This is both an instruction manual as well as a FAQ page. If you're new to the site, or if you're having any difficulties working out how to use any of the functions, take your time and proceed step by step.
Tip: Print this guide and keep it to hand for future reference.
Using the Member Menu
Login, and the first page you see contains the Member Menu on the left and some boxes on the right and middle containing summaries of your photos, news, a search box, your member info. etc.
In the Member Menu, click on My Profile
This will reveal your full profile ready for editing. Make your changes then click the SAVE CHANGES button near the foot of the page. Depending on what you change your profile may need to be approved before it's live and visible on the site again, but approvals generally take just a few hours.
In the Member Menu, click on Customize Profile
On this page you can choose a background colour, background image, font, and text size for your profile. This is entirely optional but it does allow you to add a personal touch to your profile's display. Experiment by clicking the View Profile link on the same page.
In the Member Menu, click on Upload Photos
This is your photo management page where you'll see any you've already uploaded and buttons using which you can browse for new images on your PC and upload to your gallery. You can also tick a box next to the image if you want it to be marked as 'Private' so that you can choose to whom you reveal it on request.
Large photos will be automatically resized.
We'll happily scan a photo for you and upload it to your profile. Please post it/them to:
Love Sail Photos
c/o Redspan Solutions
PO Box 403
Fareham, Hampshire
PO16 7XQ, UK
We can only return photos if you include return postage e.g. an s.a.e.
In the Member Menu, click on Upload Sounds
Use this page to upload any sound clips e.g. a recording of yourself giving a greeting to other members, a couple of lines of your favrouite verse or poem, etc.
Please note that for legal reasons we cannot accept any copyrighted material.
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In the Member Menu, click on Upload Videos
Use this page to upload any video clips e.g. a recording of yourself saying 'Ahoy', or any film clip taken with your mobile phone or digital camera.
Please note that for legal reasons we cannot accept any copyrighted material.
In the Member Menu, click on Communicator
This page contains various lists of people who have communicated with you in some way, and those with whom you have initiated contact.
In the Member Menu, click on Read Comments
On the page that loads you'll be able to see any comments that other members have posted on your profile. You can answer any (your answer will appear underneath the comment), and delete any you don't like or which have ceased to be of relevant.
In the Member Menu, click on Forum
This opens a new window in which the forum is displayed. You will be automatically logged in.
In the Member Menu, click on Membership
On this page you will see a summary of your account status at the top and links below from which you can choose your payment plan. Subscriptions enable you far more privileges than free membership does.
These are time based memberships of 12, 30, 90, and 182 days. Purchase one of these if you expect to be online fairly regularly and to derive the most benefit from the community, we highly recommend that you do visit the site often in order to check who's new and to participate.
Making Payments
Choose your payment plan then click the CHECKOUT button.
The next page will a summary of your planned purchase. If you would like to make recurring payments monthly payments and thereby avoid having to resubscribe each month, click the 'recurring payment' box.
Next, click the CHECKOUT button to be taken to the secure payment page at the PayPal site.
Wait for the page to fully load then choose one of two buttons:
A) If you do not currently have a PayPal account, click the 'click here' button to pay using any credit or debit card.
B) If you do have a PayPal account, enter your login details and click the 'continue' button (bottom right of page).
Enter your card details in the page that follows and click the appropriate button to conclude the transaction, and REMEMBER TO CLICK THE RETURN TO MERCHANT BUTTON last of all.
If you have a PayPal account then the payment page is different but the steps are easy to follow.
If, for any reason, you are unable to make payments online you may send your payment to us at this address:
Love Sail Payments
c/o Redspan Solutions
PO Box 403
Fareham, Hampshire
PO16 7XQ, UK
Please remember to include your username and what type of membership you wish to purchase.
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In the Member Menu, click on Add Feedback
This page allows you quickly and easily add some feedback to the site. Write a brief headline then enter your comments in the box provided. Check your text, correct any errors, then click the 'Add Feedback' button. Once an administrator has approved your feedback it will appear on the site.
In the Member Menu, click on My Guestbook
Here you can view any entries other members have added to your Guestbook. You can delete any old or irrelevant entries.
In the Member Menu, click on My Blog
Here you can add new blog entries, or edit and delete previous entries. Use the form provided to add a new blog entry. Don't worry about the date and time as this will be added automatically.
Use the two drop down menus to choose who can view or add comments to your blog entries.
In the Member Menu, click on My Gallery
Click the link to create a picture album. Give it a name, then use the browse button to find a picture on your PC, then add a comment in the box e.g. "P51, London Airshow, 1979", then click 'Add new object' to add the photo to the gallery with accompanying comment.
Exit the Gallery page by clicking on another option in the Member Menu, then click back into My Gallery.
Use the Manage Objects link to delete or add new pictures.
Use the Manage Albums link to delete or add new albums.
In the Member Menu, click on My Polls
Type a question into the question box. Add two or more answers in the boxes beneath. Use the links provided to add more answers (we recommend 2-6 short answers). When you've added all your answers, click the 'generate poll' link. The new poll will appear in the box beneath. Hold you mouse over each answer to see the full answer scroll by. Use the links on the right to disable or delete an active poll, or to activate a disabled poll.
In the Member Menu, click on Log out
Ensure you log out cleanly when finished. Keep your login details private and secure.
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Using the Action Menu
The Action Menu is only visible when certain sections of the Member Menu are on display i.e. My Profile and Communicator, and when you are logged in and viewing another profile.
When viewing My Profile (Member Menu) the Action Menu has two links. One is for previewing your profile, and the other is for viewing your Guestbook. Both links open in new windows.
When viewing Read Comments (Member Menu) or viewing a full profile the full Action Menu is displayed.
When viewing the Communicator (Member Menu), the Action Menu has three links: Your Inbox, your Sent Messages, and a New Message link.
Full Action Menu
Instant Message: Adds the member whose profile you're viewing to your IM list. You can then send them IMs (if they are online) using the IM window below the Action Menu.
View Video: Displays any video clips the member has uploaded.
Get E-mail: If the member is willing to divulge contact information on request, clicking this link will send you and email to your email account with those details.
Send Message: Opens a page on which you can compose and send a message.
Send virtual 'Ahoy': Sends a virtual 'Ahoy' to the recipient. An email is generated and sent to their address informing them of the arrival of an 'Ahoy'.
Email To A Friend: Sends a message to a friend containing a link to the profile.
Guestbook: Displays the member's guestbook in which you can add a note or comment.
Blog: Displays the member's blog. You can add your reaction to the member's blog entries if you wish.
Gallery: Gives you access to the member's picture albums.
Block Member: Prevents the member from contacting you.
Friend Member: Invites the member to your Friends list.
Hot List: Adds the member to your Hot list.
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Replying To Messages
To reply to a message:
Login: myusername
Password: mypassword
Click on Communicator in your Member Menu on the left
Then click on My Inbox in the Action Menu beneath
You'll see new messages in your inbox. Click on the subject heading to read the message. Click on the Reply link to send a reply.
Why's my profile inactive?
Each time you change any of the following profile fields, your account is set into "Approval" mode and will be reviewed by the Love Sail administration team for re-activation:
Nickname;
Real name;
City;
Occupation;
"About me" description;
"About you" description;
Phone;
HomeAddress;
Homepage
Profiles are usually re-activated within a few hours at most. Also, each time you change your account e-mail, your account is set into "Unconfirmed" mode and a confirmation letter is sent to the new e-mail. After you confirm your e-mail, your profile will be accepted to be reviewed by Love Sail administration team for activation.
Tip:
To avoid having to wait for re-activation when you want to use the site, edit your profile last thing before you log off for that session. Communicate first, edit last.
Why join?
Back to topDo you sail alone but would prefer a friendly faced navigator or crew member? Yacthies and crew; this is the place for you.
What you can do as a full member
What does is cost?
It's free to register and you can leave your profile on the site indefinitely, so register now to try the site and to have a look around. There's no commitment and you cancel at any time. However, to make full use of all the functions and fun in the site and to contact other members you need to become a full member. Full membership costs are as follow:
This service is easy and safe to use, and you do not need to add any personal details other than your likes, dislikes and what you are looking for in a partner. Your privacy is respected and maintained throughout. You can update or remove your profile at any time.
To begin using this site, simply register a few details about yourself. You need only add a username and answer a few questions about your likes and dislikes. For a few pence a day you can join a growing community of like minded souls who understand your passion for your pastime or profession!
- Do I have to complete all the questions?
No, but the more comprehensive profile you create the easier it is for other members to get to know your likes and dislikes.
- Will be email address be revealed to anyone?
Definitely not. All your personal details are kept private. The only way your email address can be discovered is if you decided to reveal it to someone yourself.
- Do I have to upload an image of myself?
It's not compulsory and you can still make full use of the site. However, statistics show that it is ten times more likely that your profile will be viewed if you do include a picture of yourelf. You can add several and choose which one is shown by default.
- Can I upload my photo from my mobile?
If you're based in the UK then we now support photo uploads from your mobile photo. Simply send you picture to 07799663047. Whilst we don't charge for this service, the usual phone charges apply when sending picture sms.
- I've just uploaded my photo, but it still isn't active?
We review all pictures before activating them on the website. So bear with us if your picture isn't accepted instantly - we won't forget about you. Most photos are activated within 24 hours.
- Why was my photo not accepted?
Please only upload photos of yourself or things that are of interest to our members. Anything offensive, racist, or obscene will be deleted.
- Is it true that profiles with a photo get more viewings?
Absolutely! On average profiles with photos receive 10x as many viewings.
- How do I cancel or suspend my membership?
Simply email us with your request for cancellation. If you pay a subscription remember to tell us the exact day that you want us to delete your profile. If you are going away and would like your profile temporarily removed we can archive it for you and you can re-activate it on your return.
- My questions have not been answered here. What do I do?
Email us and send in your questions.
Troubleshooting Tips
When things don't work it can be the cause of frustration and annoyance, but before you email us for support, remember that the vast majority of problems when using a site like this are caused by settings within a user's computer.
Naturally, we're only too happy to help but there may be further delay while we investigate and there is a lot you can do to help yourself get under way again. Not only that, solving the problem yourself is much more satisfying!
Please read the following and try some of these tips if ever you encounter any procedure that doesn't appear to work.
- It is essential that you turn off any pop-up blockers on our browser or computer when using this site.
- Make sure that the URL www.lovesail.co.uk is treated as 'friendly', and that no mail from us is treated as spam.
- If you're computer has any firewall or security software installed, try the procedure with the security switched off and see if you get the same result.
- If you have access to another computer, try the procedure again and compare results. Does it work on one but not the other? If so, compare the browser and security settings of the two computers.
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Browser Settings
Please try this:
1a. In Microsoft's Internet Exlorer select Tools >> Internet Options >> General >> Delete Cookies
1b. In Netscape select Edit >> Preferences >> Privacy & Security >> Cookies >> Manage Stored Cookies >> Remove Stored Cookies
2. Close your browser, re-open it, log in, and then try the procedure again
and/or this:
1. In Microsoft's Internet Exlorer select Tools >> Internet Options >> Privacy >> and check that the setting is Medium or less
2. Close your browser, re-open it, log in, and then try the procedure again.
