Embarrassingly Naive Question?

EtherealGirl · 03-23-2009, 01:19 AM

OK, so I pretty much understand "Tags" now (thanks to greg & jay

). On my User Control Panel page, in the left column, one of the menu options is Networking, and includes items under that called "Contacts & Friends" and "Social Groups". {Hanging head in abject shame, and speaking really quietly} What are those about?

I get that you could put someone's name in the contacts box... but, {coughs nervously} what does that accomplish? Helps me remember who I think is really great and helpful on this site? Cuz that's already kinda unforgettable... and I have a really bad memory in general

And what are Social Groups? Are there different groups with particular interests here, like "saltwater plant people" and "chiclid people" and so forth? (Sounds like a Roger Corman movie: The Chiclid People

) How do I "locate" these Social Groups, to see who / what's there?

Sorry to ask such clueless questions. I realize that if I was "cooler", I'd know these things already... but I'm not. {Sighs with regretful acceptance of her personal limitations}.

gregpape23 · 03-23-2009, 05:49 PM

I really don't know what the social groups are for except maybe they have like a "moderator" group where they can all talk about who knows what. And I would assume that the contacts thing would (if it is used at all) be used by mods or administrators.
Or, they are just there to confuse people and to spark nice little threads like this one.
And just for the record, I have never even attempted to use either.

-Greg

Judge · 03-23-2009, 06:37 PM

Please do not be embarassed, I am certain there are more than half of our readers who could not answer these questions. I think it's great that you have brought this out into the open because it might help so many others..including me!

I could be wrong but I think the social groups is something that I believe anyone can start. South, North, East or West Coral Clubs as an example. Or maybe Arkansas Reefers Assoc....see? Since we have no such groups who have come forward or started then there are none to join.
As far as contacts and friends, well, you can invite someone to be "your friend". As an example if you go to my profile and look you will find a group of members who are my friends/buddies. BY all means ask someone to be your friend. You also have the option to carry on a conversation on your profile page with others that is not seen unless a member views your profile page. Careful whay you say there though...it is not private!

I hope this answers some of your questions. Most of what I have learned has (and probably always will)come by getting in there and just messing with stuff!!LOL

EtherealGirl · 03-23-2009, 10:10 PM

Judge & Greg, thank you both for your replies. Light has been shed... however, I suspect that I won't need sunglasses until I start "getting in there and just messing with stuff!!"

But now I feel less timid about doing just that, so thanks. One last Q on this: is the "ettiquette" to ask someone to be your friend via a PM or a Visitor Message or just in a post like this? Gotta say, though I'd love to have friends on my profile, I anticipate feeling a little tweeny asking some one, "Do you want to be my friend?" Isn't there some more suave and sophisticated way to ask that question without feeling like a 10 year-old?