Guide

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Users Guide

🔐 1. Getting Started: Sign Up & Log In

✅ Signing Up

  1. Find the Registration Page
    • Look for a menu item labeled Register, Sign Up, or Create Account. It’s usually in the site header or footer.
    • If you don’t see it, check for a link on the Login page.
    • Find the link that says “request membership”
    • Once you have been accepted you can move on to the next step.
  2. Fill Out the Registration Form
    • Enter a username you want to use (no spaces or special characters usually).
    • Enter a valid email address (this is needed to confirm your account).
    • Choose a strong password (usually 8+ characters, mix of letters and numbers).
    • Complete any extra profile fields if the site requests (e.g., location, interests).
  3. Agree to Terms
    • Read the terms of service or community guidelines.
    • Check the box to agree if required.
  4. Submit the Form
    • Click the Register or Sign Up button.
  5. Confirm Your Email
    • Check your email inbox for a confirmation message.
    • Click the confirmation link to activate your account.
  6. Login
    • After confirmation, go to the Login page.
    • Enter your username and password, then click Log In.

🔓 Logging In

  1. Navigate to the Login Page
    • Usually found as a Login or Sign In link in the header menu or sidebar.
  2. Enter Credentials
    • Type your username or email address.
    • Enter your password.
  3. Click “Log In”
  4. Stay Logged In (Optional)
    • Check Remember Me if you want the browser to keep you logged in.
  5. Troubleshooting
    • If you forget your password, click Lost your password? or Forgot Password? to reset via email.

👤 2. Your Profile

📄 Viewing Your Profile

  1. Locate Your Profile Link
    • Usually in the top-right corner as your profile picture or username.
    • Click it to open your profile page.
  2. Explore Your Profile Tabs
    • Profile — shows your personal info and profile details.
    • Activity — your recent posts and updates.
    • Friends — your connections (if enabled).
    • Groups — groups you belong to.
    • Messages — your private conversations.
    • Notifications — alerts about your interactions.
    • Settings — control your account preferences.

✏️ Editing Your Profile

  1. Go to Your Profile Page
  2. Click the “Edit Profile” Button
    • Usually located near your avatar or in the Profile tab.
  3. Edit Profile Fields
    • Update basic information such as:
      • Display Name
      • Biography or About Me
      • Location
      • Website or Social Links (if allowed)
    • Fill out custom fields set by the site (hobbies, skills, etc.).
  4. Save Changes
    • Scroll down and click Save Changes or Update Profile.

🖼️ Changing Your Profile Photo (Avatar) and Cover Image

  1. Profile Photo
    • Click Profile Photo or your current avatar.
    • Select Change Profile Photo.
    • Upload a new image from your computer or select an existing one.
    • Crop or adjust as needed.
    • Save changes.
  2. Cover Image
    • On your profile page, click Change Cover Image (usually a banner behind your profile picture).
    • Upload a new cover image.
    • Adjust the positioning.
    • Save.

🧵 3. Activity Stream

📝 Posting an Update

  1. Navigate to the Activity Page
    • Usually accessible via the main menu as Activity or Community Feed.
  2. Find the “Post an Update” Box
    • It’s at the top of the activity stream.
    • The placeholder text usually says, “What’s new, [Your Name]?”
  3. Write Your Message
    • Type whatever you want to share — status, news, questions.
  4. Tag Other Users (Optional)
    • Use @ followed by their username (e.g., @john) to mention friends.
  5. Add Attachments (If Enabled)
    • Some sites allow uploading images or files.
  6. Click “Post Update”

💬 Interacting with Posts

  1. Comment on a Post
    • Click the Comment button below any post.
    • Type your response.
    • Click Submit.
  2. Favorite (Like) a Post
    • Click the Star or Heart icon to like/favorite.
  3. Delete Your Own Posts
    • Click the Delete option (small trash icon) on your own updates.

👥 4. Friends / Connections

➕ Adding Friends

  1. Find the Member You Want to Add
    • Go to Members page from the main menu.
    • Search or browse users.
  2. Open Their Profile
  3. Click “Add Friend” Button
    • This sends a friend request.
  4. Wait for Confirmation
    • The other user will approve or deny your request.

👥 Viewing Your Friends

  1. Go to Your Profile
  2. Click the Friends Tab
  3. See Your List of Friends / Connections

💌 5. Private Messaging

✉️ Sending a Message

  1. Go to Messages
    • Find Messages in your profile menu or main navigation.
  2. Click “Compose” or “New Message”
  3. Enter Recipient’s Username
    • Start typing the username and select from the drop-down.
  4. Write Your Message
  5. Click “Send”

📥 Viewing & Replying to Messages

  1. Go to Inbox under Messages.
  2. Click on a Conversation
  3. Read and Reply
  4. Delete Conversations if you want to clear messages.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 6. Groups

🔍 Browsing Groups

  1. Click on Groups in the main menu.
  2. Browse Groups
    • View featured, newest, or popular groups.
    • Use filters or search to find groups by interest.

🧑‍💼 Joining a Group

  1. Click on a Group Name
  2. Review Group Info
  3. Click “Join Group” Button
  4. If Private
    • Wait for approval from group admin.

🧾 Participating in a Group

  1. Post in Group Activity Feed
    • Share updates visible to group members.
  2. View Group Members
  3. Participate in Group Forums or Media (if enabled)

🔔 7. Notifications

Viewing Notifications

  1. Click on the Notifications Icon
    • Usually a bell icon near your avatar in the header.
  2. See Recent Notifications
    • Friend requests, mentions, messages, group invites.
  3. Click on Notifications to Respond
    • For example, open a message or view a friend request.

⚙️ 8. Account Settings

Managing Your Settings

  1. Go to Your Profile
  2. Click the Settings Tab
  3. Update Preferences
    • Email notifications (enable/disable)
    • Privacy settings (who can see your profile or activity)
    • Change password
    • Delete account (if allowed)
  4. Save Your Changes

📲 9. Navigating the Site

  • Use the Main Menu to explore:
    • Activity
    • Members
    • Groups
    • Messages
  • Click your Profile Avatar or Username for quick access to your profile and settings.
  • Use Search Bars to find members, groups, or posts.

🛠 10. Tips for a Better Experience

  • Complete your profile for better connections.
  • Use @mentions to engage with others. (not sure about this one)
  • Join groups to meet people with similar interests.
  • Post regularly in the activity stream to stay visible.
  • Use private messages for personal conversations.
  • Report inappropriate content using available buttons.
  • Check notifications often to stay up to date.

✅ Summary

As a user of a Southern Oregon Social, you can:

FeatureWhat You Can Do
ProfileEdit details, upload avatar & cover
Activity FeedPost, comments, add pictures and like updates
FriendsAdd, view, and manage connections
MessagingSend and receive messages
GroupsJoin or participate in interest-based groups
NotificationsStay updated on all activity
SettingsManage privacy, password, and email