Using the forum FAQ
IconA list of help topics is shown below based on common questions.
Click the topic question to view the answer.
Click the X to close the FAQ window.
Forum: Adding YouTube and Vimeo Links
So you would like to add a video to a forum post? First off you need to know the code ID for your video. For YouTube, this ID is found after the v= part (I.e. after clicking into a YouTube video look in the address bar and copy the ID at the end of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= ). For Vimeo, this ID is found after the forward slash (I.e. after clicking into a Vimeo video look in the address bar and copy the ID at the end of http://www.vimeo.com/ ).

Now that you have your ID for either a YouTube or Vimeo video, you can embed this link into a new forum thread, forum reply or follow-up.

To Embed the link into a new forum thread, type in your post and then leave the cursor say at the end of a paragraph where you want the video to appear. Click the 'Embed Video' button shown under the main textbox. Once you have pressed that - you need to paste the video ID into the relevant text fields.





Since there are two fields to choose from - select the appropriate website (being YouTube or Vimeo) the video actually resides on.

After you have entered the video ID, simply click the 'Embed' button and it will automatically add the code to make this happen.

For those wanting to link to a video in a forum reply or follow-up, you should also find the 'Embed Video' button - which also launches this facility.
Forum: Can I contact a person directly without using the Forum?
Unfortunately 'No'. The only way this can be achieved is if both you and the person you wish to communicate with are Members - then you can use our Member Messaging system. This is particularly handy for sharing private information such as your email address or phone number without the public seeing it on the Forum. Other than that, we do not offer a service for you to communicate other than via the Forum.

Update - Members can communicate using member messaging by clicking the 'Send Message' link in the signature of a members' forum post/reply.
Forum: Code of Conduct?
Our Forum is moderated to uphold a fairly standard netiquette to avoid upsetting others, creating havoc and to minimise post deletions. The site Terms of Use in conjunction with the Forum Rules and Moderation Policy explains everything you need to know regarding appropriate conduct in the ExplorOz Forum. Our quick rules summary is outlined below:
  • No Personal Attacks - no abuse, or insults

  • No Foul Language - no swearing, or covert swearing

  • No ‘Trolling’ - which refers to people who solely communicate with others in an attempt to stir up a riot

  • No Inappropriate or Illegal Material - see Site Terms of Use

  • No "For Sale" or "Wanted to Buy" - use our Trader for these messages

  • No Advertising/Self-Promotion - see options within our Business Membership program

  • No Spamming

  • No Defamatory comments

  • No Complaints about Moderation

  • No Chit Chat - send an MM instead

  • No Off Topic Posts - keep your posts relevant

  • No more than 1 Friday Funny post, and only on Fridays
If you feel any of these rules are breached, please alert us by using the Alert Moderator button.
Forum: Common Abbreviations Used
Forum users will quite often use internet slang, or abbreviate commonly used terms. We have provided a 'Forum/Chat Abbreviations' webpage to shed some light on this modern new language. Click the link for the abbreviations and their meanings.







To access the Abbreviations page from the forum, simply click into any forum thread and scroll to the bottom where you see a group of buttons, and then press the 'Abbreviations' button.

Forum: Email Notifications
When you want to reply to a thread in the ExplorOz forum, be sure that you do not reply to any 'follow-up' emails you receive as they will not reach the intended party (they are sent as a read-only notification). Instead, open the thread and reply directly.
Forum: How can I show my Rig Pic?
This feature is for Members only. You can upload a Rig Pic with a large file size, however, it is preferable if it is no bigger than 800 pixels.

You can use an image editing program (such as Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop) etc to resize and compress your pic if you want it to be smaller in size.

For the Rig Pic to appear in your forum posts, you must ensure you have something entered in the signature field in your ‘My Profile Edit’. This is the profile edit page where you can also upload your rig pic - scroll to the bottom of the form.




If there is text in this field, then the signature is added to the bottom of all forum posts you make, along with a thumbnail from Picture 1.

Forum: How do we Moderate?
The ExplorOz Forum is internally and externally moderated, which means we are able to moderate posts anytime and continuously. ExplorOz has a forum rules and moderation policy, which outlines the rules and regulations that must be adhered to if you wish to use our forum. This has been created to resolve any confusion or 'grey areas' that many forums often experience without any rules set.

If you do happen to overstep the mark, you may receive a short generic email advising your post was inappropriate and subsequently deleted. This email will also contain the reason or rule breach for 'why' the post was deleted. If it happens a first time - learn from your mistake and move on. If it happens to you frequently, you will need to re-think what it is you are doing, else you are likely to be sent a personalised warning or worse case scenario - be 'banned' from the site.

Please note that posts will be removed at our discretion, such as for example; when the post is not relevant to the theme of the ExplorOz website, or where content is deemed inappropriate. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use, Forum Rules, and the Moderation Policy.
Forum: How to change Forum display options
The Forum has several display options, which can be changed based upon your own personal preferences. You can sort Forum threads by ThreadID (The order in which they were posted), or by response time (The order in which users have replied). The Number of Threads per Page can also be changed (10, 25, 50, and 100). All of these options can be changed on the Forum homepage, under the “Display Options” heading.
Forum: How to create a new thread?
Creating a new thread in the ExplorOz Forum is easy! On the Forum home page, simply click the “New Thread” Button. You will then be presented with the Forum terms of use and a field to enter your question(s). Enter the title of your thread, along with your question into the corresponding fields. To submit your question, it is as easy as clicking the “Submit” button. You thread will now be visible for all to see.
Forum: How to post a follow-up
Each reply in the ExplorOz Forum has a button labelled “Post Follow-Up” beneath it. This button allows users to enter a follow-up to an individual Forum reply. Follow-ups are useful if you wish to direct your question or comment at the user that has created the reply (opposed to the user that created the original thread). Keep in mind that if you are wanting to reply to the original question, a reply should be lodged, not a follow-up. In order to post a follow-up, you need to click the “Post Follow-Up” button. This button is found at the bottom of each individual reply. Once clicked, you will be presented with a field to enter your Follow-Up. Enter your Follow-Up and click the “Submit” button. Your Follow-Up will be posted beneath the reply you have selected to Follow-Up. It will be visible for all to see.
Forum: How to reply to a thread
In order to reply to a thread, you need to click the “Post Reply” button. This button can be found at both the top and the bottom of each thread. Once clicked, you will be presented with a field to enter your reply(s). Enter your reply and click the “Submit” button. Your reply will be posted at the bottom of the thread and will be visible for all to see.
Forum: I Cannot Reply to a Post?
There are two reasons why users cannot reply to a forum post, and this happens if you are not logged into the website or the forum post is archived. All forum posts become 'archived' after one month. Archiving changes the status, meaning no more replies or follow-ups can be added. Therefore, you will notice that archived posts have the interactive buttons disabled.
Forum: I don't want to show my Profile Page in my Forum Posts
There is an option for members who wish to have control over who sees their Rig Page in their signature of a forum post. To access this you need to be logged in and go to 'My Home' and then 'My Profile'. Where it says ‘Rig/Profile Page’, you have four options in the drop-down box and they are:
  • Visible to All Site Users

  • Visible to Registered Visitors, Members & Customers

  • Visible to Members and Customers

  • Hidden from All
Simply select the option that best suits you.
Forum: Searching Threads
Before creating a new thread in the Forum, it is best to search the Forum archives to ensure your question has not been asked and answered previously. To search the Forum, type your search string into the box labeled 'Search For:' – Then click 'Go'. The corresponding threads will be returned based upon your search term.

The Forum search also supports AND, OR and NEAR Boolean matches and double quotes for exact phrase matches (For more information on Boolean searches - Forum Help. This search function will help cut out any unrelated threads. Additionally, you also have the ability to search within a particular time frame. If you want to limit your search to a particular to a time frame ie: show me current threads in the last X days - then simply select/enter a date in the start date field along with your search terms.
Forum: What are RSS Feeds?
RSS feeds have been around for many years as a convenient way for web users to receive content 'feeds' from web pages where you know new information will interest you.

On ExplorOz we offer RSS feeds within Forum, Blogs, Articles, Treks & Classifieds.

The feeds are available for the categories/sub-categories within these sections so you can actually drill right down to select just the "DIY" blogs, or just the "Power & Electrics" articles, or just the "NSW Free/Swap" category of the Classifieds!

This level of customising what information is relevant to you is why RSS feeds are so handy. To subscribe to an RSS feed you simply need to find and click on the RSS icon.

In the Forum, the RSS feed is shown at the bottom of the page too but is only available for all new threads so you'll only be alerted once to each post.



RSS feeds work by sending the content you've subscribed to to a simple location. When you click the RSS icon, you'll be given options to where you want to send the feeds (Bookmarks, Google, Yahoo, Outlook etc).

Bookmarks is the typical option most people choose and works just like any other bookmark you might make, expect that it will automatically create a folder and automatically add the new pages (via the feed) to your bookmark!

When you read RSS feeds you only get a simple view - so you'll see text but no surrounding ads, images, site navigation etc. Give it a try and see what works best for you!
Forum: What is Thread Watch?
Thread Watch is only available to members and customers. It lets you create a list of threads you want to keep/watch the progress of. So, rather than having to sort through hundreds of threads, you can mark it as watched and it will be added to your watched list. To use this great feature, open a forum thread and press the ‘Thread Watch’ button. This will add the thread to the ‘watched thread’ section of your membership profile.

To get to any of your watched threads, click into ‘My Home’ then select ‘View Watched’ and you will be presented with a list of your watched threads.

You can remove a watched thread from your watched list by opening the thread, and clicking the red ‘Remove Watch’ button.
Forum: When do I use Follow-Up and when do I use Reply?
A reply should be used when you are replying to the original question that has been asked in the thread. A Follow-up should be used when you want to comment on a reply that has been made within the thread.
Forum: Why am I receiving replies through my email address?
These are read-only notification emails from ExplorOz letting you know that someone has replied to your thread. Please do not reply directly to this ExplorOz email as it will not reach the intended party. Instead open the thread by clicking the link in the email and reply to the question or comment directly in the forum. You will receive post replies to your email address because the ‘Forum Responses via Email’ has been ticked in your profile and is the default setting. You need to go into your profile and un-tick the checkbox and then press the ‘Update’ button if you want to disable this feature.