Because this site and the old are vastly different from each other (which you've obviously noticed), here are a couple basic things you should know to get you started.
1.) You can't send someone a message unless you've made them a friend. You can comment on their page (if it is not private), or you can try to get ahold of them in the chat room.
2.) Because there is a chat room/application,
there is no chat thread/discussion. Any and all chat threads will be deleted.
3.) Sometimes the chat cuts off the last line of your message. If there's only one word on the 2nd line, it will cut it off. After the 2nd line, it may cut off a few words. Ning is aware of the issue and (hopefully) working on it.
4.) You only have 15 minutes to edit your posts. After that, it's locked in.
5.) You can use most standard HTML tags in your posts. If you know HTML, this will make you happy. If you don't, the basics are pretty easy, and the toolbar at the top of the text box to add a post will help you out, giving you options for bold, italics, underlining, adding links, and adding pictures. The old board used [] tags (like [i] for italics). HTML uses <> instead of [].
6.) If you reply to a specific post, it will include quoted text with HTML tags.
< cite >indicates the person you're quoting.
< blockquote >includes the actual text and will indent it.
< div >marks the actual text for further formatting (like adding color). So changing it to < div style="color:red" > would make the quoted text red.
If you're confused about it, don't touch it, or delete it all. You can always try and edit it (for 15 minutes) if it doesn't work.
7.) This page uses some new terms for forums and threads and such. Here's the breakdown:
| Old Name |
New Name |
| Board |
Forum |
| Forum |
Category |
| Thread |
Discussion |
| Post |
Post |
8.) The "Ban" feature is unforgiving. It will automatically delete all your posts and your customizations. Essentially, it wipes you from existence. So, don't do ban-able things. You won't like it. But on the plus side, it will give you a chance to start over with a completely clean slate.
9.) Questions Beyond Belief and Anything And Everything have been retired. They were old and have served their time. The following 3 categories have been created to take over:
Open For Discussion - Anything that is discussion worthy, from spiritual topics to relationships to news and politics.
The Playroom - Anything that is light-hearted, chit-chat, more about ourselves, or more "short answer" in nature. So, things about our pets or pet peeves or things that make us happy. Game discussions also go here. There is currently not a limit for game discussions, but don't get crazy about it.
Further clarification on differentiation between OFD and TP:
"Are you homeschooled?" would go in TP. "What do you think about homeschooling versus public or private education" would go in OFD.
The Upper Room - For something more like spiritual sharing. Prayers and requests, testimonies, praises, Bible verses or other things God is speaking to us.
So, there are a few things to get you started and caught up with what things look like and how things are different on the new site. The mods are here and available as tour guides, as well as a few others who've helped us test and get things started for you. Have fun. :)