Getting Started with the AO Forum

[AO Advisory]

Welcome! We are glad you're here. As a new member of the AmblesideOnline Forum, you'll want to set up your account. These instructions assume you are viewing the forum through a web browser rather than a specifically mobile option. Here are a few places to go:

• At the top right corner of the screen, click on Help to find out more about how this forum software works. (You can see Help here: https://amblesideonline.org/forum/misc.php?action=help)
  
• At the top right corner of the screen, click on Rules to find out more about how this specific forum will function. (You can see the rules here: https://www.amblesideonline.org/forumrules.shtml)
  
• In the bar at the top of the screen that starts out "Welcome back," you'll see a link to User CP. This is your User Control Panel (account settings) where you can add profile information and set options.
  
• In the bar at the top of the screen, on the second line, you'll see convenient links to handy navigation aids such as a list of New Posts.
  
• To see the list of all the subforums in a menu layout, click on "Ambleside Online Forums" underneath that bar at the top of the screen.
  

In User CP, you'll want to look around. The menu runs along the left side of the screen.

• Edit Profile, and the options under it, allow you to change what information is displayed about you as well as some options like your password.
  
• Edit Options, just below that, lets you specify how the forum will work for *you*. Pay attention to the Default Thread Subscription Mode (and perhaps experiment with this). You might try "Display posts in classic mode" both on and off to see which you like better.
  
• "Subscribed Threads" and "Forum Subscriptions" allow you to see new posts for threads (and forums) to which you have subscribed. Use this feature judiciously so you are not overwhelmed.
  

Visit Welcome Center / Meet and Greet to introduce yourself and meet others before you venture into the rest of the forum. If you have teens, go to Tech Support to learn about registering them.

The AO forum has five main areas:

• Welcome Center, which includes Announcements, Meet and Greet, and Tech Support.
  
• AO Curriculum Help for questions about implementing AO, with resources and areas to discuss different age groups, family dynamics, and international locations.
  
• CM Study Hall to learn more about Charlotte Mason's methods in different subject areas.
  
• Private Groups. There are instructions on how to join these groups in the Tech Support area.
  
• Amble Ramble - This is where you can "ramble" about anything you want to discuss, not necessarily related to AO and CM.

Come on in and make yourself at home!