What is a chat room?

A chat room is a place where you can log on and chat live with other members of Pickleberrypop who are also logged on to the chat room at the same time. It’s similar to MSN, AOL Instant Messenger, or Yahoo chat. Pickleberrypop also run regular Chat and Scrap sessions where you can have fun and scrap with other members. More information on these sessions can be found in the Forum.

How do I get into the chat room?

Simply click on the Chat link in the main menu that is located in the header of all pages.

What software do I need to get into the chat client?

You will need Java software installed.

Forum

What is the forum?

The forum covers many topics of interest, mostly relating to digital scrapbooking. It’s a place where you can come and browse the topics to find useful information, find out what is going on at Pickleberrypop, introduce yourself, and ask or answer a question.

Do I need to be registered to post in the Forum?

Yes, to be able to post or reply to anything in the forum, you must first be a registered member. Registration is free, and registration in the forum is different to that in the shop.

Can I post anything in the forum?

We would like you to keep your posts relevant to the various forum sections, and that you respect all members of the forum. You are welcome to voice your opinions, but please do so in a respectful manner. Flaming, trolling, profanity and pornography will NOT be tolerated in any form.

Can I include blinkies in my signature?

We love blinkies and fun signature lines! Feel free to include blinkies that promote your teams, blog, or where you sell. Also, a small signature image is fine, but please use moderation and remember a large number of images can significantly slow things down for people on slower connection speeds, and we want to make sure everyone has fun here! We may need to review these guidelines if required.

Can I link to other websites?

Since this forum is all about digital scrapbooking, we want to hear about what is happening in the online world. We welcome discussions about other scrapping sites, your favourite designer, sales and freebies. You may link to other sites in reference to your posts, but we restrict this to active members only and please do not use these forums for mass-marketing purposes. People who deem to be abusing these privileges will be warned.

How do I post a new topic in the forum?

Click on a category under the forum topic that is most relevant to your post. Then simply click on the New thread button, give your topic a subject, and then enter your text in the Message body. When you are finished, click on the Submit new thread button near the bottom of the screen.

How do I check for new posts?

When you enter the forum, click on the New Posts link, located in the forum's menu bar.

How do I reply to a post?

When viewing the post you wish to reply to, click on the Post reply button near the bottom left of the screen. Next, enter your text in the Message body and when you are finished, click on the Submit reply button. Alternatively, you can use Quick Reply, which is the Message body area near the bottom of the screen - simply type your text in this area, and click Post Quick Reply.

NOTE: It is also possible to include a previous post as a quote in your reply. To do this, click on the Quote button at the bottom right-hand side of the post you wish to quote, rather than clicking on the Post reply button or using Quick Reply.

How do I include an image in my post?

In the message body of your post, place your cursor in the position that you would like your image to be, and click on the small Insert Image button near the top of the message body window. A popup window should appear, asking you to enter the URL of your image in the field provided. Eg. http://url.jpg, and then click on the OK button. The tags [IMG] and [/IMG] should now appear at the front and end of your url. Then simply publish your post.

How do I include a link in my post?

In the message body of your post, place your cursor in the position that you would like your link to be, and click on the small Insert Link button at the top of the message body window. A popup window should appear, asking you to enter the URL of your link in the field provided. Eg. http://url.com, and then click on the OK button. The tags [URL] and [/URL] should now appear at the front and end of your link. Then simply publish your post.

What is an avatar?

An avatar is a small picture that you can add to your Profile, which is then displayed next to your user name in your forum posts.

How do I add an avatar?

When you are logged into the forum, in the forum's menu bar at the top, click on the link called UserCP. This will take you to your User Control Panel, where you can update various different settings. Click on Edit Avatar in the Settings & Options section. You can then use either of the 2 options available for a Custom Avatar (Enter the URL to the image on another website, or Upload image from your computer) to upload your picture.

NOTE: Your avatar must be no larger than 100x100 pixels, and no bigger than 20KB in size.

How do I add a Signature?

When you are logged into the forum, in the forum's menu bar at the top, click on the link called UserCP. This will take you to your User Control Panel, where you can update various different settings. Click on Edit Signature in the Settings & Options section. You can then use the editor provided to add your signature, either as plain text, or alternatively, you can add a picture, or a blinkie that links back to your personal blog, for example. To see how your signature looks before saving it, click on the Preview Signature button, and when you have finished, click on the Save Signature button.

What is a Private Message (PM)?

A private message or PM allows you to send a message to another member of the forum privately, ie. without other members seeing your message. Depending on your Profile settings, you may be notified via email when you receive a PM, and/or a popup might appear while you are in the forum to notify you. The relevant settings in your UserCP are under Edit Options:

• Enable Private Messaging
• Receive Private Messages only from Buddies and Moderators
• Receive Email Notification of New Private Messages (recommended)
• Show New Private Message Notification pop-up

How do I send a Private Message?

There are various ways to send a private message to another member:

• Click on the Members List link located in the forum's menu bar near the top. Either search through the listings alphabetically, or click on Search Members to locate the member you wish to PM. After locating the relevant user, click on the Send a private message to link located under the Contact Info section of their profile.
• While browsing the forum posts, if a user has allowed members to send them a PM, you should see a SendPM button in the header of their post, opposite their forum name on the right-hand side.

Once you have entered the Send New Private Message screen, check the Recipient field contains the name of the correct member, type in a Title, and enter your message in the Message text area. You can preview your message by clicking on the Preview Message button, or send it by clicking on the Submit Message button.

Gallery

Do I need to be registered to upload to the Gallery?

Yes, to be able to upload anything to the gallery, you must first be a registered member. Registration for the gallery and forum are linked so if you have registered for one you are automatically registered for the other.

What can I upload to the Gallery?

You may upload any or all of your digital layouts, but we do not allow uploading of any advertisements or kit previews, or linking to external sites other than personal blogs.

What format and size is required to upload to the Gallery?

Files should be in JPEG format, and must be no larger than 600x600pixels in dimension and 150KB in size.

What is the My Albums link?

My Albums allows you to view any albums that you have created. You may wish to create separate albums for your own separate projects, or just the one album to store everything in.

How do I create an album?

Click on the My Albums link in the header under the site links. Click on the Create a New Album link, and enter an album name, an album description, and specify if the album is private or not. Then click on the Create a New Album button.

How do I upload a layout?

Layouts must be no larger than 600x600pixels in dimension and 150KB in size. You can either upload a layout to an existing gallery category (eg. Photography challenge gallery), or upload a layout to your own album, by clicking on the Upload Photos link in the header under the site links. In the following screen you are prompted to choose a category - you may either select a category from the list, or if you wish to upload to your own album, then use the default 'Member's Gallery' category, and specify which album in the following field. The remaining fields should be self explanatory - once you have completed these fields, click on the Upload/Submit button. HINT: If you wish to be notified via email when someone leaves a comment on your layout, make sure you change the Want to be notified by email when users post replies field to Yes.

How do I submit a comment on a layout?

Click on the thumbnail of the layout you wish to comment on to view it in full size. Scroll to the bottom of the screen where you should see a section called Add your comments. Enter your comments in the text block and click on the Submit button.

What is the My Favorites link?

While browsing the layouts in the gallery, it is possible to add any you particularly like to your favourites. To do this, click on the layout to view it in full size, and just above the comments area you will see a series of icons. Click on the Add to Favorites link to add it to your list, and to view your favourites at any time, click on the My Favorites link in the header.

How do I see the most recent layouts uploaded to the gallery?

The home page of the gallery lists the most recent layouts uploaded by our members. As this list is limited, it is possible to see further entries by scrolling down to just under the list of recent entries and clicking on the links next to Recent Photos, which are 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, and All.

Do I need to give credit if I use someone else’s products in my layouts?

Yes! The designers that made the products you used spent a lot of time and effort on their creations, and so it is very common practice to give them their due credit. Not only that, but it also lets other people know where they can find the same items. An easy way to give credit is in the comments section of the gallery when you upload your layout. Include the designer’s name, the name of the kit, and where the product is available, if possible. You can usually find all this information in the 'Terms of use' (TOU) file that came with the download - all downloads, including freebies should have a TOU statement. You may not post links to other sites when crediting.

An example of proper crediting is:
- Papers from katef's 'After the Storm' kit, available at Pickleberrypop
- Tags from katef’s ‘Fly me to the Moon’ kit, available at Pickleberrypop

Many places do not allow you to post direct links to websites, so in this case, posting the name of the designer/site is enough.

Do I need to give credit if I scraplift someone else’s layout?

Yes! Proper credit is also important if you scraplift (use someone else's design as inspiration). In this case, it is appropriate to use the user name of the person you are crediting, as well as the title of the layout you are scraplifting. You may post links to other sites when crediting. Also, please be aware that a scraplifted layout cannot be used for commercial use or submitted to magazines for publication.

An example of proper credit when scraplifting is:
- Inspired by (or scraplifted from) fazzbech’s 'First Family Christmas' layout at Pickleberrypop

Does Pickleberrypop take a stand against digital piracy?
We will not tolerate piracy of software, fonts, digital scrapbook items or anything else on this website. For more information, please read the Stop Digital Piracy Blog.

General

How do I contact Administration?

You can email Administration >>HERE<<

Can I advertise at Pickleberrypop?

Yes! Banner advertisements may be purchased in the shop, under the category Services. For further details, please contact Administration >>HERE<<

How can I become a Designer or Creative Team member at Pickleberrypop? Designer or Creative Team positions are available from time-to-time. Keep an eye on the Pickleberrypop forum or blog for openings. Alternatively, if you are seeking a designer position in our shop, you can always contact administration >>HERE<< for consideration.

Newsletter

Does Pickleberrypop have a regular newsletter?

Yes! Currently, we send out weekly new product and specials catalogues, as well as a monthly newsletter, which is sent out around mid-month, to subscribed members. On occasion, special or important announcements will be sent out also.

How do I subscribe to the newsletter?

To subscribe to our newsletter, visit the shop, and in the left-hand sidebar under the section News, enter your email address and click the Subscribe button.

Shopping

Do I need to be registered to purchase items from the shop?

Yes, to be able to make any purchase, you must first register in the shop (this registration is separate to that of the gallery and forum). This is for your own security, to keep track of any downloads registered to you, and to offer any support you might need during your purchase. You can be sure that your information will ONLY be used for the Pickleberrypop shop, and that your information will NEVER be sold.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept Paypal payments, including payment from credit card (without the need for a PayPal account), Direct Deposit for our Australian customers only, and Pickleberrypop gift certificates. Cheque or money orders cannot be accepted at this time.

Do you offer a CD-burning service?

Yes! If you require your purchase to be placed on CD-ROM and mailed to you, please ensure that you add the relevant CD-burning service to your purchase before checkout.

How long are the items I purchase available for download?

Your purchased items will be available for download for twelve days after your purchase is complete. Please be sure to download during this time period and if you experience problems, be sure to read this entire FAQ Shopping section. If you are still unable to download, please contact Administration.

What if I have problems downloading my purchase?

If you receive an error while downloading, please try the download once again. Occasionally there may be problems if there is a high demand on download resources at the time, or if for some reason the shop is temporarily unavailable. If you still experience problems, please contact Administration, and it would be helpful if you include a description of the problem, or any error message you may receive. Your problem will be addressed as soon as possible. Please ensure you note the target directory of your downloaded files to avoid them being ‘lost’ – otherwise, you could perform a search on your hard drive with the name of the kit to try and find it.

What format are the downloaded files in?

All downloaded files are in compressed .zip format, which will require a program such as Winzip to unpack or uncompress them. The reason for this is not only to try and keep the size of the files as small as possible for download, but also to neatly contain the content of your download in the one file. You can download a free trial of Winzip from http://www.winzip.com, or if your operating system is Windows XP or Vista, you should have an inbuilt uncompress option when right-clicking on the file.