We've simplified this forum as much as possible to make it easy for the average person to use.

We've increased the font size for our eye-sight challenged members and made it very easy to navigate and use.

We believe the forum is safe from hackers and unwanted or unsolicited users. All user's identity is logged. If we find in the future that further security is needed, we have it in place and can implement it immediately.

THE BASICS

You'll need to first create a profile to login. You can do this by clicking on the NEW USER button.

Follow the prompts to fill out your preferred user name. Some people will choose to use an avatar (made-up name) such as ORCHIDLOVER. However, since we're a small society and its nice to know who you're talking to, we would suggest using YOUR REAL NAME or something close. Such as SCOTT FARRELL or SCOTTFAR.

Unlike most online bulletin boards, you CAN use two word names (such as Scott Farrell).

Fill out the questionnaire such as how many orchids you grow, where you grow them and what types you grow.

Your email will REMAIN PRIVATE and will not be displayed or available. There is the capability of sending an email to a particular member or registered user, but this does not divulge the email to the sender.

Once registered, later you can go in and alter your profile, add a photograph of yourself, read your emails and online messages, change your password, etc. by going to CONTROL PANEL in the upper left hand corner of the screen, just below our logo.

POSTING MESSAGES

Posting messages is easy. Simply choose the category from the list (you can return to the main category at any time by clicking on the SOS logo in the upper left hand corner of the screen) or you can navigate by clicking on the various levels and sub-level just above the post. This looks something like (will be different each location you're at)

Sacramento Orchid Society Bulletin Board / Orchids / Growing Orchids

By clicking on one of these "levels" you will go to that level.

To post an actual message, click the NEW THREAD button in the upper right hand corner of the screen. You will then have a "Thread Subject" area (this is the title of your posting) and a "Your message".

Type a title then type your message. Scroll down and you can choose several options (okay to ignore these if you don't know what they are).

You can also choose to upload one or more photos by clicking on the NEW ATTACHMENT button and browsing for a picture on your computer. Once you choose the picture, you MUST push the ADD ATTACHMENT button. You must repeat this for EACH photo or document you wish to attach.

Once you've added all the photos and or documents, you must choose to either POST THREAD PREVIEW POST or SAVE AS DRAFT.

You're done!

You may also respond to someone's message or comment on a post by clicking NEW REPLY in the upper right hand corner and follow the same prompts as above.

To send someone either an email (to their actual email) or a message here on the forum, you can click on the MEMBER LIST button in the upper right hand corner. You will see a list of currently registered users.

Again, to read your messages, you can go to your CONTROL PANEL.

If you have comments, suggestions or problems with this bulletin board, by all means contact the moderator, SCOTT FARRELL by clicking on MEMBER LIST in the upper right hand corner and sending him an email OR if it is important, you can call him on his cell phone at (916) 204-1591.

Have fun!