In order to fully utilize the
abilities of this board, the administrator will probably require
that you register as a member. Registration is free, and allows
you to do the following:
Post new threads
Reply to other peoples' threads
Edit your posts
Receive email notification of replies to
posts and threads you specify
Send private messages to other members
Set up a 'buddy-list' to quickly see which
of your friends are currently online
To register, you will need to specify a
username and password, and a valid email address. Entering your
email address will not leave you open to 'spam', as you can
choose to hide your email address, and messages sent to you via
email do not reveal your address to the sender in any case. (To
verify this, you can try sending an email message to another
user.) The administrator may have configured the board to send
you the final part of the registration process by email, so
ensure that the email address you provide is valid and working.
If you are under the age of 13, the administrator may require
that a parent or guardian provides consent before allowing you
to complete the registration process. More information about
this is available during the registration process.
The use of cookies on this
bulletin board is optional, but may enhance your experience of
the site. Cookies are used to enable functions such as showing
whether or not a thread or forum you are viewing has new posts
since your last visit, or to automatically log you back in when
you return to the site after being away for a while. When you
register, you will be given the option to 'Automatically login
when you return to the site'. This will store your username and
password in a cookie, stored on your computer. If you are using
a shared computer, such as in a library, school or internet
cafe, or if you have reason to not trust any other users that
might use this computer, we do not recommend that you enable
this. This board also gives you the option to use a cookie to
track your current session, ensuring that you remain logged-on
while browsing the site. If you choose not to store this
information in a cookie, the session data will be sent through
each link you click. Choosing not to use a cookie may cause
problems if your computer's connection to the Internet uses a
proxy-server and you share links with other users behind the
same proxy. If in doubt, we recommend that you select 'yes' to
enable the cookie. After you have registered, you may alter your
cookie options at any time by changing the settings on this
page.
You may clear all your cookies
by clicking here. If you return to the main index page via the
link provided and you are still logged in, you may have to
remove your cookies manually.
Here are the instructions for Internet Explorer 5 on Windows:
Close all Internet Explorer windows.
Click the "Start" button.
Move up to "Find" and click "Files or
Folders" from the menu that appears.
In the new window that appears, in the
"containing text" field, type in the domain name of the board
without the "http://" or "www." part. For example, if the
board's address was "http://www.pcfixzone.co.uk/index.html", I
would type in "pcfixzone.co.uk" (without the quotes)
In the "look in" box, type in
"C:\Windows\Cookies\" (without the quotes) and press "Find
Now"
After it has finished searching, highlight
all files (click a file, then press CTRL+A) and delete them
(press the "delete" key or SHIFT+DEL)
Your cookies should now be removed. You may
want to restart the computer and revisit the board to be sure.
It is your responsibility to
keep the information in your profile up-to-date. You should
especially ensure that your email address is kept current. You
can alter any of the fields in your profile, except your
username. Once you have registered your username, it becomes
yours for life. In extreme circumstances, you may request that
the administrator change your username, but he will require a
very good reason to do so.
After you have registered, you
may set your signature. This is a piece of text that you would
like to be inserted at the end of all your posts, a little like
having headed note paper.
If the administrator has enabled signatures, then you will have
the option to include your signature on any posts you make. If
you have specified a signature, then the board will
automatically append your signature to any messages you post.
You can disable signatures on a per-post basis by un-ticking the
'Show Signature' checkbox when you compose your message.
You may turn the signature on and off on posts you have already
made by editing the post and altering the state of the 'Show
Signature' option.
You can set your signature by editing your profile.
If you forget your password, you
can click on the 'Forgotten Your Password' link on any page that
requires you to fill in your password.
This will bring up a page where you should enter your registered
email address, and an email will be sent to that address
instantly, with instructions for resetting your password.
These small images are called
Avatars. They are displayed below your username on all posts
that you make. There are two kinds of avatars: those provided by
the administrator and those that you upload yourself.
If the administrator has provided a set of avatars, and avatars
are enabled, you may select an avatar that best describes your
personality.
The administrator may also have enabled custom avatars, which
allows you to upload an avatar image from your computer.
The buddy list is used to keep
track of the friends you have made on this board. By going to
your "Home", you'll be able to see which of your friends are
currently online, and be able to send them a private message.
Adding people to your buddy list also allow you to send private
messages to multiple board members at the same time. You may add
any member of this board to your buddy list by clicking this
button in a member's posts.
Ignore lists are used for those people who's messages you wish
not to read. By adding someone to your ignore list, those
messages posted by these individuals will be hidden when you
read a thread.
