There are two areas of the site -- the Portal and the Forum.
The Portal is www.oldhippiesroots.com and the newsy page. While in the Portal, you can get to the forums by clicking the Forums link in the NavBar.
The Forum is www.oldhippiesroots.com/forums and where the memories of our ancestors is at. While in the forums, you can get to the Portal by clicking the Home button.
In the forum, where the actual memories of our ancestors are, you will have to register and log in to see them. They are not the business of the general public, and that's why you'd never know they're there if you don't register, and then log in.
Unless you've done something really strange with your computer, you only have to log in once -- and your computer will from then on be logged in when you visit the site.
Registering and logging in is not a major issue. Click the Register link, follow the instructions of providing a User Name you want to be referred to as, a password that you will remember (but write it down anyway), and a valid email address to you. You will then receive an email with a link to click to prove you are who you say you are, and complete your registration. The email is sent out immediately, so if you don't get it within ten minutes -- start to look around in your spam or deleted folder for it.
If you just can't figure this out -- then email me your choice of user name and password -- and I'll register you. It is better than doing nothing, but please make the effort to try first.
In the forums, there is a FAQ forum that has the answer to 99.999999999% of the problems everyone has thus far emailed me. It is a public forum so you don't have to register to look for the answer to your question. If you have a problem read the FAQs first.
If you are a family member who has no problems understanding this concept, and who can visit this site for 5 minutes a day to help those few having problems -- let me know because I need some help with helping those that are having problems getting this and throwing up their arms. I went back to work in Houston -- and I am just swamped, and could use a little help.
Before you blow this off and can't be bothered -- please take five minutes to register, login, and read a couple of the stories of your ancestors. You may then see that this really is a worth while project. This is only Phase One of what will be a pretty big deal -- don't be left out.
If you are of the younger generation, spend one night a week not trolling the bars in Katy and check this out. There is a private chat room that you can use if you want to have a set time with the cousins to shoot the shit. There is also a free Blog to use if you rather keep the MySpace thing a little more family, have grown up, and want to step out of the Kiddie / Goth / Wicken / Heavy Metal / Trailer Trash / "Hey Look at Me Act Like an Asshole" sites -- with old men trolling for little boys and girls. Register, log in, and check it out before blowing it off as Uncle Bastard's crazy idea.
So far three people have taken the five minutes to register in 48 hours. That's sad. How big is our family?
If you have any questions or problems -- email me and we'll get them fixed.
Spending a little time once a week to learn a little about family, look at old photos, read and tell a joke, and otherwise communicate with family really isn't too much of a burden -- is it? I spent over 100 hours getting this site to where this information can be submitted, read, passed along, etc. A couple of minutes to register, log in, and check it out isn't near as difficult or time-consuming.
This is a family only thing. If you are family (no matter how many times removed) or married into the family, or family that married into the family -- you are welcome to register. If you are the general public -- that registration will quickly get deleted. Sorry -- but this is not one of those general public things.
For those family members that need an engraved invitation before they will participate -- consider this your engraved invitation. For those so important that it takes five family members to beg them -- I ask four another to please email them.
Soon, the photo albums with these old family photos will be tied to your registration and log in -- and the only way you will be able to view them is to register and log in. There are some big things coming down with 100s of old family photos that have been restored -- and can be downloaded of have prints made from. Don't be left out.
I need a couple of you willing to help me make this project a success to join the Nag Club with me, so we can collectively nag the family members that haven't taken the time to see what it is about until they finally take the time. Please feel free to start nagging those people immediately -- telling them what they're missing.
