GenderLife Forum: The Information Exchange

* I just wanted to post a permanent welcome to all the new members here! I am so glad you've joined us in a very special place.
* You can change the appearance of the board by clicking on the "My Preferences" link in the bar above, then choosing a different stylesheet under "Edit Display Options". Try a few out... there are many different looks.
* The board's official name is the Calpernia.Com Information Exchange, but we usually just call it 'the board.' The main purpose of this place is

• To exchange information relating to transition
• and to exchange/share support through this trying process.

* There aren't many "no no's", but here are a few:

• No Personal Attacks - Read this thread on board etiquette to see how we exchange and discuss information in this special setting by owning our own opinions and not attacking other members.
• No Solicitation of Money - Do not ask other members for money, either in posts or PMs. This site itself does accept subscriptions and donations, but only to help defray the large costs of software, hosting and countless hours of programming, modding and maintenance. I'm not having condor-egg omelettes for breakfast and taking caviar baths in my limosine jacuzzi here, trust me

* We are very careful to preserve this board's unique character of friendliness by sticking to two simple ideas:
1. Using "I" statements

• "I think people should always wear pink" GOOD
• "Everyone should always wear pink!" BAD

2. Avoiding personal attacks

• "I don't agree with SoAndSo's idea that crack cocaine is the best way to have fun" GOOD
• "SoAndSo is a stupid idiot for using crack cocaine and it's obvious that she should just shut up and jump off a bridge!" BAD

* A bit of humor there, but you see what I mean...
* Also, a quick reminder... most veterans here have it down, but:
* The purpose of this board is the exchange of information concerning transition, and the exchange of support.
* That's enough for most everyone to come away feeling enriched. I'm so happy with the good things going on here, and I look forward to a continued atmosphere of support and love!
* Be sure to read the FAQ for some cool tips on customizing the board, your username, subscriptions and other neatoh secrets.
* Have fun, share your wisdom and THANK YOU FOR COMING!

* The "Radioactive Topics" forum is a place set aside where members can debate for debate's sake, and discuss topics a little too volatile for the other areas of the board. If a topic gets too hot in another forum, it will often be moved to the Radioactive Topics" forum, out of the general public's sight.
* Why add extra hoops to jump through? Because some members LOVE spirited debate on hot button topics, but some members only want the information exchange portion of the site and are completely turned off by what they view as "arguments". Even seeing the argument topics come up in the "Active Topics link or search results is a downer.

Did you know that you can change the way the site looks to you?
Control how the posts are displayed, how big the text is, how many posts per page, if you have to look at face pics... and more!

You can. UBBThreads is extremely user friendly.

[color:"red"]To Edit your Display preferences... [/color]
- First... make sure you're logged in.
- Click on "My Stuff" at the top of the screen.
- In the dropdown menu, click on "My Preferences..."


LANGUAGE SELECTION:
Here you can choose a language to use... other than English... if you desire. Note this won't translate actual posts... as they were most likely written in English.... but it will translate all navagational text, links, error messages and instructions on the forum software end of things.


STYLESHEET (SKIN):
The next, and most dramatic way to change your viewing experience is to try different stylesheets. Stylesheets are pre-set layouts (or skins) for the overall design and colors of the site.
But there are several to choose from. Including 3 with Large Fonts for those who hate to strain their eyes.

Try selecting a different stylesheet and then scroll to the bottom and click submit. Keep changing them until you find what you most prefer. "Infopop", "desert" and "the blues" are pretty mild and 'clean'. "Black and Blue" and "wild" are a bit more dramatic... but choose whatever one best matches your personality and mood.


TIME:
Here's where you can choose your time offset from our server time. The current server time will be shown. If you are in a different time zone than our server you can enter a positive or negative number for time offset here. This will make your post times, and message times appear accurately.


LIST CATEGORIES OR FORUMS:
You can choose to have the "Main Index" give a listing of categories...rather than the list of forums if you wish.


WHERE TO GO AFTER LOGIN:
You can choose if you wish to view the "My Home Page" or the "Main Index" page after you login.


DEFAULT AGED THREAD TO BE DISPLAYED:
Overwhelmed by the number of posts? You can choose to have only more recent threads and posts displayed. Note that if an old thread gets a reply... it will become "recent" again.


DEFAULT SORT ORDER:
You can choose to list the posts several ways... by date, subject, poster etc... with the newest on the top... or newest on the bottom.


DEFAULT DISPLAY MODE (FLAT OR THREADED):
This is the most powerful way to change the overall function of the forums. There are two choices here. "Flat" mode will show you each post... in one long list. You can scroll down and read all posts in a thread on one screen. "Threaded" mode will function like traditional message boards. Each post will be listed by subject, and you can click on each subject to view that single message.


DEFAULT VIEW:
If you are viewing in "Threaded" mode... then "Collapsed Threads" will show you a list of each main thread subject. You'll need to click into there to view replies. "Expanded Threads" will show you the main Thread subject, with each reply indented underneath it.


TOTAL PARENT POSTS TO SHOW PER PAGE / TOTAL NUMBER OF POSTS:
When viewing the list of posts... this is how many parent threads or how many posts (in flat mode) that will be shown. You might like this number lower if you're on a slow connection, if you're on a fast connection, you might prefer a longer list.


DEFAULT PREVIEW POST:
Change this setting here and you can post without proofing. Note you can still manually override this by checking the box when making a post.


TEXT AREA COLUMNS / ROWS:
Think the size of the box that you type in is too small when you start composing a message? Adjust these numbers... and the box will get bigger or smaller.


VIEW USERS PICTURES PROFILE/POSTS:
You can turn off the face pics that appear in user profiles or next to each post here. You may prefer this to speed things up if you are on a slow connection.


VIEW USERS SIGNATURES:
You can turn off users signatures if you wish.


[color:"red"]WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED: [/color]
Very important. When you are finished adjusting settings, be sure to scroll to the very bottom and click the "submit" button. Changes won't take effect until you do this.

The best way to determine what works best for you is to play with the settings and see what you like.

* Girls, awhile ago I received my first threat from an internet person, via telephone.
* Follow this Internet Safety advice for your own safety. It gives excellent advice on keeping yourself safe on the net and maintaining your options for stealth and privacy later.
* I take this seriously, as I know all too well that there are people in the world who do not value human life. It would be unspeakable if someone else chose the path that Justin Fisher and Calvin Glover took years ago.
* My intentions have always been to do good and help people, so I will simply say that I strongly suggest you not talk to any men who slip through the cracks and contact you as a result of your postings on this board. Notify a moderator if a man contacts you from this board.
* From now on, anyone wishing to join will be personally screened by an administrator here. I apologize, but I must take the safety of our community here seriously.

* On a less cheerful note...
* As it says in impossibly clear language on the signup screen (HERE) :

Board Rules - READ THESE!!! There are only two

#1. The Calpernia.Com Information exchange is for: (Trans) Women overcoming Gender Identity Disorder who seek to become physically female and live in society 24/7 as female. Exchange of Information and Support among (trans) women. #2. This Board is NOT For: Males of any kind (If you self identify as male, DO NOT JOIN) People looking for a trans woman to date (Male or Female) Cross.Dressers (C.D.'s) and Trans.vestites (T.V.'s) (Click Here for the CD/TV support forum!)

* If you have inexplicably joined this board anyway under false pretenses, RIGHT NOW is the time to come clean.
* Some people ask "Why so tough on non-trans people?" and as I've explained many times, I'm mostly just annoyed by the sneaky disregard of my wishes for this community that is shown when someone joins despite all my requests and warnings. I have nothing against non-trans people and admirers, but this is not the place for anything but the exchange of information and support for transwomen who are either currently in the process of transitioning or who have completed transition. There is a link to a wonderful and supportive CD/TV forum on the signup page.

* Just a quick note about legalities and internet forums... Federal Law states that no provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as publisher or speaker of any information provided by another. Any lawsuits must be directed at the actual person (not the forum) who posted the material which one may deem actionable in a court of law.