I've started a site FAQ (frequently asked questions) page up here http://www.retouchpro.com/faq.html

This isn't for retouching questions, but rather questions about how to use this site.

It's not for public consumption yet, as you can see. What I need are questions. Just type them here in this thread. If you feel you have a good reply, feel free to post it here, too (just make sure we know which question you're replying to).

Once the FAQ page is reasonably fleshed-out, I'll put it in the menubar. Obviously it will always be a work in progress.

What are my rights in regards to using photos from a Challenge or posted by someone else here on RetouchPro?

Answer:
I believe there is a whole thread recently that outlines the answer to this question.

jeffrey

1. How do I get the original images for the challenges?

2. I can't get this figured out so it looks right - will you do my restoration/retouch/repair for me?

How do I resize my photos to upload to RetouchPro?

Jeanie

I'm just getting started with Photoshop. Am I in the right place?

I don't have Photoshop. I have a different image editor. Is this OK?

Why does the menu keep falling below my taskbar? I can't get to the bottom of it to click on the menu items.

Why are there two different "Search" options on the menu bar?

Why are there two galleries?

Believe there is a thread on this...

How do I FTP?
What does FTP mean?

Another popular one....

Can I add my challenges to my portfolio?

Can I ask a question without everyone else seeing it?

(Explain the Private Message option as well as explaining that most questions and answers help other members that haven't thought of asking that question yet.)

How do I attach my image to a post? (Lots of people have trouble their first time -- some because they don't see the "Browse" button to add their image, and others because they try to upload an image that's too big and then get confused about how to backpage to re-upload and/or don't know how to resize [Jak already mentioned that one]. )

Great suggestions! Keep'em coming! :)

I've put up some of your suggestions and started writing answers. This is harder than I thought it would be (and I knew it was going to be hard, which is why I've been putting it off :) )

Feel free to suggest answers, as well :)

Can I resubmit a photo?

Be sure to mention somewhere appropriate that when you preview a message that has a pic attached the pic disappears from the post. I don't know how many times I keep seeing that happen with new people. Some figure it out, while others may get frustrated and leave, and we wouldn't want THAT.

How do I get email notification from images that are uploaded to the gallery?

Clare:

Are you asking, or suggesting a FAQ?

If you're asking, it's "click on 'Receive Email Updates' under any image".

If you're suggesting, thanks :)

Any tips for searching this site?

How long does a challenge stay active?

Are the fund raisers on a specific cycle?

If no one responds to my post ... what should I do? Should I; post in a different area, go away, post again, add a comment to my original post to make it a recent post so it will show up in new posts ... ?

Is there an option to get more posts in a thread per page?

If I start a thread and the moderator changes the forum that it is in, how do I find it?

I have noticed other forums that appear to use the same software have a quick reply option, does this site have that and I don't have the option turned on?

There is a lot on this site. Is there a site map with descriptions easily found from the menu?

If someone responds to a post in a way I think is inapropriate do I respond back nicely or report to a moderator?

How do I enter a link to another thread in a post?

When so much can be learned as a group with an open forum, when is it apropriate to use private messages?

I have a slow dial up connection, is there anything I can do to optimize my experience here?

I want to print a thread, is there a way to just print the text from all the pages, or other custimized control of what will print?

Adding to this list of questions is an idea. On the DPreview site in each review is a grey scale for self-testing that the monitor used to view photos on the site is not way off ... It reminds me of the logo on this site - maybe it could be modified to officially double as a monitor test. Since this site shows images, it would be a real plus for people that are new to know that there monitor / monitor profile is either good or needs help. It would be a neat twist to have a logo for a quality site used to assure a quality experience.

Roger

Hello Doug,

That was one for the FAQ - the reason being that the upload image has a recieve email updates Yes/No option but it doesn't work. So you have to click on the email link under the picture. Just thought that a newbie might be confused - I certainly was :)

Clare

A couple to consider:

Does your site have a "site map"? If so, where is it? :)

What menu choice to I use to change my profile?

I've seen some of the images others have submitted. They're so good. How can I possibly compete with those?

Is there a membership fee? (Gives an opportunity to tell about the donations through Amazon, frequent donation drives from members and where to donate on their own.

How do I make sure RetouchPRO gets the credit from my Amazon.com purchace?

I see Roger suggested something along the donation line already.


Also, can I link my site to RetouchPRO or put RetouchPRO's link on my site? (for those that have thier own websites)

Maybe add a question concerning the reivews and links area so they will know how to add their favorites or write a reivew of something they liked. That might encourage more use of that feature by memebers.

Are there any Limitations on the site content and forum language?



After all the great suggestions everyone came up with, mine are kind of grasping at straws to come up with something. Hope they aren't too lame. :)
DJ

Here is a question that I really have ...

The menu choices of Links and Resources seem to duplicate each other in there intent, I find it a little confusing ... are they different? Or is one the old system that is being deleted in the near future?

They are different links. If you're showing them as the same, you have some local situation going on.

Links:
http://www.retouchpro.com/links/index.php
Resources:
http://www.retouchpro.com/pages/resources.html

Sorry Doug, they are different links for me also, but to some extent they seem to serve the same purpose. Do they, are am I missing something? I am sure you have the differences nailed, but to the casual surfer duplication of purpose is confusing.
Roger

At one point I'd imagined a vast array of original resources, but so far we only have two. So I padded it with some links. But yes, the links part of it is largely redundant.