So what other vital.... easy to understand to newbies how to / documentation is missing?

What would you like to see me post?
What do you get a lot of questions about on your boards?

I aim to please let me know what you'd like to see.

Does anyone have any similar how-to / help type posts that they wish to share? Post them here.

I was about to write one for my site, but maybe you have more time than me

But I was going to write up a little information about how important it is to fill out your profile, how to access your profile, etc. Since many of my users don't have any info in their profile.

Also, a detailed description for how to add avatars. Man, I get more posts about that than anything

Just wanted to say 'Thanks!' again to JoshPet for this great forum of help topics

I do have a suggestion for a help page. How about one about 'Message Board Etiquette'? This would include things such as useless SPAM, Foul Language, Dirty Pics, Using the FAQ instead of posting dumb questions, Not putting 50 quotes inside each other to screw the post up, etc.

Thanks!

Good idea.

I can't think of any off the top of my head but I will jot some down when I do.

(also testing that sticky post problem thingie... lol)

LOL

You'll also find if there is one reply here (to the sticky thread) the index page will show (1) for new topics and (2) for replies.

Ok then it's not just me seeing that... LoL thought I was losing it.


I too have seen the (1) and (2) phenomina LoL

Hey Josh, do you have anything for explaining the "My Home" section a bit better? Some of the greatest features of threads lie in this area, yet 90% of people don't use them.

I'm talking about the post reminders, favorites, address book, friends online, etc. Such powerful and useful features, but I think many never really understand how to use them or what benefit they may have.

Thanks Jeremy,

I've got a quick one that I haven't posted here yet.

But a better explanation of all there is to do in "My Home" is a great idea.

I'll work on that.

Thanks for the suggestion... I think my users could use that too.

Guide to My Home is posted here.

Hope it helps ya!

Hi Josh

Excellent just what the doctor ordered.

Keep it up even some admins don't know how to fill it in.

Remember the only stupid question is the one that you don't ask.

Have fun

Thanks!

I will be updating some stuff here soon for UBB.Threads version 6.2.

Josh I have a lot of users who would like to include pictures in threads. Sometimes the images are blocked by other picture hosting sites too. (which causes them grief) So perhaps something along that line too.

Lots of us are using photopost as a way to upload images for the users.

I wrote this up for my site. I don't know if anyone else will find it handy, but change it around and do what you want with it. I have attached the source code instead of posting it because posting it caused massive horizontal scrolling. And now for the how-to:

Over half of my visitors are still using an 800x600 resolution.

What is resolution?
[]The image that is displayed on the screen is composed of thousands (or millions) of small dots; these are called pixels; the word is a contraction of the phrase "picture element". A pixel represents the smallest piece of the screen that can be controlled individually. Each one can be set to a different color and intensity (brightness).

The number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen is referred to as the resolution of the image; this is normally displayed as a pair of numbers, such as 640x480. The first is the number of pixels that can be displayed horizontally on the screen, and the second how many can be displayed vertically. The higher the resolution, the more pixels that can be displayed and therefore the more that can be shown on the monitor at once.[/]

I have tried to design Drumlines.org around all of my visitors, but designing for 800x600 while having so much information is a rather difficult task. While Drumlines.org is able to be displayed and browsed on an 800x600 resolution, I would recommend using a resolution of anywhere from 1024x768 to 1280x1024. Anything higher and it gets hard to read.

If you wish to change your resolution, but do not know how, I have included detailed instructions below.

[]To change your resolution under Windows:

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then choose Control Panel.
The Control Panel window will appear.

2. Open the Display icon. The Display Properties window will appear.

3. Select the Settings tab.

4. Move the slider to your desired resolution. Note: If it is available, press the Test button. If the screen appears blank, it will return to normal in 5 to 15 seconds. You will need to contact your computer vendor/manufacturer for assistance in changing the resolution setting.

5. Choose the OK button. Note: You may be prompted to re-boot your computer. Choose the OK button to restart your computer.

To change your resolution on a Mac:

1. From the Apple menu, select Control Panels. You will either have the option Monitors & Sound or Monitors.

2. If the option is Monitors & Sound:

• Open the Monitor icon.
• From the list of available resolutions, select the resolution you wish to use. Your screen resolution will change instantly.
• Close the Monitors & Sound window.

3. If the option is Monitors:

• Ensure that the Show pull-down menu option is set to Recommended.
• From the list of available resolutions, select the resolution you wish to use. Your screen resolution will change instantly.
• Close the Monitors window.[/]

I was just think it would be a good idea to do a piece on searching properly.

I know it is very basic for experienced users but my visitors are usually. . . errrr. . . 'dense'. . .

Anyway, I am sure I saw something somewhere, sometime on the way to get the best out of the threads system. It is really relevant for visitors trying to find something particular in 10's of 1,000's of topics. . .

Just a thought. . .

That is a really good suggestion. I'll add that to my list.

if I see anything on my travels I'll post it here Josh.

We have all installed instructions on how to use the forums but alas, this doesn't stop people from emailing you asking you how to post or how to register. Many people these days don't have time to read. Let alone search for instructons on how to post.

My suggestion is, two fold. Here is an example, of my concept.
http://www.fmforums.com/how.php

This is only my first draft. I plan on providing a voice over to narate the instructions.

Since many of us have lower bandwith I would like to propose the following... create instructional videos on a "Generic" forum. (Without Mods) then have InfoPop host these files so that we can link to them as licence holders of the best forum engine online.

I will have this link active for the next few days, since i have a lower bandwidth I may need to disable it if my forums suffers from the load of request for the video. - thanks for your understanding.

So what do you think...

You shared that with me privately first - and I liked the idea and encouraged you to share it here.

Very cool.

I get really annoyed at the daily can't register emails. They diffeniately need some hand holding at the front screen.

I get questions like what is a username? password? do you supply password? Date? the extreme basics they have trouble with.
I have the errors messages for when they forget to fill out the form boxes but they can't solve any little confusion on there own.

How about a new layout for the new member page. It is kind of plain. It only asks 5 questions. How about some simple coding in the file. Like the password, instead of it saying, "Optional: Create a password between 4 and 20 characters with alphanumeric characters only". (maybe they can't read the "optional part". It can be coded to say,"You must choose a password over 4 characters. WE DO NOT MAKE ONE FOR YOU". I know that's a little drastic but you get my point.

Its the simple things that do wonders.

Dr thats basically what I did. Gave them the information upfront if they have trouble. Hoping it will slow down questions. So far so good

Great. Im looking for that part now. Im going to adjust mine too....(not that I have a busy forum anyways )

How about MOVIES!

http://www.fmforums.net/pages/movie/