SCROLL DOWN TO SEE TIPS FOR USING LET'S TALK

I have often reflected over the years upon the idea of how nice it would be for Food News listeners to be able to communicate with each other and share information. For example, it often happens that someone is looking for a particular item or recipe - or a resource of some sort in their particular geographical area. Sometimes a listener wants to know the "trick" to solving a problem that turns out to be best described by another listener who makes that particular dish, or performs that particular task, all the time.

When these questions arise on-air during the shows, we invariably receive lots of terrific help from other listeners - but there is not enough time during the broadcasts to be of help to very many in this way. Of course, as you know, we make a mighty attempt to answer questions by e-mail and regular post, but we are chronically behind because of the enormous volume of mail we receive. Many questions that we answer in that way could be answered by other listeners, as well as by us - for example, responding to a listener who would like to have something that was heard on the show repeated or "recapped."

Then, there's just the lovely thought of being able to share recipes, thoughts and questions with each other whenever we want to..and that's how "Let's Talk" has come into being.

I have put together a few tips and explanations for using the Let's Talk forum - beginning with a simple step-by-step user's guide, in case you are unfamilar with this type of interactive setting. I think you'll find it fun and not complicated - and I surely hope you'll enjoy visiting together and helping each other - Maria, Taleen and I will look in from time to time, and I look forward to discovering Let's Talk topics that seem to stimulate particular interest and incorporating those for further discussion on the Food News shows. Again, welcome!

Melinda

To Log In to Let's Talk:

Click on the words at the top of this page: "Click here to ENTER Let's Talk"

When you see a category that interests you, click on the name of the category (such as "Open Forum," "Recipe Exchange," "Solve a Problem," etc.) to see the topics posted in that category.

When you see the list of topics, click on a topic to see the original post and the responses that have been posted to that topic.

NOTE: It is necessary to register (create your personal account) to reply to a post, or to post a topic of your own. [Please see the paragraph below for information about how to do this.]

To post a topic of your own: click the icon called "new topic" - found on the upper left of the forum page (as well as on the upper left of each topic page) - and post your topic.

To post a reply to a topic: to post a reply to any topic, click on the icon next to the "new topic" icon which appears above the particular topic you are reading. The icon for reply says "post reply" - click on that to post your reply.

To Register (Open Your Account) on Let's Talk: click on the box marked "Register" at the top of any page within "Let's Talk." Follow the prompts to register. Please be sure to provide visual confirmation of your registration by copying the numbers and letters in the grey field into the box provided (this confirms to us that you are a real person, and not a computer attempting to register). You will receive an e-mail confirming activation of your account.

When you choose to register, you will receive the following privileges:

When you register:

You can edit or delete your posts or your replies to other posts

You will have a personal mailbox, visible only to you, accessible from the Let's Talk forum pages [click on "You have__ new messages" at the top of any page to see your mailbox].

You can send and receive private messages to and from other registered members, using this mailbox.

There is an Inbox, a Sent Box/Outbox, and a Save Box in your mailbox to help you organize your correspondence.

You can choose to make your presence on the Let's Talk forum invisible - or make your presence known.

You can make your e-mail address available to other users or not, as you choose, but you can receive messages to your "inbox" without revealing your contact information [there is a "preferences" screen to fill out when you register, on which you will state your preferences].

You can receive personal notice by e-mail that your post has been answered, so you can go to www.MelindaLee.com and see what is waiting for you on the Let's Talk page.

YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION (AND E-MAIL ADDRESS)
IS NEVER RELEASED TO ANY THIRD PARTY,
IT REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL


For More Information:

Check out the icons, particularly the FAQs at the top of each page in the Let's Talk forum.

Use the icons, read the little posted notes around the forum, remember that your computer's "back" button will always return you to where you were before. Have fun - you'll get the hang of it in no time!