trin, I'm gonna tack this on.
This is a page from a Work-In-Progress. This page is done, and this seems to be the palce for it here.
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Forum Tools
Search
By overwhelming show of hands, the #1 thing a newbie should know about is Search. There's a ton of information here if you know how to find it. You can search through the whole Forum (at the top) or within a Topic Group (in the blue bar) and even in a Thread. It is a very powerful tool and you can use it to your advantange. Here is Olmac's tutorial.
FAQ
This is the FAQ, for 99% of all FAQs. There is a FAQ section in the site that is fairly empty as I write.
Preview
Before you post, get into the habit of hitting the "Preview" button, and take a look at how what you've written will appear. Read it, and if you're cool with it continue. It gives you a chance to correct spelling, and it can save you from coming off like a dumbass. You can still edit it until someone replies, but everyone can already read it.
Profile
The link goes to UserCP. Before you choose a username, if you haven't already done so, read about identity. For fucks sake, don't choose Dudley H. Dooright if that's your name. You have a "profile" in the board attached to your username that members can click on to check you out. They will. You can find something out about them the same way. Click on the link under the username, and a menu appears with different options.
Rep / Rap and Report
There's a widget built into the forum software that lets you add to or subtract from a person's "reputation points". It's the scale icon at top right of a post, beside the triangle used to notify a moderator of an offensive post. It's easy to use if you see a really good post from someone and you want to give a quick thumb's up without posting in th ethread. It also works the other way if you see someone being an ass. There's a rating system for threads, too, but it doesn't get used much.
Calendar
You will see the Calendar at the top of the page. It's pretty much what it says it is.
Private Messages
PMs are emails sent between members within the forum. They work within profiles, and are quick and easy and very discreet. They are used lots. Make the most of them, but don't be annoying.
eMail
You can send email to other members too. I have a hotmeal account that I check every few days, but I can't speak for anyone else. PMs generally work much better unless you're sending attachments.
Chat
This is found on the top bar, and opens up a chatroom window where people hang out. Feel free to visit. Remember it's a chat room