Forum Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How do I register to become a member or reset my password?
    2. How do I set up a user avatar and signature?
    3. How do I use the Private Messaging feature?
    4. How do I post pictures and/or videos?
    5. How do I change to hybrid view?
    6. How do I get one of those cool member badges?

1. How do I register to become a member or reset my password?

To register as a new user, click the Create A New Profile link.

This will bring up the registration form.

Fill out all of the fields and click the Submit button.

After your account is approved, you can then log in by entering your selected username and password in the log in form and clicking submit.

You can also use the log in screen to reset your password if you have forgotten it. Simply enter your email address in the blank under the "Did you forget your password?" section and click submit.

2. How do I set up a user avatar and signature?

To set up your avatar and signature, first make sure you are logged in. Then click on the Control Center link at the top.

Next click on the Avatar link on the left side.

Now you can browse your computer to upload your avatar. Simply click the browse button, select your avatar picture, and click submit. Now make sure the small circle to the left of your selected picture and under the Select Avatar header is selected and click the Save Changes button. *Note: the avatar picture cannot be larger than 25 KB and 100 x 100 pixels in size.*

To create a signature, click the Edit Signature link on the left side of the Control Center screen.

This will bring up the Edit Signature page. Here you can enter any text and/or picture link you would like to use. If you are using a picture in your signature, make sure the URL is enclosed in the [img] [/img] tags or else it will not show up (see my example below). Then click the submit button and you are set.

3. How do I use the Private Messaging feature?

In order to use the private messaging feature you first click on the Private Messages link at the top of the page as shown below.

This brings up the Private Messages page.

From here you can read your private messages or send a private message to another member.

To send a private message click on the Send a PM link.

Then use the drop-down menu to select the person to whom you would like to send a private message.

After you select that person click the Add recipient button. You can add as many people as you would like to the recipient list.

Next, type in your subject as well as message and then click the Send PM button.

To check if you have a new message, either click on the Private Messages link or look at the top right of the page to check if you have a new messages notification.

You can also send a PM to a particular poster at any time by clicking the red mail icon by his or her name.

4. How do I post pictures and/or videos?

You can insert pictures and/or videos into the body of your posts. To insert an image first click on the Insert image URL button.

This will bring up a pop-up window where you will paste the URL of your image. Simply paste the URL in the window and click the OK button.

You will see that the URL of your image is now pasted in the body of your message with the appropriate image codes.

You can now either click the Preview button at the bottom to make sure your image will correctly post or click the Post message button to go ahead and post your message.

To insert a video you first click the Video link button.

This will again bring up a pop-up window. Paste the URL of your video in the window and click OK.

You will see that the URL of your video is now pasted in the body of your message with the appropriate video codes.

Click the Preview button to make sure the video is displaying correctly or the Post message button to post your message.

5. How do I change to hybrid view?

In order to change to hybrid view first click on Control Center in the menu bar.

Next click on Forum Settings under options.

This will bring up the Forum Settings screen. Click the drop down menu to the right of Message reading display options and change from Default to multiple messages per page sorted by time. Click the submit button and the forum should now show in hybrid view.

6. How do I get one of those cool member badges?

It's easy! Just click on the Donate link at the top of the page and donate money to help pay for website expenses.

Each level is as follows:

Bronze Member - Donations less than $50.

Silver Member - Donations of $50 to <$100.

Gold Member - Donations of $100 to <$250.

Platinum Member - Donations $250 or more.

The rules for donations are as follows:

When you make a donation, it is good for one calendar year. During that calendar year you can add to your donation total to move up to another level. At the end of the calendar year that began with your original donation, your donation level is reset.

For example, say I donated $25 on January 1, 2017. That would make me a Bronze Member with an expiration date of January 1 2018. I then decided I wanted to move up to Gold Member so I donate another $75. My membership then changes to Gold but my expiration date is still January 1, 2018.