Handy Forum-Use Tips For ALL Members

[HEMEEE]

edit: First see the video in post #12...

When you establish that you DO want to create a new thread this is what you do...

1) Go to the Forums Page and decide which forum is best for your new thread > open the forum

2) You will arrive at a list of all threads in that forum. At the TOP LEFT corner of the list you will see a small gray box that says "new thread"... - - click it

3) It will look just like any reply window you have used in the past, but you must enter text in the "Title" line... this will be your thread title so be brief and precise and check spelling since only Admin can change thread titles once submitted. All thread titles must be work-safe and contain no profanity. If your thread will include material that is not work-safe, it must be placed in the "Off Topic" forum and the title must be labeled "NWS" (not work-safe)

4) Proceed to post as you would in any other thread

[Northern Rider]

Here is a great little video for anyone new to forums (and a good refresher for seasoned veterans as well)

Posting and You

[DUBSTER]

NR!! SEWEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[FirstChrysler]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

This board has many, many sub-forums. Here is a great shortcut to help you stay on top of what's going on each day:

Across the Top Menu Bar, you will see Active Topics(T)

If you click just on the (T) part, a list of Today's Posts will come up for the entire board with the most recent ones on top. If you have already opened a post it will grey out, so you won't waste time doubling back.

Don't miss out on another great post ever again.

?? OK, But this only provides one page of recent posts. With so many members and posts, If I don't check up for a few days, there may be 2000 new posts! Active topics will not report many of the topics with new posts under these conditions.

Best thing I do is:

1) be a member
2) login
3) click the "new posts" hyperlink under the "User CP" window on the left side of the main web page.

This will show all topics with new posts, and then will show topics that were not updated in since my last visit. There will be many pages of topics.

I figured the "Active Topics" link is for new visitors who are not members so they can get a sampling of what is currently being discussed on the site.

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by FirstChrysler

?? OK, But this only provides one page of recent posts. With so many members and posts, If I don't check up for a few days, there may be 2000 new posts! Active topics will not report many of the topics with new posts under these conditions.

Best thing I do is:

1) be a member
2) login
3) click the "new posts" hyperlink under the "User CP" window on the left side of the main web page.

This will show all topics with new posts, and then will show topics that were not updated in since my last visit. There will be many pages of topics.

I figured the "Active Topics" link is for new visitors who are not members so they can get a sampling of what is currently being discussed on the site.

Hey FC,
If you only get one page, then I'd venture to say you clicked "Active Topics" rather than the (T) following "Active Topics" as NR had suggested.

Here's how it all breaks down:

Active Topics:
The 50 most recent new threads, or threads with new posts

Active Topics (T):
Click only the (T) for the 100 most recent new threads within the past 24 hrs.

New Posts:
All new unread threads since your last visit to the forum, to a maximum of 500 threads. This will show all threads that you have not opened; those that are new since your last visit will appear first on the list, then there will be a forums message, "The threads below have not been updated since your last visit but still contain unread posts", to divide that part of the list from the remainder, which will be all threads which have posts that were new upon previous visits, but which you did not open and do not contain new posts since that time.

To clear the "New Posts" list, go up to "Quick Links" on the Nav Bar and select "Mark All Forums Read" from the pulldown menu. If you'd like to keep the list clean, just take this step at the end of each visit and before leaving the site.

Forum Archives:
If it has been so long since your last visit that you have surpassed the 500 thread limit in "New Posts", first of all, shame on you , secondly, welcome back, and finally, there is still hope to catch up...

"Forum Archives" is found in the "Site Navigation" window, top left corner of the home page, above your user CP. This will provide access to all threads, past & present, by category. If you see "PDA" on the right top of the page, click it to also see how many replies each thread received.

[Rambit]

I find if you're on regularily, Active Topics is the way to go. That's why you'll see me posting in all kinds of weird forums like the Aussie one. Not that it's weird, but I'm sure some Aussie's find it strange that I sometimes post in their forum. It's only because it's at or near the top of the list. For those of you who only look at or post in one or two forums, for example the SRT8 forum, you're missing so much more. I never log off either for whatever reason, I just don't.

Rambit

[srt8danno]

I do the same Rambit. I’m sure the Aussies appreciate your posts….besides none of them have birthdays down there. (you see how I’m starting the ugly rumor to help your cause?)

[FirstChrysler]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

Hey FC,
If you only get one page, then I'd venture to say you clicked "Active Topics" rather than the (T) following "Active Topics" as NR had suggested.

Holy cow. Nine months on the board and now I find out there are two links there. I thought it was just one link called "Active Topics (T)".

Since I seem to always be over 500 posts behind every time I visit, I will probably just keep using the "new posts" link.

Thank for your help!

[HEMEEE]

There have been a few questions on this lately, so here's the scoop:

New members must be active 10 days and have 10 posts in order to activate private message privileges and/or participate in the Buy/Sell classified ads forum section.

Both criteria must be met, at which time you will then have to activate the PM function in your UserCP (user control panel) before you can send or receive PM's.

Potential site-supporting vendors may use the "contact us" email link found in the navigation bar at the bottom of any forum page to bypass this PM moratorium and request info. regarding our sponsor program.

Thank you-

[UnBRAKEable]

Awesome, thanks 4 all the tips -- I'll post again soon