[Susan]

Registration is really quick and simple! You'll go through a series of screens, filling out forms and clicking on things, and then you'll get an email with a special "just for you" link. If you don't click on this link, you won't be able to come to the party. But that comes later.

Fill in your birthday (you can choose later in your profile to make this public info or not) - this is to protect young ones from too much IKEA talk. Under 13 must have permission from a parent to register and participate. Oh, and if you make up a fake birthday, you won't get any cake.

[Susan]

Then comes the fun part. Pick a user name -- this can be your real name, a nickname, a funny something, your favorite Disney princess...whatever. Just keep it clean!

Pick a password that you will remember, but follow basic password rules: don't make it your birthday, or your social security number. Use caps, lowercase, numbers and make it at least 6 characters. You alone are responsible for the security of your account here.

Enter your email address. Twice. Just for fun.

Then, type in the image you see on your screen - not the one in the example below!

You get to choose your own time zone so that you're not always doing the math. Believe me, you don't want to wake up and think you were posting at 3am when you were really snug in bed.

Pick your email options, then click "complete registration"! You're almost done.

[Susan]

Next comes the legal stuff. Yep, you've got to agree to rules. And guidelines. Nothing earth shattering, but basic things to keep us all safe and protected. Once you click on the Register button, you have agreed to abide by the rules and the guidelines of our community. If you don't agree, don't click. You can still hang out, you just can't have the cool name you picked.

[Susan]

I don't have a picture of it, but imagine you gettting an email. In it is a special something just for you! A link! Clicking it takes you to the forums with your shiny new name and access to all the promised riches. Welcome! Glad you joined us! Take off your coat and stay a while.