There are a number of default and additional features at The Academy. This guide explains how to access and use them; some are restricted dependent upon participation in the community. It will be updated as appropriate.

Features:

• The Library: The site has two sides: a library of essays and the discussion forum where you are now. This link will take you to our manuscript content, where you will find a considerable number of essays alongside interviews and recommended reading. You will also be able to read information about the site as a whole.

• Forum rules: This sets out the rules in place at the forum.

• Forum Overview: This explains the structure of the forum, with descriptions of each section.

• Sitemap: This shows the layout of the site in detail.

• Resource Directory: This is a directory of web links, which members are invited to help populate. It lists sites that might be of interest or are valuable as sources of information.

• Glossary: The glossary lists definitions and descriptions of key terms and thinkers, which are linked via pop-ups to posts and threads so that their content is more accessible. You can add entries to the glossary.

• Arcade: The arcade hosts a number of games for members to play or challenge one another at, with current champions displayed.

• Café Galileo: This is the site's chat room for longer conversations, which is fully integrated with the forum. Members can view who else is currently chatting on the forum homepage.

• Tags: This system allows you to add tags to your posts to mark their content and search the forum via these tags, which interlink all the threads.

• News Feeds: This option allows you to browse news from around the world. You can then offer stories for discussion in our Gallery: Members can add and manage their own pictures across various categories while enjoying those submitted by others. A random selection is displayed on the forum homepage.

• Social Groups: This feature allows you to create a group for other members of like mind (for example, fans of the same sport or band) and post messages to one another.

• Social Bookmarking: Each thread contains an option box allowing you to share a link with a number of social bookmarking sites.

• Subscriptions: This option enables members to "subscribe" to the site and pay a set amount monthly. No additional features are provided; it is simply a means to help support the site if you wish to contribute.

• Donations: This form allows you to make a donation to the site costs via PayPal and is an alternative means of supporting it.

• Invite Friends: If you want to invite some of your friends to visit or join our community, this form sets up an e-mail to them that can be customised if required.

• Searching: You can use the search option on the navigation bar to search the forum. You can also search for members, find your own posts and threads, and identify any unanswered threads. Members have access to more detailed search functions and options.

• Random Thread: Clicking on this link will take you to a randomly chosen thread, which is a nice way to explore the forum and particularly older discussions.

• Thanking Posts: The Post Thanks option allows you to click on the "thanks" icon to show your gratitude for a member's contribution. It is a nice way to let them know their effort in a particular post is appreciated.

• Guide to BB code: This explains how to use code tags to format your messages.

• Posting permissions: Some areas of the forum are restricted to those with (a small) number of posts. This is to prevent people joining just to view the restricted content, particularly The Hospice.

• Quick Reply: Clicking on the "quick reply" button activates the box below the last post if you do not need or wish to using the standard message editor.

• Private Messaging: This function has been enhanced so that you can send quick replies, access your private messaging options from the navigation area and report PMs to administrators if necessary.

• Unread Posts are linked in bold at the top right of the forum when you log in. This option allows you to view all posts made since your last visit.

• Calendar: Any upcoming events or birthdays can be found here.

• Member List: As you would expect, this shows all members of the forum.

• Member Profiles: These have been updated to include more content. They now display standard information that has been submitted when registering but also include messages left by visitors, details of friends, picture albums, arcade championships (where applicable) and various statistics.

• Contact Us: This form can be used to contact the administrations if you have any comments about the site.

• Register to participate
• About the TGL Project
• Meet Our Staff
• Community Features
• Review the forum rules

• Contact Us
• Ask the Librarian
• FAQ
• Forgotten your password?
• Guide to BB code