How & Tips on Posting Messages for this Group

Alan · Subject: How & Tips on Posting Messages for this Group Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:36 am

How to Start Posting Messages on the Forum

The forum is organized into different subject areas.
To view the threads within a subject such as Nanning Specific, click on the subject name.
You will then see a list of Sub categories within these are the topics (threads) in that subject.
Click on a topic name to see the messages in that thread.
You must be logged in to post messages.
To start a new topic (more commonly called a thread) click on New Topic. To reply to an existing topic click on Post Reply or use the Quick Reply Textbox located at the bottom of every message.

Tips

If you are starting a new thread enter a carefully worded Subject heading.

This should make it easy for visitors to see what a thread is about without having to read the first message.

Make it 'catchy' - grab the readers attention.

For example, avoid subjects like 'What do you think about this?'

Be specific - Instead use 'What do you think about Fried Eggs'

If you are posting a reply leave the subject blank.

If you are entering a long message, you have probably already written it using your favourite word processor.

Remember to include a blank line between each paragraph.

Keep your paragraphs short - it's better to have lots a smaller paragraphs than one very long one - it makes it easier on the eye and the brain.

Keep your post short and 'snappy' - A long post is easier to forget and harder to get into - Less is More.

Try not to ask too many questions in one post - it makes it more difficult and time consuming for members to answer.

Copy and paste the whole thing into the Message Body textbox.
If a short message you can type it directly into the textbox.
When done click on Preview to see how your message will look. You can then edit it to get it to look perfect and then click Preview again to see the effect of the changes.
When satisfied click on Submit and you're done.
Before you click that Submit button, think about your message.

Is it as short, clear, and to the point?

Does it observe net etiquette?

Is it on topic?

One of the great advantages of a group discussion forum is that new members coming aboard have a vast treasure trove of old messages to read.
But with this comes responsibility.
Please take the time to compose thoughtful posts, because all those who come after you will be reading them.

Tips on Editing Messages

While editing a message you may want to use italics, bold etc. to make your message more expressive and readable.
That's what the little buttons above the Message Body are for.
For example, to bold some text, select it with your mouse or via the keyboard, then click on the Bold button.
Short quotes are useful, especially from other messages in the same thread.
Copy and paste the text (control and C to copy - Control and V to paste) you'd like to quote, or select it, and then click on Quote.
Avoid long quotes.
Links can be extremely useful.
The simplest is to paste the URL into your message, select it, and then click on URL then enter the web address (URL) into the box provided.
Be sure to check your links while previewing.
After you have posted a message you can edit it. To do this go to the message and click on Edit.

Additional Forum Features

The Search feature is very useful.
To see more about a member or to contact them, click on their name.
The "View posts since last visit" and related links on the upper right of the forum home page are useful also.
To update your email address, password, location, etc you can edit your Profile information anytime. If you forget/lose your password and can't login, I can reset it for you.
For the first three Preferences in Profile I recommend:-

Allow email to be sent to me: Yes (Your email address is not exposed)

Hide your online status: No (Let's others see who's online by name)

Always notify me of replies: Yes (Very handy, a real time saver)

More info @ FAQ in the forum.