Post by Webmaster on Jul 12, 2003 14:17:23 GMT
1) Do I need to become a member?
No. Non-members can view and post messages on ALL boards, although there are several of advantages to becoming a member:
a) You should be logged in everytime you visit the boards, so no need to type your name in every time you want to post.
b) Once you have become a member, no one else can use the same name as yours, so no "stolen identity" type posts.
c) Should you wish, you can create your own profile detailing how much (or how little) info about you is displayed, and allowing you to have your own avatar and signature.
d) The ability to modify or delete your posts if required.
e) New messages (since the last time you visited the board) are clearly displayed.
f) You can alter the message board time to display whatever your local time is - whatever country you are reading from! If you are not a member, then a default time (I believe of the EST time zone) is used.
g) I guess there is some prestige in having a star by your name when you post!
2) When I try to post, it says that "The name you are trying to post as is the same as a member of this board." It's not my fault I have a popular name!
In the unlikely event that someone else has already signed up as a member with the same name as yours, you will have to post with a slightly different name.
Perhaps add a letter or a number, try a different spelling, or try a nickname!
3) Urgh! When I signed up, I received a really long, nasty password. How I am supposed to remember that every time?
The first time you log in, you need to use your new password. Then, click on "profile" at the top of the page and you can change your password to whatever you want.
4) If I am a member, do I need to display my email address every time I post?
No, you can opt for your email address to be "hidden" so no one can see it. Unless you want people to see it.
5) What will happen to the old board?
It'll be phased out.
6) Anything else I should know about?
Yes: there is a search facility, allowing you to search messages for keywords, by topic, by board etc. etc. which some people may find useful.
There are a lot of useful tags when posting that enable you to insert URLs, insert images, make your text all fancy...that kind of thing.
That's about it for now.
No. Non-members can view and post messages on ALL boards, although there are several of advantages to becoming a member:
a) You should be logged in everytime you visit the boards, so no need to type your name in every time you want to post.
b) Once you have become a member, no one else can use the same name as yours, so no "stolen identity" type posts.
c) Should you wish, you can create your own profile detailing how much (or how little) info about you is displayed, and allowing you to have your own avatar and signature.
d) The ability to modify or delete your posts if required.
e) New messages (since the last time you visited the board) are clearly displayed.
f) You can alter the message board time to display whatever your local time is - whatever country you are reading from! If you are not a member, then a default time (I believe of the EST time zone) is used.
g) I guess there is some prestige in having a star by your name when you post!
2) When I try to post, it says that "The name you are trying to post as is the same as a member of this board." It's not my fault I have a popular name!
In the unlikely event that someone else has already signed up as a member with the same name as yours, you will have to post with a slightly different name.
Perhaps add a letter or a number, try a different spelling, or try a nickname!
3) Urgh! When I signed up, I received a really long, nasty password. How I am supposed to remember that every time?
The first time you log in, you need to use your new password. Then, click on "profile" at the top of the page and you can change your password to whatever you want.
4) If I am a member, do I need to display my email address every time I post?
No, you can opt for your email address to be "hidden" so no one can see it. Unless you want people to see it.
5) What will happen to the old board?
It'll be phased out.
6) Anything else I should know about?
Yes: there is a search facility, allowing you to search messages for keywords, by topic, by board etc. etc. which some people may find useful.
There are a lot of useful tags when posting that enable you to insert URLs, insert images, make your text all fancy...that kind of thing.
That's about it for now.
