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How To Use TVWB

Last updated: 03/30/2010

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Navigating The Web Site

At the top of all TVWB pages, you'll see a series of clickable links. Each link represents a different section of the Web site:

  • The Home link takes you to the Web site homepage. This page is updated monthly to feature a new article, a contest drawing, or other information of interest to readers.
     
  • The Product Info link contains detailed photographs and technical specifications about the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, including assembly, parts troubleshooting information, and WSM history.
     
  • The Cooking Topics link contains articles about different types of foods that can be prepared using the WSM. They're sort of like recipes, but with a lot more detail and commentary. You'll also find reference articles related to cooking—for example, articles about how to choose a brisket, which smoke woods go best with which meats, and why it's important to let meat rest after cooking.
     
  • The Operating Tips & Mods link contains articles about how to operate and modify the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, including articles on how to fire-up the WSM, how to troubleshoot operating problems, and a FAQ page.
     
  • The Videos link features a collection of how-to barbecue videos on YouTube.
     
  • The Resources link features a list of important resource information that I think is helpful to WSM owners, including contact information for Weber Customer Support, where to buy smoke wood, barbecue videos and magazines, and more.
     
  • The Forums link leads to The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board. This online community is "the place" for WSM owners (and future owners) to discuss this fabulous cooker in a friendly, supportive environment. You'll find over 30 forums dedicated to barbecuing, grilling, competitions, WSM modifications, recipes, and more.
     
  • The Shopping link features the best barbecue products, books, and accessories available from Amazon.com. All purchases help to defray the cost of bringing you this Web site. See Support The Virtual Weber Bullet for more details.

When you click on a section link, the background turns orange, indicating that you're now in that section. If you click on an article in that section, the background stays orange to remind you that you're still in that section.

To see an overview of all Web site content, take a look at the site map.

Searching The Web Site

The content of the Web site is divided into two parts, and each part has its own search engine.

  • On any page in the Home, Product Info, Cooking, Tips & Mods, Resources, and Shopping sections, enter your search into the field at the top right of the page.

    Example of main Web site search
     
  • On any page in the Forums section, click the "Find" button and enter your search.

    Example of bulletin board search

Doing a search in one part of the Web site does not return results from the other part of the site. For example, if you search on the word "brisket" in the Forums, you will only get a list of bulletin board posts having to do with brisket—not results about brisket articles in other sections of the Web site.

Registering For The Discussion Forums

You must register using a confirmed e-mail address in order to post on The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board.

Here's the process:

1) Click the "Login/Join" link on the right side of the page.

Example of LiveCloud login/join link


2) Complete the LiveCloud registration page.

LiveCloud is a central registration service that manages your bulletin board e-mail address and password.

  • Click "I do not have a LiveCloud Account".
  • Enter your valid e-mail address and a password.
  • Review the LiveCloud Terms of Service, then click "I Agree..."
  • Click the "Join" button.

LiveCloud registration page

  • Click the "Continue" link.

LiveCloud successful registration page


3) Accept the forums Terms Of Service

  • Read the The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board's Terms of Service, then click "I Agree..."
  • Click the "Continue" button.

Bulletin board Terms of Service page


4) Fill-out your bulletin board profile

  • The only required field is Display Name.
     
    You must use a version of your real name. If you do not, your registration will not be approved.
    We use real names on the bulletin board because it keeps the discussion more personal and friendly.
     
    For example, you may use any of the following name formats:
    • Joe Smith
    • Joe S.
    • J. Smith
    • J.T. Smith
    • Joe Smith (Nickname or Handle)
       
  • Click the "Submit" button.

Display Name in profile


4) Confirm your LiveCloud e-mail address and await approval of your membership

After filling-out your profile, you'll see the page shown below. You must verify your LiveCloud e-mail address and await approval of your membership (based upon a review of the Display Name in your profile).

E-mail verification and membership approval page

  • Open your e-mail program.
  • Open the LiveCloud confirmation e-mail message.
  • Click the "Confirm email address" link in the message.
  • You will receive a separate e-mail stating that your membership has been approved or deleted by the Site Administrator. Your membership will not be approved if you did not use a real name in your profile Display Name.
  • Go to The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board and login using your LiveCloud e-mail address and password.

Why Was My Forums Registration Declined?

The most common reason for your membership to be declined is because you did not use a version of your real first/last name as Display Name in your profile. I personally review each Display Name and decline the memberships that do not comply with this policy. We use real names on The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board because over the years it has proven to keep the discussion more personal and friendly.

To fix the problem, just login to the bulletin board using your LiveCloud e-mail address and password, then complete your bulletin board profile again, this time using a version of your real name in the Display Name field.

For example, you may use any of the following name formats:
  • Joe Smith
  • Joe S.
  • J. Smith
  • J.T. Smith
  • Joe Smith (Nickname or Handle)

Please e-mail me if you have any concerns about this policy so we can discuss them.

Rules & Terms Of Service For Forums

Your participation in the discussion forums is subject to the conditions set forth on the Legal Information & Privacy Statement page and the discussion forum Terms of Service page. Please take a few minutes to read and understand the information contained in these pages, which spell-out proper etiquette for posting and prohibited actions or behaviors.

When I see a minor rule violation on the bulletin board, I will usually post a message bringing the violation to the member's attention, rather than send an e-mail to the member. I don't do this to embarrass people. I do it because it's much faster for me to post a message than to send an e-mail; because some people register using e-mail accounts that are checked infrequently; and because members can learn from each other's mistakes. So please don't take it personally if I bring a violation to your attention in a post...it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Adding Photos To A Forums Post

To add a photo to a discussion forum post, it must first be hosted somewhere on the Internet. The bulletin board does not have the ability to upload and store your photos.

Most Internet Service Providers give you free storage space where you can upload photos or host a personal Web site; contact your provider for details. You can also sign-up for free photo hosting services on the Web through MSN, Yahoo!, Photobucket.com, ImageShack, All You Can Upload, Webshots, or other such sites.

  • Photos should be no larger than 1024x768 pixels and 300KB in file size.

Once your photo is hosted on the Internet, there are two options for adding it to your bulletin board post:

  • Post The Photo As A Link

    This is the preferred method because it allows readers to decide if they want to download and view your photo. This is especially important for people with slow Internet connections.
     
    There are two ways to link to your photo:
     
    1) Paste the photo's URL into your message. The bulletin board will automatically convert it to a clickable link like this:

    http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/brisket1_photos/brisket11.jpg
     
    or
     
    2) Click the "URL" button located above the box where you type-in your message. Paste the photo's URL and type a description into the pop-up box and you'll get a clickable link like this:
     
    My awesome brisket!
     
     

  • Post The Photo Inline
     
    This method displays your photo on-screen as part of your message. It is discouraged because of the performance impact it has on readers with slow Internet connections.
     
    Whenever possible, please post thumbnail images that are clickable to the larger version of the photo. Whether posting thumbnails or full-sized photos, try not exceed 1MB worth of photos per post. This means three 300KB normal-sized photo, or 10 100KB photos, or any other combination of photos as long as the total does not exceed 1MB.
     
    Photos larger than 1024x768 pixels or 300KB should be posted using the linking method described in the previous bullet point.
     
    To add an inline photo to a post, click the "Display Image" button located above the box where you type-in your message. (This button has a picture of green mountains on it.) Paste the photo's URL into the pop-up box, and it will appear along with your message text as part of your post.

Changing Your Forums E-Mail Address Or Password

Your discussion forums e-mail address and password are managed by the LiveCloud central registration service. Follow these steps to change these items:

  • Click the LiveCloud icon located next to your name, then click "Update LiveCloud Account".

LiveCloud account update link

  • On the login page, click "I have a LiveCloud Account", enter your old e-mail address and password, and click the "Login" button.

  • Once you're logged in, enter and confirm your new e-mail address and/or password, then click the "Submit" button.

If you change your e-mail address, you need to complete the e-mail address confirmation process:

  • Open your e-mail program.
  • Open the LiveCloud confirmation e-mail message.
  • Click the "Confirm email address" link in the message.
  • Go to The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board and login using your LiveCloud e-mail address and password.

Supporting TVWB

The Virtual Weber Bullet is presented free of charge for your enjoyment and education, but it does cost money to produce and maintain the Web site. If you appreciate the quality and usefulness of information provided by TVWB, see Support The Virtual Weber Bullet for information about how you can help.

Terms of Use Privacy Statement Learn How You Can Support TVWB

© 1997-2010 Chris A. Allingham LLC
The Virtual Weber Bullet is an unofficial Weber product fan site and is not affiliated with the Weber-Stephen Products Co.