Link to a Command Board
Open a shared link board of external resources from a web address.
A command board (link board) is a page of useful external links your organization shares — for example mapping tools, situation pages, or reference sites. REDENES can open these boards from a web address, list their links, and launch each one for you. Some links open inside the app, while mapping links open in your browser.
Overview
A link board is identified by a domain and a path. When opened, it shows a header with the board's title, description, and logo, followed by a list of link rows you can tap. The rows appear in the order the board's author set, not alphabetically.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Header logo | The organization's logo for that board |
| Header title | The board's page title |
| Header description | A short line about what the board is for |
| Link rows | Each external resource, with an icon and name |
| Add a URL | Enter a board's web address to open it |
| Visit Redenes | Opens the REDENES website in your browser |
| Error panel | Replaces the list when the board cannot be found |
| Back control | Returns to where you came from and cancels the load |
Link boards are opened by web address. You may reach one from an app shortcut, a shared link, a scanned QR code, or by entering its address yourself.
Getting Here
There are four ways in, and they all land on the same screen.
| How you get here | What happens |
|---|---|
| App shortcut | Press and hold the REDENES icon on your home screen and pick a saved board |
| Shared link | Tap a REDENES board link someone sent you |
| QR code | Scan a board's QR code with the Scan button in the dashboard header |
| Add URL | Type the board's address yourself |
A board can be opened before you have signed in. This is deliberate — a board of public links stays reachable even if your session has expired or you have not joined an agency yet.
Add a Link Board by URL
You can open a board by typing its address.
- Open the Add URL option.
- The URL field is focused for you and the keyboard is already open.
- Type the board's web address.
- Tap Save.
- The app opens the matching board and lists its links.
- To close without opening anything, use the back control on the pop-up.
The field accepts several shapes of address.
| What you type | Accepted |
|---|---|
https://rsn.onl/agency/board | Yes — a full address with the scheme |
http://rsn.onl/agency/board | Yes |
rsn.onl/agency/board | Yes — the scheme is optional |
www.rsn.onl/agency/board | Yes — www. is removed for you |
rsn.onl | No — there is no path, so there is no board to open |
| (blank) | No |
Enter a complete, valid address. If the field is empty the app shows "Enter URL", and if the address cannot be understood it shows "Enter valid URL". Spaces are stripped out for you, so a pasted address with a stray space still works.
Open a Link from the Board
Each row on the board opens a resource.
- Find the resource you want in the list.
- Tap its row.
- Where it opens depends on the destination, as below.
| Destination | Where it opens |
|---|---|
| SARTopo (including beta) | Your device's browser, outside the app |
| CalTopo | Your device's browser, outside the app |
| Anything else | Inside the app, on a page titled with the link's name |
Addresses without https:// or http:// have https:// added automatically, so a board author can list a bare domain and it still works.
Mapping sites open outside the app because they need the full browser to work properly — including your saved sign-in for those services. Use your device's app switcher to come back to REDENES.
When the Board Cannot Be Found
| Situation | What you see |
|---|---|
| The board loads | The header and the list of links |
| The address does not match a board | The list is replaced by an error panel |
| Your session has expired | You are signed out and returned to the sign-in screen |
| Any other failure | A pop-up alert with the reason |
| While loading | A spinner, with the list hidden until the board arrives |
If a board's address cannot be found, double-check the address — the path after the domain is case-sensitive and easy to mistype. You can also tap Visit Redenes to open the main website.
How This Connects
A link board is a list of links stored on the REDENES servers, not on your device, and it is not part of your agency's downloaded data.
- The board is looked up by the domain and path from whatever brought you here — an app shortcut, a shared link, a scanned code, or the Add URL pop-up. All four produce the same two pieces of information.
- Scanning is done with the Scan button described on Main Dashboard & Tab Bar. A scanned board link takes you straight here without any extra confirmation.
- App shortcuts on your home screen are built from your home screen shortcuts setting, which is loaded with the rest of your preferences at Sign In.
- Because boards can be opened before you sign in, the same screen is reachable from First Launch & Onboarding, Name Your Device, and the sign-in screen.
- Links on a board are external — REDENES does not control what is behind them, and opening one does not share your agency's data with that site.
- Losing signal means the board cannot load at all: both the board itself and every link on it live on the internet. You will see the failure rather than a stale list. When you reconnect, reopen the board and it loads normally. Nothing about a board is cached for offline use, so plan ahead if you rely on one in the field.
Troubleshooting
| If this happens | What to do |
|---|---|
| "Enter URL" | The field is empty. Type the board's address. |
| "Enter valid URL" | The address has no path after the domain, or is malformed. Include the full address. |
| An error panel replaces the list | The address does not match a board. Re-check the spelling, especially after the domain. |
| A link opens in your browser when you expected the app | Mapping links always open outside the app. That is intended. |
| A link opens a blank page in the app | The destination is unavailable or needs a sign-in the in-app browser cannot supply. Try opening the board on a computer. |
| The board loads but has no links | The board's author has not added any yet. |
| Nothing happens when you tap a row | That row has no address attached. Report it to whoever maintains the board. |
| The board will not load in the field | Link boards need a connection. Nothing about them is stored offline. |
| You were signed out when opening a board | Your session expired. Sign in again and reopen the board. |
Related Pages
⬅️ Previous: Name Your Device