[John]

OK - I have received quite a few requests on how to add a personal picture (or "avatar"), and also how to receive email updates on particular threads or categories.

Adding an Avatar:
*Please note, that in order to have an avatar, you must have a photo that is at most 80x80. If you have a regular headshot, and you do not know how to resize your photo, attach it to an email and send it to forumadmin@thinnertimes.com. In this case, I will make one for you.
*Also, please note that avatars do not have to be photos if oneself - they can be anything.

1. Login to your account on ThinnerTimesForum
2. At the top of the screen, click the link that says "User CP"
3. In the left column, under "Control Panel" and "Settings & Options", click "Edit Avatar"
4. You will notice that "Do not use an avatar" is pre-selected. Directly below, select "Use Custom Avatar"
5. Click "Browse", and locate the image on your computer, and select "OK"
6. Click "Save Changes"

Subscribing to a Category:
This tip enables you to receive updates on a particular thread.

If you would like to receive email updates on an entire category, such as "General Discussions", follow these easy steps (for this example, I will be using the "General Discussion" category):

1. From the home page of ThinnerTimesForum, click "General Discussions"
2. In the dark blue heading, you will see "Threads in Forum: General Discussion"
3. In that same heading, if you move to the right of the screen, you will see a button that says "Forum Tools" - there is a down arrow right next to it.
4. Click "Forum Tools", and in the menu that appears, click "Subscribe to This Forum"

Subscribing to a Particular Thread:
This tip is different from the one above, as it will only give you email updates on a particular thread, or posting.

When you're reading a thread, or area where you see postings (for example General Discussions):

1. In the same location as the "Forum Tools" in the tip above, you will now see "Thread Tools"
2. Click "Thread Tools"
3. In the menu that appears, click "Subscribe to this Thread"

Attached to this thread are snapshots/demonstrations of everything written above.

[Suzanne-photog4fun]

After you click on the main section, ie pre/postop, general discussion, etc. , then click on the threaded post that you want to read. At that point you can decide how you want to view the posts. Click on "display mode" at the right part of the screen. Here you can chose what you like best. I prefer the "THREADED" mode view so that I can get a glimpse of the number of responses to a post.

[Suzanne-photog4fun]

Here's another tip:
After you read someone's post, if you want to respond directly to them personally, click on their name and it will let you post directly to them without others seeing what you wrote. This is especially useful for those "congratulations", "what to go", "I'm so happy for you", etc. posts that are of main interest to that particular person instead of the group at large.
Also, if something someone says offends you or you interpret it negatively as a personal attack, HOW ABOUT DIRECTLY ASKING THE PERSON IF THAT IS WHAT THEY MEANT???? COMMENT DIRECTLY TO THAT PERSON ONLY, NOT THE GROUP. It is so easy to be misunderstood when writing a post. Be careful that your words are respectful. We don't have to agree with what someone says, but we do need to be considerate of other's feelings. Please do not bring your personal issues with someone to the group level. Address the person individually.
This is a "SUPPORT GROUP". We've all experienced plenty of emotional hurt, prejudice, and critisism during our years of morbid obesity. We are so blessed by this group to have such a wonderful, caring group with shared experiences regarding being morbidly obese and then recovering from its affects. You've all helped me. Thanks!
P.S. Add your own suggestions "tips regarding new forum" to the tips section of this site. That's where I'll start posting these suggestions.

[katlover66]

O K I can't figure out how to get rid of all the instructions at the end of my posts. I tried in the beginning to add color and font but all it does is put the instructions on my post. Help!!!!

[Bigbaldbuddie]

Originally Posted by katlover66

O K I can't figure out how to get rid of all the instructions at the end of my posts. I tried in the beginning to add color and font but all it does is put the instructions on my post. Help!!!!

1st just type in your message.

Then press and hold the Ctrl key and tap the A key and this will highlight all the text you wrote.

Then choose you font.

Repeat the process for size and color.

[Suzanne-photog4fun]

Hi Katy,
Unfortunately I'm not too experienced with this new web site. Please forward all of your technical questions to "admin" who is Dr. Callery's son, the site developer. Thanks! I'm learning as we go also. Suzanne