Discussion Area
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Updated: January 22, 2006

Your Questions (click on question to view answer):

  1. REGISTRATION: How do I register?  Do I need to register to post?

  2. REGISTRATION: I'm a registered user. How do I recover a lost password?

  3. SMILIES: How do I post a smiley or emoticon in my message?  What are the codes?

  4. POSTING PICTURES: How do I post pictures inside my messages?

  5. SIGGIES: What is a 'siggy' and how do I include one in my message?
  6. LINKS: How do I put a clickable link to another page in my message?

  7. How do I enter one of the listed topic areas?

  8. I'm in a topic area and I see a list of posted messages. How do I read a given message?

  9. I'm in a topic area and I see a list of posted messages. It says that there are one or more responses. How do I read them?

  10. I'm in a topic area and I see a list of posted messages. There doesn't appear to be any messages on a subject I'd like to discuss. How do I post a message of my own?

  11. I'm reading a message and I'd like to post a response to it. How do I do that?
  12. All the offered topic areas are cool, but I have an idea for another topic area that should be featured. Who do I submit my suggestion to?

  13. When I click on some of various options throughout the discussion area, nothing happens. What's wrong?

  14. Why does the Date of last visit consistently show up as unknown every time I visit a topic area?
  15. Are there any limits on what I can say in my postings to the discussion area, or am I free to speak my mind? If I say something wrong, what will happen?

  16. Does Jodie Sweetin ever read the messages posted in the discussion areas? Does she ever respond to them?

  17. Do Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen ever read the messages posted in the discussion areas? Does she ever respond to them?

  18. Have a question that we haven't answered here?

The Answers:

Q: How do I register?  Do I need to register to post?
A: For most board users, registration is currently not required and is not available.  The registration system is currently being tested with a small group of users on the Olsen board.   When it is publicly available, we will post information on how to register and take advantage of the member features.

Q: I'm a registered user. How do I recover a lost password?
A:  If you have lost your password, you can retrieve it by filling in the form at http://www.sweetin.com/jsbbs/lostpassword.html   Your password will be emailed to the email address on file.   If you have trouble completing the form, please contact registrations@sweetin.com for assistance.

Q: How do I post a smiley or emoticon in my message?  What are the codes?
A:  Here are the currently defined codes.  Just type the code in your messages.

Code Smiley Code  Smiley
:) :lol: 
:(   :D  or :grin:
;)  :eek:
:cool:  :mad:
:rolleyes:  :p
:confused: :o
:hyper: :evil:
:bored: :blah:
:party: :wave:
:shrug: :lmao:

:sleep: :cry:
:bow: :yes:
:nono: :love:
:huh: :hmm:

Q: How do I post pictures inside my messages?
A: You may notice other people posting pictures within their messages on the board.  This is quite simple to do using standard HTML codes, if you follow the following steps:

  1. The picture you are trying to post must be uploaded to an existing web site on the Internet.   In other words, you must be able to view it via the Internet through a URL.  (example:  http://www.sweetin.com/jsps01.jpg)

    Note: Some free web site providers do not allow pictures you upload to your account with them, to be posted on web pages outside their own service.  If you need recommendations for which free web page provider to use, please visit one of our boards and ask for suggestions.

  2. Insert the following in your message at the point where you would like the picture to appear:

    <img src="url of your picture">
    or
    [img]url of your picture[/img]

    Using our example picture from item #1:  <img src="http://www.sweetin.com/jsps01.jpg">
    or
    [img]http://www.sweetin.com/jsps01.jpg[/img]

  3. Its that easy.  For more advanced lessons on posting pictures and other HTML tricks, see an online tutorial site such as webmonkey.com.

Q:  What is a 'siggy' and how do I include one in my message?
A:   A siggy, short for signature, is a graphic or text you include at the end of your message.  A siggy is normally used to add a certain personal flair or style to your posts.   You can include a siggy in your posts by either typing it at the end of your message every time you post, or storing one using our Siggy Storage System.   If you do choose to store your siggy, whatever siggy HTML  you do store will be saved on your computer in a cookie.  Every time you go to post a message afterwards, the cookie will be retrieved by the board, and the stored siggy HTML will be preloaded into the message window for you.   You can also find a link to our Siggy Storage System at the bottom of the Message Summary screen.  The link is labeled, "Update/Store Your Signature".

If you want to include graphics or pictures in your siggy, simply include them as you would any picture, by following the steps noted in the preceding question.   Remember, not everyone has a high speed internet connection, so please try to keep the size of your pictures and graphics to a minimum.  This way they will not take forever to download and see.

Please only use the Graphics/HTML/Siggies board for siggy posts.  Please don't clutter the main boards like Jodie Jodie Jodie and Olsens with a bunch of test posts.  There is a Test board dedicated to test posts. 

Q: How do I put a clickable link to another page in my message?
A: To post a link in your message that consists of a word or words to click on:

<a href="http://complete url of page to link to"> words to click on </a>

To post a link in your message that consists of a picture to click on:

<a href="http://complete url of page to link to"><img src="http://complete url of picture"></a>

Q: How do I enter one of the listed topic areas?
A: From the Jodie Sweetin Fan Club Discussion Area main page, click on the name of the topic area you'd like to enter. It's that easy!

Q: I'm in a topic area and I see a list of posted messages. How do I read a given message?
A: Just click on the subject of the message and the message will be displayed.

Q: I'm in a topic area and I see a list of posted messages. It says that there are one or more responses. How do I read them?
A: Just click on the number indicating the number of responses that have been posted in response to the original subject. If the number is 0, there are no responses to be read.

Q: I'm in a topic area and I see a list of posted messages. There doesn't appear to be any messages on a subject I'd like to discuss. How do I post a message of my own?
A: Click on [Post a New Message]. Fill in the info as requested on the screen and click [Post your message] to post your message.

Q: I'm reading a message and I'd like to post a response to it. How do I do that?
A: With the message you'd like to respond to displayed, click on [Post Response]. Fill in the information requested in the screen. Click [Post your reply] to post your response.

Q: All the offered topic areas are cool, but I have an idea for another topic area that should be featured. Who do I submit my suggestion to?
A: You can submit your ideas for any new topic using our handy feedback form or by e-mailing the discussion area administrator at bbs@sweetin.com. Keep in mind that topic areas serve to group broadly related subjects. In other words a new topic would be created to discuss subjects that don't fit into the coverage of any of the existing topics, or are of such great interest that they deserve their own topic area.

Q: When I click on some of various options throughout the discussion area, nothing happens. What's wrong?
A: Nothing's wrong. "Grayed" options simply aren't available for use for one reason or another in a given situation. For example, options to navigate to the next message, aren't available while reading messages unless there is a 'next message' to be read.

Q: Why does the Date of last visit consistently show up as unknown every time I visit a topic area?
A: Unfortunately, technical limitations beyond our control prevent us from tracking and determining the last visit times for some users. These limitations are typically a function of the web browser and Internet Service Provider (ISP) you are using for access. This Date of Last Visit feature is implemented using HTTP cookies. Your web browser must support HTTP cookies, and cookies must be enabled for this feature to work.

Q: Are there any limits on what I can say in my postings to the discussion area, or am I free to speak my mind? If I say something wrong, what will happen?
A: Though fundamentally we are opposed to censorship in general and on the Internet, we strongly feel that there is a time and place for everything. The Jodie Sweetin Fan Club Discussion Area's mission is to promote positive discussion about Jodie Sweetin amongst her fans and admirers worldwide. With that in mind, we feel that it is only appropriate to post positive material about her. That doesn't mean that you can't post a message in disagreement with someone who thinks the world of her. This is a discussion after all and everyone has different views. Use common sense though if you are going to post something not quite so positive about Jodie. Malicious, groundless, or personal attacks on her or her character will not be tolerated. Offensive postings will be deleted at the discretion of those who manage the discussion area. One other thing to keep in mind is that all material posted should be appropriate for viewing by younger audiences. Remember, a large number of Jodie's fans are kids. Posts made to the discussion area will be removed if they violate any of the principles we've set forth. If you disagree with any of these principles or just would like to comment, you may e-mail the discussion area administrator at bbs@sweetin.com or respond via our convenient feedback form.

General Guidelines for Posting on any of our boards:
  1. Please keep posts on topic.  Though an occasional off-topic post will not mean the end of the world, please realize that off-topic posts just clutter the board and thus are strongly discouraged.   Material not fitting any one of our predefined topics can be posted in our freer form board, Potpourri, subject to the provisions of our other posting guidelines.

  2. Though off-topic material is welcome on the Potpourri board, please steer clear of potentially highly controversial topics.  History has shown the following topics to lead to overly heated debates, and thus should be avoided:  religion and religious affiliation, politics.

  3. Please be respectful of your fellow board user.  Personal attacks, including attempts to interfere with the topical flow of a thread created by another board user, will not be tolerated.   Name calling, fighting, posting personal information or pictures of another board member without their permission, are all prohibited under this clause. Referencing another user's posts with the intent to smear or otherwise attack that user is unacceptable.

  4. All boards should be considered having a "PG" rating.  Our boards are frequented by younger visitors, so keep it clean.   Those who willfully and repeatedly post rude and/or crude material, will not be welcome.   Circumventing our "language filter" will be considered a violation of this rule.

  5. The solicitation or distribution of personal information pertaining to Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jodie Sweetin, or other prominent celebrities is not permitted on any of the boards.  Prohibited material includes, but is not limited to, Instant Messenger (IM) screen names, addresses (other than fan club addresses), names of schools attended, and discussion of family members and friends.

  6. If you are including graphics in your post, please keep these graphics to the minimum practical size.  Please realize that not all users are viewing the board over a high speed connection.  Large graphics, or a large number of graphics, can take a long time to download for people on a dialup connection.    Please be mindful of this when designing graphics for use in your posts.

  7. Please attempt to limit the number of posts you make to the minimum practical amount.   Don't just post because you are bored, unless you truly have something meaningful to contribute to the board community.   Non-sense posts just clutter the board.   Be considerate.

  8. If you encounter material on any board which in your opinion violates any of these guidelines, please use the "Got a problem with this post? Report it!"  link included at the bottom of each message.  This will alert a board moderator to the problem.  It is typically best to just report an offensive post than to respond to it.

  9. Where practical, a warning will be issued to those who are noticed violating any of these guidelines.  In cases of severe violations or repeated violations, access to the board may may be suspended or revoked without any or additional warning.   You may appeal such suspensions by contacting bbs@sweetin.com. Be sure to include your regular board name, and any reasons indicated for your suspension.

  10. The above guidelines and provisions have been put in place to protect and preserve the integrity of the board and the enjoyment of its users.   Your feedback is always welcome at bbs@sweetin.com.   These rules and guidelines are subject to change without notice.  


Thank you for respecting these rules and doing your part to make the boards a fun place to visit!

Q: Does Jodie Sweetin ever read the messages posted in the discussion areas? Does she ever respond to them?
A: Jodie is aware of the fan club's existence and the associated web-based activities (including this discussion area). She does not however have regular access to the Internet nor regularly check these areas. We certainly can't guarantee that Jodie will read any messages you post, nor can we guarantee that she will personally respond to you. We are working to change this though and will keep you advised of any developments.

Q: Do Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen ever read the messages posted in the discussion areas? Does she ever respond to them?
A: Though Mary-Kate and Ashley may know that our message board featuring them exists, we have no reason to believe they read or post there.  If you see any posts from anyone claiming to be Mary-Kate and/or Ashley, they are probably fake.  If the real Mary-Kate and Ashley ever show up, we will be sure to let you know.

Q: Have a question that we haven't answered here?
A: Use our contact form. We'll read your submission and respond if possible. If it is a general question, you may also wish to ask your question on one of our boards.  The Potpourri and Olsen boards tend to be the most active.