[candyK]

Yup! I really don't get it. How do you actually find time to scan through all the possible boards/sub-boards to find the activity? I'm asking because I don't have lots of time, many of the topics are very specific and seem to have no action i.e last entry sept 08, and I'm not finding a "front door" general posting area. So with limited time, wanting to know what's going on, where do YOU go first/most on these boards?
Thanks, candyK--lost here mostly

[sheriL]

My first stop is usually to click on the "view new post" button up at the top right. That pulls up any active topics since last time I was on, so its an easy way to quickly scan through.
I don't really have any other great tips coming to mind, but i'm sure someone else will have suggestions!

[PBarnes]

I do what Sheri does. I have the luxury of being able to be around the boards quite a bit most days so I usually can stay on top of things.

You also can do a search, on the whole message board or in a certain forum if you have a specific thing you are looking for. The Search button is in the Menu bar at the top right of any Message Board page.

[SandiC.]

I'm like you, not a whole lot of time most days and there are some things I'm more interested in than others. When I first started being active on the boards, I was pretty overwhelmed. The first thing I did was find one area that I was interested in. I actually started following the prayer and Praises section. I was fascinated by how caring and loving the members were for each other and that let me see the "regulars" in such a positive way. I used to go there first every morning. Then I started paying attention to the areas on my specific software. I learned so much by the answers to questions. Then I learned about the view new posts and that is generally where I start. That keeps me up with all the current chatter. You're right, there is so much here and not all of it is for everybody. You'll find that even a few minutes will get you up to date. You'll find the areas that you are interested in. Just go for those until you're very familiar and then try a new area each week. Just explore the neighborhood little by little, find what you like the most and jump in.

[tinkerbell11]

I always veiw new posts, then I look at the different catergories like meet and greet and things that may apply to me ACDsee, PSE etc. HTH!

[Happy99]

Me too:):) As soon as I log on I go and click on "View New Posts" - it is the item right after "My Controls" icon on the top of your screen after the deep purple items banner:)

[ChristinaP]

I use the "view new posts" button too!

[Zaz]

After you hit the "View New Posts" link, all the posts will appear that have updated since your last visit. Then you'll notice a little, tiny orange square on the left of those posts. If you click on that, it will take you to the place that you left off the last time you visited that thread. That was an immense help when I learned that.

I think it should also be noted that the board is particularly busy right now due to a posting contest for the month. On April 1st, it will settle down quite a bit.

I hope that helps. We want you to be comfortable here.

[CRS]

Yup, what everyone else said. I didn't learn those tricks for over a year or more after joining. It was a great time saver and I was able to keep track of things better. You can also subscribe to forum or track the topic. These options are found under the options button, at the top right corner of the first post of the thread.

[JenniferZ]

I also go to "View New Posts" and I subscribe to the boards that interest me (Photoshop, organizing, etc.).

[Sara Arell]

scrappin'doc, on Mar 29 2009, 04:03 AM, said:

I'm like you, not a whole lot of time most days and there are some things I'm more interested in than others. When I first started being active on the boards, I was pretty overwhelmed. The first thing I did was find one area that I was interested in. I actually started following the prayer and Praises section. I was fascinated by how caring and loving the members were for each other and that let me see the "regulars" in such a positive way. I used to go there first every morning. Then I started paying attention to the areas on my specific software. I learned so much by the answers to questions. Then I learned about the view new posts and that is generally where I start. That keeps me up with all the current chatter. You're right, there is so much here and not all of it is for everybody. You'll find that even a few minutes will get you up to date. You'll find the areas that you are interested in. Just go for those until you're very familiar and then try a new area each week. Just explore the neighborhood little by little, find what you like the most and jump in.

I agree pretty much with Sandi - some days I have more spare time than others and can get on the MB and play the games which really are a lot of fun once you get going - most days though I go straight to prayers and praises because that is really how I got to know so many kind and caring people. I have found that if you have something wonderful you want to celebrate and share, or if life just isn't treating you right at the present time, post it and you will suddenly have all kinds of support from more members than you can count. Everyone on here is very caring and they do take the time to let you know that you are being thought about. That's what I LOVE about SG. Also, I love going into the Gallery and looking at the layouts - there are some pretty awesome layouts in there that might just be the spark you need to inspire you to do a layout. And leaving love in the gallery is a great thing to do - everyone appreciates a comment on a layout they have submitted and are proud of. And, Sandi is right, sometimes just a few minutes will catch you up on everything - other days though, if something is going on and you have the time, you can find yourself jumping in when you can and then later coming back for more. Whatever you do, it will be fun and you will enjoy yourself!

[scraphappen]

I just check out the waht's new and go to topics that interest me. Sometimes when writing my own topics I just use real life because that is all I do right now. Havn't scrapped in some time.

[mimes1]

Wow! You learn something new everyday! I've been here almost 2 years and didn't know there was a view new post button!

[momentousangel]

candyK, like you, I have found myself to be more and more pressed for time. When I enrolled in school as a full time student, I thought that I might be able to have a little break here and there, it's turning out to be all studying and what time I'm not studying I tend to try and make up for by spending quality time with my children. That being said, I do sneak in here and there and read the topics that interest me. I enjoy reading the "Real Life" thread when I get a chance. It always has several threads discussing several different topics. I spend a lot of time in the boutique and adding to my never ending list of all of the beautiful new creations that the designers here have worked so hard to create, all the while promising myself that one of these days I'll get to do some buying, hopefully sooner than later. I must add though that if I dare go into the boutique before going anywhere else, well, I'd never make it anywhere else because honestly, I could stay in the boutique for hours without even realizing it. I also like reading the "Announcements" thread. There's some awesome announcements there that I wouldn't dare miss knowing about. If you don't already get the ScrapGirls newsletter, I highly recommend getting it. It is a great way to see some of the newer items that are in the boutique as well as a great source for information on all of the exciting things that are going on here at ScrapGirls. The muses are all also very well worth the read!

[Cheri T]

Another question: Can you "subscribe" to a certain member's gallery, ie. when they post new layouts, the link shows up in my email. I TRY to go look at the gallery, but admit I cannot possibly keep up with it b/c there are so many terrific layouts posted every day. But there are some members I wouldn't want to miss a new layout from:) Then I can scan through the rest as I have time.

[scraphappen]

Tell you the truth I only look at view new posts and then I only look into the forums that I find might interest me. I don't usually play the games. So that cuts the time by half.

[candyK]

Thanks for all the tips! I now do the "view new posts" and that has really helped. I didn't know about the colored buttons and jumping back into the place I left off---very helpful! Can you subscribe to someone's gallery? what a great idea!
Thanks!
candyK

[RosemaryS]

I always do view new posts and then go to the gallery and see what layouts were added last

[caprimom]

I thought I'd add that in addition to new posts, you can scroll down to the bottom of the MB home page and click on "Today's active content" and it brings up all of the threads that have seen new posts for the day. I visit the MB several times a day sometimes so "View New Posts" doesn't always keep me completely in the loop.

[cherise]

I agree - I used to do the "View New Posts", but then recently someone (Christy V!) pointed out the "Today's Active Content" thing and someone else (Dee!) suggested I put a shortcut link to it on my desktop. So I did. And it really helps me stay much more in the loop. I can just double-click on that link on my desktop and it takes me straight to what has been happening today.

[Sara Arell]

First thing I do is check "view new posts" and then I look at the latest gallery pics and then I do the Happy Birthday wish and then on and on and on from there to the Games

[RosemaryS]

Ooooooooo I didn't know about today's active content....

[Jane in N.Z]

I learnt something today about the 'view new posts' or 'Todays Active Content' I didn't know they existed. I usually go to games where I go to 'share the love' game and then the gallery. If I have more time I go to the challenges as this helps me with the layouts I need to do.

[Sara Arell]

I knew about View New Posts but don't know about Active Content - where is that?