Welcome to Talkback - the friendliest forum on the internet.
We hope you'll find plenty to entertain and inspire you here. Dig around and you might even find an occasional thread about writing! We're a helpful bunch, so if you have any problems, just ask.
GETTING STARTED
Finding your way around is pretty straightforward:
you've probably already seen the main page, which lists all the conversations.
you can also visit the Categories page, to limit the type of conversations you will see, or select a specific category to view from the pull-down menu at the left-hand side
to start a new thread, simply click the red "Start a new discussion" link at the top of the left-hand column
to reply to an existing one, enter your comments in the box at the end of the page
to view brief profiles of other users, click their names, eg the blue "Webbo" text at the start of my post
You can also, from the links at the right hand side of each comment:
quote - highlight the text you want to quote, then click the "Quote" link, and the quote is automatically pasted into the text box at the bottom of the page
thank - if you like a post but don\'t need to comment, click "Thanks" and your name will appear below the original comment
whisper - to send a comment to any member, without it appearing to other users, click "Whisper" next to their comment and enter your comment in the usual text box. It will appear within the thread, but only be visible to you and the recipient. You can also "whisper back" to reply. Alternatively, enter your comment as normal and type their name into the smaller text box "Whisper your comment to". If it has worked correctly, it will say "...to Named User" next to your name above the comment.
report post - hopefully the one you will need least. If you think a thread breaks the forum rules or is otherwise inappropriate, "Report post" lets us know about it
Don't forget to look at the options for your account, here: http://talkback.writers-online.co.uk/account.php
From there you can:
amend your profile, to let other users know who you are
set whether your email address and real name are visible to other users
add two pictures, a small one to appear next to your posts, and a larger one for on your profile page. (You'll need to have uploaded the image to a website first your own, or maybe an image hosting service - though.)
list your websites. The last entry field is for "custom information". Simply provide the type of information in the first box ["Label"], and the url in the second ["Value"]: eg, I would type "Website" in the first, and "http://www.writers-online.co.uk/" in the second
give a brief biog. Also in the "custom information" fields, type "About me:" or some such, and your biog into the second.
change your password
tweak a few settings to customise how Talkback displays things
You can also search the forum, in two ways:
Type a keyword or text into the "Livesearch" box in the left-hand column (you don't need to hit return), and it will return a few results of users, threads or recent comments which include that text. eg typing "Webbo" finds the user (Me), a few topics which have attempted to grab my attention, and the most recent comments which have mentioned my name.
Alternatively, and more powerful, is the Search page, http://talkback.writers-online.co.uk/search.php , which will find everything in the forum featuring your keyword, or you can search by topic title, or for an individual user
GENERAL FORUM USE
Please try to use the appropriate category for the comments you are posting, eg "Writing Tales" to discuss how your writing is going, or share successes; "Resources" for useful web links, competition details, etc. See the Categories page if you are unsure what categories there are. Threads that are not relevant in the category they are originally posted may be moved.
Some threads, marked "PRIVATE", are only visible to other users of Talkback. The other threads can be found externally (through Google, etc) so bear that in mind when considering which category to use.
There are two off-topic categories, for General Chat and Writers' Break (games, jokes, etc) - please only use these for off-topic comments. Writing threads here will be moved to a more appropriate category.
Abusive or bullying behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated. We're all intelligent writers, so keep it friendly, folks, and respect each other's opinions, even if you disagree. Comments will be moderated if necessary.
More generic forum rules are here: http://talkback.writers-online.co.uk/comments.php?DiscussionID=76862
WRITING ADVICE
If you're new to writing, there is a world of good advice in this thread: http://talkback.writers-online.co.uk/comments.php?DiscussionID=162532
Comments
Please make suggestions and improvements in comments, and I'll tidy it up as we go. When everybody's happy (!) I'll delete the comments and possibly close the thread.
Best wishes
Woll22
The first step is to find, or put, a picture suitable on a website somewhere, or uploaded to an image hosting service, like ImageShack or Photobucket.
Then enter the web address for your picture into the field on your profile.
And which part of Utopia do you come from? :D
we all have to start somewhere
If so where can they be read.
Thank You.
realise that Jay is doing catch up - we have been in touch Jay, but WELCOME BACK on here too - just it's a pity the thread that's designed for introducing ourselves is not getting used much.
To be on the super safe side, best then remove everything from that hash onwards (causes problems on pages of more than 50 comments) so you're left with "http://talkback.writers-online.co.uk/comments.php?DiscussionID=162542&page=1"
Not sure what you are disbelieving but I'm sure someone will enlighten us
:)
Perhaps we could have confirmation from Webbo how it is dealt with? I'm particularly concerned about TBers hiding behind the veil of 'whispers' to try and intimidate and abuse.
Baggy, if you or someone you know has been receiving abusive or intimidating whispers then report the post.
[/quote]
I agree.
Although, if it was me I would copy the whisper and make it public.
As we all know, abusive or bullying behaviour of any kind tries to succeed where no one can see it and that's why I think any whispers that show somebody has been approached by another with a purpose to be abusive or intimidate, should be made public.
I have made a few small posts to test the water and after reading the above
I'll take my arrival here with care.
I have been writing for my own pleasure for about two years and will enter
the OWC at some time, I have enjoyed reading them and have left a few comments.
Look forward to making some virtual friends.
Maro.xx
Why don't you start your own 'Hello' thread? More people will see that.
Anyway, welcome to TB!
If you look at Webbo's post right at the top of this thread it tells you where to click to start a new discussion, on the box that comes up, use the drop down thread to choose welcome writers, click on it. Fill in the box and press submit- or whatever the box says. :) Your post will be posted.
Then at the top of the page if you click all discussions it will bring you to the main board where you can see everything going on. :)