Convenient Forum Features

[PALM MOD]

How do you view the forum? Do you log in, click on "Discussing Palm Trees Worldwide," and peruse the topics one at a time, trying to remember what interested you, or whether you entered a comment that should have elicited a response? Then when you are done, you may or may not click on another forum, and do the same thing? More often than not, do you just log out, leaving many of the other forums unread?

Apparently this is what many members do, because the other forums are visited far less often. And that is something many of you have found lacking. It has been coming to my attention that some of the Forum's most convenient features go unused. Features that are designed to make your viewing simple and efficient. Features that if used, should save you time while getting more traffic and participation in the other forums as well.

Here are a few examples.

Try this one. It's my favorite for a fast review without missing anything new, in any forum.

At the top of the PalmTalk main page, right under  "Welcome" and at the end of the line beginning with "Your Control Panel," you will see "New Posts." By clicking on "New Posts," all of the new posts since your last visit will appear, regardless of what forum they are in. Then when you are done reviewing them, you can click on "Mark all topics as read" near the bottom of the page. By doing so, the next time you log in, only posts that are new from that point on will appear when you click on "New Posts" again. You will never miss a new post anywhere in PalmTalk, or waste time checking through all the forums again. Please, try it a few times, and tell us if you like it. It would certainly get more of you to the hot topics in the other forums.

Another way to be advised of a new post, without having to actually look around in the forums, is by using the icons to the left of the forum title. When you are finished reading all posts in a given forum, you can "Mark this forum as read," at the bottom of the page. By doing so, you will learn that the icons to the left of the forum titles will change depending on whether or not there is a new post in that forum since your last visit. So, a quick glance at the forum titles on the main page will tell you if there is anything you have not yet seen. Another great time saver.

Then there is "Track this topic (or forum)." Use this feature and you will never miss a new post in a topic or forum of special interest to you. It's simple, and you will receive an email with a direct link every time there is a new post. This is especially useful for those with slower internet service, and trying to review everything is time consuming. Look for it, it's there.

It seems we all hate to try new things when it comes to computers. Be adventuresome. If you don't already, at least try the "New Posts" feature, and tell us what you think.  Or if you have found a neat tip or trick,  let us know.

[BS Man about Palms]

Hey Dean, great tips there.  The only thing I can add is I have my forum "settings" at the bottom set for "last post date" and in "descending order".  That way when I log into a forum, all the replies or subjects are listed from most recent on down.   Both good and bad is any thing with the "orange" icon to the right is within the last 12 hours, anything blue is older.  I tend to not look at the blue stuff often and I sometimes miss stuff (mostly from the other side of the world)   It would be better if that could be set to 24 hours, I haven't looked to see if I can adjust it.

Bill

PS-I've "tracked topic" since day one!