First up, if you are new to the site I suggest checking this post before you start off. It is a comprehensive guide on the GameSpot forums, unions and community features.

Now that is done - Welcome!

In this thread you will find some quick guides with the goal of making things a little easier for the users of the AU forum. It includes forum specific guides such as how to post an image, add spoiler tags and edit your posts. Feel free to PM me at any time for further assistance of be sure to ask for help in Welcome Newbies - How to GameSpot.

Table of Contents:
Post 1 - How to upload images to GameSpot
Post 2 - How to add images to your posts or blog
Post 3 - How to add an image to your forum signature
Post 4 - How to add links to your posts or blogs
Post 5 - How to edit your posts
Post 6 - How to your spoiler tags
Post 7 - How to review your moderation history
Post 8 - How to add profile images

HOW TO UPLOAD IMAGES TO GAMESPOT

The following instructions have been created to assist you with uploading images or photos to your GameSpot album. Please note that all images are subject to Gamespot's Terms of Use. Additional FAQ can be found here.

Before beginning, ensure the image or photo you wish to upload is located on your personal computer's hard drive.

Now jump into GameSpot, and then into your personal profile page. In your menu to the left of the page, you will see the option Images. Click on this.

Once clicked, you will see two options branch out, All Albums and Upload Images. Click on the Upload Images button to continue.

The options to the left should now be open to you.

Click on Browse to select the image file from your computer. Note that you can upload up to 10 images at a time (GIF, JPG and PNG only)

The Album option can be used to sort your images into specific albums. (This feature is optional)

Now allocate a Title and Category for your image (32 characters max)

The Association option allows you to associate your image with a certain game/s on GameSpot. When someone does a search for that game, an option will be made for them to browse through User Images.

The Description option allows you to provide more detail on the image or photo that you've uploaded (250 characters max)

Finally, Tags. When a user completes a search, an option for them will be to browse results by Tags. Be sure to tag your image with words that you'd associate with it. Separate each tag with a comma.

If you have completed the above steps you should now be ready for uploading. Review what you've done and click the Upload button. Note that it takes time to process each image before it is made available for public viewing on the site.

Your image is now uploaded. Be sure to check the other guides here on how to add your image to a post, blog or signature.

Other image hosting sites are available as well. Imageshack and Photobucket are two free popular choices. For a tutorial on how to upload to Photobucket, head to the link here.

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.

HOW TO ADD IMAGES TO YOUR POSTS OR BLOG

Be sure you know how to upload your own images to the net before proceeding with this guide. The following tutorials will assist you with this.

GameSpot Image Uploader Tutorial.

Photobucket Image Uploader Tutorial.

Please note that all images are subject to Gamespot's Terms of Use. Additional FAQ can be found here. Uploading images is restricted to Level 3 and above and paid subscribers.

Let's begin. While in a new blog entry or forum post, click on the Insert Image button, as shown below.

The following window will open:

The Image URL is the location your image is located. If you used GameSpot's Image Uploader, you can find the URL by right clicking on your image in the photo album, and clicking on the properties option.

In Photobucket, the Image URL is listed as the Direct Link in your photo album.

Now that you have located the image location, enter it into the Image URL. While not required, feel free to enter an Image Description and Title as well.

The Appearance option allows you set alignments, dimensions and add borders.

Once you've completed the above, click on Insert to add your image to your post or blog.

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.

HOW TO ADD AN IMAGE TO YOUR SIGNATURE

Be sure you know how to upload your own images to the net before proceeding with this guide. For assistance with this, head to the guide here.

Some quick guidelines. Signatures are restricted to

• 200 words or less if text based,
• ~50kb or less if an image,
• Dimensions of 550px x 190px (if an image or image/text combination)
• Level 3 and above or Paid subscriber (for imagery in sig)

Let's begin. First start by clicking on options up the top right hand side of the screen to open your profile preferences.

Continue by selecting the Forums tab from the preferences toolbox.

Should you want your signature to be centred, click the centre alignment button shown below otherwise skip past this section.

Next step is to click on the insert image button as shown.

Be sure you havr the URL of your image handy and type/paste it into the Image URL field as shown.

Click ok. Review your signature and if happy with the result click on update.

Congrats, you are done.

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.

HOW TO ADD LINKS TO YOUR POSTS OR BLOGS

First admit it, this doesn't look pretty...

So follow this guide and your links will be looking professional in no time.

First use your mouse to select (click and drag) the text you wish to link. Then click on the little chain icon as shown below.

This will open up a new box which gives you a few options for linking. The two primary ones you want to review are the Link URL and the Target fields.

In the Link URL field, type or paste the full URL (including http://) of the page you wish to link to.

In the target field, select from the drop down box how you'd like the link to open.

Click on Insert and your link should be created.

What's that? You don't like clicking on icons? Why not try typing it out in your post like this...

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.

HOW TO EDIT YOUR POSTS

Ever have one of those days where your can't spell to save your life?

You are not alone. But instead of double posting, take advantage of the edit option.

Found at the bottom right of all your posts, you can easily edit any mistakes out quickly without the need to double post. Simply click on the (select an action below) drop down and than on Edit Message.

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.

HOW TO USE SPOILER TAGS

Nothing is worse than when you are browsing the forums and you read a post that unexpectedly spoils a game, movie or TV show you are currently playing/watching.

Keep that in mind when posting in the forums. Plot Spoilers without clear notice are a breach of the Terms of Use and are downright nasty.

Plot Spoilers: Posting "spoilers" (critical plot details) about games, movies, time-delayed broadcast events, or other media in the title of a topic or in a message without a clear notice is prohibited. To discuss such information in a topic, users should leave the title of the topic as vague as possible, ensuring that no mention of the actual spoiler itself is included, and include a warning (i.e. "SPOILER") in the topic title. In a message post in a non-marked or otherwise unexpected topic, users should leave several blank lines in a post after a warning before revealing any vital plot information.

Another method to hide your spoiler is by using Spoiler Tags.

By typing the following...

You'd get...
[spoiler] It is that easy! [/spoiler]

Cool huh?

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.

HOW TO REVIEW YOUR MODERATION HISTORY

Click on the forum tab on the top of the page. To the right you should notice your profile summary and a link to your moderation history (as shown below).

Additional guides like these can be found in the Welcome Newbies - How to GameSpot board. For moderation questions be sure to try Ask the Mods.

HOW TO ADD PROFILE IMAGES

Does your profile need some sprucing up?

Well below you will find instructions on how to add various images to your GameSpot profile to give your blog a syIe of its own. First be sure you know how to upload images to GameSpot or an image host. Now that's in order, let's begin.

For a User Icon click on the options link up the top right hand side of the page.

Have the URL of your image handy and paste it into the box shown below.

If you'd like to upload a Banner as well, paste the URL in the box shown below.

The Header Image is located on the blog settings. Click on blog and paste your URL into the box shown below.

Getting errors about the size? Be sure your image is no bigger than the size restrictions shown above.

Once done, click on apply and within a few minutes you'll be sporting a new look!

Additional guides like this can be found in the Welcome Newbies forum otherwise feel free to PM me for further assistance.