Community Participation

Registration and Logging In

Browsing and Searching

Personalization

Posting Messages

Advanced Board Usage

Tagging

For additional information or unresolved Forum Problems, please contact the Forum Administrator. To do so, use the Options >> Report to a Moderator option from any thread.

How does the Community Forum work?
The Community Forum provides a place for customers to discuss support topics and learn. At its heart are the message boards, where members post questions and answers.

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.

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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, customer-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 Forum management.

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What is my responsibility in the Community?
We want the Community Forum to be appropriate, friendly, informative, and fun for all users.

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Why should I register?
Registration allows you to fully participate in the Community Forum. 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
• Personalize your experience on the boards.

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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 personalize the way boards are displayed.

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How do I register?
To register, just click the Register link. On the registration page:

1. Enter a Screen Name.
   Your screen name is your Forum identity. It appears whenever you post to the message boards or send private messages. Most members create anonymous names for privacy and to help them feel more comfortable participating. Be creative, have fun with it, but choose carefully: you cannot change your screen name once registration is complete.
2. Enter a Password.
   Your password is a secret word that no one else knows. That way, no one else can pretend to be you. Your password should be something you can remember, but that no one else will guess. It's good to put numbers in your password. For example, your password might be f0rh3sajgf.
   Note: Your password will be hidden by asterisks when you type it. This is to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder to see it.
   Note: Passwords are case-sensitive. When you login to the Forum, you must type the letters in upper or lower case exactly as you did when you registered.
3. Enter your Password again.
   This is to ensure that you typed the password the way you meant to the first time.
4. Enter your e-mail address.
   Certain features of the site, such as subscriptions, will only work if you enter your real e-mail address. Also, you must validate your e-mail address by replying to an e-mail sent to the address you enter. Making sure that all users have valid e-mail addresses helps the administrators maintain a helpful community.
5. Enter your e-mail address again.
   This is to make sure you typed it correctly. (A common mistake with new registrations.)
6. If you're using a secure computer (one other people can't use), you can check the Remember Password check box.
   If this box is checked, you won't have to log in every time you come to the site.
7. Read the Terms of Service and check the I have read and accept the terms of service check box.
8. If you want, enter your First Name and Last Name in the optional fields.
9. Make sure the Time Zone indicated matches your location.
10. Click Register.
    As soon as you receive the confirmation e-mail, click the activation link.
    Note: You must have cookies enabled in your browser to register and log into the Forum.

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How do I log in?
Once you've registered, you can log into the boards and begin personalizing your experience.

If you forgot your password, click the link on the Login page to have it sent to your e-mail address.

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How do I get back a lost password?
If you've forgotten your password, you can have the system send it to your e-mail address from the Login page.

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How are the message boards organized?
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. If you are unsure which message board to post your question to, you can use the Discussion Forum communication method on ni.com/ask to guide you to the correct board for your products.

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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 with a title that pertains to your question or comment then click on its title. Take some time to read ones that look promising by clicking the message title, or subject. You can use the Previous/Next buttons to browse to other pages and messages.

Use the Answered/Unanswered filters at the top of the list to view only threads with one or more replies or threads with zero replies respectively.

Use the Go To... pulldown 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 Forum Search tool, as described below.

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How do I search for information?
To search the Forum, type keywords for your topic into the Forum Search text box and click the Go button. (This text box is found near the top of most pages.) A page of search results will be displayed. Browse the search results in the same manner you would a message board.

If you cannot find an answer to your question, you can either try the Advanced Search option described below or click the Post This Question button to create a new thread in the forums.

To perform a more in-depth search, click the Advanced link found on the left side of most Forum 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 Forum members by clicking the Users tab on any search results page and using the search options on this page.

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How do I change the icon next to my name?
The icon (also known as an avatar) is a way to personalize your user name. You'll get one as a default, but you can change it to something you like better.

1. Login to the Forum.
2. Click the My Profile link.
3. 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.
4. Click on any icon to use it as yours. Your current icon always shows up at the top of the icons page.

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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.

1. Login to the Forum.
2. Click the My Profile link.
3. Click on the Personal Profile tab.
4. On the Personal Profile tab, fill in the text you want for you signature in the Signature field.
   Simple HTML is allowed.
5. Click Save Changes.

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How do I tell other users about me?

1. Login to the Forum.
2. Click the My Profile link.
3. Click the Personal Profile tab.
4. 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 no one. However, you can choose to share it with everyone. This setting is found in the Personal Privacy Settings section on the Preferences tab.

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How do I set my Forum viewing preferences?
There are a number of display preferences you can set for your Forum experience. For example, you can change your Time Zone, customize the way you view the message boards and the Forums home page, and change your Personal Privacy Settings to set the amount of information other users can view in your profile. Click the question mark icon next to any setting for a detailed explanation. To modify:

1. Log into the Forum.
2. Click the My Profile link.
3. Click the Preferences tab.
4. Make any changes you wish.
5. Click Save Changes.

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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. Next, you will execute a search for your question. Enter your question into the search box and click Go. Review the possible solutions for an answer to your question. If the possible solutions do not address your question, click Post This Question to ask your question to the NI Discussion Forum community.

On the Post Message page, you will see a Subject area and a Body area.

1. In the first field, the Subject field, type a title for your 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.
2. In the second field, the Body field, type your message. Put details about your topic here. Use the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Editor to format your post for easier reading. If you are posting on a technical topic, it is helpful to include all pertinent information regarding your inquiry in the body.
3. If you want, you can click Check Spelling to look for misspelled words, or 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.
4. 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.

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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.

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How do I rate a message?
Please take the take the time to rate helpful messages. To do so, log into the Forum and look for the Rate This Message feature at the bottom of messages.

Note: authors cannot rate their own messages and users may rate a specific message only once. All ratings are automatically averaged. To reduce spam ratings, you must have 50 posts before you can rate a message.

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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.

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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. Note: macros are only available in Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or later.

To set up a macro:

1. Log into the Forum.
2. Click the My Profile link.
3. Click the Macros tab.
   Fields for entering up to nine (9) macros will be displayed.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Enter any other macros you wish.
7. 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

1. Log into the Forum.
2. Navigate to a board where you want to post a message.
3. Click New Message.
   (Or, you can reply to an existing message by opening that message and clicking the Reply button.
4. Once the post message window has loaded, you will see a Macros menu.
5. 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.
6. Click on the Macro menu to open it.
7. Select the macro you wish to paste.
   The text of your macro will paste where you have your cursor.
8. Type any other text you wish in the message body.
9. 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.

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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 Bookmark a board:

1. Log into the Forum.
2. Go to the board you want to bookmark.
3. Open the Board Options menu and click Add this Board to my bookmarks.

To add a thread or message to your bookmarks:

1. Log into the Forum.
2. Open the message you want to bookmark.
3. 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.

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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

1. Login to the Forum.
2. Go to the board to which you want to subscribe.
3. Open the Board Options menu and click Add board to my subscriptions.

Add a message to your Subscriptions

1. Login to the Forum.
2. Open the message to which you want to subscribe to.
3. 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.

To change your subscription email address, click the My Profile link in the footer of the page and choose the option to Modify Profile.

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How do I use the dashboard?
Your Dashboard is launched when you click the dashboard link that appears near the top of most Forum pages. The Dashboard displays:

• Your current icon.
  Click on it to choose anther one.
• Your current statistics.
• 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, your Profile, and other things.

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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.

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