ABOUT the SETUP:
The forum is set up to send members an email notification automatically from all categories when a NEW thread is started.
We encourage you to not change this setting, as it’s important to receive any notifications from GCU and if another artist requires assistance, you might be the one with the answer. This means you will get ONE notification email on any new thread.
When you receive an email notification, to read the post there is a Visit Topic button at the bottom of the email:
When you click on it and visit the topic, you’ll automatically be following that thread.
IF you decide a thread/topic is not something you want to continuing getting notifications for: Find the blue bell on lower right of any thread.
Choose one of the following for that thread.
So, this allows you to be sure to receive an initial email for a new thread in all categories and NOT receive follow-up emails based on the topic specifics if that’s your choice.
MORE SETUP
If you click on your Profile Picture a dropdown comes up:
On the right you have some icons which are self-explanatory when you hoover your mouse over each icon.
If you click on the bottom one, the little person icon, you’ll be taken to a page that shows you all kinds of information about your personal experience on the forum. Find and click on PREFERENCES.
Or you’ll get this little pop-up - either way, CHOOSE PREFERENCES
This from that page click on PROFILE
This is where you can say something about who you are AND scroll down to add your Public GCU Storefront URL. Doing this will let others be able to click on your Profile Picture in a post and visit your storefront. It will look like this to others:
POSTING a New Topic
- Click CATEGORIES on the left, under CATEGORIES click All Categories
- In the ‘center’ of the screen, choose which category you’re posting under and click on it.
- Choose New Topic in blue on the upper right of the screen.
This popup screen will come up:
- Create Title (minimum of 15 characters) anything less will not allow you to create the topic
- Choose Optional Tags – maximum of 5 allowed – words show separated by a dash and are limited to 20 total characters including spaces between words.
- Click on the ‘two way’ diagonal arrow
on the upper right of the small popup screen to get full view for composing.
NOTE: To see a larger version of an image that’s been pasted into a post, just click on it to zoom in.
- Click Create Topic when done.
TOOL BAR EXPLAINED:
The icon on the far left will split the screen and allow HTML editing - 99% of you will never need or use this icon.
B = Bold text. Highlight the text you want bold with the curser and click.
I = Italic text. Highlight the text you want italic with the curser and click.
Tt = Text size
= Link text - highlight the text and this pop up comes up:
Paste your link and click insert.
= Just like the old forum, you may use this icon to quote what someone else on the thread has discussed.
= is a tool that 99% of us will never use. It’s preformatted text icon (</>) used to format snippets of code, etc. to preserve your exact spacing, indentation, and line breaks without letting the forum’s normal text parser mess them up.
= Insert an image. This forum will allow you to paste in an image. Great for showing the tech team an error message popup for example. If you choose to use Firefox as your browser and activate the Screenshot icon, you’ll be able to copy a small portion of your workspace and paste into your forum thread when seeking help.
= Bullet list. A drop down let’s you choose a Numbered List, Bullet List or Check List
= We have many more fun Emoji options on this form. Click on it for a popup:
= More options. More advanced options for your post. Experiment if you wish, but know that support for advanced options will be limited to what the Admins have had the time to learn.
MORE on LINKS:
You can add a link to text by simply highlighting the text and bringing up the link icon so your link looks like this: Visit the Friendship Cute Dogs in a Sunny Field Hugging card
OR you can simply paste in the URL link at it will show up like this:
EDIT a post:
Scroll to the bottom of the post, click the ‘pen’ icon. 
Make your edits and SAVE EDIT.
Also see Navigating Forum Categories:
Happy posting!
Doreen