New Member To CAF - Questions?

[TruthSeeker92]

Dear CAF Staff,

Hi, this is TruthSeeker92!

I recently joined CAF and I am unsure how everything works.

I am a "Trial Membership" and I noticed that I cannot do several things on the website such as "Invite Friends" to join CAF, post a profile picture, etc... What can Ido as a Trial Member and what can't I do? Just wondering.
Why am I a "Trial Member"? What do I have to do to become "upgraded"?

I don't really know what to do on this website! I'm not sure who to add as a friend or who to add as a contact... I also e-mailed an apologist about a question I had but I did not recieve a reply... I'm sure the person is busy and I understand.

I joined some groups, and I post sometimes. Everyone is nice and welcoming.

Uh... is there anything a newbie like me should know? Can I find people that I know in person on here also? Can I speak with an apologist through messages or should I post to some kinda thread?

Any general safety tips regarding posting and the website?



Thanks & God bless!

Sincerely,

TruthSeeker92


P.S. How can I recieve notifications about activities on this website?

[Lucky102]

Originally Posted by TruthSeeker92

Dear CAF Staff,

Hi, this is TruthSeeker92!

I recently joined CAF and I am unsure how everything works.

I am a "Trial Membership" and I noticed that I cannot do several things on the website such as "Invite Friends" to join CAF, post a profile picture, etc... What can Ido as a Trial Member and what can't I do? Just wondering.
Why am I a "Trial Member"? What do I have to do to become "upgraded"?

I don't really know what to do on this website! I'm not sure who to add as a friend or who to add as a contact... I also e-mailed an apologist about a question I had but I did not recieve a reply... I'm sure the person is busy and I understand.

I joined some groups, and I post sometimes. Everyone is nice and welcoming.

Uh... is there anything a newbie like me should know? Can I find people that I know in person on here also? Can I speak with an apologist through messages or should I post to some kinda thread?

Any general safety tips regarding posting and the website?



Thanks & God bless!

Sincerely,

TruthSeeker92


P.S. How can I recieve notifications about activities on this website?

Everyone becomes a trial member when they first join. After making about 50 posts and being here about three months you will become a "new member". I know because I had another acount before, but it was locked because it was insecure.

[Dale_M]

Originally Posted by Lucky102

Everyone becomes a trial member when they first join. After making about 50 posts and being here about three months you will become a "new member"..

Yes, although I believe the time frame is three weeks, not three months.

Here is listing of the different membership levels, and what a person needs to achieve them.
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=316437

It mentions some of the privileges which are unlocked as a member achieves higher levels. One benefit not mentioned is that your private message mailbox will get bigger. Another privilege is the use of an avatar, even a custom avatar.

Avatar permissions are explained here:
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=323511

[Lucky102]

Originally Posted by TruthSeeker92

Dear CAF Staff,

Hi, this is TruthSeeker92!

I recently joined CAF and I am unsure how everything works.

I am a "Trial Membership" and I noticed that I cannot do several things on the website such as "Invite Friends" to join CAF, post a profile picture, etc... What can Ido as a Trial Member and what can't I do? Just wondering.
Why am I a "Trial Member"? What do I have to do to become "upgraded"?

I don't really know what to do on this website! I'm not sure who to add as a friend or who to add as a contact... I also e-mailed an apologist about a question I had but I did not recieve a reply... I'm sure the person is busy and I understand.

I joined some groups, and I post sometimes. Everyone is nice and welcoming.

Uh... is there anything a newbie like me should know? Can I find people that I know in person on here also? Can I speak with an apologist through messages or should I post to some kinda thread?

Any general safety tips regarding posting and the website?



Thanks & God bless!

Sincerely,

TruthSeeker92


P.S. How can I recieve notifications about activities on this website?

You will recieve email notification of new private messages, and new posts to subscribed threads, unless you set it not to send you emails.

[Dale_M]

Originally Posted by TruthSeeker92

Can I speak with an apologist through messages or should I post to some kinda thread?

You can ask questions to the staff apologists in three ways. You can telephone your question in, or send a snail mail, or use the Ask An Apologist forum.

The Ask An Apologist (often abbreviated as AAA) forum has rules which are different from all of the other forums at CAF. Reading the specific forum rules is likely to help avoid some frustration. Here are the rules:
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=4

If you have more questions specifically about AAA, ask away!

[Earnest Bunbury]

Take it slow and easy, learn as you progress, and count all the cats used as avatars! ME-WOW!

[Anathama Sit]

Originally Posted by TruthSeeker92

Dear CAF Staff,

Hi, this is TruthSeeker92!

I recently joined CAF and I am unsure how everything works.

I am a "Trial Membership" and I noticed that I cannot do several things on the website such as "Invite Friends" to join CAF, post a profile picture, etc... What can Ido as a Trial Member and what can't I do? Just wondering.
Why am I a "Trial Member"? What do I have to do to become "upgraded"?

I don't really know what to do on this website! I'm not sure who to add as a friend or who to add as a contact... I also e-mailed an apologist about a question I had but I did not recieve a reply... I'm sure the person is busy and I understand.

I joined some groups, and I post sometimes. Everyone is nice and welcoming.

Uh... is there anything a newbie like me should know? Can I find people that I know in person on here also? Can I speak with an apologist through messages or should I post to some kinda thread?

Any general safety tips regarding posting and the website?



Thanks & God bless!

Sincerely,

TruthSeeker92


P.S. How can I recieve notifications about activities on this website?

Greetings Truthseeker92,

I noticed that you are an observing member which means if you keep posting, your membership will go to new member when they change it. Usually that happens within a relatively quick time.

Dale_M is correct it takes three weeks from joining Catholic Answers Forum to be promoted to New Member from Trial Membership, though I have seen that it sometimes takes four weeks as well.

Usually when I start posting to new threads, I click on Today's Posts under the Search menu on the top bar. I I go through and if something catches my eye I will post to it.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

[cvdream]

Originally Posted by TruthSeeker92

Dear CAF Staff,

Hi, this is TruthSeeker92!

I recently joined CAF and I am unsure how everything works.

I am a "Trial Membership" and I noticed that I cannot do several things on the website such as "Invite Friends" to join CAF, post a profile picture, etc... What can Ido as a Trial Member and what can't I do? Just wondering.
Why am I a "Trial Member"? What do I have to do to become "upgraded"?

I don't really know what to do on this website! I'm not sure who to add as a friend or who to add as a contact... I also e-mailed an apologist about a question I had but I did not recieve a reply... I'm sure the person is busy and I understand.

I joined some groups, and I post sometimes. Everyone is nice and welcoming.

Uh... is there anything a newbie like me should know? Can I find people that I know in person on here also? Can I speak with an apologist through messages or should I post to some kinda thread?

Any general safety tips regarding posting and the website?



Thanks & God bless!

Sincerely,

TruthSeeker92


P.S. How can I recieve notifications about activities on this website?

See also now it says you are a "New Member" and I am an "observing member". I looked through the list of member titles and observing member isnt on there. Also I am seeing prayer warriors! How do you get that?? I'm also trying to further my membership and am curious about these things.

[Dale_M]

"Observing Member" is a temporary title which is given to Trial Members who haven't posted comments for some length of time. Start posting again, and your title will revert to Trial Member. And then, it will advance to New Member.

As for "Prayer Warrior," this will explain how to get that title

http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=435355

[jolila]

How do I stop getting everything from going to my email?

[Dale_M]

Jolila,

Go to the top of this page, click on the word "Profile".

A menu will appear. Highlight "Control Panel" and a secondary menu will appear. Click on the words "Edit Options".

You will be taken to a new page.. In the section called "Messaging & Notification", there is an option for "Default Thread Subscription Mode". It has a drop down box which will let you manage your subscriptions.

I chose not to receive any emails, and haven't regretted it.

Edit:
Here is a shortcut:
http://forums.catholic.com/profile.php?do=editoptions

[kmecca]

I too am listed as an Observing Member and as such cannot post. Will that change or can I do something to become more involved?