How to use the Forum!

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

Hello and welcome to Pokemon Crossroads! If you haven't been a part of a vBulletin forum before, here is a short guide to help you make new posts, reply to threads and use all the features of our forum!

Thanks to Caite-chan for writing up this guide.


Pokemon Crossroads Forum Guide!

I'm sure that if you are reading this you're looking for a little help when it comes to using the forums. That's okay we're hoping that this guide will help you with any problems you may have. If not our staff would be more than happy to help you solve your problems. If for any reason you come across a problem you can always check the Staff List (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/showgroups.php) and PM one of them for help.

Post #1: Signing Up & Logging In/Out
Post #2: How to Start Posting & vB Codes
Post #3: Private Messages, User CP, Avatar & Signature



Signing Up

If you would like to sign up (and we hope you do) click Register (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/register.php) where you will be taken to a page where you can enter a username, a password and your email. Just make sure your email is valid because if you lose or forget your password a new one can be emailed to you.


Logging In/Out

If you would like to log in or log out all you need to do is click the log in or log out button. That is up in the top left corner and will be right next to your name. If you would like to be logged in all the time when you log in check the Remember Me? box and you will stay logged in.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

How To Start Posting

Replying & Posting

I'm sure you'll want to jump right into the conversation and have fun with the rest of us. To do so there are two ways you can do that. You will see the Quick Reply box at the bottom in which case you can reply to the conversation on the same page without having to go to a new page and then just hit the "Post Quick Reply" http://imageshack.us/a/img853/9467/zkz6.png button. But if you want more options to add to your replies you can click the "Go Advanced" http://imageshack.us/a/img825/9648/b0pt.png button and that will take you to a new page with more options to add to your replies.

Quoting Posts

You can also add quotes to your posts. Just look for the "Reply With Quote" http://imageshack.us/a/img203/2275/tufo.png button at the bottom just above the Quick Reply Box.

Start A Thread

Maybe you have an idea to share with the rest of us. If you do you can click on the button that says "Post New Thread" http://imageshack.us/a/img196/2408/uesw.png and that will take you to a new page where you can make a new topic for people to talk about. Just make sure you don't make a thread about something that's already been talked about.

Editing Your Own Post

Oops you made a mistake! That's okay you can always go back and fix it and make it right. At the bottom just above the Quick Reply Box you will see the "Edit Post" http://imageshack.us/a/img19/2486/j4zl.png button. If you click that it will take you to your post and you can fix any mistakes you may have made.

Tagging/Mentioning a Member

If you want to make sure someone sees your post, you can tag them by typing @USERNAME. That member will then receive a notification linking them to your post. For example, typing Pokemon Trainer Sarah would send a notification for her to check this post.

Using BBCode

BBCode is used to format your text. BBCode can be used in posts and in your signature. It allows you to change font size and colour, make bold text and more. To see our full list of BBCodes and how to use them, click here (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/misc.php?do=bbcode). You can insert BBCode using the buttons in the toolbars above where you type when using Quick Reply and Advanced Reply. Alternatively you can type out the BBCode manually.

Reporting

Uh-oh you found someone that was breaking the rules. You can let the staff know by clicking on the little triangle http://imageshack.us/a/img534/7232/4v1o.png just above the Reply To Post button. This will alert all the staff to what might be going on. Just please don't use it for every little offense you see.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

Private Messages, User CP, Avatar & Signature

Private Messages (PMs)

This is a feature that allows you to have private conversations with another member of the boards. If you click on a members user name it will take you to their profile. On the far left hand side you see the "Send Private Message" http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/8241/7mta.png button, click on that and it will take you to the next page where you can send a member a message. This feature ISN'T public. You can also visit your inbox and send messages from there at any time by clicking the "Private Messages" (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/private.php) link in the navigation bar under the forum banner.

Visitor Messages (VMs)

These are messages that you can post on other members profiles. This feature isn't as private as the Private Messages but they are not to be confused with the regular talk of the rest of the boards. Though this is just like you would be replying to any other thread on the board and anybody can see these messages. This feature IS public.

User Control Panel

This spot allows you to change your avatar, signature and profile details. All you need to do is click "Settings" (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/usercp.php) up at the very top of the page.

User Profile

You can change details of yourself here. You can edit your birthday, change your user title, add instant messaging info, add a bio, location, interests and occupation. Just click the "Edit Profile" (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/profile.php?do=editprofile) button to view this area.

Avatar

We all like to be a little different when we're on the boards and what better than to show yourself off a little with an avatar. You can add and avatar by clicking on "Edit Avatar" (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/profile.php?do=editavatar) and you can either upload a picture from the internet by URL with Option 1 OR upload a picture from your computer with Option 2. Just remember pictures in your avatar can be no bigger than 150x150.

Signature

You can show yourself off just a little bit more by adding a picture, text or banner to show automatically at the bottom of each of your posts. You can do that by clicking "Edit Signature" (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/profile.php?do=editsignature) in the Settings area. Don't worry if you're not very good with banners you can always get one made by another member in the Artist's Easel (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?29-Artist-s-Easel).