Members & Profiles

Connect with other platform members

What are Member Profiles?

Every user on the platform has a profile that showcases their information, activity, and contributions. The Members directory allows you to browse and search for other members, while individual profiles provide detailed information about each person.

The Members Directory

Accessing the Directory

Click on Members in the main navigation to view the member directory. You'll see:

  • A list of all members in your current account
  • Member cards showing avatars, names, and usernames
  • A search bar to find specific members
  • Pagination or infinite scroll for browsing

Browsing Members

Each member card displays:

  • Profile Photo - The member's avatar
  • Full Name - Their display name
  • Username - Their unique @username
  • Bio - A brief description (if they've added one)
  • Additional Info - May include location, role, or other details

Searching for Members

Use the search bar to find specific members:

  • Type a name or username
  • Results update as you type
  • Search looks through names, usernames, and bios
  • Click on a result to view their full profile

Viewing Profiles

Accessing a Profile

You can view member profiles in several ways:

  • Click on a member card in the directory
  • Click on their name or avatar anywhere in the app
  • Visit their profile URL directly: /@username
  • Click on @mentions in posts or messages

Profile Information

A typical profile shows:

  • Profile Photo - Their avatar image
  • Name and Username - Display name and @username
  • Bio - Personal description or introduction
  • Join Date - When they joined the platform
  • Location - If they've added it
  • Website/Social Links - External links they've shared
  • Activity Feed - Their recent posts, comments, and contributions
  • Followers/Following Counts - Social connection statistics

Profile URLs

Every profile has a clean, username-based URL:

  • Format: /@username
  • Example: /@johndoe
  • Easy to share and remember
  • Works just like social media profile URLs

Following Members

How to Follow

Stay connected with members you're interested in:

  1. Visit their profile
  2. Click the "Follow" button
  3. You're now following them!

When you follow someone:

  • Their activity may appear in your feed
  • They receive a notification that you followed them
  • You appear in their "Followers" list
  • They appear in your "Following" list

How to Unfollow

To stop following someone:

  1. Visit their profile
  2. Click the "Unfollow" button
  3. You'll no longer be following them

They'll receive a notification that you unfollowed them (if notifications are enabled for this).

Viewing Followers and Following

See who's connected to any member:

  • Click "Followers" to see who follows them
  • Click "Following" to see who they follow
  • Both lists open in modal windows for quick browsing
  • Click any member in the list to view their profile

Profile Actions

Messaging a Member

Send a direct message to any member:

  1. Visit their profile
  2. Click the "Message" button
  3. A conversation modal opens
  4. Type and send your message

Learn more about Direct Messaging

Mentioning a Member

Tag members in channels and direct messages:

  • Type @username in a channel or direct message
  • They'll receive a notification
  • The mention becomes a clickable link to their profile

Note: @Mentions currently work only in channels and direct messages.

Learn more about @Mentions

Your Own Profile

Editing Your Profile

Customize your profile information:

  1. Click on your avatar in the top right
  2. Select "Edit Profile" or "Profile Settings"
  3. Update any of the following:
    • Profile photo
    • Display name
    • Username (may have restrictions)
    • Bio/description
    • Location
    • Website or social links
    • Other profile fields
  4. Click "Save" to update your profile

Uploading a Profile Photo

Add or change your profile picture:

  1. Go to your profile settings
  2. Click "Change Photo" or the photo upload area
  3. Select an image file from your computer
  4. Crop or adjust if needed
  5. Save your changes

Supported image formats: JPG, PNG, GIF (non-animated recommended).

Choosing a Username

Your username is unique and appears in your profile URL:

  • Usernames must be unique across the platform
  • Only letters, numbers, and underscores allowed
  • Cannot start with a number
  • Some platforms allow username changes, others don't

Choose wisely - this is how others will mention and find you!

Writing Your Bio

Your bio is your chance to introduce yourself:

  • Keep it concise (usually 100-200 characters)
  • Share what you're interested in or working on
  • Add personality to help others connect with you
  • Update it as your interests change

Viewing Your Own Profile

See your profile as others see it:

  • Visit /@your username
  • Or click "View Profile" from your account menu
  • This shows exactly what others see when they visit your profile

Activity Feeds

Profile Activity

Profiles display recent activity:

  • Posts you've created in community spaces
  • Comments you've made
  • Courses you've enrolled in or completed
  • Other contributions and interactions

This helps others understand your interests and expertise.

Privacy

Note that profile activity is typically visible to other members in your account. Some platforms may offer privacy controls to hide certain activities.

Best Practices

Creating a Great Profile

  • Use a clear, recognizable profile photo
  • Choose a professional or friendly username
  • Write an informative, welcoming bio
  • Keep your information up to date
  • Be authentic and approachable

Connecting with Members

  • Follow members whose content interests you
  • Engage with their posts and comments
  • Send thoughtful direct messages when appropriate
  • Respect everyone's privacy and boundaries
  • Build genuine connections over time

Privacy and Safety

  • Don't share sensitive personal information in your bio
  • Be mindful of what activity is visible on your profile
  • Use direct messages for private conversations
  • Report any inappropriate behavior to admins

Profile Features for Different Roles

Regular Members

  • Can edit their own profile
  • Can view all member profiles in their account
  • Can follow/unfollow other members
  • Can message other members

Admins and Moderators

May have additional abilities:

  • View more detailed member information
  • Moderate member content
  • Manage user roles (Admins only)

Learn more about Roles & Permissions

Tips and Tricks

  • You can click on member names almost anywhere in the app to view their profile
  • Profile modals allow quick viewing without leaving your current page
  • Use the member directory to discover interesting people to follow
  • Your followers/following lists open in modals for easy browsing
  • Keep your profile updated as you contribute more to the community

Troubleshooting

Can't Find a Member?

  • Make sure you're in the correct account
  • Check your spelling in the search
  • Try searching by username instead of name
  • The member may have left the account or been removed

Profile Not Updating?

  • Make sure you clicked "Save" after making changes
  • Try refreshing the page
  • Check for error messages indicating what went wrong
  • Large profile photos may take time to upload

Follow/Unfollow Not Working?

  • Make sure you're logged in
  • Check your internet connection
  • Refresh the page and try again
  • You may have hit a rate limit - wait a moment and try again

Can't Access Someone's Profile?

  • Ensure you're both in the same account
  • The profile may have been deleted
  • Check that the username is spelled correctly

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