Introduction: Creating an account and profile

Creating a user account. You can view everything available on the site, but if you want to create Clouds or Cloudscapes or if you want to add comments, links, content or references, then you need to create an account. Once you have created an account you can ‘follow’ both people and Cloudscapes.

'Following'. In order to get the best out of the site it is a great idea to begin to follow a few Cloudscapes and people that interest you as soon as you register. Use the 'tags' link at the top of the page, the Cloudscapes tab or the site search engine to find topics that interest you. Open the Cloudscape and click on follow - you can always unfollow if you change your mind. Please note that you currently can't follow a Cloud (only Cloudscapes which are collections of Clouds) - these are listed with a double, rather than single, cloud icon. Find people using the 'people' tab at the top on the page and follow in the same way.

Email alerts. You will be sent email alerts when someone adds something to a Cloud you have contributed to or a Cloudscape you are following, or if someone starts to follow you. These alerts are an excellent way of keeping in touch with what is happening. If you want to change your email preferences, do so here.

Setting up a profile. Once you have registered, you can set up a profile and include some information about yourself. Your profile page automatically includes your personal Cloudstream, the Clouds you have added, the Cloudscapes and people you are following, and who is following you. All the Clouds created by the people and Cloudscapes you are following are also collected under your Cloudstream.