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4:10 pm
June 8, 2010

Angel

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Post edited 9:29 pm – June 29, 2010 by Angel

WELCOME! Let's Get Started.

I'm going to put some hints and instructions on using this Simple:Press forum program as my first topic on the Discussion Forum. They will be permanent messages which I doubt anybody will need after a few calls. I think you'll see that SP is not a simple format for inexperienced Computer users. However, it IS very powerful, adaptable and more than worth your time. Like everything, using it will become automatic with a bit of practice.

I'm not going to talk here about the theories and reasons for this New Compressed Board concept. That's something for the Home Page Blog messages. We'll just separate the HOW from the WHY and discuss them one at a time.

The Board is composed of what WordPress calls Pages. The titles are listed in the top Navigation Bar. You have chosen to use the FORUM page. Let's start in this message with the Registration Process. Here it is…very simple to start.

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1) Access the Board. Choose FORUMS in the navigation bar at the top.

2) At the TOP of the main Forum Screen….all the way to the RIGHT…it says…Log-in/Register. IF you're not registered yet, choose Register…click on it. This Brings you to a (SimplePress) Screen with lines to enter your User Name and E-Mail address. Do that…Next, complete the silly Math Test (security tool) and click on the Register tab. This initiates the instantaneous sending of a GENERIC Password to your E-Mail address.

2) You're automatically taken to another (WordPress) screen with lines for you to enter a Username and Password (the one you're going to find in e-mail). You're instructed to CHECK E-Mail. Minimize the Board while you go to E-mail. You should almost instantaneously get an E-mail with a preliminary, generic password . Find the PW…(Ctrl-C copy it from there, it's too huge to write down or remember). Use the link in the same e-Mail message to return automatically to the next (Simple Press) screen. Put in your Username. Copy-Paste the generic PW. Choose the "remember me" box and click on LOG IN. This takes you to the Profile function where you can choose CHANGE PASSWORD. Just enter a new PW twice and click on the UPDATE PROFILE tab.

3). You're IN. You can read and post. Just click on any "Return to Forum" tab. You MUST Use the LOG-IN function at LEAST ONCE in the following 4 weeks, to validate your account (another security feature). No need to post…just LOG-IN. The Program will automatically DELETE any registration that has not been used within those 4 weeks. After that initial Log-in, you're safe for a year.

4) Whenever you choose to enter the user Profile function, Click in that top right corner on the word Profile. Play around in there with the instructions that follow.

Profile takes you to a multi-functional screen. There are 5 highlighted categories across the top. Choose Personal Identity. Here, you enter the obvious, 1) Log-in ID (pre-entered…your registration name…not changeable) and 2) Display name (which appears on messages). This can be the same or different from your log-in ID (real or alias, it's still you) but it's the name by which your fellow users will know you. Personally, I find that all redundant and it just requires that you remember both names. I prefer one name for both fields but it's your choice. Put SOME name in that field.

E-Mail address is how the program identifies you so it must be VALID and is pre-entered on that line. Nobody will ever see it (except me) and intra-forum communication will be via Private Messaging.

Fill out the remaining lines as you wish. Mouse over the little icons at the end of each line to see if what you put in them will show to users who access your Profile. Use that to determine what you list there. In this and in all the following screens are functions to "manage your Buddy list" (which will grow as you add PM communicants), Forum "Permissions" in which you can view your options for specific user actions (allowed permissions will be checked).

If you choose to UPDATE PROFILE at this point you will be set for all Forum use, both Discussion and Glass. However, it would be a good idea to browse the other functions.

7:32 pm
June 8, 2010

Angel

Admin

posts 187

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Post edited 7:13 pm – June 21, 2010 by Angel

Registration 2

The next category in the Profile screen is "Your Online Identity". Oh well, if you know how to use those things listed…go for it. This is presently not in my Brain library. When or if I learn about them, I will come back to this topic and provide info…or I'll get your friendly neighborhood WEBBIE to do that. He's a PRO with all the online social stuff. Cool

PERSONAL OPTIONS: Here you can set things like receiving an E-mail when you get a PM here. If that annoys you and you would rather just find PM's when you log in…X that function. Check Auto Subscribe if you want to receive e-mail when there's a new message in a Topic you've posted in. "Auto" takes place when you post. The other way to subscribe is by use of that option at the bottom of a topic list. If you prefer to choose your subscriptions, X this option. Generally, it's best to check the first 3 functions. The online status function has been inactivated. I consider it an invasion of your privacy, so no need to make a choice on that line. TIME Zones are based on Central Std. Time (aka Chicago Time). They can be set to adapt to YOUR time zone by entering a simple number. Eg: Central is 0. Eastern Std time is +1. Mountain is -1. Pacific is -2.

CHANGE PASSWORD: is pretty straightforward.

SELECT YOUR AVATAR: The most fun you'll have in Profile. Laugh You can download Avatars from the Websites devoted to them, found by Internet Browser search (see a few sites listed in the next message). Put them in a file on your computer and browse to it for Uploading to the Board. This function will automatically size anything you upload. We have set them here at 80 X 80 pixels. Keep that in mind when using personal photos. HUGE Photos, when scaled down, don't always show well.

SETUP YOUR SIGNATURE: If you would like to sign your messages automatically, put that signature in the first line of this function. IF you have an image that's transmitted via an http:// website, you can enter it on the second line. A good example of this is Paul's BEAR which he sends via his own website. You cannot pull an image from a hard drive for this…it must be on a site. (your own, Picturetrail or similar). The Signature image should be considered a permanent entry. Any change will also automatically change it on ALL of your previous messages. Same rule applies to Avatars. You can change them but they ALL change at that point.

DON'T FORGET to UPDATE PROFILE before you leave this process or you'll lose everything entered. It's a bummer…don't ask. Yell

5:41 pm
June 14, 2010

Angel

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posts 187

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Post edited 4:33 pm – July 6, 2010 by Angel

AVATAR ENTRY, RE-SIZING and DL SITES (a sampling)

If you're searching for an Avatar, there are probably a MILLION of them online. You can download most of them by right-clicking on a picture and choosing to Save Picture (in IE) or Save Image (in Firefox). Put it in a designated file on your HD from which you can later upload it to the AVATAR utility here. If you use a search program like Google etc. and enter "AVATAR", you will find hundreds of FREE download sites with many thousands of images. Choose one that reflects YOU, your personality, your interests or your Forum interaction. Most images are pre-sized for Forum use but since SF has chosen to automatically re-size them to 80 x 80 pixels it's best to find some that are 100 pixels or less. NOTE: FILE SIZE and Pixels are not the same thing. The limit on avatar file sizes is 20480 bytes (or 20 kilobytes). If the program tells you that your UPLOAD is too large, it's referring to the File Size.

Sizing UP is not a problem. Sizing down sometimes affects image quality. Here are a couple of re-sizing sites, courtesy of Webbie, that he posted in a message. They're being entered here for easier location.

rsizr

online image editor

When you upload an Avatar to the utility in the "Profile" screens…and it's accepted…you are told to UPDATE PROFILE. Then, Scroll up to see a message at the top of that screen saying it's loaded and tells you to REFRESH the screen. Do that…it takes you automatically back to the "Personal Identity" screen where the new Avatar appears in the top line with your User Name…OR you can Click on the Avatar utility where the uploaded Avatar now appears. (OR you can just Return to the Forum and see it there.) Not satisfied? Just REMOVE and do it again.

REMEMBER: when you change an Avatar that's been in use, it changes on EVERYTHING you have posted in the past.

Here are a few interesting sites to browse. Just click on a link to get there.

10:21 am
June 15, 2010

Angel

Admin

posts 187

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Post edited 7:46 pm – July 21, 2010 by Angel

PRIVATE MESSAGING (PM's) and the RIGHT HAND CORNER functions

Look at the top line of the Forum page…the one where it says you're logged in as… On the RIGHT hand corner of that line there is a cluster of little boxes and words and symbols. Mouse over them to see what they are. The first box…under the word Logout..shows how many PM's you have waiting (IF you have any, the box will be RED with the # of messages waiting). Click on the BOX or the little envelope next to that box which says "go to Inbox". It takes you to your PM's. In the PM screen, Click on the line with the name of sender and the message title info…you'll get another (blue) line …scroll down the page to read the message. You can reply or delete it or just leave it there until later. To get out of that screen click on the "Return to Forum" tab.

There are several vital actions in that corner. The other 2 boxes are for "Watched topics and Subscribed topics" which you can choose when you post or read messages. These also turn RED with #'s when they contain new, unread topics. WATCHED is a passive tracking function and easy access to all topics you choose. It keeps track of topics and gives you instant access to them. SUBSCRIBED Topics send you e-Mail when they get a new post. You choose that category by Auto subscription in the Profile "Personal Options" screen or by using the tabs at the bottom of Topic lists. Conversely, you can Un-subscribe or Un-Watch Topics with those same tabs. The words above the boxes are for LOGOUT (Don't use it unless you WANT to re-enter your name and PW every time you call). To leave the board, it's better to just X out (which is what most of us do anyway). The program remembers you if you do that.

Members, (above the second box), is a link to all members registered on the Forums…and any info they enter for public viewing. You can't see e-mail. Use the PM link in the line above messages OR in this MEMBERS screen to send PM to anybody. They can give you their private e-mail address in a PM but the Program is geared to privacy. PM is the onboard communication method. Member Info can also be accessed by clicking on the username/Avatar in a message.

Clicking on PROFILE (above the 3rd box) gets you into your Personal Profile screen and the features in there, like making Avatars, changing PW…turning on and off some convenience features such as receiving E-mail when you get a PM or Subscription Post. (see the second message in this topic).

That little corner, along with the tabs on the line just above messages is almost everything you need to navigate. Lots of special features in the messaging icons too. Play around with things. Keep asking questions. It will all be automatic in a few tries.

4:51 pm
June 17, 2010

Angel

Admin

posts 187

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Post edited 7:27 pm – July 21, 2010 by Angel

The ONE TIME SET-UP

I originally posted this in another thread in response to a message. It probably belongs here.

A lot of your Forum set-up is a one time thing. You Register. You change the Generic PW to a familiar one. You make an Avatar. You choose a few convenience options like receiving e-mail when you get a PM. Then it's just a matter of clicking on one of the 2 Forums listed…looking at the Topics…Posting a new one or joining the existing ones. After you're set up, that last option is most of what we do with a Forum.

This WordPress (the Forum utility is called SIMPLE:PRESS) Program is not as knee-jerk as a lot of them, but it offers a lot of nice user options. Get familiar with the posting screen and find the special features there…like listing a URL in the message (so the NAME appears and can be clicked on….just as we did on old SF using them at the bottom of the screen)…adding pictures in messages (from a website). There's a preview screen…spellcheck…Color for words or blocks of text. Mouse Over them and see. Learn a function or 2 at a time…that's how I did it. Editing your own saved messages before they get replies is a very good feature.

We have endless adaptability with WordPress. Better viewing of the Galleries …retention of all the archived messages from the Old Board with a search ability. Message searching and "Subscription" tracking (on-board or via e-mail). "Watching Threads" is very Cool. Private Messaging is a fantastic program. We were able to KEEP ALL the info from the old SF and put it here in a better, cleaner format. Most NEW Forum programs just delete the old Board and start a new one. We still have ours. The messaging system is a little different…but it too, is better.

All you computer experts, I can't believe that you won't find some pleasure and excitement in learning and using a complex program. It's actually easier for non-experts to accept because they are often more open-minded. Patience, my friends. If you have questions…let's make a Thread for them from which everyone can take information and discuss. There's always e-mail. Mine is open. OR Private Messages…LOVE those things!

A lot of functions have symbols that describe themselves when you "MOUSE OVER". That's my pet name for the Program. Like that little unobtrusive ARROW at the TOP of a message header or the bottom of the thread list. It takes you UP to the top. Guess how long it took me to find THOSE things. Surprised

We can talk more about the Specific Posting format in the next message.

8:21 pm
June 17, 2010

Angel

Admin

posts 187

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Post edited 12:22 am – June 20, 2010 by Angel

NEW USER…READING and POSTING…Forum NAVIGATION BASICS

Let's talk about HOW to use the Forums. It's pretty straightforward. You only need to know how to Register…access the Forum of choice…Start a Thread or Reply to a previous user's message, write one of your own and save it. Those basic functions are the foundation of EVERY Forum program. The differences lie in minor details like the navigation tabs and special features which add Fun and clarity to online communication.

So, here you are…logged in to the http://siliconfolly.com URL. If it's your first time, you might want to look around…Log onto the BLOG (HOME), Manuals, Links, Legacy or Gallery Pages. But, you want interaction and choose Forums in the navigation Bar at the top screen. You can choose to read messages without being registered. First, you need to find them.

1.)The top line has your info IF you've registered…and just generic "USER" designation if not.

2.) 2nd line tells you the location….FORUMS (obviously). This is the line where the specific Navigation "Chain" will grow. With each action you take, it will add the name of that location to the line. Any time you want to back up or out or move to another place just click on the link in that CHAIN which will take you there. This is a much better method of moving back and forth than using the "back-arrow". FORGET that there's a BACK ARROW! USE the CHAIN and the "Return to Forum" tabs found in other screens outside the Forum.

3.) Now, in the 4 sections below you see the names of the 2 Forums that comprise this compressed Board. Discussion Forum is first. A Description of it is in the following line…"General Discussion– Conversations on any and all Topics". Mouse over these words to find that the cursor chooses "General Discussion". Click on it.

4.) You're now on Page 1 of General Discussion. Notice that this name has been added to the "Chain" next to the word Forums. The Topics (Threads) are listed with the usual pertinent information about the authors, # of posts etc. Click on one that looks interesting. Notice that the name of that topic also now appears in the "Chain".

5.) Scroll down and read the messages in that Thread. If you want to move on to another thread, click on the words "General Discussion" in the Chain. This takes you back to the topic list and lets you choose another one to read.

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Well, reading is good but we want Messages. Time to post. IF you haven't registered, read the very first message in the Board "Instructions Topic" for a specific "how to" do it.

POSTING: It's a matter of choosing a topic…in the line where the title of that topic appears there are functions to "Add a New Topic" or "Reply to This Post"… Your choice. Reply to Post is a reply to the entire Topic or the last message and appears at the bottom of the list. If you are replying to an individual message as you read, there's a choice to QUOTE and Reply found above the message. The posting screen opens for you to enter your message. The line above that screen has many special functions that we'll get into in another message. Meantime…enter WORDS…feel free to use or try any of the icon functions (which open to description when you "Mouse Over" them.). When you are done, (spell check and preview are listed in those icons) simply click on the Save a New Message tab. After saving, You can edit this message yourself UNTIL it has replies. Time to back up using the Navigation Chain list to another topic or the next (Glass) Forum.

There are still a lot of special features that add fun to messaging, but for now, this is the Basics. Both Forums are used in identical manner.

BTW…a hint for now. DON'T use the BOLD and UNDERLINE until the message is done. It lingers and you can find yourself with whole paragraphs in them. How do I know? Don't ask. Surprised

12:15 pm
June 19, 2010

Angel

Admin

posts 187

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Post edited 11:09 pm – August 27, 2010 by Angel

Finding NEW Messages..FLAGS and NAVIGATION NOTES

Well, you're not new any longer. After registering, you scanned the Topics on one or both of the Forums and left. Now, it's your second call and you want to find any NEW messages in the topics of interest. Time to talk about FLAGS.

1.) Access the Forum Page. In the first line, on the right side, notice the 3 BOXES. If you mouse over them, they will describe each function…New PM's (and a link to your PM page). Subscribed Topics and Watched Topics are in those boxes. Subscribe sends you e-mail when new messages are posted in the chosen topics. Auto Subscribe in the Personal options of the PROFILE screen or choose to Subscribe and/or WATCH topics via the tabs at the bottom left side of a Topic list. IF you have made any such choices and there are new messages in them, the BOX will appear RED with a # corresponding to the number of such messages. Click on the box. Find the new message(s) (by means of the RED FLAG in front of them), click on the little ARROW next to it, to be taken directly to that message. It's Quick Access. Choose to UN-subscribe or un-Watch topics in that same lower left side below the last message in a Topic or in the BOXES. [Note: this action done IN the Boxes only takes place after you X-out of the Forum.]

2.) So, you have no marked messages and move on to scanning the Topic list. On the right side of the line containing the CHAIN there is a little message giving the number of UNREAD Posts. On that same line is a tiny book symbol which, when you mouse over, will open to the message "Mark All READ". (clears the un-read status of all messages). On the end of that line is a tiny arrow that will take you DOWN to the bottom of a page.

3.) The right side of the line stating the name of the Forum (eg. General Discussion) has one of the several places where you can chose to "Add a New Topic"

4.) The PAGE line has the page number on the left. On the right are FLAGS and notations for: New Posts since your last visit…and Topics you have posted in. These are merely descriptions of the flag colors you will see that mark these conditions. Double Flags for New posts in Topics will appear Red (in front). If you have previously posted in that topic, the flag will appear BLACK (in the back). Posts with BOTH will be 2-colored (Black and Red). No activity by you in a topic shows a colorless flag.

5.) Scan the TOPIC list for any RED Flags signaling a NEW message. You can go directly to the first or last message by clicking on the arrow under the name of the author. OR..just Click on that Topic. Note that the Topic name now appears in the navigation CHAIN. It's also listed on the following line (with a FLAG…of course) and the options to "Add a new Topic" or, "Reply to Post".
Next line gives the Page # and notations…if you are Subscribed and/or Watching this Topic.

6.) Messages: Scroll to a message (or each of them) in the topic. You can choose one for instant reply with the options in the line above that message (Quote and Reply). If you want to simply "REPLY to post" and add your own comments to the bottom of the entire Topic, choose that option in the right bottom line of the Topic list or that same option at the right-top in the Topic Name line.

While IN a message, you can choose to "Send a Private Message" (PM) to the author and even PRINT the message. REPORT Post is merely a way to send a questionable post to the Admin with your comments (seldom if ever needed when a vigilant Admin is present). If the author has entered a website URL in the Profile page, there will be a symbol that takes you to the site.

7.) You have reached the end of the Topic message list. Here, you can opt to Subscribe or Watch topics if you haven't already done so…or remove those options. That line contains the tiny UP arrow that takes you to the TOP of the current Topic messages. The LAST LINE has a SEARCH tab with which you can find any information in the entire Forum. It also has 2 "pull down" menus that are self-explanatory quick links to the listed topics.

8.) Ready to move on to another topic? DO NOT USE that BACK-ARROW. Go back to the navigation CHAIN and click on the Name of the Forum there (eg. General Discussion) which takes you again to the list of Topics. Choose one and repeat the above routine.

7:15 pm
July 8, 2010

Angel

Admin

posts 187

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SEARCH THE GALLERY

Yes, there is a SEARCH function in the Gallery. It's a general search through ALL the Galleries so you can't just do Stone or Hot Glass etc. That's OK because a lot of people have stuff in more than one Gallery category. So Here's how you do it. Get that MOUSE ready! Kiss
Go to the Gallery Page. Click on any one of the "Gallery Root" pictures. Look in the upper LEFT corner and find the 2 little symbols. MOUSE OVER them. One says "Sidebar"…the other says "Slideshow". Click on the SIDEBAR symbol. It opens up to….TA DAHHH! a sidebar. Surprised

At the top of that sidebar list is a Search Bar (and under it is an Advanced Search). Enter the name of a person who's work you want to see…or enter a word in the name of the work if you know it….or maybe you just want to see all Swans or Roses or whatever. Press ENTER. The first screen will show a few pics that match your search. If there are other pics that fit the search you will be told how many and asked if you want to see them all. (How else would I know that Vernelle has 19 entries in all the Galleries?) Wink Click on that question bar. All the found photos are displayed. Voila!…you just Searched! Cool

Now, the Advanced Search just makes it easier to enter your word, etc. and it has a SEARCH button for use instead of the Enter key. It's designed to let people refine a search…BUT since I am only using the TITLE for identification, it doesn't have any real advantage. You can use either one…just be sure TITLE is checked off in the Advanced…the others aren't used, so it matters not whether those are checked or not.

This all takes about 10 seconds and a few key-clicks. There's a navigation chain in the upper left screen. To move or back out of a function, just click on any part of the chain (same as we do in the Forum).

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