Navigating the QMB2 can be quite a challenge. There's no central location for you to find groups or instructions. Most of us have just found our way by trial and error. But I'd like to share some information that I think will help new ladies on the QMB2!

JOIN A GROUP: The real action on the QMB2 takes place primarily in groups, imho, so if you're just reading profiles and blogs, you're missing out on a lot. There's probably a group here for every taste. If there isn't, it's extremely simple to start one! To find out what groups are available, you need to join one called QMB2 Charter Members at http://www.qmb2.com/chartermembers/forum/viewforum.one?id=150731. Barefoot Contessa takes a lot of time scouting out new groups and posts an updated list every Monday, generally. If you find a group that sounds interesting, just cut and paste the URL (the http address) provided in the Contessa's list into a new browser page and join the group (or apply to join, if it's a private group). If you don't like it, you can always leave the group whenever you like.   Here are three groups that I think EVERYONE should be a member of:  

********************************************************  Hatquarters
Red Hat Society QMB2 Message Board
http://www.qmb2.com/hatquarters
Group Owner:  RHSQMB2 Message Board
******************************************************** QMB2 Charter Members - Original QMB2 group
Be among the first to join this Charter group.
http://www.qmb2.com/chartermembers
Group Owner: Barefoot Contessa
********************************************************  Queen's Council Worldwide
Join the World Wide Queen's Council. 
http://www.qmb2.com/queenscouncil
Group Owner: Barefoot Contessa
********************************************************

ADD FRIENDS: Whenever you come across a blog, comment, or posting that you find interesting, click on "Add Friend." You'll either automatically be added as their friend, or they will receive a message saying that you are seeking their friendship. Many of us just make it automatic, because I certainly can't imagine telling someone I won't be their friend. (You can change that setting in the Profile settings, I think.) As you list of friends grows, you'll be able to find them easily to see what they've been blogging about by just clicking on their photos.  

POST A BLOG: You don't have to win any writing awards for your blog. People just like to know what you've been doing lately or what's on your mind on a given day. While I don't post every day, I try to post something every week or two. You can tell us what your group did at its last get-together. Or what they'll do at the next one. Share stories about your family, your hobbies, or whatever you like. Just blog!  

POST YOUR PICTURES: Forget about figuring out picture trails or any of the machinations you used to have to go through on the QMB1 to post a picture. On the QMB2, you just click on Photo Gallery (either your own, or one for a group you are a member of) and over on the right-hand side is an "Upload Picture" link. Click on Browse to choose one or more pictures from your hard drive or some other source (making them low resolution might be helpful for those using dial-up) and click upload. Then you can give it a caption and click on upload or change caption (I forget the exact wording). If you're posting in a group, be sure to say which thread they should seek out to learn more about the story behind the picture.  

LEAVE COMMENTS AND SEND MESSAGES: If you want to comment on someone's blog, leave a comment. Remember that these default to public, so if you'd rather keep your comment private, click on "Send Message" below the person's profile picture on the left. Messages go into the person's Inbox to be read privately.  

RATE THE BLOGS: If you find a blog interesting, why not let the writer know by clicking on the stars below it and giving it a rating from 1 to 5 stars. Not many people are using that feature yet, but I try to leave stars, even if I don't leave a comment.  

Most of all, HAVE FUN!   

Rita, Queen Foxy Loxy