If you are a new member and do not see "Write a New Post" or "Reply" you must fill out your profile and email alally@grunt.com for access to post. This is to help prevent spammers.
There are a lot of new features on this forum!
1. To make a new post click on "Write a New Post". There are a few new options available for your posts. There is the compose box which has all the regular things, plus we have added spell check. You will also notice I have added a bunch of different smilies. If you click on the options tab, you can add an Icon that will appear at the beginning of your post to set the mood. In some of the forums you may see the option to create a poll. If you see the poll tab you can create the question and then pick as many options for answers as you need. The polls are set so that each person can only vote once. You can also choose how long you want the poll to last. The last tab you will see is the preview tab. Once you are ready to post your topic or reply and can select the preview tab to see what it will look like. Then hit the post button.
2. To REPLY to a post click the reply button. It will take you to a screen that is similar to the New post screen. OR you can hit the "Quick Reply link that is in the bottom right corner of the post. A box will pop up for this.
(note: while in a post, if you "Change View" it will become a threaded forum view, which to many may be harder to manuver around. If this happens, just change the view back to "Flat".)
3 Editing your post: If you need to fix something or add something, click on the edit button. You can change anything you need to. Then when you are done, you will need to put something in the "Edit Notes" as to what you added or changed. IF you change your post more than once your old edit notes will appear in "Current Edit Notes". The edit notes are REQUIRED so that everyone knows what to look for when something has changed.
4. Deleting your reply or post with no reply. You will need to put the reason the post is being deleted. Please be aware that if a post gets deleted at anytime, admin will still be able to view that post.
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Personalize
At the top of all the forums you will notice "Personalize". This will come in very useful for those forums that you do not read. To hide a whole catagory such as "Sgt Grit's Marine Forum" or "Sgt Grit's Wives Forum": click on (Displayed:Yes) it will change to (No). If you wish to see specific forums only; there is a column that says "Displayed". Change the Yes to No on the ones you do not care to see. When you are done go back and click "Return to Personalized View". The forums and/or catagorys that you do not use will not be shown.
(Note: You can always go back and add or change them at anytime)
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Inbox (Private Messages)
Everyone will now have a PM box. At the top near the log in you will notice it says "Inbox". As far as I know there is not a way to tell if anything is in there unless you go into it. My suggestion for everyone is to go into your Mailbox and change "Send Email" when new posts that are posted. This way you will receive an email when some one has sent you a PM.
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Side bar
Shortcuts
You can view all post that you have not read yet. (Note: Change to "New since last visit")
To View all users: do not type a name, just hit search.
The "Most Active Users" are the most active users withing a 24 hour period.
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Profiles
Click on your username. Click on "About" This is where you can set your birthdate, (this was not an option on the old forum). Once the new forum is up and running good for a few weeks we will have a list of birthdays and/or a calendar so everyone can see.
You are able to add Avators to this forum. The Avators can not have movement. They must be on your computer to be added. It may take a few minutes for it to appear.
Site Options
You can sort the ascending or descending. (newer posts to the top or bottom).
In a few weeks you will have the option to set a color theme to the board. For right now you only have 2 options. Default or Blue.
Font Size. For those that have a hard time reading the board, you can set the font size to a bigger print.
Display in members list. Do you want your name show for people to seach for you?
Mouse-over pop-up. This helps so that you do not need to open each post to see what it is really about. It will pop up so you can get a brief overview of the first post.
Enable Emoticons. If you do not wish to see the Emoticons in posts you can disable them. ( I have added a bunch of animated smilies)
Display User Avators. If you do not wish to view them or take time for them to load you can disable all of them.
Display Users Signatures. (Note: this option is different than the old forum. You can not turn your signature on and off for posts. Each member must check this option in their own profile.) You will either see all signatures or no signatures.
You can set your own timezone so that time time is accurate for you.
Favorites
When you are viewing a post, forum, or User you can add them to your favorites. This is so you can see anytime a favorite person has posted. (Note: you will be able to see if anyone has added you to their favorites list. Others will also be able to see your favorites when they view your profile.)
While you are in anyones profile, you will be able to seach for all posts by that person.
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Photo Gallery
At the top by the forums tab you will also see "Photos". In this section we have started "Grit's Platoon". This will also be the place were we will put Gri-together photos & photos of Grit Members that have passed away. There will be 2 members of the board that will be in charge of adding these photos. Currently, Chris Spencer (BamaMarine) is in charge of the Platoon photos & Gri-togethers on the Marine Forums. There will be 1 lady from the Wives/Girlfriends section.