initial steps to begin your journey with the Independent Muslim Community Network (IMCN) app, from downloading it to creating your account and logging in.

Downloading and Installing IMCN

The IMCN app is available for iOS and Android devices. You can download it directly from device App Store.

1. Open the App Store on your mobile device.
2. In the search bar, type "IMCN" and search.
3. Locate the app named "IMCN" by typing "IMCN" in the search bar.
4. Tap on the app listing.
5. Tap the "Install" button to download and install the app on your device.

Creating Your IMCN Account (Sign Up)

Once the app is installed, you will need to create an account to access its features. The registration process is straightforward:

1. Open the IMCN app on your device.
2. You will likely be presented with a login screen. Look for a "Sign Up" or "Don't have an Account? Sign Up" option.
3. On the Sign Up screen, you will be required to provide the following information:
   • Full Name: Use your real name or a display name you wish to use.
   • Username: A unique username that will identify you on the platform.t starts with an "@"
   • Email: A valid email address for account verification and communication.
   • Password: A secure password for your account.
   • Confirm Password: Re-enter your chosen password to ensure accuracy.
4. After filling in all the required fields, tap the "Sign Up" button to create your account.
5. You will receive an email, to verify your email address, click the link in the email.

Upon successful email validation, you can now login to your account using your email and password you've created.

Logging In to Your Account

If you already have an IMCN account, you can log in using your credentials:

1. Open the IMCN app.
2. On the login screen, enter the Email and Password associated with your account. (Refer to the provided screenshot of the Login screen for a visual guide.)
3. Tap the "Login" button.

Continuing as a Guest

The login screen also presents an option to "Continue as Guest." While this may allow limited access to some app features, creating an account is recommended to fully experience the community aspects, personalize your feed, interact with other users, and utilize features like the Wallet and Trust Badges.

Forgot Password?

If you forget your password, the login screen typically includes a "Forgot Password?" link. Tapping this will usually guide you through a process to reset your password, often involving an email sent to your registered email address.

Once you are logged into IMCN, you will be able to access its core features, which are designed to help you connect with the community, share your thoughts, and engage with content. This section covers the main timeline, how to create posts, and how to interact with posts from other users.

The Main Timeline/Feed

The central hub of your IMCN experience is likely the main timeline or feed. This is where you will see posts from users you follow and potentially "Super Posts" designed to reach all users. The timeline is designed to be an uplifting and educational space, free from the negativity often found on other platforms.

• Content: The timeline will display a variety of content shared by users, including text, images, videos, and links to external websites or other media.
• Scrolling: Scroll up and down the timeline to view newer and older posts.
• Refresh: Pull-down to refresh and load the latest content.

Creating Your Own Posts

Sharing your thoughts, insights, and experiences is a key part of the IMCN community. Here’s how you can generally create a post:

1. Find the Create Post Button: Look for a prominent button, often represented by a plus icon (+), a feather/pen icon, or text like "Create Post" or "What"s on your mind?". This is usually located in a fixed position on the screen (e.g., bottom navigation bar, as seen in the timeline screenshot) or at the top of your timeline.
2. Compose Your Post: Tapping the create post button will open a new screen or dialog where you can compose your message.
   • Text: You can type your message directly into the text area.
   • Adding Media: Look for icons or options to add images, videos, or links. The app allows sharing plain text, images, videos, links to external websites, or other types of media.
3. Visibility (Standard Posts): By default, your standard posts will be visible to users who follow you.
4. Publishing Your Post: Once you are satisfied with your post, tap the "Post," "Share," or "Publish" button to make it live on the platform.

Super Posts

IMCN offers a special type of post called a "Super Post."

• Enhanced Visibility: Unlike standard posts that only appear to your followers, a Super Post appears to every single user on the app, regardless of whether they follow you or not. This is a powerful way to share important messages or announcements with the entire IMCN community.
• Cost: Creating a Super Post requires spending points from your IMCN Wallet. The specific point cost will be indicated when you choose to make a Super Post.

Interacting with Posts

IMCN encourages meaningful interactions. When you see a post in your timeline, you can typically interact with it in several ways (as seen in the timeline screenshot, icons for comments, likes, reposts are usually present below each post):

• Liking a Post: If you appreciate a post or agree with its message, you can "Like" it. This is usually done by tapping a heart icon or a thumbs-up symbol associated with the post.
• Commenting on a Post: You can share your thoughts, ask questions, or engage in discussions by leaving a comment on a post. Look for a comment icon (often a speech bubble) or a "Comment" button.
• Reposting (Sharing): If you find a post particularly valuable and want to share it with your own followers, there might be a "Repost" or "Share" option. This will typically publish the original post to your timeline, often with an option to add your own commentary.
• Viewing User Profiles: You can usually tap on the name or profile picture of the user who made the post to visit their profile page and learn more about them or choose to follow/connect with them.

These core features form the foundation of your daily interaction with the IMCN app, allowing you to consume content, share your own voice, and engage with the wider community.

A unique aspect of the Independent Muslim Community Network (IMCN) is its integrated Wallet and Points system. This system is designed to encourage engagement, reward contributions, and facilitate certain platform-specific actions. Understanding how points are acquired, managed, and used is key to fully utilizing the app.

Your IMCN Score

Every user on IMCN has a personal digital score called "My Score".

• Initial Points:
  • When a user completes registration and becomes a verified user, The IMCN Network will issue 10 Points
  • The IMCN Network will transfer 7 points to the newly verified user
  • 3 Points remains with the Network and can be earned by other users.
• Purpose: My IMCN Score holds your accumulated points, which can be earned, spent, and transferred within the app.

Understanding Points

Points are the internal currency of the IMCN app. They serve multiple functions:

• Facilitating Interactions: Giving a Trust Badges to another users requires points.
• Accessing Premium Features: Points are required for creating Super Posts or joining the Influencer Club as an Influencer.
• Rewards: Points can be exchanged for tangible rewards like gift certificates.
• Community Support: Tip with points, The system encourages collaboration, as users can tip each other with points for posts they deem representative their values
• Community Building: Creating a Public Community with in the IMCN app requires points

How to Acquire Points

There are several ways to accumulate points:

1. Initial Registration Bonus: As mentioned, paid users receive 7 points at registration
2. Earning Points through Islamic Knowledge:
   • In the "Public Square" section of the app, there is an "Earn Points" feature where users can earn points by correctly answering questions related to the Quran/Islam.
   • Post an Islamic interesting thought provoking post and receive points as tips from other users who encourage critical thinking.
3. Receiving Trust Badges: When another paid user gives you an Trust Badge, 1 point is transferred from their score to yours.
4. Transfers from Other Users: Users can transfer points to each other. This allows for a collaborative economy where users can support others they value.

Important Note: Users cannot purchase additional points directly with real money. The system is designed around earning and community-based sharing.

Points used for IMCN Features

List of Features with points:

1. Give a Trust Badges: Cost 1 point
2. Create a Super Post: Cost 10 point
3. Join the Influencer Club (as an Influencer): Cost 5 point
4. Join the Influencer Club (as a member): Cost 0.5 point
5. Create a Public Network: Cost 15 point

Checking Your Score Balance

To view your current score balance, from the Home Screen click on the number that appears on the top of the page to the right of your profile picture. Click the History button to view your point transaction history.

The Influencer Club is a special section within the Public Square of IMCN, designed to highlight and provide a platform for recognized Muslim Influencers (MI). It aims to identify individuals from whom the community can learn and who can help shape positive discourse and understanding within the network.

Purpose of the Influencer Club

• Highlighting Trusted Voices: The primary goal is to identify and elevate users who have earned significant trust and a substantial following within the IMCN community.
• Focused Learning: It provides a dedicated space where users can find content specifically from these recognized influencers, fostering an environment of learning and guidance.
• Community Shaping: Influencers are seen as key contributors who can help shape the community"s direction and understanding of various Islamic and community-related topics.

Becoming a Muslim Influencer (MI)

To be classified as a Muslim Influencer (MI) and gain the ability to post within the Influencer Club, a paid user must meet specific criteria:

1. Follower Base: The user must have 20% of the total network users following them.
2. Community Trust (Trust Badges): The user must be trusted by 10% of the network users. This trust is demonstrated by having received an Trust Badge from that percentage of the network"s user base.

Meeting these criteria signifies that the user has a significant reach and has earned a notable level of respect and trust from their peers on the platform.

Joining the Influencer Club (as an Influencer)

Once a paid user meets the criteria to be recognized as a Muslim Influencer (MI):

• Cost to Join: There is a cost of 10 points from their IMCN Wallet to join the Influencer Club with posting privileges.

The Influencer Club Timeline

• Independent Timeline: The Influencer Club has its own dedicated and independent timeline, separate from the main user feed.
• Exclusive Posting Rights: Only recognized Muslim Influencers (MI) who have joined the club can post content on this timeline.
• Interaction for Other Users:
  • Paid Users: Other paid users (who are not Influencers themselves) can interact with posts on the Influencer Club timeline by commenting on them and liking them.
  • Joining as a Non-Posting Member: The user previously mentioned that general users could join the Influencer Club for 1 point to view/comment but not post. This aspect might need further clarification if it co-exists with the MI-only posting rule, or if the 1-point access is for non-paid users or a different tier of participation.

Benefits of the Influencer Club

• For Influencers: Provides a dedicated platform to share their knowledge and insights with a focused and engaged audience, further solidifying their role as community leaders.
• For General Users: Offers a curated source of information and guidance from trusted members of the community, facilitating learning and engagement with respected voices.

The Influencer Club, therefore, plays a crucial role in IMCN"s ecosystem by fostering a merit-based system for identifying and promoting influential voices, contributing to the overall educational and community-building goals of the platform.