1.  How do I subscribe to an entire forum so that all new activity is emailed to me?

There are a couple of ways to do this.  First, you can click on "my profile" which takes you to your profile.  Click "edit profile" and then under the "preferences" section you can check the "subscibe to topics" checkbox.  This should automatically subscribe you to new topics.  The second method, which allows you to only subscribe to certain forums such as the "Pilot Slot Quest" forum, is to simply go into that forum and check the box entitled, "Email me when someone posts to this forum."  The third way to subscribe is to click on a thread you want to subscribe to and check the subscription box in it.  You can also post a response to a thread that is emailed to you simply by replying to it with email!  There is no need to visit the forum or login!

2.  How do I see only threads that I haven't yet read and hide the rest?

From the main messageboard, click on the hyperlink "Not Read"

3.  How do I see only threads I've posted in or started?

From the main messageboard, click on the hyperlink "My Forums"

4.  How do I get a graphic Avatar next to my username?

Go to "Edit Profile" as described in Question 1 above.  Once there, at the bottom you'll be given options which will allow you to either upload a graphical image or put in a URL which points to a graphical image.  The max dimensions for avatars is 150X150.

5.  How do I put a picture into my post?

There are two ways to do this.  One is to supply an attachment.  When you compose a thread either by starting a new thread or by replying to an existing one, you'll see an area for "Message Attachments."  You can put up to three pictures or attachments into your post.  Browse to the picture or other document you want to attach and click the Submit button.  Your graphic(s) will be displayed on the last line of your post and will be centered.

The second way to put a graphic into your post (and one that gives you more flexibility with how it is displayed) is by using the built in text editor.  Click the "Insert Image from the Gallery" button and you will be able to select an image to use, or upload your own image to the gallery.  Then you double click it to put it into your post.  The Gallery button is highlighted in red below:

6.  How do I make the forums show the most recent post at the top instead of showing the oldest?

As shown in Question 1 above, go to your Profile and edit it.  In the Preferences section you can change how the forum is presented.

7.  How do I send someone a Private Message or read mine?

When you recieve a Private Message you will be notified in real time with a popup window.  Click on that window to read your messages.  To send a message, click on the "Private Message Me" hyperlink below a user's information block.  Also, at the very bottom of the forum is a Private Message box that will tell you the status of your Private Messages and allow you to review them or send a new one.

8.  How can I get rid of some of the forum groups that I don't use?

To the right of the forum group, in the main messageboard view, is a little arrow icon.  Clicking that will close the forum group from view.

9. If I have hidden some forums that I don't use, but click on the "Not Read" link, will it include topics from the hidden forums?

Yes.

10. How do I see only posts or replies that have been created in the past hour or so?

Click on the "Active Topics" link.  You can set the time period (last hour, last two days, etc) in the dropdown box to the far right of the link.

11. How do I add a Poll for users to vote in?

Next to the "Add New Topic" button is an "Add New Poll" button.  Click that.  You will then be able to add the poll question, "What is your favorite color?" and specify answer choices.  You can then add more information like any other topic.  When you post, registered users will be able to vote and respond to your poll.

12. How do I change my forum username that is displayed?

You can change how your name is displayed on the forum.  To do this, login to the website and go to the messageboard.  Then, click on your username in the very very top right hand corner of the website.  There, type in a Display Name in the field.  Hit the "update" button and your forum displayname will change.  Your username for logging in remains the same.

13. How do I add YouTube video to my post?

Copy the "embedded video" code from the YouTube video webpage by highlighting it and pressing Ctrl-C

Then hit the "Add Reply" or "New Thread" button to bring the Text Editor where you can add your post.  Put the cursor where you want the video to be added and then click the "Source" button.    You will then see the HTML code for your post (like below).  Go to the end of it and press Ctrl-V to paste the code.  Then press that "Source" button again and you'll see the video box showing where the video will be.  You can center it or move it.  When you post that area will have your video there.