As one of two profiles you need to edit and update, the task is fairly painless.
You may be wondering what the difference is between your Dojang Profile and your Forum Profile.

* Dojang Profile: This profile shows the basic information you input at registration and is where you can upload/edit your avatar (aka your photo,portrait, or image). Additionally, it has the ability to show your belt rank, awards you may have received / won, and some other great shortcuts.
* Forum Profile: This profile shows additional information within your posts and throughout the forum (i.e. Location, Gender, Birthdate, Forum posts, etc).

Forum Profile - Setting It Up

You can access your Forum Profile by clicking the 'Forum Profile' tab located at the top of the forum. This will bring up your profile for the forum. To edit this profile, you will need to click the "Edit >>" link on the top far right.

User Account - These fields are auto-filled from Dojang Profile. If you update information here, it will also be updated on your Dojang Profile.
Edit User Information

* User Name: This field cannot be edited. Once a member chooses a name, that's pretty much it. If there is a reason that you need this altered, contact an admin.
* Name: We highly advise you to NOT change your name here as there is currently a syncing issue. If you need to change either your first or last name, we suggest editing the Dojang Profile.
* E-mail: You can edit your email address here.
* Password: You can edit your password here.
* Verify Password: Verify your new password here.

Global Settings

* Editor: Not utilized for the forum, leave it be.
* Time Zone: You can change this, but why? You live in the Chicago timezone. Just leave it be.
* Frontend Language: If you need to change the language, you can - but we advise against it.

Profile Information
Edit Profile Information

* Personal Text: About Me text - Input information you want showing in About Me area.
* Birthdate: ISSUE KNOWN - Birth-date is off by one day.
* Location: Post your location (i.e. City, State, Country, Planet... whatever you want - JUST NOT YOUR REAL ADDRESS!
* Gender: Self explanatory.
* The rest are for various online communities, input your UserID's if you want people to view and contact you via that account.
* Signature: A signature will be shown at the end of all your posts. You can use BBCode andsmileys, but be sure your signature complies with the dojang's Codes of Conduct.

Edit Forum Settings

* Preferred Message Ordering - Change the order messages will be shown.

* Hide E-mail - Don't want people to see your email? Hide it here.
* Show Online - Hide your presence on the forum from other users. Be aware that you will still show up as "Hidden User" to the admins.

REMEMBER: Press the "Save" button any time you make changes in your profile.

As one of two profiles you need to edit and update, the task is fairly painless.
You may be wondering what the difference is between your [i]Dojang Profile[/i] and your [i]Forum Profile[/i].
[li][b]Dojang Profile:[/b] This profile shows the basic information you input at registration and is where you can upload/edit your avatar (aka your photo,portrait, or image). Additionally, it has the ability to show your belt rank, awards you may have received / won, and some other great shortcuts.
[li][b]Forum Profile:[/b] This profile shows additional information within your posts and throughout the forum (i.e. Location, Gender, Birthdate, Forum posts, etc).[/li]

[size=5][b][i]Dojang Profile[/i] - Setting It Up[/b][/size]
You can access your Dojang Profile by clicking the '[i]My Dojang Profile[/i]' link located in the [i][b]User Menu[/b][/i] on the left side of the screen. This will bring up your profile for the dojang. To edit this profile, you will need to mouseover the "[i][b]Edit[/b][/i]" link on the top (in a small grey box). This will give a drop-down selection of 3 choices:
[li][b]1. Update Your Profile:[/b] Change your profile settings[/li]
[li][b]2. Update Your Image:[/b] Choose the image of your profile[/li]
[li][b]3. Remove Image:[/b] Remove the image from your profile - [b]BE CAREFUL[/b] - clicking this option here will automatically delete your current image. (Better to use [i]Update Your Profile[/i] option)[/li]

[size=5][b]1. Update Your Profile[/b][/size] - These fields are auto-filled from [i]Dojang Profile[/i]. If you update information here, it will show on your [i]Dojang Profile[/i] and also some of your [i]Forum Profile[/i].
[size=4][b][ Portrait ][/b][/size]
[b]Profile Image[/b]
[li][b]No change of image --[/b] Nothing will occur.
[li][b]Upload new profile image --[/b] Sends you to a new screen so you can upload a new image from your computer/smart phone.
[li][b]Select image from gallery --[/b] Choose an image from the website's selection.
[li][b]Remove image --[/b] Removes the image of your profile.[/li]

[size=4][b][ Contact Info ][/b][/size]
[i]You Can Edit These:[/i]
[li][b]First Name:[/b]
[li][b]Last Name:[/b]
[li][b]Email:[/b]
[li][b]** Username:[/b] - This field cannot be edited. Once a member chooses a name, that's pretty much it. If there is a reason that you need this altered, contact an admin.
[li][b]ktkd_admin:[/b]
[li][b]Password:[/b]
[li][b]Verify Password:[/b][/li]
[i]Editing of these - Not Needed[/i]
[li][b]Backend Template Style:[/b][/li]
[li][b]Backend language:[/b]
[li][b]Frontend language:[/b]
[li][b]Editor:[/b]
[li][b]Help Site:[/b]
[li][b]Time zone:[/b]
[li][b]Frontend Language:[/b] [/li]

[size=4][b][ Forum ][/b][/size]
[li][b]Message Ordering:[/b] Choose which post is ordered first.
[li][b]Prefered Viewtype:[/b] Choose how messages are shown (flat or threaded)
[li][b]Your board signature:[/b] A signature will be shown at the end of all your posts. You can use BBCode andsmileys, but be sure your signature complies with the dojang's [url=http://kimstkdojang.com/forum/etiquette-and-rules/2-code-of-conduct][b][color=#000088][i]Codes of Conduct[/i][/color][/b][/url]. You can also edit it in the [i]Forum Profile[/i].[/li]

[size=5][b]2. Update Your Image[/b][/size]
[li][size=4][b]Submit a new image for upload[/b][/size]
Uploading an image is pretty easy, just follow the instructions on the page and be sure the image complies with all the requirements.
[li][size=4][b]Choose one from the image gallery[/b][/size]
Choosing an image is pretty easy, just follow the instructions on the page. Be sure to cllick the [i]Confirm choice[/i] button once you have decided on the image.[/li]

[size=5][b]3. Remove Image[/b][/size]
[ul][li]-- [b]BE CAREFUL ! ! ![/b] -- Clicking this option here will automatically delete your current image. (Better to use [i]Update Your Profile[/i] option)[/li][/ul]

As one of two profiles you need to edit and update, the task is fairly painless.
You may be wondering what the difference is between your Dojang Profile and your Forum

* Dojang Profile: This profile shows the basic information you input at registration and is where you can upload/edit your avatar (aka your photo,portrait, or image). Additionally, it has the ability to show your belt rank, awards you may have received / won, and some other great shortcuts.

* Forum Profile: This profile shows additional information within your posts and throughout the forum (i.e. Location, Gender, Birthdate, Forum posts, etc).

Dojang Profile - Setting It Up
You can access your Dojang Profile by clicking the 'My Dojang Profile' link located in the User Menu on the left side of the screen. This will bring up your profile for the dojang. To edit this profile, you will need to mouseover the "Edit" link on the top (in a small grey box). This will give a drop-down selection of 3 choices:

1. Update Your Profile: Change your profile settings
2. Update Your Image: Choose the image of your profile
3. Remove Image: Remove the image from your profile - BE CAREFUL - clicking this option here will automatically delete your current image. (Better to use Update Your Profile option)

1. Update Your Profile - These fields are auto-filled from Dojang Profile. If you update information here, it will show on your Dojang Profile and also some of your Forum Profile.

[ Portrait ]

* Profile Image
* No change of image -- Nothing will occur.
* Upload new profile image -- Sends you to a new screen so you can upload a new image from your computer/smart phone.
* Select image from gallery -- Choose an image from the website's selection.
* Remove image -- Removes the image of your profile. 

[ Contact Info ]
You Can Edit These:

* First Name:
* Last Name:
* Email:
*** Username: - This field cannot be edited. Once a member chooses a name, that's pretty much it. If there is a reason that you need this altered, contact an admin.
* ktkd_admin:
* Password:
* Verify Password:

Editing of these - Not Needed

* Backend Template Style:
* Backend language:
* Frontend language:
* Editor:
* Help Site:
* Time zone:
* Frontend Language: 

[ Forum ]

* Message Ordering: Choose which post is ordered first.
* Prefered Viewtype: Choose how messages are shown (flat or threaded)
* Your board signature: A signature will be shown at the end of all your posts. You can use BBCode andsmileys, but be sure your signature complies with the dojang's Codes of Conduct. You can also edit it in the Forum Profile.

2. Update Your Image

* Submit a new image for upload

Uploading an image is pretty easy, just follow the instructions on the page and be sure the image complies with all the requirements.

* Choose one from the image gallery

Choosing an image is pretty easy, just follow the instructions on the page. Be sure to cllick the Confirm choice button once you have decided on the image.

3. Remove Image
-- BE CAREFUL ! ! ! -- Clicking this option here will automatically delete your current image. (Better to use Update Your Profile option)

Since you are reading this page then it is safe to say to that you already know basic website navigation such as typing web addresses, clicking through links and maybe even watching or listening to multimedia. That's great! What we'll do here is try to familiarize you with how to use our forum and its many options.

When you get done reading this you will be able to reply to existing posts as well as make new posts. You will know how to format your text, make links, add images and much more. We're not going to teach you how to use every little button, gizmo or forum feature but rather provide you sufficient working knowledge to feel comfortable enough to get involved here in the forum. After that, you can do a sleuthing around to learn what the rest of the goodies do.

[size=5][b]1. Setting Up Your Profile(s)[/b][/size]
When you find a community and forum that you like and plan on staying with for a while it is a good idea to set up and complete your profile. On KimsTKDojang.com, you have the ability to really let people know as much or as little as you want by having a Dojang profile and a Forum profile. For information on how to do this, please read these forum posts:
[li][url=http://kimstkdojang.com/forum/etiquette-and-rules/8-dojang-profile-setting-it-up][b][i][u][color=#000088]Dojang Profile - Setting It Up[/color][/u][/i][/b][/url][/li]
[li][url=http://kimstkdojang.com/forum/etiquette-and-rules/7-forum-profile-setting-it-up][b][i][u][color=#000088]Forum Profile - Setting It Up[/color][/u][/i][/b][/url][/li]

[size=5][b]2. Reply To An Existing Post[/b][/size]
So, you have been lurking around the forum for a while reading every post and getting to know everyone. You have just read someone's post and you have finally decided you are going to reply and contribute some information of your own. Great! This is done by pressing one of the 'reply' buttons.
[li][b]Quick Reply[/b] - This brings up a small text area (without reloading the webpage) where you can quickly type a short reply. Press 'Submit' when you are done typing your response. If you have a change of heart you can press cancel and nothing gets posted regardless if you typed anything or not.
[li][b]Reply[/b] - This is the standard method in which you should reply when you want to reply primarily to the most recent post. The reason for this is because the subject line of your reply will autofill with the subject of the post from which you are replying. In case you were wondering, yes, you can change the subject. OK, now you are looking at what is called a text editor. Think of it as a slimmed down version of a word processor (such as Microsoft Word) in which you can format your text, add links, images, smilies, etc. More on how to format your post later. For now, type your response and press the '[i]Preview[/i]' button at the bottom of the page if you wish to view your post prior to submitting it. When you are done editing and are satisfied your post is ready to contribute to the forum then press the '[i]Submit[/i]' button.
[li][b]Quote[/b] - If you wish to quote someone's post whether in whole or in part you simple press the 'Quote' button located beside the '[i]Reply[/i]' button underneath each post. The is very useful if you wish to make light of or expand upon a prior post. Once you press the Quote button you are brought into the same editing environment that you use to edit or create any other post. At this point, you type your response directly to that quote. When you are done replying, press the '[i]Submit[/i]' button.
[li][b]Reply Topic[/b] - This button functions the same as the '[i]Reply[/i]' button with the exception that your subject line will auto-fill with the subject of the original post (OP). This may come in handy if you replying to a long post whose subjects may have changed over time but you want to reply to the OP. When you are done replying, press the '[i]Submit[/i]' button.[/li]

[size=5][b]3. Create A New Post Of Your Own[/b][/size]
Now that you have responded to a few other posts, and feel like an accepted member of the community, you want to tell us a little bit about yourself. To do this, you should start your very own topic so we can properly respond and greet you. Navigate to our General board and click on it so that you can see the list of all of the existing posts. At the top of the list is a button labelled '[i]New Thread[/i]'. Click that button to start your very own topic. You are placed at the same text editor that you used earlier when replying to posts. Simply type your message telling us all about yourself and press '[i]Submit[/i]'. Now you have your own post topic in the list.

[size=5][b]4. Format Your Post[/b][/size]
Remember we said earlier that the text editor is very similar to a word processor? Well, as in any word processor you can format and arrange your text for emphasis here in the forum.
The first, basic thing you should know is that the forum uses what's called BBcode or [i]Bulletin Board Code[/i]. BBcode uses 'tags' to 'mark up' your text. Each '[i]tag[/i]' has an opening and closing 'tag' denoted within brackets. An opening tag will look like [b][ ][/b] and a closing tag looks like [b][/ ][/b]. Notice the slash in the closing bracket is the only thing that is different. If you forget the slash, the forum will interpret your closing bracket as an opening bracket.

The easiest way to 'mark up' your text is usually to type it out first, then select it, and press the appropriate button at the top of the editor. For example, if you wanted to make 'some text' bold you would type it out 'some text', then select 'some text' with your mouse, and then press the 'B' icon in the toolbar located just above the Message area (where you are composing your message). You will now see: [code][b]some text[/b][/code] When you preview or submit your message it will be displayed as '[b]some text[/b]'. Alternatively, if you know them, you can type the tags manually right along with the rest of your text or you can use the buttons at the top of the editor to insert the tags the fill in your text.
The [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBCode][color=#000088][b][i][u]BBcode Wiki[/u][/i][/b][/color][/url] covers the basic mark up tags so let's move on to what the Wiki doesn't cover.

[size=5][b]5. Lists[/b][/size]
There are two types of lists: ordered and unordered. An ordered list is a numerical list like you might use to list the finishing order of a race. An unordered list is a list you might use to list groceries. There are two different tags needed to create a list.
First, you use a tag that creates the kind of list you want.
[code][ul] [/ul] = unordered list [ol] [/ol] = ordered list[/code]
Second, you use a list tag for each item in the list
[code][li] [/li] = each list item.[/code]
So, the code for an ordered list
[code][ol] [li] 1st place[/li] [li] 2nd place[/li] [li] 3rd place[/li] [/ol][/code]
would look like this:
[ol] [li] 1st place[/li] [li] 2nd place[/li] [li] 3rd place[/li] [/ol]

[size=5][b]6. Edit Your Own Post[/b][/size]
There will be times when you make a post and you don't catch a misspelled word, fix a broken link or something that will require you to edit you post. It happens to us all so the edit button is easily accessible. When you are looking at one of your own posts that you need to edit you will find the '[i]Edit[/i]' button at the bottom of your post. Simply press the edit button and you use the same editor you used to create your post populated with the actual post. Edit your post as you see fit and, when you are satisfied, press the '[i]Submit[/i]' button at the bottom of the page. All done!

[size=5][b]7. Visibility And Notification Of Your Favorite Posts[/b][/size]
Now that you have settled into your new community and everyone has met you, you want to be able to keep up with your favorite posts without checking in every five minutes to see if something new has posted. There a couple of ways that you can do that.
[li][size=4][b]Subscribe[/b][/size]
At the top and the bottom of every thread you will find the '[i]Subscribe[/i]' button. Pressing this button subscribes you to that topic so that any responses to that topic will generate an email notification to your email address stating that a new post has been made along with a link directly to said post for your convenience. You will notice the button now reads '[i]Unsubscribe[/i]' indicating that you are subscribed and pressing the button again will remove your subscription to that thread. Remember that you can also manage your subscriptions in your profile.
[li][size=4][b]Favorite[/b][/size]
Another way of gaining visibility of threads that wish to keep an eye on is set them as your '[i]Favorite[/i]'. This will place an obvious indicator, such as a star, beside the topic name of the thread so that it will stand out in the forum list of topics. You will notice the button now reads '[i]Unfavorite[/i]' indicating that the post is already one of your favorites and pressing the button again will remove it from your favorites. This is a great way to get visibility on multiple topics that you wish to watch without getting spammed by email subscriptions. Remember that you can also manage your favorites in your profile.[/li]

[size=5][b]8. Conclusion[/b][/size]
Now that you know how to create your own posts, edit them, set notifications, etc, you are ready to explore the rest of the forum. Don't be afraid. Go click things and see what they do. If something 'breaks' or you don't understand how to use something make a post in the forum and ask for help.

WOW! You made it.
As a reward, you should [url=http://kimstkdojang.com/content-forum/80-forum-beginners-guide-to-forum-read][b][i][u][color=#000088]CLICK HERE[/color][/u][/i][/b][/url].
And after that, go have some fun in the dojang! B)

Since you are reading this page then it is safe to say to that you already know basic website navigation such as typing web addresses, clicking through links and maybe even watching or listening to multimedia. That's great! What we'll do here is try to familiarize you with how to use our forum and its many options.

When you get done reading this you will be able to reply to existing posts as well as make new posts. You will know how to format your text, make links, add images and much more. We're not going to teach you how to use every little button, gizmo or forum feature but rather provide you sufficient working knowledge to feel comfortable enough to get involved here in the forum. After that, you can do a sleuthing around to learn what the rest of the goodies do.

1. Setting Up Your Profile(s)

When you find a community and forum that you like and plan on staying with for a while it is a good idea to set up and complete your profile. On KimsTKDojang.com, you have the ability to really let people know as much or as little as you want by having a Dojang profile and a Forum profile. For information on how to do this, please read these forum posts:

* Dojang Profile - Setting It Up
* Forum Profile - Setting It Up

2. Reply To An Existing Post

So, you have been lurking around the forum for a while reading every post and getting to know everyone. You have just read someone's post and you have finally decided you are going to reply and contribute some information of your own. Great! This is done by pressing one of the 'reply' buttons.

* Quick Reply

This brings up a small text area (without reloading the webpage) where you can quickly type a short reply. Press 'Submit' when you are done typing your response. If you have a change of heart you can press cancel and nothing gets posted regardless if you typed anything or not.

* Reply

This is the standard method in which you should reply when you want to reply primarily to the most recent post. The reason for this is because the subject line of your reply will autofill with the subject of the post from which you are replying. In case you were wondering, yes, you can change the subject. OK, now you are looking at what is called a text editor. Think of it as a slimmed down version of a word processor (such as Microsoft Word) in which you can format your text, add links, images, smilies, etc. More on how to format your post later. For now, type your response and press the 'Preview' button at the bottom of the page if you wish to view your post prior to submitting it. When you are done editing and are satisfied your post is ready to contribute to the forum then press the 'Submit' button.

* Quote

If you wish to quote someone's post whether in whole or in part you simple press the 'Quote' button located beside the 'Reply' button underneath each post. The is very useful if you wish to make light of or expand upon a prior post. Once you press the Quote button you are brought into the same editing environment that you use to edit or create any other post. At this point, you type your response directly to that quote. When you are done replying, press the 'Submit' button.

* Reply Topic

This button functions the same as the 'Reply' button with the exception that your subject line will auto-fill with the subject of the original post (OP). This may come in handy if you replying to a long post whose subjects may have changed over time but you want to reply to the OP. When you are done replying, press the 'Submit' button.

3. Create A New Post Of Your Own

Now that you have responded to a few other posts, and feel like an accepted member of the community, you want to tell us a little bit about yourself. To do this, you should start your very own topic so we can properly respond and greet you. Navigate to our General board and click on it so that you can see the list of all of the existing posts. At the top of the list is a button labelled 'New Thread'. Click that button to start your very own topic. You are placed at the same text editor that you used earlier when replying to posts. Simply type your message telling us all about yourself and press 'Submit'. Now you have your own post topic in the list.

4. Format Your Post

Remember we said earlier that the text editor is very similar to a word processor? Well, as in any word processor you can format and arrange your text for emphasis here in the forum.
The first, basic thing you should know is that the forum uses what's called BBcode or Bulletin Board Code. BBcode uses 'tags' to 'mark up' your text. Each 'tag' has an opening and closing 'tag' denoted within brackets. An opening tag will look like [ ] and a closing tag looks like [/ ]. Notice the slash in the closing bracket is the only thing that is different. If you forget the slash, the forum will interpret your closing bracket as an opening bracket.

The easiest way to 'mark up' your text is usually to type it out first, then select it, and press the appropriate button at the top of the editor. For example, if you wanted to make 'some text' bold you would type it out 'some text', then select 'some text' with your mouse, and then press the 'B' icon in the toolbar located just above the Message area (where you are composing your message). You will now see: 

[b]some text[/b] 

When you preview or submit your message it will be displayed as 'some text'.

Alternatively, if you know them, you can type the tags manually right along with the rest of your text or you can use the buttons at the top of the editor to insert the tags the fill in your text. The BBcode Wiki covers the basic mark up tags so let's move on to what the Wiki doesn't cover.

5. Lists

There are two types of lists: ordered and unordered. An ordered list is a numerical list like you might use to list the finishing order of a race. An unordered list is a list you might use to list groceries. There are two different tags needed to create a list.
First, you use a tag that creates the kind of list you want.

[ul] [/ul] = unordered list

[ol] [/ol] = ordered list

Second, you use a list tag for each item in the list

[li] [/li] = each list item.

So, the code for an ordered list

[ol] [li] 1st place[/li] [li] 2nd place[/li] [li] 3rd place[/li] [/ol]

would look like this:

1st place

2nd place

3rd place

6. Edit Your Own Post

There will be times when you make a post and you don't catch a misspelled word, fix a broken link or something that will require you to edit you post. It happens to us all so the edit button is easily accessible. When you are looking at one of your own posts that you need to edit you will find the 'Edit' button at the bottom of your post. Simply press the edit button and you use the same editor you used to create your post populated with the actual post. Edit your post as you see fit and, when you are satisfied, press the 'Submit' button at the bottom of the page. All done!

7. Visibility And Notification Of Your Favorite Posts

Now that you have settled into your new community and everyone has met you, you want to be able to keep up with your favorite posts without checking in every five minutes to see if something new has posted. There a couple of ways that you can do that.

* Subscribe

At the top and the bottom of every thread you will find the 'Subscribe' button. Pressing this button subscribes you to that topic so that any responses to that topic will generate an email notification to your email address stating that a new post has been made along with a link directly to said post for your convenience. You will notice the button now reads 'Unsubscribe' indicating that you are subscribed and pressing the button again will remove your subscription to that thread. Remember that you can also manage your subscriptions in your profile.

* Favorite

Another way of gaining visibility of threads that wish to keep an eye on is set them as your 'Favorite'. This will place an obvious indicator, such as a star, beside the topic name of the thread so that it will stand out in the forum list of topics. You will notice the button now reads 'Unfavorite' indicating that the post is already one of your favorites and pressing the button again will remove it from your favorites. This is a great way to get visibility on multiple topics that you wish to watch without getting spammed by email subscriptions. Remember that you can also manage your favorites in your profile.

8. Conclusion

Now that you know how to create your own posts, edit them, set notifications, etc, you are ready to explore the rest of the forum. Don't be afraid. Go click things and see what they do. If something 'breaks' or you don't understand how to use something make a post in the forum and ask for help.

WOW! You made it.
As a reward, you should CLICK HERE.