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LordRoss
Welcome to the new PlayStation.com forums! Because there have been a few changes to the functionality of the forums posted below is a list of help topics to get you started. This help file is very much a work in progress, and I hope that with your help we can build this document into a comprehensive guide to all your forum needs.
Thanks a lot, and have fun.
Lestrade
Community Team Leader - PlayStation.com
- How does the Community Forum work?
- What is my role in the Community?
- What is my responsibility in the Community?
- Why should I register?
- What can I do if I don't register?
- How do I register?
- How do I log in?
- How do I get back a lost password?
- How are the message boards organized?
- How do I browse for information?
- How do I search for information?
- How do I change the icon next to my name?
- How do I create a signature for my posts?
- How do I tell other users about me?
- What is my Friends List and how do I add users to it?
- How do I set my Forum viewing preferences?
- How do I use bookmarks?
- How do I use subscriptions?
- How do I use the dashboard?
- What is RSS and how do I use it?
- What is the Private Messenger?
- How do I send a private message?
- How do I read a private message?
- How do I reply to a private message?
- How do I delete a private message?
- How do I see private messages I've sent to others?
- What is my Friends List and how do I add users to it?
- What is my Ignore List and how do I add users to it?
For additional information or unresolved board problems, please contact any member of the community team.
How does the Community Forum work?
The Community Forum provides a place for all of us to discuss support topics and learn. At its heart are the message boards, where members can post questions, answers and generally keep in contact with their friends.
Guests (un-registered visitors) may browse or search the boards for information. Registered members can post messages, track discussions, and get e-mail notifications on new posting activity.
What is my role in the Community?
You are essential to the Community. By posting questions and sharing answers, not only do you contribute to a unique, user-built knowledgebase, but you also become part of a virtual support network extending across literally hundreds of thousands of potential users.
We encourage you visit often and participate. Come with your toughest issues - chances are, someone has a solution or can point you in the right direction. If you find a solution that works, let others know, and pass along your own tips and insights - you just may have the answer someone else has been seeking!
Please remember to thank fellow users who have assisted you. Show your appreciation by rating helpful messages, posting thank you replies, or sending positive feedback to Community management.
What is my responsibility in the Community?
We want the Community to be appropriate, friendly, informative, and fun for all users. The Community Terms and Conditions of Use outlines Rules and Guidelines so that you know what is expected of you, and what you can expect from others, when using the Community.
Why should I register?
Registration allows you to fully participate in the Community. If you register, you'll be able to:
- Post new messages
- Post responses to existing messages
- Receive e-mail notification when someone responds to a specified post or thread
- Exchange Private Messages with other members
- Personalise your experience on the boards.
What can I do if I don't register?
Even if you don't register, you can still browse and read messages as a "guest". You just can't interact with the other members or personalise the way boards are displayed.
How do I register?
To register, just click the Register link in the top right corner of this page. By following the instructions on that page, you will create a PLAYSTATION®Network account.
How do I log in?
Once you've registered your PLAYSTATION®Network account, you can log into the boards and begin personalising your experience.
- At the top of any Forum page, click Login.
- Enter your Sign-in ID (your email address) in the top field.
- Enter your password in the Password field.
- Click Sign In.
How do I get back a lost password?
If you have forgotten your password, please go to the PLAYSTATION®Store for PC where you will see a 'Forgot Password' link on the sign-in page.
Browsing and Searching
How are the message boards organised?
The community is divided up into different categories which are based on broad topics. Each category contains boards which get more specific about the topic or subject. Find the category and message board title that best describes your question or comment.
How do I browse for information?
Many users like to get started by exploring the message boards. Choose a category that best fits your topic. Next, look over the list of boards, find one whose title pertains to your question or comment then click on its title. Take some time to read existing messages that look promising by clicking the message title, or subject. You can also use the little red arrow buttons that appear in the top right corner of the screen to browse to other pages and messages.
Use the Go To... drop-down menu to go directly to boards in any category of the Forum. (This menu is found near the top of most Forum pages.) If you can't find what you need by browsing, use the Search Forum tool, as described below.
How do I search for information?
To search the Community, type keywords for your topic into the Search Community text box and click the search icon. (This text box is found in the top left corner of most pages.) A page of search results will be displayed. Browse the search results in the same manner you would a message board.
To perform a more in-depth search, click the Advanced link found on the left side of most pages. This search allows you to limit your query to a specific board, specific parts of the message (subject vs. body) and other advanced parameters.
You can also search for Community members by clicking the Users tab on any search results page and using the search options on this page.
Personalisation
How do I change the icon next to my name?
The icon (also known as an avatar) is a way to personalise your user name a bit. You'll get one as a default, but you can change it to something you like better.
- Login to the Community.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Icons tab.
A list of available icon categories will be displayed on the left side. When you click on a category, the icons in that category will display on the right. - Click on any icon to use it as yours. Your current icon always shows up at the top of the icons page.
- You can also use a personal image as an avatar. To do this, type in the URL of the image you wish to use at the bottom of the page. Please note: For this to work, you will need to ensure that the extension is in lower-case letters.
How do I create a signature for my posts?
Your signature is text that appears at the bottom of every message you post to the boards.
- Login to the Community.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click on the Personal Profile tab.
- On the Personal Profile tab, fill in the text you want for you signature in the Signature field.
- Click Save Changes.
How do I tell other users about me?
- Login to the Community.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Personal Profile tab.
- Find the Personal Profile section and fill in any fields you want to share.
By default, any information you type in this section is shown to everyone. However, you can limit display to only members on your Friends List by choosing the Friends Only option in the Profile Privacy section at the bottom of the Preferences tab.
What is my Friends List and how do I add users to it?
Your Friends List has three functions in the Forum:
If you have entered personal information on your Personal Profile page, and if you have checked the Friends Only option for Profile Privacy on your Preferences tab, then only people on your Friends List will be able to see your personal information.
Similarly, if you have checked the Friends Only option for Online Status on your Preferences tab, then only people on your Friends List will be able to see when you are online or not.
When you send a message in the Private Messenger, all your friends will appear in a drop-down menu that you can select from. You can then send one of them a message without having to type their user name into the Send to field.
To add a user to your Friends List, click on their name in the forums. This can be done anywhere their name appears - on a post or in your Private Messages inbox for example. This will take you to that user's profile page. You will notice on the left hand side of the screen there is a box labelled 'Contact Me'. In this box is the option 'Add to Friends'.
How do I set my Forum viewing preferences?
There are a number of display preferences you can set for your Forum experience. These are described in the table below. To modify:
- Log into the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Preferences tab.
- Make any changes you wish, as described in the table below.
- Click Save Changes.
| Display Settings | |
| Time Zone Offset from GMT |
Sets the default posting time for all messages. When a user views a message, the time and date it was posted is interpreted as the default time zone. If a user posts a message at 11 PM GMT, for example, and the server is set to Central European Time, the message will show up as having been posted at 12 PM CET. |
| Board Format |
This option sets the default format for all boards in the community. This option can be overridden in individual boards and by registered users.
|
|
Menu Bar Display Style |
You can indicate whether menu bar entries show a text label, an icon, or both. |
| Bandwidth Options | Sets the default bandwidth options for all boards in the community. Setting can be overridden at the board and user level. The Normal Bandwidth setting is good for users on high-speed connections or fast modems. Users on very slow modems may want to use the Low Bandwidth option, which reduces the number of images that are downloaded. |
| Messages Per Page in Linear Format | Indicates how many messages appear on each displayed page if the board format is set to Linear. If your users generally have larger display monitors, you can increase this number. If smaller, then you can decrease it. |
| Messages Per Page in Threaded Format | Indicates how many threads appear on each displayed page if the board format is set to Threaded. If your users generally have larger display monitors, you can increase this number. If smaller, then you can decrease it. |
| Automatic Message Marking Options |
When you open (read) a message, it is automatically marked as read. Some boards have so much traffic that not all users can keep up, so there are other ways to have messages marked as read.
|
| Auto Mark Read Days | If you selected Mark by Days in the Automatic Message Marking Options radio buttons, you'll need to specify the number of days after which unread messages will be marked to read. |
| Show Confirmation Page on a Successful Post | Shows a post confirmation page on a successful post with links to the board and message. If this is unchecked, on a successful post a redirection to the board takes place. |
| Personal Privacy Settings | |
| Profile Privacy |
Lets you determine who can view your profile.
|
| Online Status |
Lets you determine who can see whether you're online.
|
How do I post a message?
Go to the board you want to post on, and click the New Message link near the top of the message list.
On the Post Message page, you will see a Subject area and a Body area.
- In the first field, the Subject field, type a title for you message.
This is the only part of the message that shows up on the message listing page, so try to make it something that will be clear and concise. Use keywords about your topic. - In the second field, the Body field, type your message. Put details about your topic here. If you are posting on a technical topic, it is helpful to include all pertinent information regarding your inquiry in the body.
- You can use the controls to change the fonts, colors, and other aspects of your message. You can add smiley faces using the smiley menu. And you can format the text at the character or paragraph level. Note: the message editing controls are only available in Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or later.
- If you want, you can click Preview Post to see what your post will look like on the boards. Note: the spell checking and preview features are only available in Internet Explorer 5.5 or later.
- When you are happy with your message, click the Submit Post button.
Your message will be added to board and everyone else on the board will be able to read it.
How do I reply to a message?
Use the Reply button in a message to write a response to a particular post. You'll see a screen similar to the Post Message screen. There are a few differences:
- When you reply to a post, the subject line will be filled in for you automatically. You can change it if you want.
- You can use the Quote Post button to paste the message to which you are replying into the body of your reply.
Also, when you post a message as a reply, it will be added to the existing thread. It won't create a new thread.
What is a "thread?"
When one or more people reply to a particular message, a "thread" is created. A thread is a series of posts that go together. If you've ever heard of someone "following the thread of a conversation," you get the idea.
If you post a new message, then that starts a new thread. If you reply to an existing message, then that message becomes part of the original message's thread.
How do I use macros?
The Macros feature allows you to create boilerplate text that you can paste into any message with the click of a mouse.
To set up a macro:
- Log into the Forum.
- Click the My Profile link.
- Click the Macros tab.
Fields for entering up to nine (9) macros will be displayed. - In the Macro 1 Title field, enter a short title for your first macro.
The title should be short because it will show up in a pull-down menu. Make sure it is distinctive enough that you will remember which title belongs with which macro. - In the Macro 1 field, enter the text you want to be able to paste. If your boards allow HTML, you can use HTML tags in the field.
- Enter any other macros you wish.
- Click Save Changes.
Your macros will be saved to your profile in the database.
Note: If there is particular text that you wish to appear at the bottom of every message you post, put the text in a signature instead of a macro.
To use a macro
- Log into the Forum.
- Navigate to a board where you want to post a message.
- Click New Message.
(Or, you can reply to an existing message by opening that message and clicking the Reply button. - Once the post message window has loaded, you will see a Macros menu.
- Click in the Body field where you want to paste your text.
If the text is short, you could also paste it in the Subject field. - Click on the Macro menu to open it.
- Select the macro you wish to paste.
The text of your macro will paste where you have your cursor. - Type any other text you wish in the message body.
- Click Submit Post.
Note: If there is particular text that you wish to appear at the bottom of every message you post, put the text in a signature instead of a macro.
How do I use bookmarks?
Bookmarks allow you to list boards, threads, and individual messages on a special page so you can easily find them again.
To Favorite a Board:
- Log into the Forum.
- Go to the board you want to bookmark.
- Open the Board Options menu and click Add this board to my bookmarks.
To add a thread or message to your bookmarks:
- Log into the Forum.
- Open the message you want to bookmark.
- Open the Message Options menu and click Add this Thread/Message to my bookmarks
To view your bookmarks, click My Profile, and then click the Bookmarks tab.
To delete any of your Bookmarks, click My Profile, and then click the Bookmarks tab. Place a checkmark in the bookmark you want to delete from the list and click the Remove option for that section.
How do I use subscriptions?
If you add a board, thread, or message to your subscriptions, the system will send you an e-mail every time someone posts to the board, or replies to the message or thread.
To add a board to your Subscriptions
- Log into the Forum.
- Go to the board to which you want to subscribe.
- Open the Board Options menu and click Add board to my subscriptions.
Add a message to your Subscriptions
- Log into the Forum.
- Open the message to which you want to subscribe to.
- Open the Message Options menu and click Add this Thread to my subscriptions or Add this Message to my subscriptions.
To view or delete your Subscriptions, click My Profile, and then click the Subscriptions tab.
To delete any of your Subscriptions, click My Profile, and then click the Subscription tab. Place a checkmark in the subscription you want to delete from the list and click the Remove option for that section.
How do I use the dashboard?
Your Dashboard is a little window that displays a lot of information. It is launched when you click your boldface screen name (link) that appears near the top of most Forum pages. The Dashboard displays:
- Your current icon.
Click on it to choose another one. - Your current statistics.
- A link to the Web Private Messenger.
Click the envelope to launch the Private Messenger and reply to your messages. - Your Subscriptions and bookmarks, including recent activity.
Click on a Subscription or bookmark to see what's new in those areas. - Quick links to Search, Chat, your Profile, and other things.
To launch your Dashboard, log in, then click on your username in the header bar, or click on Dashboard.
What is RSS and how do I use it?
RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication." It is a way for you to get the latest content from this community, along with many other sites that you visit, all in one place. With an RSS feed reader, you subscribe to Web sites, and those sites feed you headlines so you can stay up to date. To use RSS, you'll need a feed reader, such as Bloglines, MyYahoo, or the Live Bookmarks feature of Firefox. There are many free options. Once you have your feed reader set up, you can find RSS feeds in the community by going to a board, blog, thread, or message and selecting Subscribe to RSS Feed from the options menu. There you will see a preview of the feed. Most RSS readers give you a button to click at this point. Once you click it, the RSS feed will appear in your reader, and you will see new content from that section of the community whenever it becomes available.
What is the Private Messenger?
The Forum Private Messenger allows you to send private notes to other members of the Forum. Private Messenger has two big advantages over e-mail:
- You don't have to know the other member's e-mail address to send the note. (Also, you don't have to reveal yours.)
- Private Messenger is more interactive than e-mail. It's easier to hold a quick conversation through it.
To use the Private Messenger, you have to have an account and you have to be logged in. If you're logged in, a Messages link will appear on the top of your page. If you have any new messages, a yellow envelope icon will appear next to the link and the number of new messages will be indicated.
If you click on the link, the Private Messenger window appears.
How do I send a private message?
- Log into the Forum.
- Click the Messages Link
- In the private messenger window, click Send a New Message.
- If you have created a Friends List, and you want to send the message to a listed friend, select the friend from the Send to Friend pull-down menu.
- If you want to send to someone not in your Friend List, type the person's user name in the Send to field.
- Type the subject of your message in the Subject field.
- Type the body of your message in the Note field.
- Click Send Message at the bottom of the page.
The message will be sent to the other user. The message will also appear in your Outbox
How do I read a private message?
- Log into the Forum.
If you have any new messages, a yellow envelop icon will appear next to the Messages link and the number of new messages will be indicated. - Click the Messages Link.
The Private Messenger window will be displayed. - Click the Inbox link.
Your Inbox will be displayed. - Click the Subject of the message you want to read.
The full message will be displayed. - After you have read the message, you can click on links to Reply to the message or Delete the message buttons at the bottom of the page.
You can also click on the Add User to Friends List link to add the sender to your Friends List.
Or, if you don't want this user to send you any more messages, you can click on the Add User to Ignore List link to add the person to your Ignore List.
How do I reply to a private message?
- Log into the Forum.
- Click the Messages Link.
- Click the Inbox link.
Your Inbox will be displayed. - Click the Subject of the message you want to read.
The full message will be displayed. - Click the Reply link at the bottom of the window.
The Send Message window will be displayed with the Send to and Subject fields pre-populated. - Enter your message in the Note field.
- Click Send Message.
How do I delete a private message?
While reading a message, you can click the Delete link at the bottom of the window to delete the current message.
While viewing your Inbox, you can delete several messages at once by checking the check boxes next to the messages you want to delete, then clicking Delete Checked.
How do I see private messages I've sent to others?
When in the Private Messenger, click the Outbox link to see all the messages you sent to others.
What is my Friends List and how do I add users to it?
Your Friends List has three functions in the Forum:
If you have entered personal information on your Personal Profile page, and if you have checked the Friends Only option for Profile Privacy on your Preferences tab, then only people on your Friends List will be able to see your personal information.
Similarly, if you have checked the Friends Only option for Online Status on your Preferences tab, then only people on your Friends List will be able to see when you are online or not.
When you send a message in the Private Messenger, all your friends will appear in a drop-down menu that you can select from. You can then send one of them a message without having to type their user name into the Send to field.
What is my Ignore List and how do I add users to it?
Most users in an online community get along very well. Sometimes, however, you might encounter someone you consider a nuisance. If such a user is sending you messages and won't stop when you ask them, you can tell the system to not deliver their messages to your Inbox by adding them to your Ignore List.
To add someone to your Ignore List:
- Log into the Forum.
- Click the Messages Link.
The Private Messenger window will be displayed. - Click the Find Users link.
- Enter the user's screen name in the Search box.
- Click Search.
- When the user's name is displayed, click the Add to Ignore List link on the same line as the user's name.
You can also click the Add User to Ignore List link in any message the user has sent you to add that person to your Ignore List.
To see who's on your Ignore List, click the Ignore tab in your Private Messenger. You can remove them from your Ignore List if you've changed your mind.
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