By now you will have seen the new tool bar at the bottom of BANDA, this is to give you better access to BANDA features, as well as integrating with other social sites like FaceBook.

You can minimise the bar using this button

Here is the list of current features:

• Clicking this will take you back to the forum menu
  

• Social Connect: You can connect onto sites like FaceBook, Twitter... even update your FB status without leaving BANDA! Connecting here allows you to use the chat feature
  

• This shows if you haven't connected yet - you can just click it to open the connection box
  

• Social Chat: when connected via FB etc you can use the Chat on here.
  This may replace the Main Chat Room once the private room functions
  have been tested. It will not replace the ShoutBox, which is popular and at just over £1 a month I think it should stay.
  

• 
  Search: Use the icon on the left to select our site, google
  search or to search Wiki.com - this is replacing the other two search options. The blue icon
  is the default for BANDA, it shows a G if it is set to Google.
  

• Our Facebook Fan Page
  

• Our Facebook Group page
  

• Forum Links
  

• Popular Thread: Shows the most popular threads at the current time, including how many people are reading them now
  

• Latest Posts - does not include posts in restricted forums as this is for all users, including non members
  

• User Bookmarks: You can create Bookmarks to access threads quicker (like our Favorites, but possibly easier to use)
  

• Donations - this is replacing the side box, although still accepts forum donations via paypal
  

• Contact Us - this is replacing the feedback form, use it for comments, feedback, problems etc
  

• This is where BANDA news etc will be displayed. You can hover over it to see a quick description, or click the title on the tool bar to go to the thread.
  

• Scroll to Top of Page
  

• Notification: When you log on you get a little pop up to say just Hi,
  or to draw your attention to something. You can click it at any time to
  see the latest notification.
  

Please let me know which bits you like, if you want!

Please note the tool bar is still being customised for BANDA, it may go on and off while being adjusted - and icons/colours etc may alter slightly - however this post will be updated with any differences ASAP. I will advise when its complete.

How the Chat Works

Once you have signed in through Facebook you see this screen where you can chat with people who are signed into chat on BANDA. You can also chat to anyone of your friends on Facebook.


On the right 'Chat with Friends' is where you find your online FB friends (not just online in BANDA, but online FB - just like using the actual FB chat)

To chat to someone click the to open your list, you can search for a friends name, when you see who you want to chat to just click their name.

If you want to add a status update to your FaceBook then Click , type in your post and press

To change your online status click and select Online or Offline

BANDA Private Chat

If you'd like to have a Private Conversation Chat with someone on BANDA click their name and it sends an invite which the other person needs to accept (I will add screen prints later when I can get someone to invite me )