Description: For those who have never used a bulletin board, it can be a daunting task trying to figure out how to join and what to do. This tutorial will show you how to join the PI-I Bulletin board and how to post a message. Note: This procedure looks lengthy due to the many screen shots but in reality, it's a short and simple task. You only have to go through this process once.

LET'S GET STARTED!

Joining PI-I is a two-step process. You must first join EZBoard. Once you have received approval, you can then join the PI-I Bulletin Board. The following instructions will guide you through the process. There is no charge to join.

Joining EZBoard

  1. Click HERE to join EZBoard as a Global User. Fill out your user information.
The areas with the blue asterisk are required information.
Remember the password you picked.
 
     

 

2. Fill in your profile information. If you want to protect your privacy, you do not have to fill in the
correct data but you must put something in the boxes marked with an asterisk.

If you do not want to receive special offers, uncheck that box. Check the box agreeing to the Terms of Use and that you are over 13.

 




3. Click the Register button.





If you get the screen below, someone else is using that name so you must enter another one and click the Submit button.

 



 

4. When your registration is successful, you will get a screen with the information below.
The lower part of this message talks about becoming an EZ Board supporter.
PI-I does not require this. Watch your mailbox for an email from EZ Board from noreply@ezboard.net.


  
   


 

You should get an email that looks like the one below. Click on the link as shown to validate your account. Now you must wait for a second email from EZboard.



5. Your second letter will be from accounts@ezboard.com and will look similar to the one below.
Click on the link shown to start the log-in process.



6. This will take you to the EZBoard login screen. Click on the words Login as shown.
You will automatically be logged into your EZBoard account.
   



7. This is your personal Control Center. You can set up your personal information by clicking on
My Account. You should see your user name on the screen. Type in the PI-I board ID in the
box as shown and click the Jump button:







   
   

This will put you on the PI-I Bulletin board. The last and final step is to bookmark this page now. As long as you never log out, you can access the site directly by this link. Save your validation e-mails in case you forget your account information. Once you have an EZBoard account, you can visit any EZBoard on the net. Different restrictions apply on the various boards.

Joining PI-I Bulletin Board

Now that you've gotten past the EZBoard sign-up, the rest is easy. You will need to post a message right away before you start reading all the other messages. If you don't, you will get a message that your time for the day is up after you've read about 20 threads. Once you post a message, your time is unlimited.

1. When you first arrive at the PI-I board, you will see a list of all the forums. You will
want to post your introduction in the Getting To Know You forum.
Click on the forum link to get there.
   

2. When the forum opens, look in the upper right top of the screen.
Click on the New Topic button.
     

3. When you Click on New Topic, a message window will open up. Type in a Subject, then type your introduction in the body of the message. If you want to receive an email when
someone posts a response, check that box. Click the Preview box to see what it looks like
before you send it. When you are ready, click the Add Post button. After your message is
posted, you will be returned to the first screen in that forum. You can read and reply to the
other posts in that forum if you want.

Now that you've posted your first message (your introduction), you might want to spend a little time exploring and getting a feel for the board. The best way to learn is to experiment. You can't "break" anything so don't be afraid to click on things and try them out. If you post in the wrong forum, don't worry about it, the forum moderator will move it where it belongs. This part of the tutorial will cover a few of the basics for navigating.

1. On your first visit, you will notice a little on each forum and on each message. This indicates
that there are unread messages in that forum. Since you are new, all messages will be unread so you will want to "mark them as read" so you can start fresh. Click on the PI-I link to get back to the main forum menu.


2. Click on Mark All Forums Read.



If the icon appears after you do this, you'll know a new message has been posted. You may want to read that forum and mark it read. Each forum has it's own place to mark it read.

Feel free to ask questions on the board if you need more help in navigating.

Posting Images to the Board

The board is a great place to show off your work, to get information about PhotoImpact, to get help, to make new friends and much more. To post your images, you must upload them to a web site that allows "file linking" (displaying images somewhere other than on your web page. Geocities does not allow this. Check with your ISP to see if they offer free space. Most of them do.

1. Upload your image to your server (web space). If you are taking the Beginner's
    Workshop, once you start level 2 you will have space provided for the balance of the
    Workshop. Go to the forum where you want to post your image and start a new
    message.

2. On the left side of the screen, you will see a series of buttons. Click on the Image
    button.

3. A new screen will open where you can type in the url to your image. Click Okay.
    Finish whatever you wanted to say in your message and post it.

If your server does not allow file linking, you can put your image on your web site and post the url to the image in the body of your message.

See you on the board!

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PhotoImpact International Bulletin Board

You are invited to join the PI-I Bulletin Board where you can show off your creations! You'll find a wonderful group of warm, friendly, talented, and knowledgeable people ready and willing to lend a helping hand when needed. Everyone is welcome!!!

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