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PointedThree
Forum Usage FAQ

Register / Login / Search Issues

User Preference / PM / Subscription / Address Book (My Control Panel)

Reading Messages

Posting Messages



Register / Login / Search Issues
Why do I need to register?

It is strongly recommended that you register first in order to fully utilize the abilities of the forum. Although we allow guests to view the forum, guests cannot participate in the forums by posting and replying to messages.  In addition guests cannot view attachments posted by members.

Registration takes only a couple minutes, and allows you to access additional features (not available to guest users) such as the followings:

  • Post / reply messages
  • Edit your posts
  • Edit your profile and choose avatar
  • Receive email notification of replies to posts and threads you subscribe
  • Send private messages to other members
  • Access private forums

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How do I register?

To register, you will need to specify a username and a valid email address.  A random password will be sent to the email address you provide. Once you receive the password, you will be able to log in, view, post, and use other features in our member-only forums. The password can be changed after you log-in by accessing your profile.
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How to Log-in?

You may log in using the link located at the top right of each forum page. . At the bottom of the login window, there is a check box called "Remember my login.", and you can check the box so that you don't have to manually input login information every time you come to the forum. Remember, do not use this feature if you are using public terminals to access the forum.

After you logged in, you will see your current login status at top right corner of each page.
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Why can't I login?

You must register in order to login. If this is not the case, then you might be entering the wrong username and password; If you have forgotten your username or password, Click here : Forgot your password?
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Why do I get logged off automatically? Can I log off manually?

If you do not check the "Remember my login.” box when you log into the forum, the system will automatically log you off 30 minutes after you close the browser. This prevents misuse of your account by anyone else. To stay logged in check the box during login, but this is not recommended if you access the board from a shared computer, e.g. library, internet cafe, university cluster, etc.

To log out anytime, simply click on the logoff link at the top of each page, and the forum will erase your session information and bring you back to the homepage of the web site.
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I do not wish to appear in the online user listings, can I choose to hide my online status?

This option is configurable in your profile, you will find an option "Hide yourself in the `who's online' page?". Please note that Administrator has the ability to turn "hiding from online status" off.
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What is the member list and how do I use it?

The Member list displays total number of registered members and some of their basic information. You can  sort the display order by changing the sort by field on the bottom of the member list..

This page also allows you to view members profiles where you can send private messages, send e-mail, visit member’s homepage, etc.
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Can I search the board, or do you have Full-Text Index search?

You may search for specific posts based on words or phrases that are found in the subject or message body. You may also search by author name, date range, search within a particular forum or within an entire category. To access the search feature, click on the "Search" link at the top of each page.

You can only search forums that you have permission to read.
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User Preference / PM / Subscription / Address Book (My Control Panel)

How do I change my user settings?

You can change your personal information easily by clicking the "My Profile" link located at the top of each page. Any changes you make to your profile will take effect immediately after you hit "Submit".

You can customize the forum display to suit your needs (threaded, linear), edit your personal profile, choose/upload an avatar for yourself, or link/upload your own profile photo! In addition, you can add a signature and have it displayed under your posts.
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Can I adjust the forum time zone?

You can adjust the forum time zone by changing it in your profile under "What is your local time?
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How do I add an avatar/profile photo?

Your Profile photo will be displayed in your public profile, and your chosen avatar will be displayed beside your posts under your username.

Our avatar system allows forum members to upload their own images to use as their avatars.

To set up your profile photo, you can either put in a link or upload your own image to our server. To upload a profile photo, go to the  “Upload personal photo” option in your profile. A window will appear for you to upload the image from your local hard disk drive.

Once you have made a change to either avatar or profile photo, remember to scroll down to the end of the page and click on "Submit" button to save the changes. Please also note carefully as we have image dimension limits for both avatars and profile photos.
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What is the signature for?

Under your profile, you may have noticed a field that asks you to enter your signature. You can reset your default signature in My Profile later on. It might be a piece of text or a phrase that you would like to be inserted at the end of all your posts.

You can also manually turn the signature on and off on a per-post basis by checking the “add signature” box when you post/reply/edit your messages.
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What is the Private message system?

This function allows you to send private messages to other members in the forum. It works just like your everyday e-mail system, but are limited to registered members. You have the ability to send, to read  and also to delete unwanted messages.

Please note that some members may disable the private message system (editable in My Profile), or put you in their "block list". In these cases, you won't be able to send PM to them.

Note that sent messages will remain in your Outbox until it is read by the recipient.
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Is their a limit to my PM Box ?

You will receive an email from the system if you are about to reach your PM limit. Once your PM folders are full, you won't be able to take PM anymore. If this happens, simply delete some old PM's to free up the space.
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Can I track whether a PM message has been read by its recipient or not?

Private messages will stay in your outbox until it is read
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How can I subscribe to a forum or topic?

You can subscribe to multiple forums or topics by going to your Profile and changing your subscription settings.
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How do I add or edit my ignore list?

You can add or remove members from your ignore list by going to your Profile and selecting the option "Add / Edit Ignore List".
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Reading Messages

I have heard of threaded and plain discussion boards. Which formats do you support?

This forum can be viewed in 2 different formats: Linear/Flat Style (Posts are laid out in plain format) or Threaded Style.  Members can switch between these two styles with a single mouse click under Forum Format and Topic Format within a Topic. Members can also set their default viewing style in their profile.
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What do I click to go to the latest post in a thread?

Clicking on will bring you to the latest (last) reply of that thread.
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Do you support other message sorting systems?

On the bottom of the message list, you can select the sort order of any column to sort the messages (both ascending and descending). There are also two drop down lists: One of them allows you to choose the time filter, and the other allows you to filter by days.
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How can I print out the message I want?

You can click on the Printer friendly version link under Topic Tools
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How do I edit or delete a post?

You can only edit a post within 30 minutes of your posting.  Posts can only be deleted by Moderators.

Please note that in some circumstances, forum moderators or administrator may edit your post. Whenever a post has been edited, an indicator at the bottom of the edited post will be displayed.
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What are the Topic tools located in the topic header

These convenient user tools are located on each topic header : Printer friendly version, E-mail this topic, Toggle E-mail notification

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What are Sticky topics?

Sticky topics appear at the top of the message list under Announcements. They are often quite important so you should read them when possible.
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What are locked topics?

Locked topics are set this way by either the forum moderators or board administrators. You cannot reply to locked topics and any poll it contained is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for many reasons.
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What is post revision?

Admin can specify whether to enable post revision for each forum. If post revision is enabled, every message being edited will have “Revision: 1” link showing at the lower right of the post.

When a message is edited, the previous version will be stored and available for viewing. This is a very flexible feature because Admin/Moderators can decide whether or not a message should be revised when they edit a message, thus overriding the default setting in the admin panel.
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Posting Messages

How do I post a topic in a forum?

To post a new thread, click on the located at the top left of the message list. You can write your messages in it. Every forum has its own permission setting, and therefore, if you don’t see a post link, please don’t panic, because you may just forget to log in or simply do not have the right permission to post.
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How do I add a signature when composing my post/reply?

You may choose to include a signature in your post. If you would like to add signature to all posts, you can have this preference set in My Profile (just check the box right under where you type your signature, and remember to submit the change).
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What is e-mail notification?

This option allows you to be notified once someone replied to your post. A notification link will be sent to you via e-mail.
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What are Forum codes? How do I use these special codes?

Forum Codes are designed to provide simple and effective formatting methods in a post. There are several pre-defined codes, so you don't really have to type the codes yourself.  The list of codes can be found by clicking here.
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How do I insert the smiley faces to my post?

To add a smiley face in your message body, just click on the smiley face icons on the left, and the smiley faces will be inserted at the current cursor position.
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Can I upload an image or attachment to my post?

You may attach several images to your post. When making a new topic or adding a reply, you will see a checkbox with the option "Attach a file after posting".  Simply put a checkbox on this option and you will be redirected to the photo uploader.  Only JPG and GIF formats are allowed.

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Can I preview my post before submitting?

Preview your message before submitting. After you finish previewing, click on "Submit" to submit the post.
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How do I create and vote in polls?

Creating new poll works just like posting messages. By clicking on , you can enter your Poll Question and vote choices in it. If you would like to create a poll that allows multiple selection (checkbox instead of radio button), check the “Allow multi-voting? (Vote for more than one option)?” box. Enter the poll choices below the message body text box.

Once the poll is submitted, members will be able to vote, view result, edit poll, or even strip poll (some of these options only applies to the poll creator and the forum moderators). There are many options provided when editing your poll. You can change your poll question, add/edit/delete poll choices, and change multiple selections to single poll selection, etc.
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