Lancashire Artists Network

So, you're interested in getting involved with the Lancashire Artists Network, or you're already involved but want to be able to get the most out of the new website?  Excellent decision.

The first thing to do is to create an account.  Down near the bottom of the left hand menu you'll find a link 'Create new account'.  Click that and follow the instructions.  You'll need a working email address to which will get sent your new username and password.  The email will also contain a link that will automatically log you in for the first time.  It is a one-time only link. 

Once you've logged in for the first time you will get the chance to change your password to something you might remember.  It is strongly advised that you don't a) make the password too obvious and b) use a password you have used elsewhere.  Quite a good way of creating memorable passwords is to think of a word that means something to you, er let's think, random word... let's say 'picasso'.  Then you change some of the letters in to numbers that they resemble, so picasso might become 'p1c4550' (p, one, c, four, five, five, zero).  Obviously don't use that one.  Clear as mud?  Good, let's move on.

The next thing to do is create your biography via create content > biography (artist's profile) from the left hand menu.  It's the biographies that get searched when people use the 'artists search' feature in the menu, so if you want to be found it's important that you create this.

And then?  Well I'd suggest you explore the 'how do I...?' section, (under the HELP menu) and then have a go at creating your first blog entry.  Your blog is your personal area of the website, think of it as your mini artist's site for telling people about your work etc.  If you want to ask questions (or answer someone else's) or have a good chat head over to the questions and discussions forum; or let people know about upcoming events, or ... you get the picture.

If you get stuck do post a question, or report a problem.  There are friendly people on the site to help.

Celia Cross:  celia_cross '@' yahoo.co.uk

  There's some useful information about how and why the site is like it is in the site news section.