As this forum is growing, there are certain rules you should try to follow if you want it to remain useful and easy to use.

Please, try to follow this guidelines to keep all the messages organised:

• Browse the previously posted messages before posting your own just in case your question has already been answered
  
  I've read many posts asking over and over again the same things. As posts get old, the forum won't list them (unless you select the option "Show all topics").
  
  Also, there are questions that could be answered by going to the websites we recommend here. For instance, you should find nearly all the information you need about trains at the RENFE website (prices, schedules...), both in Spanish and in English.
• Use a descriptive Subject line to help guide others to your posting
  
  A few samples of non-descriptive subjects are: "Help!!", "Segovia", "How old", "VAT". These subjects don't give a clue on what they are about. When someone is searching for information, he will have to read the entire message to know what it is about.
  
  A good subject should explain everything helping the searching process.
• Post your messge in the forum which best describes your topic.

If you are not sure about where to post something or if it doesn't fit anywhere, post it at the General Chatter.

Another important issue is going off topic. This make the process of searching information very difficult. If you are looking for information about trains, it should be on the Transportation section, not at the Hostels one.

If there is already a thread about what you are going to post, then follow it up with your message so as to keep all the information about the subject together.

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HOW TO USE SOME OF THE ULTIMATE BULLETIN BOARD FEATURES:

SMILIES:

You can add smilies to express how you feel when you post a message. When writing the message, you will find them at the left ("Smilies Legend"). Just type the characters you'll find there and they'll become an smily when posted.

UBB CODE:

UBB code is a small mark-up languag, following the phylosophy of HTML. You just put an opening tag, then the text you want to have the tag applied to and finally, put the closing tag.

For instances, let's see how to post a link (many people make mistakes when they try it):

The format is:

"["URL=http://www.example.com]Link to my favourite site[/URL]

This will appear as follows:

Link to my favourite site

Other interesting tags are:

"["b]This text is in bold[/b]
"["i]This text is in italics[/i]

This text is in bold
This text is in italics

(Note that I have added extra quoting marks between the square brackets to prevent the system from parsing the tags. Don't write them!)

[NOTE: All the information about the UBB code is here

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And last, I would like to make a comment on profiles. Of course, you are free to leave blanks all the fields in your profile, but sometimes it helps to know where are you from or which are your interests.

Most people don't like to give his/her e-mail - I guess they are afraid of being spammed or harassed - but saying where are you from won't hurt you. Anyway, this is just a suggestion and of course it's up to you to follow it.

Please, follow these guidelines and help us to make Madridman's board the best one on the net.

Regards,

Antonio

PS: I've noticed that some of the regulars have forward people to previous posts with the answers to their questions. It shows that they know how a forum should work.

Please, I love helping people but I don't like answering over and over again the same questions.

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The best tips from your favourite hostal in Madrid.
Hostal Chelo at http://www.chelo.com

[This message has been edited by Antonio (edited 11-01-2000).]