How to log into the message boards

So, you're a little stumped by the fancy exterrior, right? You should be. It's a normal feeling. It was also something I felt weary of in deciding to use this type of message board, but it had so many lovely aspects--I couldn't pass it up. This is why I must make it up to the users and do some 'splainin' to my dear Desi's of the Internet.

To start, hit the following link:

http://www.reeljewels.com/forums/iv1/index.php

Right under the "ReelJewels.com" logo on the top left, there are the options to log in or register. Fairly small print, quite easy to miss. You, of course, want to register. Then a page will pop up asking you to identify yourself to the boards. You follow the next steps.

1. Pick a user name. This can be anything, your real name condensed like GinnySayre, a nick name, a fun name like GarlandGrl or NelsonEddyFan. Just a name that you would like to have yourself identified with.

2. Enter a password. Make it something that you'll remember, although you can pick the option after you sign on for the boards to remember who you are.

3. Enter your email address. This is only to get messages from the boards as updates if you so choose to do so. As you can see, you must enter your email address twice.

4. Look at the user agreement. Click in the box underneath if you agree to use the boards under the restrictions given.

5. Submit your registration. Just hit the button underneath and you are all set as a member. After you hit this button you will be transferred to the main page of the message board again.


Posting and colorizing your experience:

So, you're ready to post now. You can start in the lounge (though you can really post anywhere you like, this section is for getting to know each other and introducing ourselves). This is where it gets complicated, because you can decide to start your own topic or you can post to another topic.

To make a new topic, you can click on the new topic button at the top of the forum. Then a page will come up to where you can post what you like. Put in a title and a description (though you do not need a description, a title is required). Write your post in the biggest box. If you don't want any bells and whistles, you can just just click on "post new topic".

In getting fancy with your post, you can do the following:

Add a smilie anywhere. Just click on the smilies to the side and they will pop up in your post wherever your cursor is.

Add a link. You can either copy or type a direct link into the post or you can click on the http:// button and it will guide you through the process of adding a link.

Add an image. The problem with adding an image, is that you have to have your own webspace or know someone how is kind about sharing bandwidth (a pretty big no, no to webmasters). BUT... if you are able to add an image through a link, push the IMG button and you will be guided through the steps.

Add your email address or an email address. Be cautious with this one unless you really want replies or you have someone's permission to post their email address. Just as with the image and link choices, you are also guided through the process if you push the @ button.

Add a quote. Push the quote button to add text of a previous post, which will show up in a dandy little box that distinguishes the original from the reply.

Add a bulleted list. When you push the list button you get a walk through of how to post a list of items.

 

Changing Colors

To use any of the options above the menu for the above additions, you can simply change any of the options if you highlight the text and then click on the button. Remember (I had to tell a friend of mine so many times), to highlight or it won't work correctly. You can do this by clicking at the beginning of your text and then with keeping your finger on the mouse, you can select the text you would like to have highlighted by dragging the mouse to the end of your selection. Then you can let go of the mouse and select the option you would like. You can select font, size, and color from the drop down menus. And that, just about covers the selecting of options for posting. Doesn't look too hard now, does it?

 

Profiles

Can you see the "my controls" link in the right hand area towards the top? This is where you can change your profile. When you click on the link, you will get another page with a lot of options on it. What we're interested is the Personal Profile section.

Edit Profile Info. This section is pretty straight forward. :) Now, don't fill any of this out if you don't want this information known, because it will be posted in the public forum. Click on the button below to post.

Edit Signature. This can be filled out just like the posts. It appears underneath every post. So, instead of writing your name everytime, you can put it here and it will always be there. You can also add a personal quote or anything else you'd like.

Edit Avatar Settings. An avatar is a picture representing your identity. So, you can be unique as you like. A picture of your favorite pet to a picture of your favorite star. It can be anything in reason. Words... as long as it's not something profane or I will go in and change it, but I highly doubt that will come up here. I botched up the pre-installed avatars for the moment, but I will get my co-administrator to help me with that one at some point.

So, you want to click on the radio button for your image avatars. In the first box you can put a link to your image (if you have one). Or the second box allows you to upload one from your computer. To get one from your computer, you can click on the browse button. Find a picture from your hard drive and then select it. Now, this is important. Once you've done this. You have to know how big your picture is. It can only be a certain size (have to conserve space on my site for other things, too!) and certain dimensions as shown on the page. If you fit all the requirements, if you click on the add this avatar button and you should be all set. If not, you're confused and stressed out by the above, you can just send what image you would like to me and through my administrative abilities, I can get you set up. If you choose to do that, make sure you tell me what your identity (screen name) is on the message board.

Good luck! :) Hope to see you on the board soon... ;)