Workshop: Using Yahoo!© Groups

You can join a Yahoo!© Group to connect with family, friends, and associates in online communities. In this chapter, you will learn how to join a Yahoo!© Group, start a Yahoo!© Group, manage your Yahoo!© Groups, and work with messages.

To Join a Yahoo!© Group:

On the Yahoo!© Groups home page, you can browse the Groups directory or search for a group by topic to find groups that interest you. If you are not signed in, you will be asked to enter your Yahoo!© ID and password.

1. On a home page of a group you want to join, click JOIN THIS GROUP!
   (See Figure 2.1).You will be directed to a page that asks you to set your membership preferences.
   
2. Once you have completed the required information, click JOIN. You will then receive an email confirming your membership.
   Note: If someone sends you an email invitation to join a group, click on the link provided. It will take you to the group's home page, and you will follow the previous steps.

To Start a Yahoo!© Group:

If you cannot find a group that you want to join, you can start a group of your own. The following instructions walk you through the simple set up process.

1. Click START A GROUP on any Yahoo!© Groups page.
   
2. To categorize your group, browse through the Yahoo!© Groups directory and find the appropriate category in which to place your group.
   Yahoo!© Groups will list your group in the directory within a few days.
   Note: Yahoo! has a team of category editors that continually review the Groups directory. They may come across your group and make the decision to move it to a more appropriate location.
3. Once you have set up your group, go to the Members section of your group, and click INVITE MEMBERS.
4. Follow the instructions to invite people to your group.
   Note: For more information on how to invite members, click HELP.

To Manage Your Yahoo!© Groups:

From the My Groups page, you can manage your account, group memberships, and subscription settings. You can also view the groups you have joined, unsubscribe from groups, as well as view and edit your member profile.

1. Sign in with your Yahoo!© ID and password to access the My Groups page.
2. On the My Groups page, click MANAGE.
   
3. On the My Groups page, click EDIT MY GROUPS to make changes to your account, groups, or settings. (See Figure 2.4).
   
4. When you have completed your changes, click SAVE CHANGES.

To Post a Message:

You can post messages for other group members to read.

1. From your group's home page, click POST.
2. Type your message in the text box.
3. Click SEND.
4. Your message will now appear in the list of messages on the Messages page. Note: You can preview your message before sending by clicking PREVIEW.

To View a Message:

You can view messages posted by other group members.

1. From your group's home page, click MESSAGES.
2. Find the message you want to view and click the link to the message.
   The full text of the message appears.

To Reply to a Message:

You can reply to messages posted by other group members.

1. 1. Click REPLY. The Post Message page appears.
2. 2. Type your reply message, and click SEND.
   Your message will now appear in the list of messages on the Messages page.
   Note: You can forward or delete a message from the same screen you use to reply to a message. Simply click FORWARD or DELETE and follow the instructions provided.