LAUNCH
THE BULLETIN BOARDThe Bulletin Board is really user friendly. The best way to learn is to explore the site. The Bulletin Board has its own help section. Just look at the top of the screen and click on help.
Here are a few extra pointers for those who like to use all the nifty features:
Before using the Bulletin Board you will need to register. To do this follow the following steps:
Click the "Register For Bulletin Board" button below. This will open a new browser window and take you to the registration screen.
You will need to chose a username that you enter each time you login to the Bulletin Board.
Next you will need to enter your email address. This is for administration and notifications, not for public use. It is important that it works or you will not be able to use certain features. If you wish this to remain hidden from other members, leave the box next to it ticked (recommended). If you don't mind others seeing your email you can click on it to remove the tick.
Choose a password that you will be able to remember. You will have to enter it twice.
Read the agreement that follows. Scroll right down to the bottom. YOU MUST CLICK "I AGREE" before being allowed to register.
Click on "Register" and you have done it.
Use and ENJOY!
THE BULLETIN BOARD WILL RETURN IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF WEB HOST
This is a really handy feature, particularly if you post a new topic asking for advice, that will let you know by email when someone posts a reply to a topic. Note that it only works if you have a working email address listed under your profile (see below).
To turn the feature on, click on the category and then the topic that you want notification for. You should now see the initial message and replies. At the top right of the blue box with the message in it, it will say "Notify of Replies". Click this. Click "Yes" on the screen that appears to confirm.
To stop notification, click on "Notification" that is at the topic of the screen next to "Logout". You will then see a list of topics you are being notified about and will be able to stop the ones you chose.
If you forget your password you can get it emailed automatically to you - so long as you have a working email address entered under your profile (see below). At the login screen, to the right of where you enter your password it will say "Forgot Password?". Click this and you will be taken to a new screen. You will be asked for your username. Type this in and press send. An email will be sent instantly to you with your password in it.
*** If your username has a space in it you will have to type _ instead of the space. For example Joe Bloggs becomes Joe_Bloggs. ***
You can change what your password is by clicking on "Profile" at the top of the screen.
If you wish to get in contact with a person but do not wish to share your details publicly you can send them a private message. Where ever their name appears (or by clicking on members at the top of the screen), just click their name. Their publicly available details will appear. At the bottom of the screen will be the option to send them a private message. Click on this and type your message. Next time the user logs on to the Bulletin Board it will say they have a message at the top right of their screen.
This option is on the login screen. If it is ticked, you will remain logged into the board until you click "Logout" on the top right of the screen - even if you close your computer down and turn it off! Therefore if you are on a shared computer and do not wish others to go on the board pretending to be you, you can click on the tick to make it disappear. You will now be automatically logged off the board after the specified number of minutes has passed (initially set to 300 but you can type whatever you want).
This option that appears at the top of the screen allows you to share a little information about yourself with the public. It is also where you can change your password and a few other private details about yourself. It is well worth putting a few public details in so people know a little about you when you post a message.