Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 15, 2004 03:02am | #1

   I use it as a simple way of keeping track of the threads I am interested in. By punching the "high interest "button, you get the thumbs up sign, which is then printed next to the thread title on your machine.

   Conversely, if a particular thread bores you to tears, give it the "low interest" thumbs down -- which then reminds you not to waste the time it takes to click on the thread to bring it up on the screen.

   I have never found a "help" sections for these forums that explains all these things. I still don't know, for example, what the envelop next to a thread title signifies, or the star.

1. 
   BG | Jun 15, 2004 05:20am | #2

   nikkiwood,

   I think the star indicates there are new posted messages which you have not read yet.  The envelope means a message to you is in the tread...I think

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 15, 2004 06:37am | #3

   Thanks..........I think you're right.

   have you ever found "help" information on the Taunton site? --- that is, explanation of all the symbols and procedures in these forums?

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 15, 2004 07:26am | #4

   "have you ever found "help" information on the Taunton site? --- that is, explanation of all the symbols and procedures in these forums?"

   FWIW, I believe Our Lady of the Forrest knows about this - I seem to recall at least one post by Forestgirl referring to Prospero esoterica, and the specific location of the kind of information about which you've inquired.-Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 15, 2004 07:36am | #5

   I know ---- she's been my main source of "help" information.

   Maybe Prospero/Taunton should commission her to build a decent "help" center.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 15, 2004 08:11am | #6

   Aw, shucks, you guys are making me blush!  (And jazzdog's got tablesaw blades on the brain -- "forrestgirl" indeed!).  Too funny.

   Prospero has proven to be completely disinterested in providing a "what's what" section for new members.  The Sandbox is provided for newbies to play around in, work out their frustrations I guess.  If they survive without tossing the computer out the window, they're ready for Knots.  The FAQ section is laughable (IMHO, of course).  The following are the in-depth instructions provided on the main forum page:

   Don't be afraid to ask questions.

   Post in the appropriate folders.

   Read the House Rules. 

   What the whole approach reminds me of is the old-school folk who believed you could teach someone to swim by tossing him into deep water (or my brother-in-law, who figures the best way to learn to ski is to start at the top of the mountain, LOL!)

   Hmmmm, well, if next winter proves especially dreary, maybe I'll find time to conjure up a "Help" page.  Wouldn't be that hard, but can't let any of our rare sunshine go to waste!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 15, 2004 08:39am | #8

   I would suggest you start gathering your notes in a file.

   And seriously, I would not think of doing this gratis. This is, after all, a commercial enterprise. The help information has value to all the forums, and I think you should be compensated for your efforts. I suspect Taunton, and maybe even Prospero might agree.

   I further suspect you know more about the ins and outs of navigating these forums than anyone at either T or P.

   BTW, if you ever do get a voice with these people, I hope you will put in a good word for the beleaguered Mac users in the crowd. We want to participate in all the formatting fun too.

   Gezuar.

4. 
   forestgirl | Jun 15, 2004 08:43am | #10

   I'll put in a good word for you Nikki -- I do have the ear of one of the Sysop folk.  Don't know how much good it'll do, but I can always try, right?!

   PS:  What's a file?  ROFL!!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 15, 2004 09:22am | #11

   "And jazzdog's got tablesaw blades on the brain -- "forrestgirl" indeed!).  Too funny."

   Forestgirl,

   Mea culpa! I've been trying to blame the painkillers following my recent flesh-to-blade contact with a resaw bandsaw for all of my recent screw-ups, ha, ha! But if I ever hear that the sawblade folks have decided to distribute a calendar, I'll be sure to recommend you for the centerfold!-Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

6. 
   forestgirl | Jun 15, 2004 07:34pm | #12

   Hey there, jazzdog, you keep those body parts away from all blades and bits, ya hear?  Whoa! that's scary.

   Hmmmmmm, a Freud sawblade calendar.....now there's a thought!  Hah, hah!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 15, 2004 08:39am | #7

   There is an automatic component to the thumbs up/down thing.  When you post in a thread (or are the original author of the thread) it automatically gets a "thumbs up."

   You'll notice at the top of the left-hand column, there's a Show Discussions item with a drop-down menu.  If you select "of High Interest" you'll get all the thumbs-up discussions relevant to you.  Fool around with that Show Discussions feature -- you'll find it rather handy I suspect.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 15, 2004 08:43am | #9

   << There is an automatic component to the thumbs up/down thing. When you post in a thread (or are the original author of the thread) it automatically gets a "thumbs up." >>

   Not always -- I would say that, on my Mac machine at least , this works about half the time.