Post by Admin on Oct 22, 2008 7:02:54 GMT 1
VISITORS CAN READ ALL POSTS, BUT NEED TO REGISTER IN ORDER TO POST
TO REGISTER
THE DIFFERENT FORUMS OR 'BOARDS'
There are several categories of forums or boards, each covering a different area of interest. Feel free to suggest a new forum board if you feel there will be enough interest in it.
HOW TO REPLY TO A MESSAGE
HOW TO RETURN TO ANOTHER THREAD
Click on the applicable small blue link just above the top blue strip.
HOW TO CREATE A NEW STRING (THREAD)
SET UP YOUR OWN OPINION POLL
LOG OUT WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED
For security reasons, it's best to log out when you're finishied: click on the Logout link near the top of the page.
OTHER WEBSITES/TOOLS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS
LIVE CHAT ROOM:
This forum has an integrated live chat room. You can access it by clicking on the Chat button in the menu near the top of the forum page.
Explanation for newbies: An online chat room allows you to text-chat with several people, all online at the same time and logged in to the chat room. Obviously you can only chat if others are also in the chat room (unless you enjoy chatting to yourself). So a good idea is to announce a day and time that you'd like to chat, and the topic of the chat, then pitch up at the chat room and start chatting.
A chat room is ideal for airing views, sharing ideas and suggestions, and getting immediate feedback from others, and having an interactive dialog.
MEMBERS' CALENDAR:
Members can add important or interesting events to the calendar. Just click on Calendar in the top menu, then click on Add Event. This can also be used if you want to set up a live chat room session, and advise members of the date and time.
TO REGISTER
- Click on the Register link at the top right of the forum.
- There is also a Register button centred below the forum's name.
- Follow the prompts in the registration window.
THE DIFFERENT FORUMS OR 'BOARDS'
There are several categories of forums or boards, each covering a different area of interest. Feel free to suggest a new forum board if you feel there will be enough interest in it.
HOW TO REPLY TO A MESSAGE
- Log in: Click on the Login link next to the Register link, to enter your username and password, and log in to the forum.
- Open a forum/board: Click on the name of the forum you wish to post in. Additional links will then become visible so that you can add your own message to the discussion.
- Read the message/s: Click on a message heading to read the message/s. All replies will be shown below the first message in that thread.
- Add your reply: Click on reply (on the right of the blue strip) and type your message.
- Preview your message: (optional) Click on Preview (below the message text window) to see what your message will look like in the forum format, or to check for any typos.
- Post your message: Click on Post Message below the message text window.
HOW TO RETURN TO ANOTHER THREAD
Click on the applicable small blue link just above the top blue strip.
HOW TO CREATE A NEW STRING (THREAD)
- Start a new thread only if it is needed: If there is already a topic string or 'thread' of postings on the subject you wish to post about, add your item to that thread (by clicking on the reply button), if appropriate, rather than starting a new thread on exactly the same topic.
- Start your new thread if necessary: With the forum board and message headings displayed (not with messages themselves in view), click on new thread (on the right of the blue strip).
- Type a meaningful Subject line: To make it easier for all users of the forum, please add a meaningful subject heading, not something vague like "Help!".
- Type your message: Once you've typed your post, you can click on the Preview button if you wish to view it in the format in which it will appear in the forum (e.g. to check for typos, etc.).
- Post your message: Click on Post Message (on the right of the blue strip).
SET UP YOUR OWN OPINION POLL
- Click on new poll instead of new thread, and type your poll question and the answer options.
- Post as you would post a new message.
LOG OUT WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED
For security reasons, it's best to log out when you're finishied: click on the Logout link near the top of the page.
OTHER WEBSITES/TOOLS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS
LIVE CHAT ROOM:
This forum has an integrated live chat room. You can access it by clicking on the Chat button in the menu near the top of the forum page.
Explanation for newbies: An online chat room allows you to text-chat with several people, all online at the same time and logged in to the chat room. Obviously you can only chat if others are also in the chat room (unless you enjoy chatting to yourself). So a good idea is to announce a day and time that you'd like to chat, and the topic of the chat, then pitch up at the chat room and start chatting.
A chat room is ideal for airing views, sharing ideas and suggestions, and getting immediate feedback from others, and having an interactive dialog.
MEMBERS' CALENDAR:
Members can add important or interesting events to the calendar. Just click on Calendar in the top menu, then click on Add Event. This can also be used if you want to set up a live chat room session, and advise members of the date and time.