User Settings Control Panel Explained

[B]Edit Avatar[/B]

When you select edit avatar the following web page is displayed.

The screen shows your current avatar (if you have one) [COLOR="Lime"]Green Arrow[/COLOR].

If you want to use a predifined avatar (if available) the image is displayed on the left hand side of the second box; the [COLOR="Blue"]blue arrow [/COLOR]shows the image of the avatar you can select from the pages shown.

If you want to use your own avatar you need to specify if you are providing it from either a website (Option 1) or your computer (Option 2) ([COLOR="#FF0000"]red arrows[/COLOR]).

It is important to note the size of the allowable avatar and the radio button which states [U]Use Custom Avatar [/U]needs to be selected/identified.

[B]Edit Signature[/B]

To modify your signature click on the[U] Edit Signature[/U] button and the appropriate web page loads.

The [COLOR="Plum"]Purple Arrow[/COLOR] shows a preview of the signature you created.

The [COLOR="Blue"]Blue Arrow[/COLOR] is the edit field to create your signature; if you like your signature hit save.

[B]Profile Privacy Settings[/B]

In this page you can set the level of privacy you want for a host of options:

[LIST][*]Contact Info[*]Profile Picture[*]Visitor Message[*]Albums[*]About Me[*]Friends[*]Recent Visitors[*]Permission Groups[/LIST]

Each catergory above has a pull down menu to set the access level for each parameter. These access levels are:
[LIST][*]Everyone[*]Registered Members[*]Your Contacts[*]Your Friends[/LIST]

The My Account Options, General Settings is extensive and covers many topics:

[B]Invisible Mode[/B] - this mode allows you to be seen or not seen on the Forum in the Currently Active Users area- [COLOR="Red"]Red Arrow[/COLOR].

[B]vCard usage[/B] - allows use of a vCard if selected. [COLOR="Yellow"]Yellow Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Administrative Notification[/B] - by selecting this option you can receive emails from Administrators - [COLOR="Blue"]Blue Arrow[/COLOR] - we recommend that this option be selected so that Administrators or Moderators can get in contact with you.

[B]Receiving email[/B] - this feature allows you to receive emails from other users - [COLOR="Navy"]Dark Blue Arrow[/COLOR].

[B]Friendship Request[/B] - If someone wants to befriend you and you have this option selected, they with their avatar) will be displayed on your page when visited or viewed. [COLOR="Magenta"][COLOR="#800000"]Magenta Arrow[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[B]Thread Subscription Control [/B]([COLOR="Lime"]Green Arrow[/COLOR]) By selecting the pull down menu to Subscribe, you will recieve an email notofication for any thread that you subscribed to when there is a new post in it.

[B]Private Messaging Control [/B]- if you want to have the ability to write private messages select Enable - [COLOR="lime"]green arrow [/COLOR].

[B]Private Message Access[/B] - This field will allow you to select whether you want to receive PM's from anyone or just from your contacts and administrators - [COLOR="Navy"]Purple Arrow[/COLOR]. We recommend that this option be selected, so Administrators or Moderators can contact you if necessary.

[B]Private Message Email Alert[/B] - By selecting this option, you will recieve an email alert that you have a priviate message sent to the email address you selected earlier [COLOR="Magenta"][COLOR="#8B4513"]Magenta Arrow [/COLOR][/COLOR].

[B]Private Message Alerting[/B] - By selecting this option you will get an alert when you get a Private Message. - [COLOR="Navy"]Please note that you need to enable pop ups from the BMW MOA Website for this function to work[/COLOR] - [COLOR="Blue"]Blue Arrow[/COLOR].

[B]Sent Folder Control [/B]- Selection of this creates a copy of your sent private message(s) in your sent folder. - [COLOR="Red"]Red Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Visitor messages[/B] - enable/disable as you desire [COLOR="#000000"]Black Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Notification Control [/B]- limits the use of visitor messages to contacts and Moderators - [COLOR="MediumTurquoise"]Light Blue Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Message Display Controls[/B] - Allows you to select if you want to display your signature, avatar, or images. - ([COLOR="#000000"]Black Arrow[/COLOR])

[B]Thread Display Options[/B] - Allows you to see the format and style of the web page in several variations.([COLOR="Blue"]Blue Arrow[/COLOR]):
[LIST][*]Linear - Oldest First[*]Linear - Newest First[*]Threaded[*]Hybrid[/LIST]

[B]Post View Contol [/B]- Selection allows you to control how many threads per page will be displayed - ranges from Default to 40. [COLOR="Red"]Red Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Thread Age Control [/B]- Allows you to select the number of days of posts you will see. From 2 days, a week, 100 days or all. - Please note there are smaller incremental time frames omitted, all can be viewed in the pull down menu. [COLOR="Yellow"]Yellow Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Time Zone Controls[/B] - Allows you to set the time zone you are in for proper time stamp for your area. [COLOR="Magenta"][COLOR="#8B4513"]Magenta Arrow[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[B]Time of the Week Control [/B]- Allows you to set the start of the week to your preference. - [COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"]Teal Arrow[/COLOR]

[B]Editor Control[/B]

The Editor Control allows you to select the type of text formats you can use.

There are three interface types available to you. The simplest of these is a simple text box, while the last is a fully-fledged WYSIWYG editor, which allows you to format your text as you want it and see the results immediately.

Depending upon the capabilities of your web browser, you may not be able to use all of these options. If you experience problems when posting messages, try switching to a different interface type.

These selections are controlled in the pull down menu indicated by the radio buttons ([COLOR="Blue"]Blue Arrow[/COLOR]).

The look-and-feel of the display can be change...it's called a "skin". For compatible skins, look in the Forum Skins section ([COLOR="#FF0000"]Red Arrow[/COLOR]).

This forum features an enhanced editing feature and depending on your browser, you may be able to take advantage of the feature ([COLOR="#00FFFF"]Teal Arrow[/COLOR]).

[B]Ignore List[/B]

If you want to ignore a member enter their User Name ([B][COLOR="Black"]Black Arrow[/COLOR][/B]) and hit the Okay button.

To add or delete Contacts or Friends click where the [COLOR="Blue"]Blue arrow [/COLOR]is pointing.

If you have made friends already they will be displayed here. ([COLOR="Lime"]Green Arrow[/COLOR])

To make any modifications follow the simple instructions shown with the [COLOR="Red"]Red arrow[/COLOR].

Click Save Changes or Add Contact / Add Friend on right side.

The Miscellaneous section manages any images you have uploaded to MOA Server.

For any attachment or image uploaded to the server you can manage them from here.

The number of files saved and server space being utilized is indicated by the [COLOR="SeaGreen"]GREEN ARROW[/COLOR].

The attachment name is indicated by the[COLOR="Red"] RED ARROW[/COLOR].

The name of the post and forum the attachment is located is shown by the [COLOR="Yellow"]YELLOW ARROW[/COLOR].

The time stamp of the posting is shown witth the [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]PURPLE ARROW[/COLOR].

If you click on the attachment it will bring you to the attachment as shown below.

The attachment was selected with the [COLOR="SeaGreen"]GREEN ARROW[/COLOR].

And the new web page with the image was loaded - [COLOR="Blue"]BLUE ARROW[/COLOR].

The above posts walk you through each major subsection of your User Settings Control Panel with sufficient information to set it up the you want.

In the event that there is additional information needed - Go to the FAQ Section, which is always located in the Blue Control bar in the same place regardless of the forum selected. [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]VIOLET ARROW[/COLOR]

A quick reference link is provided [URL="http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/faq.php"][COLOR="Blue"][B][U]here[/U][/B][/COLOR][/URL]

Below you can see the FAQ Page and the various fields to select to get information on. There is additional information on the settings in the FAQs ([COLOR="#FF0000"]Red Arrow[/COLOR]).