Post by Wrenchmeister on Aug 5, 2004 15:49:31 GMT -5
For additional info, try the HELP button at the top of the page.
Forum Instructions
Instruction topics are as follows:
· Logging in
· Discussion Area Overview
· Reading a Message
· Creating a New Message
· Replying to a Message
· Sending Personal Messages (PM's)
· Personal Inbox
· Profiles
· Searching the Discussion Area
· Calendar
Logging In
You may view forum posts without logging in, during which time you will be an anonymous Guest. However, in order to send any posts or messages you will need to log in. This is to identify you to the other users in the area.
To create a login, click the REGISTER link at the top of any forum page. Follow the instructions. A default password will be emailed to the email address you provide, which will allow you to log in to the forum. You can change your username and password later if you wish.
Once you have a user name and password you can log in be clicking the LOGIN link. Keep in mind that the name and password fields are case sensitive. After you log in you will have access to all of the board’s feature’s including the ability to modify your own profile, name, password, and more.
Discussion Area Overview
The Discussion Area is divided into different topic areas to help organize the discussions and make it easy for you to find where you want to go. Click on of the underlined topic headings to enter that part of the discussion area. Once inside, you can choose to read or reply to a message, or create a new one of your own.
Reading a Message
To read a message, press the underlined title of the message. This will take you to a new page where you can view the message and any replies to it.
Creating a New Message
To create a message, press the link "New Thread." A simple form will appear for you to fill out. Simply type in the title, your message and press the "Post" button. If you wish, you can preview your message to see how it will look before you post (add) it to the Discussion Area.
The form also allows you to do a few extra things. You can:
1. format your message to add bolding, underlining, bullet point lists, etc.
2. create hyperlinks to website addresses that will allow viewers to click on the link to go directly to the website
3. add direct links to email addresses, so that viewers just need to click on the link and their email program will open a email with the address already imputed for them.
It may take some experimentation to get these features to work the way you want them to, so feel free to play with the various options.
Replying to a Message
To reply to a message, press the "Reply" box and fill in the form.
Sending Personal Messages (PM's)
If you wish, you can send a private message to the author instead of posting a reply that everyone can see. Just click the users name. You will be taken to a page giving information that the user has chosen to provide about themselves, and at the bottom of the page is a “Send this member a private message” button.
Personal Inbox
To receive personal messages, each member has their own personal inbox. To view your inbox go to the button at the top that says "You have messages" Unless you set your preferences to notify you when you receive a personal message, you must check your inbox manually. It is a good idea to always check your inbox whenever you are in the Discussion Area.
Profiles
Each member can create their own profile that displays contact information and other details to the other users. You can also make yourself an avatar (picture that appears next to your posts), add a signature to your posts, and more. To view another user’s profile simply click on their user name.
Searching the Discussion Area
To search the discussion area, press the button at the top right of your screen labeled "Search." A form will open up allowing you to search by keyword, username, date, and topic area.
Calendar
The Calendar feature is not yet functional.
Forum Instructions
Instruction topics are as follows:
· Logging in
· Discussion Area Overview
· Reading a Message
· Creating a New Message
· Replying to a Message
· Sending Personal Messages (PM's)
· Personal Inbox
· Profiles
· Searching the Discussion Area
· Calendar
Logging In
You may view forum posts without logging in, during which time you will be an anonymous Guest. However, in order to send any posts or messages you will need to log in. This is to identify you to the other users in the area.
To create a login, click the REGISTER link at the top of any forum page. Follow the instructions. A default password will be emailed to the email address you provide, which will allow you to log in to the forum. You can change your username and password later if you wish.
Once you have a user name and password you can log in be clicking the LOGIN link. Keep in mind that the name and password fields are case sensitive. After you log in you will have access to all of the board’s feature’s including the ability to modify your own profile, name, password, and more.
Discussion Area Overview
The Discussion Area is divided into different topic areas to help organize the discussions and make it easy for you to find where you want to go. Click on of the underlined topic headings to enter that part of the discussion area. Once inside, you can choose to read or reply to a message, or create a new one of your own.
Reading a Message
To read a message, press the underlined title of the message. This will take you to a new page where you can view the message and any replies to it.
Creating a New Message
To create a message, press the link "New Thread." A simple form will appear for you to fill out. Simply type in the title, your message and press the "Post" button. If you wish, you can preview your message to see how it will look before you post (add) it to the Discussion Area.
The form also allows you to do a few extra things. You can:
1. format your message to add bolding, underlining, bullet point lists, etc.
2. create hyperlinks to website addresses that will allow viewers to click on the link to go directly to the website
3. add direct links to email addresses, so that viewers just need to click on the link and their email program will open a email with the address already imputed for them.
It may take some experimentation to get these features to work the way you want them to, so feel free to play with the various options.
Replying to a Message
To reply to a message, press the "Reply" box and fill in the form.
Sending Personal Messages (PM's)
If you wish, you can send a private message to the author instead of posting a reply that everyone can see. Just click the users name. You will be taken to a page giving information that the user has chosen to provide about themselves, and at the bottom of the page is a “Send this member a private message” button.
Personal Inbox
To receive personal messages, each member has their own personal inbox. To view your inbox go to the button at the top that says "You have messages" Unless you set your preferences to notify you when you receive a personal message, you must check your inbox manually. It is a good idea to always check your inbox whenever you are in the Discussion Area.
Profiles
Each member can create their own profile that displays contact information and other details to the other users. You can also make yourself an avatar (picture that appears next to your posts), add a signature to your posts, and more. To view another user’s profile simply click on their user name.
Searching the Discussion Area
To search the discussion area, press the button at the top right of your screen labeled "Search." A form will open up allowing you to search by keyword, username, date, and topic area.
Calendar
The Calendar feature is not yet functional.