Posting content

Forum layout

The main Forums page shows a list of categories, forums, and sub-forums. When you click on the category, you then see a list of topics (threads) within each category. Within each thread are individual posts from Members.

You have the option to start a new thread or reply to an existing one.

A light colored forum icon indicates a thread in which you have read all posts, and a dark colored forum icon indicates a thread with unread posts.

Types of posts

In most forums on Paranormal.com, there are three types of posts you can add:

Discussion allow you to add information.

Polls allow you to pose questions to other members, who will be able to vote for one or more (if you allow) choices. The “Thread title” may be the poll question. You may close this poll after a defined time, after which time the topic will remain open, but no new answers will be allowed. A summary of the results will be displayed at the start of the topic after anyone votes.

Questions can be useful if you would like other members to help solve a problem. If another member provides a solution that works best for you, you are able to make this response as the solution.

How to start a thread

From within the forum you wish to start the tread, click on the “Post thread” button located on the upper right-hand side of the page underneath the navigation area. In the “Post thread” box that is displayed, enter a title for your post and the contents of your post.

You can select to “Watch this thread…” “and receive email notifications” if you would like to follow the replies entered by other Members.

You can add one or more tags in the box below the text field. Tags are keywords that will help people find your post when someone searches.

Click on the “Post thread” button.

How to format your thread

At the top of the thread content entry area, there are buttons you can use to format the text of your thread, add links, images, and other media. Mouse over any button to see the text name of the image. Click on the three vertical dots anywhere within the formatting line to see more options.

Formatting text

The styling buttons allow you to format your text with bolded, italicized, underline, or a combination . You can change the color, font (text type), and create three sizes of headings using the paragraph icon. If you are familiar with bbCode, you can also use that within your post.

Adding links, images, and other media

You are able to insert a link to a website page, add an image or other media, add a Smiley, insert a table, insert a horizontal line, and more. You are able to align an image so the text floats around it.

Images can be uploaded from your computer by clicking on the image icon above the text entry area and browsing the files on your computer until you find the image you want to upload. You can also copy and past an image from your computer into the text area, or drag and drop an image from your computer into the text area.

To embed audio or video, copy the URL of the page containing the media you would like to add (it starts with https://), and past the URL into the text area.

Adding your signature

If your membership allows, you can create a signature that will appear under your posts. To create your signature, at the top-right of the main navigation bar, click on your user name, then “Signature”.

How to publish your thread

When you have completed your post, simply click on the “Post thread” button, and your post is created.

Saving drafts

As you compose your thread, your thread is saved automatically every 60 seconds. You also have the option to save your thread as a draft. You can also save the thread manually by clicking on the save icon at the top of the text box. Drafts are not deleted if you log out, however they are deleted after 24 hours if not posted.