Welcome to MarlinForum.com - A Guide to the Community

Hello there, and welcome to MarlinForum.com! For some, things might look a bit different, and it's because we made some changes to the software we run here. In this guide, you will find tips and techniques for using the features of the site.

I've include mini tutorials to help you navigate the site, such as uploading attachments, changing your avatar, or sending a private message to another user. While I know this might seem overwhelming, this tutorial is here to help.

As always if you have any questions I don't address here, please don't hesitate to contact me

 

Uploading an Avatar:

Start by rolling over your username, in the top right of the page.
The navbar will present you with a drop-down menu. Approximately midway down the drop-down, you will see an option labeled "Avatar". Click on it.

An overlay will appear allowing you to upload an image. Browse until you find just the right image to be your representation on the site. Don't worry you can always change it later if you'd like. Once you select the image, the site will automatically upload the image, and you're all set.

To see what I just discussed in action, feel free to watch the video below:

 

Sharing your photos or files via Attachments

Sharing a photo is the simplest way to say a lot without really having to say anything. So if you are looking to upload your images to the site this is how you can do it, and this technique applies to replying to a post or creating a new thread.

Below the Reply Box, you will see an option "Upload a File". From there you navigate to the images you'd like to upload. Once selected, the forum will upload them, and give you a few options of showing them as a full image, or thumbnail. More than likely, I'd recommend clicking on full image, as it makes it easier for everyone to see the full size right away.

To see what was just discussed in action, feel free to watch the video below:

 

Creating A Thread

Being apart of a forum, it's easy to simply reply with your thoughts, or questions to an already created thread, but what if you want to create your own? One key step is finding the right forum to post in. You don't want to post a "Thinking about buying my first Marlin" in the off topic section or vice versa. So carefully look through the forums list on the forum homepage, and click on the one that best describes your topic.

Once there look on the right-hand side near the top, and you will see "Post New Thread" if your permissions allow it. From there fill in the content as best you can, maybe upload a picture and submit.

To see what was just discussed in action, feel free to watch the video below "Angry typing affects added for entertainment":

 

Starting a Conversation via Private Messages

In other forum software when you wanted to send a Private Message to someone it was simply called a PM. Here, we have something described as Conversations. There isn't much difference besides the terminology, as it's still private, but you can invite others to the conversation, just as if you were on a phone adding others with a 3-way call.

You may already have a message in your inbox in the top right corner of the navbar, or you might just want to start a new conversation with someone. You do this by rolling over the Inbox, and the dropdown will present the new messages or the option to start a new conversation. If you are starting a new conversation, you will need the username of the person you want to send to. Type a bit slower here, as the software can help you identify the user, and auto fill the rest of the name.


Check out the video below, as I ask my BestFriend if they want to join me for Taco Tuesday:

 

How to Quote, use Multi-Quote, and insert emoticons

In threads, multiple conversations can happen almost instantly. Using the quote feature is an easy way to keep the conversation going, and easily tracked. To use that feature you can simply click reply to the post you want to reply, and submit.

However, what if multiple have questions or comments you want to reply to? Well, the feature Multi-Quote solves that frustration for you. Simple click the Quote+ for each reply you want to reply (even if the thread is multiple pages!) and when you are ready to respond click the Insert Quotes button in the reply box. A dialogue box presents itself and you can address each quote individually as a group.

Don't forget no reply is complete without an emoticon or smilie to go along with it. We have some preset smilies that will replace some basic text such as the happy face and so on. However in the editor, if you click the smiling face icon, you will be presented with a few more emotions that might just describe any frustration you might have.

For a simple demonstration, here's a video to explain:

 

How to locate your content (posts or threads)

Sometimes it's nice to find things you've posted on such as a post or thread from while back. You can do this by looking at "Your Content" under the drop-down of your username.

If that isn't enough, or you want to find threads only, you can go click on Your Profile Page in the username dropdown, and it will take you to a dedicated user profile page. From there click on the Postings tab, and it if you want threads only, at the bottom of the listing it will give you that option.

I made a short video on how to locate these areas, here it is for you to follow along with: