Biographies, User Names and Photographs

[John Simkin]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have changed their user names and added their biography to the forum. This change in the rules has been caused by individuals who registered with non-real names and then attempted to undermine the workings of the forum. We now insist that before people join that are required to provide a real name and brief biography. Understandably, new members complain when they discover that some older members have not done this. Therefore we are having to insist that all members now use their real names and post their biographies.

There is another reason why it is helpful to post your biography. Several sections have now been set up where students can make use of contributions made by members in their studies. It is very important for these students to know who is making these statements. It is therefore useful for them to be able to click the poster’s biography in the signature in order to get these details.

If you need to change your user name the best way is to PM Andy Walker or myself and we will sort it out for you.

If you have not yet posted your biography go to:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=37

Click “NEWTOPIC” (top right). Then type in your own name as the “Topic Title”. Write in your biography in the box provided. Then click “Post New Topic” at the bottom of the page.

Once this has been posted you need to obtain the URL of the thread. For example, mine is:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=1365

If you have posted your biography in the collected section:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=530

You can get your individual URL by clicking the Post # symbol at the top on the right-hand side of your original biography posting.

If that is not clear, follow the instructions above and re-post your biography at:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=37

Once you have your biography URL you need to post it in your signature.

To do this go to My Controls (top, right of the screen).

On the left-hand side click ‘Edit Signature’ (under Personal Profile).

Now type “Biography” and add your URL in the box provided.

You might also want to add the URL of any website you may have (or wish to support).

Then click “Update my Signature”

Members must also add a photograph as an avatar. First select a photograph on your hard-drive. Your picture must be no bigger than 64 pixels by 64 pixels in size. If the width is less than 64 pixels, make a note of its size. If you are unable to do this, send me the photograph by email and I will do it for you.

Now go to My Controls (top, right of the screen).

Select ‘Edit Avatar Settings’ (under Personal Profile).

Go to the bottom of the page where it says ‘Upload a new image from your computer’. Click ‘Browse’.

(A box will appear at the top that will show what is on your computer. You now have to find your photograph (best to leave it on your Desktop – if not, find the folder where you have stored it).

Click the image and then click ‘Open’.

Type in the size of your photograph (in pixels)

Now click ‘Update Avatar’. You picture should now appear on the screen. It will now appear every time you make a posting.

[John Simkin]

I would like to point out that the posting of photographs as avatars is a condition of membership of the forum.

[John Simkin]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have changed their user names and added their biography to the forum. This change in the rules has been caused by individuals who registered with non-real names and then attempted to undermine the workings of the forum. We now insist that before people join that are required to provide a real name and brief biography. Understandably, new members complain when they discover that some older members have not done this. Therefore we are having to insist that all members now use their real names and post their biographies.

There is another reason why it is helpful to post your biography. Several sections have now been set up where students can make use of contributions made by members in their studies. It is very important for these students to know who is making these statements. It is therefore useful for them to be able to click the poster’s biography in the signature in order to get these details.

If you need to change your user name the best way is to PM Andy Walker or myself and we will sort it out for you.

If you have not yet posted your biography go to:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=37

Click “NEWTOPIC” (top right). Then type in your own name as the “Topic Title”. Write in your biography in the box provided. Then click “Post New Topic” at the bottom of the page.

Once this has been posted you need to obtain the URL of the thread. For example, mine is:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=1365

If you have posted your biography in the collected section:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=530

You can get your individual URL by clicking the Post # symbol at the top on the right-hand side of your original biography posting.

If that is not clear, follow the instructions above and re-post your biography at:

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=37

Once you have your biography URL you need to post it in your signature.

To do this go to My Controls (top, right of the screen).

On the left-hand side click ‘Edit Signature’ (under Personal Profile).

Now type “Biography” and add your URL in the box provided.

You might also want to add the URL of any website you may have (or wish to support).

Then click “Update my Signature”

Members must also add a photograph as an avatar. First select a photograph on your hard-drive. Your picture must be no bigger than 64 pixels by 64 pixels in size. If the width is less than 64 pixels, make a note of its size. If you are unable to do this, send me the photograph by email and I will do it for you.

Now go to My Controls (top, right of the screen).

Select ‘Edit Avatar Settings’ (under Personal Profile).

Go to the bottom of the page where it says ‘Upload a new image from your computer’. Click ‘Browse’.

(A box will appear at the top that will show what is on your computer. You now have to find your photograph (best to leave it on your Desktop – if not, find the folder where you have stored it).

Click the image and then click ‘Open’.

Type in the size of your photograph (in pixels)

Now click ‘Update Avatar’. You picture should now appear on the screen. It will now appear every time you make a posting.

Some members have started removing their avatars and the link to their biographies in their signature. Moderators have been instructed to place members who do this on moderation and for their posts to be made invisible until they abide by the rules.

It has also been noted that some members have once again started to accuse members of lying, being disinformation agents, etc. This will not be tolerated and such posts will be made invisible when this happens. Repeat offenders will be placed on moderation.