About: Getting started – a step by step guide

Here are some steps to assist you in getting started at Downsyndrome.com by joining and creating your profile and blog. We’ve also included more detailed information about the various functions and settings for your blog and profile.

Step 1: Joining Downsyndrome.com:

On the Register page you’ll be asked to fill in some information including:

- Username: Your username is the name you will use for logging into Downsyndrome.com, and will also become the unique URL address for your profile (e.g.: tomsdad.downsyndrome.com.com). It could be a good idea to ‘claim’ your first and last name here.

- Email address: This is not shown anywhere on the site and is only used as per our Privacy Statement. You can change this later under your dashboard / account settings.

- Password: This is your password for accessing the site. Please type this in twice in-order to verify that you don’t make a mistake. Don’t worry though, if you forget your password in the future, you will be able to recover it using your email address.

- Name: Downsyndrome.com is a close knit community so users must use their real names in-order to be members.

- City, Country: Where are you from? Members love to meet others from the same areas where they live.

- About you: Tell a little bit about yourself.

- Why I’m here: Let us know what brings you to the site.

- Profile Picture (Avatar): Upload a picture of yourself here. This is displayed on your profile and in the member directory. Members are more likely to connect with you if they can see a ‘real’ image of you.

This picture needs to be bigger than a thumbnail (larger than 250×250 pixels) and you will be able to crop it later. You can also change this later or upload this  later.

- Blog title (optional): The title of your blog (this can be changed later) appears on the banner of your blog. (You can add a tagline/description later under settings; the default is ‘another Downsyndrome.com web blog’)

- Default groups: You have the choice to join one of our groups so you can get up and running a little quicker.

Step 2: Activate your membership:

Check your email inbox for the email from Downsyndrome.com to activate your membership.

Click on the link in the email and you’ll be directed back to the Downsyndrome.com site. Your account will then be pending active. Due to the incessant amount of spam this website receives, each account will need to be manually verified. This usually happens within a few hours but unfortunately it can last a few days.

Your username and password will be displayed - and also emailed to you for your records. Welcome to Downsyndrome.com!

Now you can check out your dashboard and profile page. You can select:

>> View your site: where you will be directed to your ‘profile page’ – you will still need to log in here to do anything  - tick remember me and you won’t need to log in again)

OR:

>> Log in: where you will be directed to the login page. Use the username and password emailed to you – tick remember me and you won’t need to enter this again. You will then be directed to the ‘dashboard’ **- essentially the ‘back-end’ of your Downsyndrome.com site.

Step 3: Add more profile information:

From My profile, select edit profile – this is a quick link to your dashboard settings. On the top menu you can select ‘additional info’ which allows you to add in more info about yourself.

Select change avatar for a quick link to your dashboard settings to upload or change your picture avatar

From My dashboard, select the profile tab:

- Select Additional info to add more detailed information on you and your business that appears on your profile page when filled in.

- Select Avatar to upload or change your avatar here

Step 4: Create a Downsyndrome.com blog:

Whether you are in your profile or dashboard pages you choose blogs/ my blogs – create a blog

You will see the following fields to be completed:

- Choose a blog domain name: (this cannot be changed and this becomes your unique blog URL e.g.: janesmom.downsyndrome.com

- Blog title: the title of your blog (this can be changed later) appears on the banner of your blog. (You can add a tagline/description later under settings; the default is ‘another downsyndrome.com web blog’)

Then login using your username and password (click on remember me!)

This takes you to your dashboard**, which now includes your blog dashboard as well as your profile dashboard.

Step 5: Write your first post!

- My Dashboard / write post