Welcome to TriangleMom2Mom.com. This page is full of helpful tips for using the site. If you don't see what you need here, you can post questions in our Questions about the site forum.

How do I get an account and sign in?
If you already have an account for newsobserver.com or triangle.com, you can use your same I.D. and password. Just click on the Sign in link in the blue bar at the top of the page. If you don't already have an account, then click on Join. All we really need for registration is your email address, first and last name, and gender, but we hope you'll fill out the about me sections so we can get to know you. You can make up your own user name and password. You can also upload an image that will be your "avatar" throughout the site. You can edit your profile at any time by clicking on the link next to your user name.

What if I forget my password?
Just click on "Forgot my Password" at the top of the screen. You will need to enter your email address so we can verify your account, and your password will be mailed to you.

How can I get in on the conversation?
There are lots of ways to join in. Everything you read on Triangle Mom2Mom has a space to add comments. You can comment on our features, members' blogs, or photos. You can also use our forums to start a conversation or ask questions of the group. Just click on the icon next to Create: forum. If you want to see what forums already exist, click on "forums" at the top of the page. Since we're just getting started, many of these topics are empty. Feel free to jump right in.

How can I upload photos?
Click on the icon next to Create: photo. Once you've filled in a title and any tags you want to use, click on the Browse button to find the photo on your local computer. The photo you select must be a .gif or .jpg file. After your photo has been selected, click on Upload and Submit.

How can I get my own blog?
You automatically have a blog. Just click on the icon next to Create: blog and start writing. But there are lots of ways to customize your blog. You can give it an identity with its own title and description line. Just click on edit profile at the top of the screen, then click on Blog Info. You will see where to fill in the title and description. The description will go right next to your blog entries, along with your avatar.

How can I add photos to my blog?
First of all, your photos have to already be online. They can be on Mom2Mom or share.triangle.com, or in your Flickr or Picasa account, anywhere they will have their own URL. From the blog editing window, click on the photo icon (looks like a little drawingof a tree) and insert the URL. You can also do some resizing there if you like.

How do I tag my posts?
If you create a forum post by clicking on the forum topic, the tags appear automatically. If you don't already have tags selected, or you want to change the tags, click on the dropdown under Related Categories. Once you choose between Becoming a Mom and Being a Mom, you will have more sets of tags to choose from. You can be as specific or general as you want.

How can I advertise my business?

You must be a real participant in TriangleMom2Mom if you want to post any ads about your business. You must have more non-business related posts than your ads. And you cannot start posting about your business in your blog or in the forums or photos until you have accumulated at least 250 user points on the site. You can find out how many user points you have by going to your profile page on the site.

These rules do not apply to child care ads. If you're looking for or providing in-home child care or nanny services, please post in our Child Care forum.

But if you are seeking to advertise any other business or item for sale, you must meet the 250 user point rule and your business posts must not outnumber your non-business related posts.

If you want to buy or sell a used item, go to our Buy and Sell forum and post there. You may make one "for sale" post per week.

For others with in-home businesses, please go to our Offers and Deals forum. You must say exactly what you do and what you offer. You may make two posts a month in this category.

What happens if a mom posts a question in the forums about scrapbooking and you have a scrapbooking business, for instance? You can post a comment in that discussion as long as your comment relates directly to that discussion.

What can you do on your blog?

The same rules essentially applies. In your blog, you are free to write about most anything you'd like. But you can't simply cut and paste promotional materials from your business on the site. What you can do, once you have reached 250 user points, is write about your business. If you sell make-up,you can write about make-up tips, for instance. If you sell scrapbooking materials, you can write about scrapbooking tips. These blog posts are limited to twice a month.

Any forums, posted photos or blog posts or comments that do not meet these guidelines will be moved or deleted.

But I really want to get the word out about my business? Is that really all I can do?

Starting with the creation of your profile page and your first post, you can link to your business' Web site as part of your signature. You can also advertise on TriangleMom2Mom. An ad on our coupon page costs $50 per month and The N&O advertising staff will design it for you at no cost. There are additional banner advertising opportunities available as well if you are looking for something more high profile. All of the advertising clicks through to your Web site if you have one. Contact Kara Bloomer for more information on TriangleMom2Mom.com advertising.