New to using forums? Get help here!

[Jane C Anderson]

LEARN ABOUT TOPICS AND REPLIES:

Topics:
A topic is basically a subject that is going to be discussed. It may be a statement or a question. There can be an unlimited number of topics. (For those who have participated in other forums a “topic” on this forum is the equivalent of a “thread” on some other forums.) Registered users can start a new topic.

Replies:
People who want to add a reply to the end of a topic can do so by using the “reply” feature at the bottom of the topic screen. There can be an unlimited number of replies to any given topic. (For those who have participated on other forums a “reply” on this forum is equivalent to a “post” on some other forums.) If you want to reply to a specific reply (maybe one that was posted earlier), then use the “reply” button that appears at the top menu of the specific reply to which you want to respond. (Look at the top of this reply to see that button.)

What users can do and how to do it:
1. Read topics and replies:  To read the discussion about a topic, open the topic by clicking or tapping it.

2. Write a comment (a reply):

One way: Scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the instructions given there for replying to the topic being discussed.

Another way: Find the specific reply to which you would like to respond and  click the word “reply” at the top of it. Type your reply into the blank space that appears and click Submit (below it) when you are ready to submit it.

3. Create a new topic: To create a new topic, select “Create a topic” (found at the top of the screen above the list of existing topics). Follow the instructions given for creating a new topic.

Tips and other information:
1. To find recent replies more easily, look on the right side of the screen after you choose Forum from the main menu: Select Latest topics to see a list of recent activity with the newest at the top. You can open a recent reply by clicking on the date of the reply.

2. If a topic is long (has many replies), some of the older replies will be hidden from view. You will see a line that says something like: “Viewing 2 replies – 26 through 27 (of 27 total) ← 1 2 3 4”  In this example the list of numbers “1 2 3 4”  is a list of links that you can click on to go to other pages of replies that exist about this topic.

3. Topics that  you have not yet read will be marked.

4. You will automatically be notified by email whenever someone replies to a topic you have created or one to which you have replied.

5. If you want to stop email notifications for any given topic, open the topic, scroll to the bottom of the screen and uncheck: “Notify me of follow-up replies via email.”

6. You can edit a reply you have submitted previously by clicking the “edit” button on the top menu of the reply. After you make your edit, scroll down and click submit again.

7. To navigate around the forum:

–use what is called “bread crumbs”: bread crumbs are found near the top of whatever page you are on. On this page the bread crumbs look like this: “Home>Forums>1. Forum Helps”. If you click on “Home” it will return to the home page, “Forums” to the Forum page, etc.  Also, most of the time you can use the “back” arrow on your browser to return to where you were before.

–look at FORUMS on the sidebar and select one.

Happy posting!  🙂

 

Want to share this?

[Jane C Anderson]

HOW TO REGISTER

(So you can participate in the Forums and Blog)

1. Find the “Home” menu option. It should be at the top of a page. The only time it isn’t is when you first enter the website. Then you will see the “Home” menu option at the bottom of the screen.

2. Use the drop-down arrow to the right of “Home” and select Login (Or Register).

3. Look for the small word “Register” near the bottom of the page and click (or tap) it.

Enter the requested information.

Be sure to write down your new Username and Password!

Now, to log in to the site, repeat step one, and this time enter your new username and password.

NOTE: Check the box that says “Remember Me” and you will be automatically logged in the next time you visit the site. (Occasionally you will be asked to log in again, so don’t forget your Username and Password information!)

 

 

Want to share this?

[Jane C Anderson]

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PUBLIC DISPLAY NAME

1. Locate the “Home” tab above and use its dropdown arrow to select “Member Profile.”
2. At the bottom of your profile page, click or tap “Edit Information.”
3. Change the “Public Display Name” to the new display name that you want to use (do not use your username!)
4. At the bottom of the edit screen, click or tap the “Update Profile” button.

You’re not done yet. You have two options to finish the process:

First option:

1. Use the Contact Us tab on the website (top or bottom)
2. Send us a message that says, “Please do the final step necessary to make my newly changed Display Name show up on the website.”

or

Second option:

1. Find the “toolbar” that runs across the top of the website:
2. Choose Dashboard.
3. Chooose Profile.
4. Scroll down the profile page and find “Display name as:” and use the dropdown to select your new Display name.
5. Use the button at the bottom of the profile page to update and save your change.

 

Want to share this?

[Author]

Posts