TimberWolf
03-31-2008, 11:39 PM
Hey Everyone!
While we're by no means done with new features that don't appear by default in the forum software, we wanted to make you aware of quite a bit of new functionality that appeared in the forum update we have just completed.
Here's a few things that ARE new:
1) New Profiles - You will notice that you now have a new profile layout. You may wish to take this opportunity to update it if you haven't in a while. You can even leave messages/greets inside others' profiles! One thing that is not yet installed is a favorite YouTube video. I will let you know once this is functioning. You'll also notice some tabs under your profile picture. There is where you or anyone else can post you some notes. They can be anything from telling the person what a great post they made, to whatever you want really!
If you have added some information in to your blog, you can read your blog or anyone else's in their profile. You just have to click on the >> tab to get there.
2) Site Tags - When creating new threads, or editing old ones you will notice you can now choose tags to go along with them. You can search these tags from within our Advanced Search location, and in addition you will be able to simply search via our new "Tag Cloud" that appears both at the bottom of the Advanced Search page and on our front news page left column!
3) Social Networking - That's right, not only can you add a person to your online contact list, but you can now request their friendship as well (and friends will display inside of your profile if they agree)! You can allow just friends to view certain features, and more. Click "Quick Links" menu to get started!
4) Custom Clubs / Social Groups - This should turn out to be a popular feature. ANYONE can start a group. Let give an example. Let say you want to start a Chihuahua club. Just go into the Social Group link and click on Create a New Group. You will then find a field to input the name of your group ...let's say Chihuahua Haven. Then in the field below input a description for the group. For example, Chihuahua lovers unite! Come join the fun!
There is a pull down menu under that that defaults at public. If you leave it as Public anyone can go in and post whatever they want. If you, as the maker of this group wish to moderate the group, then select Moderated. Anyone can join, but you will have to accept or decline any posts that are made. No one likes spam so this feature can both be irritating if you have a lot of members, but helpful so no one posts anythign unwanted. The third option, Invite Only, means that the group maker has to invite someone to the group. No one can just join and make posts. However, this means that anyone invited can post whatever they want. There are no post moderation abilities for this selection.
***Remember ANYONE can make a group. They act like mini forums and can be a lot of fun for anyone that wishes to discuss something in common. You can leave messages, post pictures, etc.!
When group are made, you may also search for groups and see who is a part of what group. You can always try to join a group you are interested in or if it's invite only, contact someone or the group maker to invite you in. Click "Quick Links" menu to get started!
5) Member Photo Galleries - While we're working hard to get the main photo gallery back online, we wanted to let you know of an additional feature. You can now create a personal member album of your own from within your profiles! That's right, you're no longer limited to just one! Click "Quick Links" menu to get started!
There are many other additional features you might stumble upon, and we plan on bringing you a little bit at a time so don't be surprised if new things just pop up!
Once we're done, we'll be sending out an e-mail to our entire membership and hopefully that will bring us a few old timers and people who have gotten lost along the way...
Thanks again for your understanding on the recent downtime and thanks for participating on our website.
--------------------------------------------
FEATURE REMINDER....
Do not forget about the Blogs! This feature was added early on before this update. Since this is now integrated in the profiles, it may be nice to give the profile seekers something to read about you and your family...or whatever you wish to write down.
The calender is not a new feature, but I do want to remind everyone that this is something you can do for yourselves. You may add events in your own personal calender or in the public calender for everyone to see. For example, you see there is a dog show coming up or an animal planet exposé and you wish to announce it, you may do that in the calender. ***Members, please remember to occasionally look at those calenders for any posted events someone may wish for you to see. Your birthdays are already included in the public calender.
While we're by no means done with new features that don't appear by default in the forum software, we wanted to make you aware of quite a bit of new functionality that appeared in the forum update we have just completed.
Here's a few things that ARE new:
1) New Profiles - You will notice that you now have a new profile layout. You may wish to take this opportunity to update it if you haven't in a while. You can even leave messages/greets inside others' profiles! One thing that is not yet installed is a favorite YouTube video. I will let you know once this is functioning. You'll also notice some tabs under your profile picture. There is where you or anyone else can post you some notes. They can be anything from telling the person what a great post they made, to whatever you want really!
If you have added some information in to your blog, you can read your blog or anyone else's in their profile. You just have to click on the >> tab to get there.
2) Site Tags - When creating new threads, or editing old ones you will notice you can now choose tags to go along with them. You can search these tags from within our Advanced Search location, and in addition you will be able to simply search via our new "Tag Cloud" that appears both at the bottom of the Advanced Search page and on our front news page left column!
3) Social Networking - That's right, not only can you add a person to your online contact list, but you can now request their friendship as well (and friends will display inside of your profile if they agree)! You can allow just friends to view certain features, and more. Click "Quick Links" menu to get started!
4) Custom Clubs / Social Groups - This should turn out to be a popular feature. ANYONE can start a group. Let give an example. Let say you want to start a Chihuahua club. Just go into the Social Group link and click on Create a New Group. You will then find a field to input the name of your group ...let's say Chihuahua Haven. Then in the field below input a description for the group. For example, Chihuahua lovers unite! Come join the fun!
There is a pull down menu under that that defaults at public. If you leave it as Public anyone can go in and post whatever they want. If you, as the maker of this group wish to moderate the group, then select Moderated. Anyone can join, but you will have to accept or decline any posts that are made. No one likes spam so this feature can both be irritating if you have a lot of members, but helpful so no one posts anythign unwanted. The third option, Invite Only, means that the group maker has to invite someone to the group. No one can just join and make posts. However, this means that anyone invited can post whatever they want. There are no post moderation abilities for this selection.
***Remember ANYONE can make a group. They act like mini forums and can be a lot of fun for anyone that wishes to discuss something in common. You can leave messages, post pictures, etc.!
When group are made, you may also search for groups and see who is a part of what group. You can always try to join a group you are interested in or if it's invite only, contact someone or the group maker to invite you in. Click "Quick Links" menu to get started!
5) Member Photo Galleries - While we're working hard to get the main photo gallery back online, we wanted to let you know of an additional feature. You can now create a personal member album of your own from within your profiles! That's right, you're no longer limited to just one! Click "Quick Links" menu to get started!
There are many other additional features you might stumble upon, and we plan on bringing you a little bit at a time so don't be surprised if new things just pop up!
Once we're done, we'll be sending out an e-mail to our entire membership and hopefully that will bring us a few old timers and people who have gotten lost along the way...
Thanks again for your understanding on the recent downtime and thanks for participating on our website.
--------------------------------------------
FEATURE REMINDER....
Do not forget about the Blogs! This feature was added early on before this update. Since this is now integrated in the profiles, it may be nice to give the profile seekers something to read about you and your family...or whatever you wish to write down.
The calender is not a new feature, but I do want to remind everyone that this is something you can do for yourselves. You may add events in your own personal calender or in the public calender for everyone to see. For example, you see there is a dog show coming up or an animal planet exposé and you wish to announce it, you may do that in the calender. ***Members, please remember to occasionally look at those calenders for any posted events someone may wish for you to see. Your birthdays are already included in the public calender.