Additional Forum Use Instructions

NOTE: These are the instructions for using the now-defunct Badger Pond site. They do not apply to WoodCentral.

How do I use the forum?

We want your visit to be pleasant and rewarding. To that end, there are several things which you should know about using the forum's software to get the most efficient use from it.

1. Your browser and how it relates to the forum
2. It is important to realize the you use your own software to view the forum. The majority of complaints received have to do with the user not knowing how to properly use their browsers, the software that they use to access the forum. Each browser is different and it is important that you learn how to properly use the browser that you have installed. If you are having trouble with your browser, make certain you make use of its Help menu. The forum administrator cannot be expected to be able to answer all browser related questions. Please check your browser's documentation first.
3. To use many of the advanced features of this forum, your browser needs to be configured to accept cookies. This is the default setting on most browsers. If you have changed this setting and wish to use the advanced forum functions, you will need to set your browser to accept cookies. Consult your browser's documentation. If you have concerns about cookies, please read the site's Privacy Policy

1. Viewing Messages
2. There are several ways in which to view the forum's messages, depending upon your preferences and how often your visit the forum. To use advanced message functions, click on the "Set Preferences" link at the top of the message Index page. There you will find the "Message Index Display Configuration" settings.
3. You have several choices in how you wish to view the message display.
   1. List Messages: choose the time interval of messages you wish to view. The default is 1 week. If you visit the forum more often than than, consider setting it to a lower number. You may also chose to check off the "Posted Since Your Last Visit Began" box. This will present you with only the messages which have been posted since your last visit whenever you view the forum. No matter what your day setting is, you will always be shown messages posted since your last visit (new messages) as long as your browser is set to accept cookies. Quite often, folks think that the message they posted a couple of days ago is "gone". What happens is that they forget that they have their viewing preferences set for "1 Day" and the message they are looking for was posted 3 days ago. Messages stay on the forum for a minimum of five days.
   2. Listing Style: Here you are presented with choices on how the messages are displayed. The choices are explained in detail below the drop-down list in the "Display Preferences" form and will not be covered here. It is suggested that you try different methods of viewing messages and find the one that is right for you.

1. Posting Messages
2. There are two methods for posting messages on the Forum.

   1. Posting a New Message: To post a new message, click on the "Post A New Message" link and fill out the form, paying attention to the instructions appearing beside each field in the forum. You can move between fields by either clicking on the field, or by using the "Tab" key on your keyboard. Do not use the "Enter" key to try to move between fields. The "Enter" key is used only within the "Message" field itself. You must fill in the Name, Subject, and Message Fields. After you have filled in your name, email address (optional), and subject for the message, move down to the "Message" field. This is where you type your message. Do not strike the "Enter" key when your text reaches the right side of the text window, allow the text to wrap itself to the next line automatically. When you wish to start a new paragraph of text, strike the "Enter" key twice: once to start a new line, once to put a blank line between paragraphs.

      When you have completed typing your message, you may chose to preview the output before it is actually posted on the message board by clicking on the "Preview" button. When you are satisfied that the message appears the way you want, click on "Post". Click on this button only once!

   2. Posting a Message in reply to an existing message: On each existing message there is a link marked "Post A Follow-up Message". If you wish to reply to the message you are viewing, click on this link and you will be presented with a reply form identical to the new message form which is used in the same way.

   3. Viewing your recently posted message: To see the link to your recently posted message on the main message page, you click on the "view message" link at the top of the "message posted" page. If when you return to the message index page you do not see your new message, you will probably have to Reload, in order to retrieve the modified version of the page. This is where mistakes are usually made. A user will post a message and upon returning to the main message page they don't see their recently posted message and they try to post another message. Reload to see your newly posted message. If you have been notified that your message has been posted, it has been posted. Please reload the message index and do not post another message to replace the one you cannot see.