If you've joined BrightCecilia from MySpace or Facebook

[Philidor]

BrightCecilia gets much traffic from MySpace and Facebook. There have been one or two instances of people joining and then, because they're unfamiliar with forum architcture, not knowing what to do next and becoming disheartened.

This note's designed to help. I'd appreciate, very much, comments from big noises on MySpace and Facebook who are also brightcecilia members and all other comments welcome too. What've I missed out or expressed badly?

I'll amend in a few days in the light of comments, publish as a feature, and make available for the MyFace diaspora.

***

If you've joined BrightCecilia from MySpace or Facebook

Internet forums baffle the MySpace Generation, especially a forum like brightcecilia where social networking and message board roles are combined. This note explains how to make the transition and get the most from the site. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

1. It’s no good opening a brightcecilia account then sitting on your Profile waiting for something to happen. A few people may drop by and say hullo but, on the whole, the action occurs elsewhere.

2. The 'Unread Posts' button on the front page of the site is your friend. Click it and you’ll see a list of threads containing posts made since your last visit.

3. “But what’s a post?” I hear you wail. “And a thread? Why should I care?”

4. Look at the front page again. It’s organised in categories: Baroque Music, Modern Music, Rock, pop, indie, blues, jazz.... etc. Each category contains ‘threads.’ A thread is a discussion someone’s started on a subject which interests them. People then add ‘posts’ to that thread. Or they start their own thread and others post on that. You can post in text, pictures, YouTube videos, wikipedia quotes, whatever. If you stick to the (minimul) forum rules you can post what and how you want.

5. So if you’ve something to say -- most people have -- start a thread about it. Or do a search, find an existing thread on that subject, and post there. If you do post a duplicate thread, don’t worry: the moderators can merge them -- that’s their job.

6. Search by pressing ‘Search’ -- D’oh! -- on the front page.

7. That’s it. There are other bits and bobs e.g. Groups and Photo Albums, but engaging via the forums in threads and posts is the heart of brightcecilia and what drives the site. Once you do that you’ll find your Profile comes alive: people will visit it to say hi, give you rep, send you private messages, write on your wall, comment on your photo albums etc etc. That, in turn, draws you to their Profiles and a virtuous circle is complete.

[Kuhlau]

Diaspora? I'm a writer, yet I had to look up this word - it means a dispersed community. Or an exiled one.

Is this possibly too strong/oblique a term? Perhaps the thread should be called: 'If you've joined us from MySpace or Facebook'. A clearer (and, perhaps, more SEO-friendly?) title.

FK

[Philidor]

You're right -- amended. Thank you.

[Kuhlau]

You're very welcome. My invoice is in your inbox.

FK

[Philidor]

* Pays Kuhlau in Icelandic Krona *

[Kuhlau]

Is that how little you value my input around here?

FK

[Philidor]

Oh, all right.

* Throws in a slab of Reykjavik real estate *

[Kuhlau]

That's more like it.

FK

[Florestan]

*builds missile base on Kuhlau's real estate*

[Kuhlau]

At least that way it'll be worth something. Fire away ...

FK