Cottage Chooser – User Guide

Quick Start

1. Join/Login: Use the "Login" link in the top-right to join the group with the group code.
2. Browse: Open "List Cottages" to see all entries, or "Compare" to view side by side.
3. Details: Click "Details" on any cottage to view photos, features, and full information.
4. Rate: Use the 0-10 rating buttons on each cottage card to rate properties. You can rate multiple cottages.
5. Vote: Click "Vote" on your favorite cottage from the list page. You can only have one vote at a time.
6. Review: Click "Reviews" to read and write comments about each cottage.
7. Results: Open "Results" to see rankings by votes and ratings. You can delete your vote there if you want to change it.
8. Help Mode: Click the floating "Help" button to show tooltips on interactive elements.

Rating System (0-10)

• Rating vs Voting: Ratings (0-10 scale) allow you to score multiple cottages. Voting (single choice) indicates your top preference.
• How to Rate: On the cottage list, click any number button (0-10) to submit your rating for that cottage.
• Change Rating: Click a different number to update your rating, or click "Clear my rating" to remove it entirely.
• View Ratings: Click the "Ratings" button on any cottage to see:
  • Overall statistics (count, average, total score)
  • Your own rating and when you submitted it
  • (Admin only) All individual ratings from all users
• Results Display: The Results, List, and Compare pages show average rating, rating count, and total score for each cottage.
• Be fair: rate based on the property's features, location, and value. Don't artificially inflate or deflate ratings.

Voting

• One vote per user at a time. To change your choice, delete your existing vote on the Results page and vote again.
• Vote from List: Click the green "Vote" button on any cottage card in the list view.
• You must be logged in (joined) to vote.
• Results update automatically. Ties may be resolved by a follow‑up vote or admin decision.
• Be fair: no duplicate accounts, and don't vote on behalf of others.
• Votes are public: other users can see who voted for each cottage on the details page.

Reviews & Comments

• Access Reviews: Click the "Reviews" button on any cottage card to see all comments for that property.
• Write a Review: On the reviews page, use the text area at the bottom to add your thoughts about the cottage.
• View Context: The reviews page shows:
  • Cottage summary (image, location, price)
  • Vote count and rating statistics
  • Your personal rating (if you've rated it)
  • All user comments in chronological order
• Edit/Delete: You can edit or delete your own comments. Click "Edit" to modify or "Delete" to remove.
• Guidelines: Be respectful and constructive. No spam, advertising, or personal data.
• Admins can delete any comment if it violates rules.
• Also on Details Page: Comments are also visible on the main cottage details page alongside other information.

Adding and Editing Cottages

• Use "Add Cottage" to submit a new entry. Include name, location, price, beds, features, and a booking link.
• Images: Provide a valid image URL. Large images are fine; they'll be scaled automatically.
• Features: Mark amenities accurately:
  • Dogs allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Secure garden
  • EV charging
  • Parking
  • Log burner
  • High chair
  • Cot
• Descriptions: Support basic HTML formatting (paragraphs, bold, lists). Keep them concise and relevant.
• Editing: You can edit cottages you submitted. Click "Edit" on the details page.
• Deleting: You can delete cottages you submitted. Admins may also remove entries that break rules.
• AI Review Summary: Field available for manual entry (optional). Admins can add a summary to help users.

Cottage Details Page

• Shows comprehensive cottage overview with all features and amenities.
• Displays voter list (who voted for this cottage).
• Shows user comments and reviews inline.
• Links to dedicated Reviews page and Ratings page for more detail.
• Edit/Delete buttons appear for cottage owners and admins.

Results Page

• See current rankings by vote count and rating statistics.
• Vote Management: "Delete my vote" appears on the row of the cottage you voted for (when logged in).
• Rating Display: Each cottage shows:
  • Average rating (0-10 scale)
  • Number of ratings
  • Total rating score
• Admin Controls: Admins can manage votes (view and delete any vote) and view all individual ratings to resolve mistakes or rule violations.

Presentation

Use "Presentation" to step through the shortlisted cottages during a meeting. You can download slides if enabled.

Compare Cottages

The "Compare" page displays multiple cottages side-by-side in a table format to easily compare:

• Features and amenities
• Prices and bedrooms
• Vote counts
• Rating statistics (average, count, total)

Rules of Use

• Honesty: One account per person. One active vote at a time. Rate fairly based on actual merit.
• Respect: Keep comments and reviews civil. No harassment, hate speech, or inappropriate content.
• Relevance: Only add cottages that meet the group's criteria (budget, location, amenities).
• Accuracy: Use correct prices, locations, and features. Link to reputable booking sites.
• Privacy: Do not post sensitive personal information in reviews or comments.
• Fair Rating: Don't manipulate ratings by creating multiple accounts or coordinating with others.
• Constructive Reviews: Focus on helpful information. Avoid offensive language or personal attacks.
• Moderation: Admins may edit/remove content, votes, ratings, or reviews that break these rules.

FAQ & Troubleshooting