PreVet FAQs

[jj2]

There is a year long running contest with monthly drawings and drawings for Grand Prizes on Jan. 1, 2013. In honor of 2012 members who have or will turn Veteran, it is called the Veteran's Contest.

For a peek at the prizes bounce over to the Veteran Contest thread .

Contest rules for those turning Vet in 2012
You need a Welcome Thread started before you turn Veteran in the Veteran's Forum. You will use the URL to enter the 2012 Veteran's Contest.

If you don't know a Veteran who will do this for you, visit the PreVet thread and they will set you up for one.

Through PreVet you can also celebrate your day by going a bit further and having an Avatar Event or an Avatar Party (described in FAQs which is located below).

A simple Welcome Thread and Avatar Event makes you eligible for all drawings except the Big Grand Prize that will be given away (along with other Grand Prizes) on Jan. 1, 2013.

To get into the Big Grand Prize drawing, you must have an Avatar Party and you have to participate and you have to be on the PreVet thread when you turn and when the fireworks go off!!!
If by chance the forum is down (not your internet) when you were suppose to turn during an Avatar Party, you will be Eligible for the Big Grand Prize.

Besides entering the contest through PreVet, you can play the Mini Contests and try for additional entries.

I will leave instructions on the final step in your Welcome Thread.
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PreVet: The what's it about and how-to get setup for a celebration.

1. What is a short explanation of an ECF Veteran?
ECF Veteran is a status you're given by the forum after you have been a member for 365 days (for 2012 this will be the day before your joining date that is posted in your Profile). You also need a post count between 70-80.
The forum software will automatically make you a Vet one year later minus one day(due to leap year) and around the hour that you joined. To check the month and day that you joined go to My Profile. On the left, under your name, you will see Join Date 0?-??-20??

If think you should be a Vet already and you click on this link to the Veteran's Forum and you are not allowed in, you need to PM one of the moderators. Go here and scroll down to the bottom and look under ECF Moderator.

2. If obtaining Veteran status is automatic then why have a celebration?

The obvious is because you have been a member of the forum for a year, but it also represents a member's success at smoking less, not smoking at all, and, in some cases, successfully giving up vaping too. It is a proud and exciting time and we REALLY like celebrating with each to-be new Vet.

3. What steps do I take to participate?

First Step:
---First you need some kind of understanding of what the PreVet thread is so you need to read the first post in the PreVet thread.
---Next read this thread to get an idea of the rules for the contest. (4- 17 are very informative for both).
---If seeing how this goes would help, here is a celebration countdown. This turned out to be low keyed and short so there isn't a whole lot of reading to do.

Second Step: Get yourself on the PreVet schedule list that is kept. Bare in mind that scheduling is done about 60 days ahead of time. To get on the List, you need to post in the PreVet thread and make your request. No one there, PM Whiskey.

Third Step: Classwife (or other ECF Moderator) will post the time (the actually hour) that you will turn Vet. It will be posted here.

Fourth Step: Read through #17 and choose a topic theme and then think about the two options below because you'll have to choose one.

Options
Welcome Thread Only: Since members who are not a Vet yet aren't allowed into the Veteran's Forum, a current Veteran will start your Welcome Thread to announce your arrival instead of you having to introduce yourself. Once you turn Veteran, please take the time to visit your Welcome Thread in the now viewable Veteran's Forum and say hi so the other Vets will come by and say .

Avatar Party/Event + Welcome Thread : We change our avatars to a topic of your choice.

A member who is already a Vet will start a Welcome Thread in the Veteran’s Forum and other members (Veteran and non Veteran) will use your topic in their post.

Please note: Non Veterans leave your post in the PreVet thread and a Veteran will move it to the Welcome Thread in the Veteran's Forum.

And, by the way, this is really fun!!!

For this you will come and other ECF members (Vet and non vet) will gather to be there with you in the PreVet thread and everyone, including you, will use your topic to party on the PreVet thread.

There will be a countdown to celebrate the moment.

There will be fireworks.

And I repeat, because it is so true, this is a lot of fun!!!

Because we are prejudice and the Avatar Parties are why we do what we do, there is an alternative. There is the a modified Avatar Party (what I call an Avatar Event): This is where you pick the time you will be on the PreVet thread. The time can be earlier or later and this is great for those who just want a little hoopla but can't be there at the exact moment.

We are happy to do it your way because there is nothing better than making someone feel special and making them laugh.



4. Recap for PreVet: Avatar Parties/Events and the way this goes.
One and Two are for the Welcome Thread Only .

1. You turn Vet in ???.
2. 60 days before that you can get on the list for an Avatar Party/Event or Welcome Thread Only by making a request in the PreVet thread.
3. Choose a theme and post it in the PreVet thread and you are done until....
4. You are sent a reminder from AmandaMarie a couple days ahead of time.
5. When it's your day to turn vet, come by early and confirm that you will be there. We'd actually like it if you came by off and on during your day but we know that that isn't allows doable. But most importantly!!! come to your party when it is time and celebrate.

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5. Contest
See the beginning of this post.
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If you have any PreVet questions go to the PreVet thread.
If you didn't get the help that you wanted on the PreVet thread, PM Whiskey.
You also PM Whiskey if you've requested to be on the List for the PreVet Thread and you haven't been added or see a problem with your information. She will gather the correct information and make sure the changes are made.

Any Main Contest questions go to the ECF Veteran Contest thread.
Any Mini Contest questions go to the Mini Contest thread.
If you didn't get the help that you wanted on either one of these threads, PM jj2.
You also PM jj2 if you see a problem with the FAQs page.

List of those who help on the PreVet thread and what they do.

FYI:
Anyone and everyone is welcome to hang out on the PreVet thread at anytime. You are especially welcome to come and celebrate when other members turn ECF Veteran.

[jj2]

Questions continued.

6. What is an avatar?
A. Look to the left of this post and you will see:
jj2
A short message (I change this periodically so it will differ)
ECF Veteran
Supporting Member (this could possible be there or not)
A picture. This picture is my avatar.


7. How much notice do I have to give to celebrate my turning day?
A. No matter what time you make your request, we will not turn you away. We've actually successful done this for members in the matter of minutes. Although we would really appreciate some advanced notice---gives everyone time to dig something up for pics. Two weeks prior to your turning date would be awesome.
But to Clarification Policy:
We won't modify any existing entries in the list within 48 hours of the turning date/time. This gives us times to work on the avatars and/or plan our personal schedules.


8. How soon can I be put on the list?
A. We try to limit scheduling to the current and the following month or 60 (give or take) days ahead.

9. What if someone is already down for the day I turn?
A. No problem!!! We do our best to accommodate multiple members turning on the same date. Each member is free to choose their own theme; participants rotate and/or combine themes as desired.

10. Wouldn't it be simpler just to put those about to turn Vet on the List?
A. Right at the moment there is an average of about 250 members who will turn Vet each month. Not all of them are active and then not all members that are active want to participate so no one is automatically put on the schedule. This is why it's important that you come and say hi on the PreVet. Since it is a busy thread, your hi might be missed so please PM me, and keep checking the Schedule List to make sure you are on it.

11. Who picks who starts my Welcome Thread?
A. AmandaMarie or someone from the PreVet committee. If you have someone special in mind, and they are a Vet, PM AmandaMarie and she will try her best to arrange it.

12. What time of day will I turn Vet?
A. Classwife (or another of the forum moderators) let's us know when it will happen. Once you have stated that you want to participate, Classy will go to work and find out when you turn. Then if you want to know, all you have to do is click on the link in my signature to PreVet List and scroll down to post #4 and it will be next to your name. If you want it to be a surprise, don't look and let us know that you don't!

13. I can only be here during a certain time of day, is there a way to pick a time that I will turn?
A. It's iffy so we only make a few exceptions but yes there is, but doing so will disqualify you from the Big Grand Prize in the PreVet contest.

Here is how it's done.
Let's say you joined ECF at 1:05 PM. Since we know that the forum updates at 25 minutes past the hour that means the forum will change your status to Vet at 1:25 PM.

To avoid changing on your scheduled time, the trick is for you not to be logged in anytime near 1:25 and for you to stay logged off until you want to turn.
For an example, let's say you want to turn at 5:25 instead. This means that you would refrain from logging in until AFTER 4:25. About a quarter till would be great so we can party a little bit with you before the big event.

Of course this means you can't actively participate in what's going on in the PreVet thread but you can keep an eye on what's going on by visiting ECF as a guest.

14. I have an Avatar Party planned and know I can be here during my day but not at the time I was told I'm going to turn, but don't want to make other arrangements so what should I do? Or I can't make it at all.
A.
1. Give us some warning ahead of time when you can be here and we will celebrate then!!! Yes this will disqualify you from one prize in the contest. You'll still be eligible for the others and the contest comes in second to celebrating your big day!!!
2. If you know for sure that you can't be around at all the day you turn, please contact me and I'll change it to a Welcome Thread.

15. Where is the Veterans Forum?
A. After you turn (until then you can't see it) go to the main page, about 1/3 of the way down, you will see the VIP section and the Veteran's forum is in that section.

[jj2]

16. How do I change my avatar?
A.
At the very top of the page and on your left you will see:
Welcome
Your name
Notifications
My Profile
Settings
Log Out

Click on Settings
Scroll down and look for "My Settings" which is located on the left.
Click on "Edit Avatar"
Here you have two options.

Option 1. Enter the URL to the Image on Another Website:
If you have a picture stored in a place like TinyPic or Photobucket all you have to do is copy the URL.
There is two ways to do this.
First way: Right click on the picture and click on "Copy Image Location."
Second way: Put your mouse arrow over the photo and a box will appear below it. Click in the field next to Direct Link and click. You should see "copied" appear for a second or two.
Once you have copied the URL, go back to Option 1, right click and paste.

Option 2 and the easiest way to do it. Upload Image From Your Computer:
Here you see another field and to the right of it you will see a Browse button.
Click on it.
Find your picture on your computer and double click on it.

Look down and to your right and click on Save Changes.

Now scroll back up and see if you see the picture. If so you were successful.

17 - Q. How do I post pictures.
A. First you have to find a picture. I usually search Photobucket, Bing or Google images. Once you find one, right click and select "Copy Image Location."
To post the image, in the Quick Reply or Advance Reply look for the circled icon. Left click on it.

The box pictured below will pop up. Since we are talking about the picture you just found online, you'll want to choose "From URL."
But if you upload from your computer, you'll want to choose "From Computer."

Next Right click and paste the image you copied in the field.
Next uncheck the box below the field.
Click Okay.


There is an alternative way, just type[img]andpastethelinkhere[/IMG].

[jj2]

Adding banner to signature





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Insert URl in first field or Upload from your computer in the second field.

Click on Upload

[jj2]

Posting your Welcome Thread URL in the contest submission thread.

The video is for those who have never used Copy and Paste.




Instructions on how to enter the contest once you become a vet and have met eligibility requirements:

1) Go to the http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/for...welcome-forum/ where all the new vet's welcome threads are located.
2) Right click on your thread and select "Copy link location" (make sure this is your thread)
3) Go to the Veteran 2012 Contest thread and in the Quick Reply box (where you make a new post) right click and select "paste".
4) Type any comments that you may wish and click the "Post Quick Reply" button.

The link to your welcome thread should now be in a reply. You may wish to remember the post # since that is your entry #.


Just saying it a bit different if you are still confused.



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Removing and adding another image or banner.





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[jj2]

Many people work together to make this the success it is and Whiskey would like to thank all of those who contribute.

Here is an alphabetical list of people who have an actual job that they have to preform.


AmandaMarie: Sets up who is going to start Welcome Threads and sends out reminders.

AttyPops: Keeps us grounded.

CES: The fetcher of ancient histories (most importantly the celebrant's first post). Welcome Thread starter.

Classwife: Hunter of times. Welcome Thread starter.

FranC: Checks Post counts. Welcome Thread starter.

Gummy Bear*: Photoshop Guru and helper with avatars when asked and an all around nice curmudgeon.

jj2: FAQs. Founder and helps with Veteran and Mini contests. Moderator of the sub-forum New Welcome Threads in the Veteran's Forum.

Katya: PreVet playmate (helps move non Vets post from the PreVet Thread to Welcome Threads). Welcome Thread starter and carrier of the Bird.

Pokeygizmo: PokeyWooter PreVet playmate (helps move non Vets post from the PreVet Thread to Welcome Threads). Welcome Thread starter.

Retriever: Welcome Thread opener and all around volunteer.

starrynight: The maker of a glittery surprise for those who have chosen an Avatar Party.

tiburonfirst: Captain of the playmates and carrier of the Bird.

tomcatt: Does the drudge work of putting a who's about to turn list together for the next couple of months.

Whiskey: The founder of the PreVet Thread, gate keeper, our gracious hostess with the most-est, and the keeper of the bird. Welcome Thread starter. Cracks the whip with the no-no finger.
Also watches over the Did you celebrate a PreVet Party thread.

[jj2]

Put your post together with your congrats and pictures if you want to include some and then ask a Veteran to move it.

[jj2]

Used to do pre work.