See Also [Guide to Using Private Message & Email Facilities]
A link there will bring you back here

In response to Comments/Requests during first few days of Launch:
"Never used any Forums or Chat Lines"/"step-by-step instructions please?"
So............... :>>:

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Forums

(A) Register
1) Any page on Forums - See Top Menu under "Smith Chat" Banner.
2) Click on :reg): Reqister
3) Register with Username and Password of your choice.
3a) Project Members - can use Member ID as part or all of Username, but not essential.
4) Submit
5) Check your Email - click on link in email to activate registration.
5a) If Email not received within a few minutes - tell me - & I'll activate it asap.
6) You are now a User of the "Smith Chat" Forums.
_________________________________________________________

(B) Log-in
Each time you visit.
1) Top Menu - Click : Log-in
2) Log-in using the Username and Password you chose.
3) Quick-View Index of Recent Topics - Top Menu- click on Portal - see scrolling index.
4) At Portal - Check for any new POLL - please place your Vote.
5) Top Menu - Click first link Home to return to Forums Index.
________________________________________________________

(C) Edit Your Profile (if you wish)
1) : Log-in if not already
2) Top Menu - Click on :me?:Profile
3) Scroll down to "Profile Information"
4) Not Compulsary, but if you wish - enter..............
4a) Site Web : If you have your own website - enter the URL
4b) Localisation: Where you live?
4c) Gender & Birthday?
4d) Click "Save"
5) Given new page "Information"
6) Click "Click here to return to the user profile"
7) See top right of form -
**Your Profile Menu: Information|Preferences|Signature|Avatar |Topics watched
________________________________________________________

(D) Add or Edit Signature
1) In **your Profile Menu - click "Signature"
2) Scroll down to "Edit Signature"
3) Type in here the Signature you would like to be included at the end of your Posts (not compulsary)
4) Click "preview" to check how it will look.
5) If satisfied, click "save"
6) See Your profile has been updated [Click here to return to the user profile]
________________________________________________________

(E) Add or Edit Avatar
1) In **your Profile Menu - click "Avatar"
2) Add your Avatar - ie: an image that will appear with all your posts (not compulsary but brightens up the site!)
3) Choose from Gallery or Upload an image from your own Computer.

You're all set up now - no need to return to your Profile again - until either...
a) You want to edit it.
b) You want to check which Topics you are watching.
________________________________________________________

(F) READ Topics & Replies in a Forum
1) : Log-in if not already
2) Top Menu - Click Home
3) Go to the Forum of your interest
3a) EXAMPLE: Project Members Chat > General Chat.
4) Click on "General Chat"
5) You are then in the "General Chat" Forum
6) See Index of Topics posted here.
6a) EXAMPLE Topic in General Chat - "Just getting started" Author Mike Smith.
7) Click on "Just getting started"
8) Read the Topic and any replies already posted to it.
________________________________________________________

(G) POST A REPLY to a Topic.
1) EXAMPLE as above - Forum "General Chat" > Topic "Just Getting Started"
2) You have read this Topic & want to post a reply.
3) Click on the "POST REPLY" Icon - at top left or bottom left of the Topic Thread.
4) Type your reply.
5) Click "Preview" to check it
6) Click "Send" to post it.
7) Your message will appear at the end of the thread.
8) You want to receive email when anyone else replies to this Topic - so
8a) See bottom right of thread - Click on "Watch this Topic"
________________________________________________________

(H) POST A NEW TOPIC
1) Click into the Forum where you want to Post your new Topic.
2) Click on "NEW TOPIC" Icon at top left or bottom left of the Topics Index.
3) Write, Preview & Send your new Topic.
4) This will now appear in the Topics Index.
________________________________________________________

USE THIS PAGE TO TRY IT OUT..........
1)Everything you need is on the page you are viewing right now, reading my message.
2) Look Above the Message Box - You are in.........

Category: Welcome
Forum: Announcements, Polls & Help Files
Topic: Step-by-Step Guide to Using Forums

See Icons above & below [New Topic] & [Post Reply]
See bottom right "Watch this message"

And below that - see Drop-Down Menu - Jump to another Forum

See Top Page Menu - If this icon appears on your Menu **) when you login =
New private messages for you.

__________________________________________________

Also See [Guide to Using Private Message & Email Facilities]
A link there will bring you back here

AND RECOMMENDED - [Frequently Asked Questions]
Future ref: Quick Link to - Top Menu - FAQs - You should find answers here to most if not all problem-related queries you might have.