First, please make sure you are in the correct forum. There are several topics covering some general issues.

If you are looking for a specific information, you may try the "search" function since many issues are already covered before. Joining to a current topic is usually attracts more responses than an all new post.

If you want to post a new message, go back one page (where you can see all the topics in the selected forum) click on the "Add new topic" link on the upper left side of the forum window.

If you are posting a new message (not a reply) you will also need to provide a subject for the message.

If you want to reply to a current message then fist click on that message you want to reply to and then click on the "Add reply" link on the upper left side of the message window. You can also click on the "Quote" link if you want to capture the original message in your text.

In either case, if you are not logged in as a subscribed user, you will need to provide user name. This is basically any alias/name you would like to use.

You can attach certain files as attachments. If the file size or type is not accepted then you will get a notification.

Finally, once you finish typing your text, click on "submit" right below the window where you posted your message. Since our forums are moderated, all messages will become visible once our moderator approves them.

Please note that messages not compliant with our publications policy will be rejected. If you are a subscriber to the web site, you will be notified via e-mail when your message is accepted or rejected.

Some forums may require you to register to the portal first to post or reply a message, however most forums are not setup this way.

We suggest you register with the web site as well. This will give you the option to subscribe to certain forums or topics. By subscribing to a forum, you may be automatically reminded of any new messages posted. By subscribing to a topic, you may be automatically reminded of any responses to that message, such as a message that you have posted earlier.

The items posted in the forums will be announced to the ATAHouston Yahoo Group members once, when the weekly newsletter is sent out.

Thank you,

ATAHouston

Dear readers,

There have been a few comments raised about ATAHouston restricting the personal email addresses or the phone numbers on posted messages.

We had to take this measure due to liability issues. Since most of our forums can be accessed anonymously, anybody can post somebody else's personal information in a message and there is no way of knowing if this is a sincere post or done to expose one's personal info. (Imagine Mr. X disclosing Ms. Y's personal info and causing many spam calls, mails, etc.) We have received few complaints regarding this problem in the past.

Yet, if you would like to contact somebody directly, this is still possible. Here is what you need to do:

1. Login (you need to be registered of course, which takes a few seconds only)
2. Open any forum posting
3. Click on the author's name, and then click on "send mail" link. 

Note: Keep in mind that this is only possible if the author had logged in before posting that message. if you want readers to reach you, you need to post your messages after you login. If you post anonymously, there is no way the system can know your email address.

If you see the "(guest)" label next to an author's name, this means that message is posted anonymously and this function is not available.

We understand that logging in may be an inconvenience for some, however we need to be on the safe side for our users. Please remember that most other reputable web sites and forums use the same approach, or do not even let any messages be posted unless the user is logged in.

If you have any questions, please contact us by either following the steps above, or simply write us at admin@atahouston.org.

Thank you,
ATAHouston