1. You can read all of the posts without registering, but if you would like to be able to post replies, click on "register" at the top of the boards, and complete the registration form. You will be asked for a username (this does not have to be your real name), a password, and your email. NOTE: No one will ever see your email address except the message board administrator, and it will never be shared with any other organization, or put on any kind of mailing list (except to send news about this message board, a feature which you can disable in your preferences).

2. After you submit the registration form, you will be sent an email with a link. Click on the link and it will bring you back to these boards. If you click "remember me," you will be automatically logged in every time you visit the boards.

3. Once you are registered, feel free to start posting! You can also (though this is optional) go to "My Controls" and set your preferences for various features, add a photo of yourself, choose an avatar (a little picture that shows up by your name every time you post), and tell us a little bit about yourself and your interests.

4. Several features that you might find helpful: Subscribe to an area you find interesting, and you will be sent an email when new responses are added. Send a private message (PM) to other members if you want to respond to them but do not want to make your response public. When you respond to a post, click on "quote" to highlight the particular part of the text you are responding to.

5. Once you have posted over 100 times, you will become a "senior member" and have access to several more board features (see the "help" menu for more details.

6.If you have any questions, no matter how small or (seemingly) silly, please post them in the "technical support" section. To do this, just click on "start new topic" and ask away. If you'd rather, you can just click the button that says "PM" at the bottom of this post and send me a private message. Or just email me.

7. Enjoy...