Post by Admin on Jun 17, 2020 10:00:56 GMT -7
How to Create a New Thread
When you first open the Home page of the Forum you will see a series of yellow boxes with green header bars and blue highlighted links. The yellow boxes are called "Boards". The green headers are called "Categories". Categories contain one or more Boards. Board is an shortened expression for "Bulletin Board".
To read the postings on a Board simply click on the blue link. For example to see all the threads or articles on the "Breaking News" Board, roll your mouse pointer over the blue "Breaking News" text. The text size will change or blink and become underlined. Click on that text and the first page of Threads will appear. If there are multiple pages a series of page number boxes will appear in the upper left hand corner of the Board. The green bar will contain the name of the Board. In this example it will state "Breaking News".
To read any thread simply mouse over and click on the name of the Thread that is in blue text. Each Thread contains at least one "Post". The first Post is the main article. Replies, if any, are also called "Posts".
If you want to start a NEW Thread:
1 - Login to your Forum account first. You can also post as a guest but then you will not be able to edit your posted thread.
2- Carefully locate the Board that seems most appropriate for your new thread. If you have a letter that you sent to the GLA and would like to share with others choose the "Open Letters to The GLA" Board. If you have a complaint that you are filing with the GLA then choose "Formal Complaints". If you have a funny story or joke put it on the "Lighten my Day..." Board. Once you locate the appropriate Board, mouse over the blue title and click. That will bring up the first page of Threads or articles.
3 - Find the blue "Create Thread" button on the upper right hand corner of the green bar. Click on the "Create Thread" button.
4 - A text box with a subject line will appear. The green bar now displays the message "Create Thread".
5 -Click on the "Preview" button in the lower left corner. The preview button allows you to see exactly what you are typing. The other button in the lower left corner is called "BBCode". ONLY use that button if you know how to write HTML code.
6 - Fill in the subject line with something that is descriptive and catchy. The subject line is all the reader will see first. Then they will decide to ignore or read your thread. You can wait until you finish writing your post before you fill in the subject line.
7 - The Forum contains a basic word processor that allows you to align text, choose fonts, font sizes, colors, add email addresses, insert images and more. There is a learning curve! To write a basic message just type away. You can then come back and highlight text to center it, use different fonts, font colors and sizes.
Contact us by email if you want to add an image or attachments. We will do it for you to make sure that both Forum members and guests can view them.
8 - For a basic message we suggest using an Arial font face, The title should be centered and in font size 4. The body of your post should be Full Justified, arial font and size 2. That will get you a good, readable post.
9 - Check your spelling and readability when you are done typing. Reading your post aloud can help greatly to correct errors or clarify meaning. Double check your subject title to make sure it is descriptive and catchy.
10 - ALWAYS make a backup up copy of your thread. Copy and paste it to another word processor before posting it. When you are all done....click on the "create thread" box in the lower right hand corner. 99% of the time all will go well and your thread will be posted. 1% of the time your thread will disappear into cyberspace never to be seen again. If you made a backup copy you can simply cut and paste that to a New Thread box.
11 - If you created the thread by logging into your Forum account first the thread will be saved under your account name. That means you can go back and edit it. If you create the thread as a Guest you will not be able to later edit it. Guests also have a few extra steps to complete after they click on the "Create Thread" button to prove that they are not robots.
8 - For a basic message we suggest using an Arial font face, The title should be centered and in font size 4. The body of your post should be Full Justified, arial font and size 2. That will get you a good, readable post.
9 - Check your spelling and readability when you are done typing. Reading your post aloud can help greatly to correct errors or clarify meaning. Double check your subject title to make sure it is descriptive and catchy.
10 - ALWAYS make a backup up copy of your thread. Copy and paste it to another word processor before posting it. When you are all done....click on the "create thread" box in the lower right hand corner. 99% of the time all will go well and your thread will be posted. 1% of the time your thread will disappear into cyberspace never to be seen again. If you made a backup copy you can simply cut and paste that to a New Thread box.
11 - If you created the thread by logging into your Forum account first the thread will be saved under your account name. That means you can go back and edit it. If you create the thread as a Guest you will not be able to later edit it. Guests also have a few extra steps to complete after they click on the "Create Thread" button to prove that they are not robots.
Please let us know if you have questions or comments by replying below.