THIS PAGE WILL TELL YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SITE, HOW TO USE IT, WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU WHEN YOU DO USE IT, AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS YOU MIGHT BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO ENCOUNTER.
WHEN YOU'VE REGISTERED:-
A) LOG ON each time you visit the site by ENTERING YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS AND PASSWORD on the HOME PAGE then CLICKING THE GREEN LOG ON button. IF YOU'VE FORGOTTEN YOUR PASSWORD, click on the FORGOT PASSWORD link, enter the e-mail address you registered, click SUBMIT and a reminder will be sent to you.
B) THE FIRST TIME YOU LOG ON - CHECK THE 'REMEMBER ME' box. This will need doing on each individual computer you use.
C) NAVIGATE THE SITE by CLICKING ON THE HEADINGS IN THE COLUMN TO YOUR LEFTAS YOU LOOK. They will be there whichever page you visit. You will find a fuller explanation on each page of what that page is intended for and what you might need to do to add something to it. Additional pages will appear and disappear from time to time, but the following seven will always be there -
1) CLASSMATE PROFILES:- Lists names of all Classmates who have been registered with this website. Some names will belong to deceased former pupils and the symbols alongside their names will indicate this. CHECK THE SYMBOLS against their names to see who has actually registered aPROFILE and CLICK ON A NAME TO VIEW IT. Names with no symbols appearing alongside them belong to old boys who have either asked to register but have not yet done so, or whose names have been added at the request of others in the hope that they'll register. One way to SEND MESSAGES to others on the site is by CLICKING ON THEIR NAME here. See below for other ways of contacting site members. If you try to access CLASSMATE PROFILES before you have logged on you will notice a padlock symbol next to the majority of names. This tells you that they have checked the PROFILE VISIBILITY box on their Profile and their information isn't visible to anyone other than Classmates and you'll need to LOG ON before you can view it.
2) CLASSMATE GALLERIES:- Allows you to create your own image galleries under different subject headings. Includes an image editing feature. Anything I consider inappropriate will be deleted.
3) USER FORUMS:- An ongoing dialogue where you can put up topics for discussion in different Forums and respond to others by clicking on the REPLY button, or the QUOTED REPLY button if you want to include what it is you're replying to as a reference. Whatever you enter will appear on the page after you've clicked on the SAVE button. If I think anything is inappropriate I have the option to Edit or Delete it.
If you're unsure whether a subject has already been raised, use the SEARCH feature at the top of the list of Forums. Click on the word SEARCH and another page will appear. Enter the word/s you're searching for in the Search Terms box, and use the arrow at the end of the Match section to bring up a drop-down list that allows you to choose whether you want to search for an Exact Phrase, Any Word or All Words. Now click on SEARCH, and a list of messages or threads that appear on the Forums and contain the words or phrase you're searching for, will be revealed. Click on the ones you want to view.
4) LIVE CHAT:- Allows you to hold a typed 'conversation' with all the other Classmates whose names will appear, along with your own, once they've entered the LIVE CHAT page. The Chat Screen opens in a separate window once you click on the Live Chat heading in the left hand column. Start a conversation, or respond to what someone else has already said, by typing what you want to say in the small box at the bottom of the Chat Screen that you'll see, then clicking 'SEND'. The text will then move to the main screen. Wait a while to see if you get a response before typing anything else. You can also set up a webcam to enable you to view and talk to anyone else using a webcam and microphone. See below for comprehensive instructions.
5) CONTACT US:- Use to contact me, Tiny Foulsham, the Sloane Arranger and Site Administrator to say or ask anything you like. You can also refer to this page for information about navigating the site.
6) IN MEMORY:- Shows a list of deceased classmates. Click on a name to view an obituary, add details to an obituary using the POST RESPONSE button, or correct something you’ve already added. Let me know about any deceased Classmates by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page or by using CONTACT US.
7) HOME PAGE:- Takes you back to the HOME PAGE. This is where you'll find all the important information, ANNOUNCEMENTS and any other items that can't be categorised under any of the other page headings. On this page you'll also find a Donate button which, when clicked on, will allow you to make voluntary donations to help with the upkeep of the site, should you feel so inclined.
Here you'll also find buttons for all current site pages, which will be subject to change, and ONCE YOU'VE REGISTERED you'll also see:-
UNDER 'MEMBER FUNCTIONS' -
1) MESSAGE CENTRE:- Where you can view all messages you've been sent via the site, and from where you can send messages to other site members. The 'Threaded' message system allows you to keep track of 'conversations' on a specific topic.
2) EDIT CONTACT INFO:- Use this to change your home address, e-mail address and phone number.
3) EDIT PROFILE:- Change or add details about yourself.
4) EDIT / UPLOAD PHOTOS:- Add, delete, title, tidy up and re-arrange photos on your Profile using the Image Editor.
5) POST ANNOUNCEMENT:- If you think you've got something important and urgent enough for a HOME PAGE mention, enter it here, but it will come to me for approval first before it goes 'live'.
6) PROFILE SUBSCRIPTIONS:- Choose Classmates you'd like to be notified about if they update their Profiles. Don't worry that everyone looks as if they joined Sloane in 1963. That was all the site was originally intended for, as that was my intake year, and it would cause other problems if I were to change it now.
7) CHANGE PASSWORD:-Gives you the option of changing the site entry password you created.
8) LOG OUT:- Should be used whenever you leave the site.
SOME PAGES ARE PASSWORD PROTECTED and cannot be read until you've logged-in. This is intended to prevent non-members, who just happen to be browsing the web, from seeing potentially sensitive or personal information. Only I can add or delete page content (see exceptions listed below), so use the CONTACT US button, which appears in the left-hand column on, each page, to let me know what it is you'd like to say and what page it's intended for and, if suitable, I'll use it. General information pages, like the HOME PAGE can be seen by anyone just browsing the Internet, but a number of the pages are password protected to restrict any sensitive information being accessed by unauthorised people. All pages are available to registered site members once they LOG ON.
I have the final say on all site content.
CONTACTING OTHER SITE MEMBERS (sending messages):-
There are four ways of contacting other Classmates via the website:-
1) Click on the MESSAGE CENTRE heading you see in the left hand column under MEMBER FUNCTIONS. Click on COMPOSE MESSAGE, then on DISPLAY ALL CLASSMATES to select the recipient. Give the message a title in the SUBJECT box, enter the message details in the main box, click SEND MESSAGE. The recipient will receive email notification that he has received a message, but will need to click on the link that takes him back into the website to be able to read and answer it. To continue an already started 'conversation' on a particular subject, search for the subject title in your INBOX or OUTBOX and click on it.
2) By clicking on a name in the CLASSMATE PROFILES box, in the column to the left of any page, you will be taken to a page showing details that person has entered about himself and from where you will be able to SEND THEM A MESSAGE. Clicking on the PROFILE UPDATES heading on the right of the HOME PAGE does much the same but also indicates whether someone has recently updated their PROFILE.
3) INSTANT MESSAGING -
Instant Messaging allows you to have a real-time 'conversation' with anyone else who is viewing the website at the same time as you.
When you log on to the website a mimimised additional window will appear on a bar at the top of the page. You are given the option to move it to the bottom if you prefer. This is the Members Online panel and full details of its purpose and how to use it will appear if you click on the white question mark (?) on the panel. If you don't see the panel after you've logged on it's probably because you haven't got the latest version of Adobe Flash Player installed. To get the latest version, click on this link http://www.adobe.com/
Also ensure your browser pop-up blocker is set to allow pop-ups from the www.sloanegrammar.co.uk website.
INSTANT MESSAGING INSTRUCTIONS
The Members Online panel, shown below, is positioned to the top right of the web site after you've Logged On, but you can move it to the bottom right by clicking on the 'Move to Bottom' arrow on the left of the bar the panel sits on. The panel can be expanded by clicking anywhere on its title (top bar) area. Clicking the title area again will minimize the window. To chat privately with a fellow member simply click his or her name in the Members panel. Each Member's name you click on will spawn a private messaging window. You can open up to 4 private messaging windows at any one time.
Chatting with another member is simple: Click your mouse anywhere in the bottom region of the window to enter your message then press your Enter key to send the message. That's all there is to it — you can now easily chat with fellow members as you browse the site.
There are a few additional things you should know:
SCREEN RESOLUTION: For best results use a screen resolution with width of 1280 pixels or greater. Any of today's wide screen monitors will have at least a 1280 resolution. At this size the Members panel will never cover any site content. If you are using a smaller screen resolution the Members panel will cover site content, but it can be easily minimized or closed completely by clicking the X in the upper right corner.
YOUR PHOTO: Your "Master Photo" is displayed at the top of the Members panel. All messages in the chat window are also preceded by your Master Photo. If you have no Master Photo you will see a default image. Your Master Photo cannot be set from within the Instant Messaging interface. To set your Master Photo click on the Edit/Upload Photos link on the web site and follow the directions on screen.
SEARCH FOR MEMBERS: If there are many members logged in at the same time, you can quickly search for members by clicking "Search for members" in the Members Panel and entering the first few letters of the member's name.
SOUNDS: A sound will be heard whenever a new member logs into the web site. Another sound will be heard every time a member sends you an instant message through the web site. Sounds can be disabled by clicking the speaker icon in the Members panel. Make sure you have your own computer system's volume turned on too.
ICONS: To the right of each member's name you might see any of the following icons:
Online
Idle (Has not typed anything for 5 or more minutes)
Should you forget what the icons mean, hover your mouse pointer over them and the member's status will expand like this:
Online
Idle
Member is currently typing
TIP:Hovering over a member's name will pop up a window allowing you to quickly jump to the member's Profile page.
TOOL BAR: The icons on the tool bar allow you to insert emoticons, bold and/or italicize your text, change font color, and quickly jump to these help instructions. You can also start a Private Chat session -
PRIVATE CHAT: Clicking the "Private Chat" button in the tool bar allows you to jump to a larger private chat environment that allows the sharing of photos, webcam feeds, and YouTube videos. You can also invite additional members to the private chat. You can start as many Private Chat sessions as you'd like (as long as you can keep up)!
CHANGING YOUR STATUS: At times you may not wish for members to see you online. In the Members Panel you can change your status to any of the following:
Online:
You are currently available and accepting Instant Messages.
Away:
You are online, but not currently at your computer.
Do Not Disturb:
You are online but wish to block incoming Instant Messages.
Invisible:
You will not show up as being online for any other site members.
CLICKING ON 'X' ON THE MEMBERS PANEL: Clicking on the 'X' on the Members Panel brings up the option to turn off the feature completely during your current browsing session and warns you that to re-activate it you'll have to close down your session and Log On again.
DISABLING INSTANT MESSAGING: If you wish to completely turn off the Instant Messaging feature you can do so by clicking on the Edit Profile link in the left hand column and deselecting "Allow other members to send me Instant Messages through the web site." If you disable the Instant Messaging feature your status will automatically be set to Invisible, no other members will see you online, and you will also no longer see any other members currently logged into the web site.
4)
LIVE CHAT INSTRUCTIONS
In order to participate in this Live Chat the only requirement is that you have the latest version of the Adobe Flash player. Good news! If you're reading these instructions you already have it. If anyone you're attempting to chat with is having trouble loading the Live chat, they should go to www.adobe.com and upgrade to the latest version of the Flash player.
PANELS DESCRIPTION
LEFT PANEL:
This is where conversation occurs. At the bottom of this panel is the Control Bar. The Control Bar is used for controlling various elements of your chat. Messages can be entered under the Control Bar. Pressing the Enter Key or clicking the Send button makes your message visible to all participants.
All messages in the conversation window are preceded by your "Master Photo". If you have no Master Photo you will see a default image. Your Master Photo cannot be set from within the Live Chat interface. To set your Master Photo click on the Edit/Upload Photos link on the web site and follow the directions on screen.
NOTE: New members joining the chat room will see the last 20 entries made by other participants, allowing them to quickly see the current conversation and begin participating.
UPPER RIGHT PANEL:
This is the "Media Window." Members in the chat room can use this window to share photos, YouTube videos, and live webcam feeds. These items can be shared by using the Control Bar.
LOWER RIGHT PANEL:
The Members panel shows who is in the chat room. To the right of each member's name you might see any of the following icons:
Currently participating Has not typed anything for 5 or more minutes
Should you forget what the icons mean, hover your mouse pointer over them and the member's status will expand like this:
Member is currently typing. Member is sharing a webcam. Member is currently watching your webcam.
NOTE: All member names are clickable to their Profile pages. If you want to know more about the person you're chatting with, click on their name and their Profile will launch in a separate window.
USING THE CONTROL BAR
The Control Bar is used for sharing media and adjusting font, font size, and font color.
Insert emoticons.
Share a YouTube video with fellow members. To share a video, open YouTube in a separate browser window or tab. Find and play the video you wish to share. While watching the video select and copy the web address in your browser's address bar. You can also copy the "embed code" YouTube provides for sharing videos on other web sites. Return to the Live Chat window, roll over the YouTube icon, and paste the YouTube address into the white box. Click "Share" or press your Enter key to share your video with all participants in the chat room.
Share a picture. You can enter the web address for any picture online you wish to share, or you can upload a picture from your own computer to share with fellow members.
Click the webcam icon to allow other participants to see you. If you want members to also hear you simply plug in a microphone or use a webcam with one built in. Whenever a participant shares a webcam, a webcam icon will appear next to their name in the Members panel. Click the icon to watch the feed. Click the webcam icon next to a different member's name to switch to a different feed. If you wish to turn your webcam off, click the "Stop Sharing" button on the monitoring window (if it's not currently open you may have to click the webcam icon on the Task Bar to open it again).
IMPORTANT: There is no 3 way or voice conferencing ability in this Live Chat application. You can only watch 1 member's webcam feed at a time. Likewise each member can only watch 1 other member's webcam feed at a time. If you want a member to see and/or hear you, and you also want to see and/or hear that member, you must monitor the member's webcam feed, and the member must monitor your webcam feed. Pay attention to the watching icon () so you know when other members are watching your webcam feed.
Is there a way for 1 person to share audio and video with the entire chat room at once? There is. If one person (let's call this person The Presenter) wants to address the entire group of chat members, then all parties in the chat room should click on The Presenter's webcam icon. While all participants would be able to see and hear The Presenter simultaneously, everyone would need to type their responses back to the Presenter, because at most The Presenter could only see and hear one other person (because The Presenter too can only monitor one feed at a time like any other chat participant).
If you have your webcam monitoring window open while chatting you will see this symbol followed by the number of people who are currently watching your webcam.
NOTE: The webcam icon will only appear next to members' names who are sharing a webcam. If a user has not enabled a webcam, no webcam icon will be present.
Use these font tools to select font, font size, bold, italic, and font color.
Click the help icon at any time to return to these live chat instructions.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
If you want chat participants to see and hear you on webcam, you'll need a webcam and a microphone. In order to eliminate sound echo you must ensure sound emitted from your computer speakers cannot travel back through your microphone, causing a sound loop (the source of echo). Echo can be avoiding by utilizing a headset or headphones, or by using a microphone or speakerphone with echo canceling technology.
If you need a webcam or microphone compatible with this Live Chat system here's some we recommend:
WEBCAM WITH INTEGRATED MICROPHONE
Logitech Conferencing Starter Kit with Chat Headset
Includes noise-canceling microphone and in-line volume control. Great when paired with a stand-alone webcam. Click for more details at Amazon.com.
STAND-ALONE WEBCAM
Logitech Webcam Pro 9000
Intelligent Face Tracking keeps you center-screen. Use with headset with microphone or echo canceling speakerphone. Click for more details at Amazon.com.
ECHO CANCELLING SPEAKERPHONE
ClearOne Chat 60
Chat without headgear or earpieces! Crystal clear audio for everyone in the room. Highly recommended. Use with stand-alone webcam. Click for more details at Amazon.com.
WEBCAM TROUBLESHOOTING Q&A:
Question: I clicked the webcam icon but my webcam did not come on. What should I do?
Answer: Generally, most webcams will activate when you click the webcam icon on the Control Bar. If yours does not, make sure you can see your webcam feed using the software that came with your webcam. Once you can, close down your webcam software and then try clicking the webcam icon on the Control Bar again. If you have any issues, first check to make sure the webcam is working properly. This can be done by turning off your computer, unplugging the webcam, turning your computer on and then plugging it back in. Let the system pick up the webcam, possibly reinstall or repair drivers and then see if that works. If not, chances are another problem is occurring between either the webcam or its connection.
Question: My webcam is on, I can see my feed using the software that came with my webcam, but after closing that software and then clicking the webcam icon on the Control Bar I still cannot see my feed.
While most of the time your webcam will be auto recognized, many things can affect Live Chat's ability to accurately detect your webcam, such as the age of your webcam, method by which it connects to your computer, and version of your Operating System (OS). Older operating systems are more likely to have difficulties detecting your webcam. One thing you can try is downloading Skype from www.skype.com. Skype is one of the most popular services online where webcams are frequently used. Does your webcam work with Skype? If it does not, it's a good indicator it's time to upgrade to a newer webcam.
Question: I use my webcam with other applications. Is that a problem?
Answer: Possibly. Close all software before starting a new webcam session. Sometimes after you finish using the webcam in a software application, the program may not properly release the webcam for other activities in other applications, or even the same application. Sometimes you cannot use the webcam because it is being accessed by another program by default. So, if you are having a problem with your webcam, close the program you are using it in, reboot your computer, and then try using the Live Chat application again.
Question: Should I do anything with webcam drivers?
Answer: If everything else has failed, try downloading the latest drivers and updates for your webcam. Some webcams may not be recognized by the Live Chat application unless you have the most recent drivers and updates for your webcam. If you installed the webcam separately, go to the webcam manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers, updates, plug-ins, or conversion utilities for any webcam video software. TIP: Be sure to verify the webcam drivers and software are compatible with the OS version of Windows or Mac you are using!
Question: Nothing has worked. I think I need to buy a new webcam. Any other suggestions?
Answer: Sometimes new hardware is the only solution. While waiting for your new webcam to arrive, have you considered using a laptop computer with this Live Chat? Most laptops sold today come with a built-in webcam.
IN ADDITION:- If you know the e-mail address of a former pupil who might enjoy the site you can let him know about it by entering the address in the MISSING CLASSMATES box on the HOME PAGE and clicking SEND INVITE. An automatic message will be sent to the e-mail address you entered, inviting them to join us.
Clicking on a name in the UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS box on the HOME PAGE will enable you to send that person a birthday message or any other message you wish.
ALSO REMEMBER to SCROLL DOWN ALL PAGES for further items and to LOG OUT when you leave, using the button in the left hand column.
ACTIVATE VIDEOS that appear on some pages by clicking on the arrow in the centre of the screen. If they are YOU TUBE videos, click on it again to go to the YOU TUBE site where you can view it in a larger format. Occasionally, these videos may 'disappear' for any number of reasons. Please let me know if you notice this happen.
I'm sure I don't really need to say this as we're all grown up now, but please remember, this site may be free to use but it's not free to abuse. I'll tell you if I consider anything to be unsuitable for publication and as the IN MEMORY page is the one with the most potential for misuse, no names can be entered there until I have done my best to verify that the person in question is no longer alive. Apologies in advance to anyone who sees a name they weren't expecting to see but there's no other way to do it. If you can add to the details, if any, or would like to correct the details that already appear against a deceased's name, please do so using the POST COMMENT option you'll find when you click on a name on the IN MEMORY page.
Treat the IN MEMORY page with the respect the departed deserve but approach all other aspects of this site with as much humour as you can. Above all, make it fun to visit - but not at the expense of others - unless you've cleared it with them first of course!
PHOTOS:-
Upload photos to your profile like this:-
Click on EDIT / UPLOAD PHOTOS, UPLOAD NEW PHOTO, ADD FILES. Find the file / files you want to use, click UPLOAD FILES. If you want to add more than one photo they can all be uploaded at once by clicking on the first one, holding down the shift key, highlighting all the others you want to use then clicking on UPLOAD FILES. Click SAVE CHANGES and your photos will appear on the page. If you decide to add a caption in the box click SAVE CHANGES again after you've added it. Click on photos to enlarge them when viewing. RESET FORM lets you clear what you've written and REMOVE & CLEAR FILES lets you do just that.
If you would like one of your photos to appear in MESSAGES YOU SEND TO OTHER CLASSMATES and USER FORUM entries:- Go into EDIT/UPLOAD PHOTOS and use the MAKE THIS MY MASTER PHOTO option.
Photos and other site contributions:-
If anyone has better copies of the photos you see on the School Photos Slideshow, please let me have them. Get them to the best resolution you can and send them to me in JPEG format, via e-mail, to tinyf@blueyonder.co.uk. If you've any others that you'd like to see displayed, please do the same.
Any contributions to any of the site pages will always be welcome. Use CONTACT US to let me know what it is you'd like me to add, or send them to me direct, without logging onto the site, at the same e-mail address.
Saving photos you see in Slideshows and elsewhere:-
To copy a photo from any of the website Slideshows -
1) Left click your mouse on 'VIew All Images' that appears under most of the Slideshows. If you don't see 'View All Images', left click on the photo on the Slideshow. This will take you to the website where I create the Slideshows.
2) Left click , again, on the photo you want to save from the smaller images shown under the Slideshow. This will bring it into the main body of the Slideshow.
3) Left click on the photo again. This will enlarge it.
4) Right click your mouse on the photo and choose 'Save Picture As' to save it to a file of your choosing on your computer.
To copy any other image you see on the website -
1) Right click your mouse on the image and choose 'Save Picture As'.
Classmate Profiles and Articles:-
Please take a minute to look at the Profiles that site members have created. Even if you didn't know the person, what they have to say can be interesting, illuminating and fun.
It's also worth re-reading the articles that you may think you've already seen as I tend to add things rather than create a whole new piece.
Slow loading of the site pages on your computer:-
If you ever experience slow loading of some of the pages you try to view on the site, it's almost certainly due to the number of videos and other add-ons that I've put there to enhance your viewing pleasure. Rest assured, they should appear after a matter of seconds rather than minutes, but if they don't, try refreshing the page using the Refresh button on your browser toolbar or the F5 key on your keyboard.
Update your Internet Explorer version to the latest one available for your operating system.
If your browser displays the site layout in a way that looks untidy, unprofessional or not what you'd expect, please be sure to tell me and give me a good description of what you think the problem is.
Please consider the site a work in progress so, until I get it the way we all want it, you may notice changes when you log in and, occasionally, may not be able to log in at all, though I'll do my best to avoid that. The program's creators are constantly working on innovations to expand the site's capabilities so the changes could be ongoing. I want the site to be interesting and useful and welcome suggestions as to what it might contain and reaction, whether good or bad, to what you see. Space is limited so I need to make best use of what is available and your views are therefore very important to me.
Currently participating
Has not typed anything for 5 or more minutes
Member is currently typing.
Member is sharing a webcam.
If you have your webcam monitoring window open while chatting you will see this symbol followed by the number of people who are currently watching your webcam.
Includes noise-canceling microphone and in-line volume control. Great when paired with a stand-alone webcam. 
