The Menu Bar
Remember that you can always get to the help window by clicking on the "Help" icon -- the question mark in the little blue box -- near the top right corner of your screen.
You can also get to help from many other windows. Just look for the help icon. Clicking on it takes you to the appropriate help section. (Perhaps you just did that to get here.)
If you're having trouble with the Menu bar or you just want to figure out what those icons are for, you've come to the right place.
The Overview
PNN's white menu bar sits across the top of the screen. It lets you access PNN's home page, displays your avatar, byline and status, the icon to share this broadcast via email, a subscribe to your broadcast button, a contact button, a star icon for readers to "Star You", search options, our welcome to you, the logout link, the help icon and the flagging icon.
From left to right across the page:
PNN's Logo
We kind of like it, and it's functional too. Just click on the logo to visit PNN's home page.
Your Avatar (or our default)
In the computer world, your avatar is an icon or image that represents you, it's part of your signature. We have many that you can choose from (animals, symbols, famous people) - or use one of your own. Just navigate to "Profile" under "My Broadcast" and you'll see how easy it is to choose an avatar from the list. To the right of the list is a top bar preview with your new avatar in place. The avatar image is always square and never appears larger than 64 by 64 pixels in size. So, if your uploaded image does not look as you expected, try using the previous mentioned size. Also, did you know when you click on the avatar it goes to your profile page?
Your Byline
Just as with a journalist, your byline is your chosen author name. You can use variations of your own name or invent a new one, it's like a pen name.
Share Your Address Icon
Use the Address icon -- the one that looks like an envelope -- to share the URL of your broadcast. Click on the icon, and in the box that comes up just type in the email address of your friend, and we'll send that person a link to your broadcast. You also have the option of sending your URL to multiple people using your own mail program. Don't worry. We won't send them spam or even save their email address.
Subscribe Icon
This icon allows people to subscribe to your broadcast. To subscribe to someone else's broadcast, just go to their page and click on their Subscriptions icon. You'll see that they now have one more subscriber -- you.
Contact Icon
The contact button opens a text window for email messages. It's a great way for people to contact you about your broadcast, and you can respond using simple email.
Star Icon
The star button lets your readers give you a thumbs-up vote (they "Star You"). Only PNN users can "Star" users and a link to their website is sent to you in an email. There is a tally of votes kept on your profile page.
Flagging Icon
Our flagging system empowers PPN members to identify inappropriate broadcasts. You all can do that much faster than our staff ever could. Just click on the icon on the offender's page. If the broadcast receives enough flags, we will remove it and send an email to the author, so please be judicious with your flags.
Help Icon
Click on the question mark within the little blue box to access the help sections. We'll help you get started and troubleshoot any problems you have along the way.
Logout Link
Click here to logout -- remember, PNN always keeps you logged in until you click on the logout button.