Okay guys, so I'm adding functions and continuing to work on the look of the forums. The problem with using great new software is that there are few resources for it. So I'm modifying this theme to work with the site. I'll continue modifying the style as I run across text that doesn't pop up well and the like.

These forums now run on a free open-source software called Vanilla Forum, which you can read about here: http://vanillaforums.org/docs. What were once separate "forums" are now called "categories," and the home page is discussion-based rather than category-based. The categories appear in a column to the right, and you can click on any of them to filter discussions. The design allows you to enter the forum and see what's new immediately, without having to click through to separate forums. To create a new post simply click the "Start a New Discussion" button on the top right. Title your discussion and choose an appropriate Category from the drop-down menu. The posting window expands as your post gets longer, providing for easier viewing without having to scroll. To reply to or join any discussion, simply start typing in the text box at the bottom of the thread.

Overall I think once you get used to it, you'll agree that these forums are faster and more streamlined than any we've used before.

Mobile browsers should click the link at the top of the page to view the forum. Otherwise if you continue viewing the forum within the mobile site theme you'll start having blinking problems. :| Mobile version has a nice clean layout, by the way.

Emoticons
The forums will replace certain text codes with emoticon images. Use the Smiley dropdown control in the upper right corner of the text input box to add emoticons to your posts. There are almost 90 emoticons available. You may also type in emoticon codes. All codes are listed here: http://www.danbirlew.com/vanilla/discussion/105/emoticons-or-smileys

Facebook/Twitter Sign-In
First time visitors may sign-in immediately with their Facebook or Twitter accounts. However, this is a temporary sign-in that creates a new membership. Therefore if you already have a membership, only sign-in with your email and password. Facebook and Twitter sign-ins are temporary and you'll be logged out every time you leave the board. To stay logged in and enjoy other membership privileges you must go to your profile page (click on your member name at the top) and change your email address to a valid one, upload a picture, etc.

Formatting
I haven't found a plugin for a formatting bar that works just yet. :| So please sit tight. This is another case when I may have to use a dis-functional one and fix it myself. Until then, use basic tags such as <<strong>><<em>><<color="">><<a href="http://www.domain.com">><<img src="http://domain.com/image.filetype">> (With single brackets only, not double brackets as shown here). More HTML codes can be found at w3schools.com. You can also copy/paste URLs directly into your text (including the http:// ) and the forums will auto-convert them into links without need to add tags.

Images
File uploading is under development and will be tested soon, but until then please use Flickr and link to your images. You can upload new avatars in your profile page. This forum also uses Gravatars, or globally recognized avatars, so make sure you sign up with the same email address that you used at Gravatar.com. However, your Gravatar won't appear in the mobile version of the site, so you might want to upload it here.

Always close your tags or you can mess up the whole display.

Profile and Wall
Be sure to check out your new Profile page, accessible by clicking your name at the top of the screen. Here you can upload an avatar and view your private messages (now called "Conversations"). Click on My Preferences to change your email notifications. You'll also notice a list of your recent activity off to the left. This is your "wall," kinda like Facebook where you can post status updates. You can mention other members in your status updates by typing their member name with an @ such as @DanBirlew. If that person's preferences are set accordingly, they'll receive an email that you mentioned them, linking them to your wall. Tech and time willing, we may be able to have photo uploads for your walls. You can view a combined list of all wall activity going on in the forums by clicking Activity in the top menu bar.

Quoting
To quote a previous post in a discussion, simply highlight the text. A small white button marked "Quote" appears; click on it to insert the quote into the reply text box at the bottom, complete with the proper tags.

Replies
The forums feature an @ Reply system similar to Twitter. To reply to someone without quoting them, simply go to their post and click "Reply." That poster's name will be added to the reply text box, such as @DanBirlew. But this works better if there are no spaces in your name. :(

Video
Video embeds should be handled using the "old code" or "object code" depending on where you're copying the embed code from. You'll know you've got a code that works if it starts with <<object>> (with single brackets).