Member FAQ

The purpose of this sticky topic is to inform members. If you're not a member and never want to become one don't waste your time reading this. It basically addresses cookie concerns and instant messaging options.

COOKIES:
This forum uses two cookies to mark which posts are new to you (or were changed in the last 30 days, after that they are marked as new again) and to enable instant messaging and other member services. They not shared with marketeers. The information they contain only helps you use this forum and serves no evil purpose. OK?

When you logout you effectively remove both cookies from your system. If you don't want to have to enter your user name and password every time you visit, don't log out and you won't have to.

INSTANT MESSAGING:
Members can (and infrequent ones perhaps should) change their IM preferences for "notify by e-mail" to YES. Changing the default NO to YES does not compromise any privacy features, it just instantly sends the text of each IM you receive as an e-mail from yourself to yourself. (You still reply via IM.) I hope that makes sense... You don't need to login just to check IMs.

You can also refuse instant messages from any or all members via an Ignore List. (There may be various reasons why a member would choose to do this but at least the sender will basically be told the message could not be sent and they won't ask me if the IM system is broken...)

To modify your default IM preferences click on "Hey, (member), you have - messages" (top right on any page). Then click on "Preferences" (just above and to the right of "Subject" and a bit hard to see so maybe it's all my fault in the first place). The rest should be self explanatory and you can even IM yourself to test it.

BTW:
IMO this is "our" forum not only mine. I appointed myself moderator because I intend to keep it clean just like any campsite I spend time at. We all share that responsibility in that we choose what we think is beneficial to others and we can all edit our own posts and/or IM any member privately. If anyone wants to share moderator responsibilities just say the word.

On a related note for any member still reading:
I recently received a message I want to share because I love the metaphor and, like I said, this is ours so it reflects on each of us.
" ...is a rushing river that sweeps away every thread in a day or two... Yours is a placid lake where I can just relax and drift along soaking up everyone's reflections..."