• Threads Per Page controls how many threads are shown in the initial list of threads when a forum is first opened. You can specify any number, but we recommend not going higher than about 100.
• When you click on a thread, Preferred Message View determines which detail view will initially be displayed. Threaded View shows the current message at the top, with the rest of the thread underneath, one line per message, with the indent level indicating the hierarchy of replies. Flat View expands all messages in the thread, without showing a hierarchy.
• Messages Per Page (Threaded) controls the number of messages shown on a single page in Threaded View. This number should normally be higher than messages per page in Flat View, since only the current message is fully expanded. You can specify any number but we recommend not going higher than about 100. Additional messages are viewed by navigating through pages.
• Messages Per Page (Flat) controls the number of messages shown on a single page in Flat View. This number should normally be lower than messages per page in Threaded View, since all messages are fully shown. You can specify any number but we recommend not going higher than 20. Additional messages are viewed by navigating through pages.

Use Email Address is the email address that will be used for forums configured as email lists (“listserve” option). By default, this is your primary email address but you can change it to any address.

The Allow Private Replies checkbox controls whether other forum members can send replies to you directly via email.

The check box allows you to propagate this address into every forum that you’re subscribed to that requires an email address.

• Send Email controls whether you want forums that normally send emails to actually do so. If this option is not checked on the General Preferences page, you will not receive emails from any of your forums, regardless of the individual settings.
• Email Links allows you to remove the standard text that normally appears at the bottom of each email. This text tells you how view the email online, modify preferences, opt-out, etc.
• Email Format controls the format of such emails, either plain text or full HTML. If Send Email is unchecked, this section will be unavailable.
• Frequency controls how forums configured as email lists send messages to you. The options are:
  • Immediately – send messages individually and immediately;
  • Daily - Digest – send a digest containing all messages;
  • Daily - Subjects – send a digest containing subjects only; each message includes a link to view the complete email online.
    Note that digests may be sent 1, 2, 3, or 4 times a day, depending on the popularity of the forum and how your club or association has configured this option. For example, if digests are configured to be sent 3 times a day, you will receive one approximately every 8 hours.
• The check box allows you to propagate these settings into every forum that you’ve subscribed to that requires such configuration.

The description of Forum General Preferences screen continues below:

• The default Text Editor is a simple, text only input field that is suitable for the majority of users. However, more experienced users can switch to an advanced editor which includes support for text formatting, fonts, colors, tables and other options. (This is a similar editor to the one used to create custom pages within ClubExpress.)
• If you want to attach a standard Message Signature to each message, check the box and specify the sig. in the field provided. This saves you from typing a standard set of characters at the end of each message. Forum users often include their name, location or a catchy phrase in a signature, although forum etiquette suggests that signatures should not be excessively long.
• The check box allows you to propagate these settings into every forum that you’ve subscribed to that requires such configuration.

• Forum Handle allows you to specify a name to use within forums. This does not need to be your login name, although this is the default choice. If you are known within your club for a particular area of expertise or interest, you might select a name reflecting that reputation.
• The Show Name checkbox controls whether your name is attached to messages in addition to your handle. If you wish to remain anonymous, uncheck this option. You can also specify a “different” name from the one under which your club membership is defined.
• The Link to Bio checkbox controls whether other users will see a link on your forum handle that jumps to your bio screen in the Membership Directory module.
• The Show Location checkbox controls whether your location is attached to messages. If you wish to keep this information confidential, uncheck this option. You can also specify a different city and state from the ones under which your club membership is defined.
• With the Local Time option correctly set, you will see when other messages were posted relative to your own location. (Our servers are located in the US Central Time Zone, so messages are normally tagged with their date/time of posting based on this time.) For example, if you are located on the US west coast, specify “-2” for this option. Then, when you are viewing a message posted on our servers at 10:45 AM CST, it will show 8:45 AM as your local time when the message was posted. If you are located on US east coast, specify “1” for this option. Then, when you are viewing a message posted on our servers at 10:45 AM CST, it will show 11:45 AM as your local time when the message was posted.
• If you want to display a small picture beside each message, check the Show Picture checkbox then specify a local file to upload. We recommend that this picture be no more than 80 x 80 pixels in size; you can use the same or a different picture from the one you uploaded with your directory entry.
• The check box allows you to propagate these settings into every forum that you’ve subscribed to that requires such configuration.

When you have finished configuring these options, click Save to save your changes and return to the Profile menu. If you want to return without saving changes, click Cancel.