• Using Pictalk
  • Crosstalk
  • Connections
  • Collections
  • Introduction to Feeds
    • Multi-Feed Concept
    • Displaying Feed Content
    • Adding hashtags and topics to content:
    • Displaying a Hashtag Feed
    • Saved Crosstalk Posts
    • Saved Connect Posts
    • Recently Viewed Feed
    • Recent Posts Feed
  • Your Profile Page
    • Adding an Avatar and Banner
      • Avatar
      • Banner
    • Contacts
    • Stats
      • Self Stats
      • Content Stats
      • User Stats
      • Cooperative Stats
      • Group Stats
    • Settings
  • Friends
    • Sending Friend Requests
    • Accepting Friend Requests
    • Unfollowing
    • Unfriending
  • New Users
  • Followers and Following
  • Privacy
    • Changing a Privacy Setting:
  • Impressions
  • Adding Content
    • Adding hashtags and users to descriptions and text:
    • Creating a Crosstalk Post from the Home Feed:
    • Creating a Connect Post from the Home Feed:
    • Adding an image to a Collection:
    • Collaboration
    • Adding Content
  • Collections
    • About Collections:
    • Creating a Collection
    • Editing a Collection
    • Deleting a Collection
    • Collection Navigation Panel:
    • Collection Page
    • Open Collection Page
  • Browser Extension
  • Groups
    • Creating a Group
    • Finding Groups

Using Pictalk

Crosstalk

Crosstalk is a more public environment where users may post their content and follow another user's content. This provides a distinctly separate place to engage in news, politics, etc. without necessitating a friendship. Crosstalk also offers unique tools for providing supporting and alternative views to posted content, as well as a means to provide feedback on the relevance of those views.

Connections

Connections allows users to post a variety of content to their friends, but with fine-tuned control over which friends will be able to view the content. Posts can be liked, shared, and commented on.

Collections

Collections offers first-class media features. Collections can be created and organized hierarchically, and each media item can be enriched with data ranging from rich text content to location data. The media in Collections can also be shared, commented on, and added to the collections of other users, but without ever losing the attribution of the original publisher. Privacy settings also allow users the ability to prevent their content from being viewed and shared throughout the site.

Introduction to Feeds

Multi-Feed Concept

Pictalk focuses on delivering all the features required for modern day social networking. The Pictalk Feed contains content from your friends and groups on Connections, those you follow on Crosstalk, and any content you follow in Collections.

Displaying Feed Content

Your Home Feed Page can be displayed from anywhere in the site by clicking on the Pictalk icon in the top bar.

Choose which feeds to display by selecting the Crosstalk, Connections or Collections label located at the top of the Home Feed Page.

• If the respective label color (Crosstalk for example) is blue, then content from that feed is being displayed.
• Use the mouse to toggle a feed on or off...
• Or you can use the combination of CMD/CTRL key plus mouse click to display only that feed.

Adding hashtags and topics to content:

To create a hashtag, start by typing # followed by text, then use the spacebar or tab key to finish entering the hashtag (e.g. "#flower").

Hashtags may be added to:

• The text in Crosstalk and Connect posts.
• Collections (Boards)

Topics may be added to:

• Crosstalk posts
• Collections (Boards)

All Folders and Content assigned to a Collection will contain the Collection's topics and hashtags.

When added to content, hashtags and topics provide a powerful way to find and filter content.

Displaying a Hashtag Feed

Clicking on any hashtag will create a feed displaying only content containing the hashtag.

• Topics found in the content can then be used to refine what's being displayed.
• The hashtag and possible topics will be displayed at the top of the feed.

Saved Crosstalk Posts

You can save other user's Crosstalk posts by selecting the "Save this Post" option from the context menu identified by 3 vertical dots located on the post.

When saved Crosstalk posts are displayed as a feed, topics associated with the saved posts can be used to filter what posts are displayed.

• If the post already has a topic added when the owner originally created the post, then all you have to do is click "Save".
• If no topic was added when the post was created, then you will need to select a topic.

Saved Connect Posts

You can save other users' Connect posts by selecting the "Save this Post" option from the context menu identified by 3 vertical dots located on the post.

When saved Connect posts are displayed as a feed, categories associated with the saved posts can be used to filter which posts are displayed.

• You can create a new category or use a previously created category when saving the post.

Recently Viewed Feed

Selecting "Recently Viewed" from the application menu (next to your avatar in the Top Bar) will display a feed made up of the content you previously viewed.

• The most recently viewed content will be on top.

Recent Posts Feed

• Select which type of Recent Post Feed to display; Crosstalk, Connections, Collections, Group Posts, Video or Audio.
• Only those posts which can be viewed by everyone (public) will be displayed.
• Very helpful in choosing who to follow when you first sign up.

Your Profile Page

Stats for Group Posts are included in the totals for Connections (Group Posts are actually a type of Connect Post).

Adding an Avatar and Banner

Avatar

You may change your avatar at any time while you are on your Profile Page.

• Position the mouse to the right of the current avatar and an edit icon will be displayed. Clicking on the icon will allow you to upload the image from your computer.

Banner

Pictalk randomly assigns one of three different default coffee banners when you first sign up.

You may change your Profile Page Banner at any time by:

• Clicking on the camera icon displayed in the lower right corner of the current banner
• Then clicking either:
  • One of the banner presets; or
  • The "Upload" button to select an image from your computer
• Positioning the banner:
  • With the mouse over the image, hold the mouse button down and move the image vertically (up or down) until the desired position is attained.

The optimum image ratio is 4:1.

Contacts

Additional contact information may be added to your Profile Page.

You can set the level of privacy for each contact entry to "Everyone", "Friends", "These Friends" or "Only Me" (See Privacy below).

Stats

When viewing any user's profile page, there are a small number of statistics ("stats") below the main user information. To see more stats click the "More Stats" button.

Stats fall into four categories. We'll assume you're viewing the profile page of a person named Charlie.

• stats for actions Charlie performed (e.g. "posts" for creating a post)
• stats for actions performed on Charlie's content (e.g. "liked" for total likes)
• stats for actions targeting Charlie (e.g. "followers" for users following Charlie)
• stats for cooperative actions involving Charlie and another user (e.g. "friends", which requires both users to agree)

Self Stats

The following are for actions performed by the user whose profile page you're viewing.

• posts (creating posts for the respective feed)
• following (following users/albums)
• titles (creating collections)

Content Stats

These are for actions performed on a user's content.

• reposted
• shared
• saved
• liked
• stashed
• upvotes (on a CrossTalk post)
• relevance (on a CrossTalk view)

User Stats

This relates to actions performed on a user by another user. Currently there is only one such action.

• followers (users following this user or their albums)

Cooperative Stats

This relates to actions where two users must both agree, and the stat is increased for both users. Currently there is only one such action.

• friends (current number of friends)

Group Stats

Stats for Group Posts are combined with the Connections stats. A Group Post is a type of Connect Post.

Settings

In addition to Account, Profile and Preferences, the following are also found under Settings:

• About (including Reset Tour/Tips for new users)
• Subscriptions
• Muted Users List
• Blocked Users List

Friends

Sending Friend Requests

• Requests should be sent to friends, family and other people you know and trust.
• You can send requests by searching for the person on your Friends Page or by going to that person's Profile Page and clicking on the "Add Friend" button.
• You may include a short message with your request.
• Pending requests can be viewed on your Friends Page by clicking on the "Sent Requests" tab.

Accepting Friend Requests

• You may view pending requests on your Friends Page by clicking on the "Received Requests" tab.
• You may accept or decline the request. The person who made the request will not be notified if you decline the request.
• When accepting, you may include a short message.

Unfollowing

By default, you will receive content posted by your friends on your Connections Feed.

You may not want to follow a friend's content but would like to keep them as a friend: To unfollow (or follow if previously unfollowed) a friend's content:

• Select the Unfollow option from the context menu identified by 3 vertical dots located on their Connection Post or their Friend's Card displayed on your Friends Page.

Unfriending

• Unfriending will remove both you and your friend from each other's list of friends.
• Both you and the person you unfriended will stop receiving each other's content normally posted to the Connections Feed.
• You may unfriend someone by selecting the "Unfriend" option from the context menu identified by 3 vertical dots located on their Friend's card displayed on your Friends Page.
• The person being unfriended won't be notified.

New Users

Use this tab to display Pictalk Users organized by the most recent to join on top. Find new users that you know and send them a Friend Request. Users under the age of 18 will not be displayed.

Followers and Following

Pictalk offers a unique blend of following options. On Crosstalk, you can follow users whose content you find interesting. For Collections, you may follow individual collections or all collections for a given user.

Privacy

Privacy Settings allow you the ability to control who can see...

• Posts you add to Connections.
• Content you add to Collections.
• Contact information you add to your Profile Page.

The privacy options are:

• Everyone: Your content is viewable by anyone, whether logged in or just visiting Pictalk as a guest.
• Friends: Any of your friends may view your content.
• These Friends:
  • Your content may be viewed by a selected number of your friends.
  • You may select or create a friend's group by choosing the privacy option "These Friends".
• Only Me: Your content can only be viewed by you.

The "Friends" privacy settings only apply to Connections.

Changing a Privacy Setting:

Content with a current privacy setting of "Friends" or "These Friends" cannot be changed to protect their comments from becoming public.

Impressions

Impressions are interactions with a user's content.

They include the following:

• Crosstalk
  • Upvote
  • Relevant vote (View assigned to Crosstalk post)
  • Repost the original content
  • Share original content
• Connections
  • Like
  • Repost (also applied to original post)
  • Share (also applied to original post)
• Collections
  • Like
  • Repost (also applied to original post)
  • Share (also applied to original post)
  • Stash (also applied to original post)

Adding Content

Adding hashtags and users to descriptions and text:

• To create a hashtag, start by typing # followed by text, then use the spacebar or tab key to finish entering the hashtag (example: #flower).
• To add a user mention, type an @ to start an autocomplete search.

Creating a Crosstalk Post from the Home Feed:

• Click on the Crosstalk option next to "Post to..."
• Text must be entered unless you are going to add an image or video.
• You may select other actions by clicking on the Add button:
  • A post may be scheduled for distribution at a later date and time.
  • Add a link to another website and/or...
    • 1 video
    • Up to 5 images
    • A location
    • An optional topic to make your post easier to find in search results
    • A "Private Post" recipient which can only be seen by the you and receiving user.
  • Select "Subscribers Only" if you want the content viewed only by your followers who are subscribing.

Creating a Connect Post from the Home Feed:

• Click on the Connections option next to "Post to..."
• Select who you want to be able to see this post; Everyone, Friends, These Friends, Only Me or make it a Private Post just between you and another user.
• Text must be entered unless you are going to add an image or video.
• You may select other actions by clicking on the Add button:
  • Post may be scheduled for distribution at a later date and time.
  • Add a link to another website and/or...
    • 1 video
    • Up to 5 images
    • A location
    • An optional topic to make your post easier to find in search results
    • A "Private Post" recipient which can only be seen by the you and receiving user.

Adding an image to a Collection:

There are 3 ways to add an image:

• From the Home Feed, click on the Collection icon next to "Post to..." and add an image from your computer.
• Open a Collection and click on the Add Image icon to add an image from your computer.
• Use the browser extension to add an image from the web.

Once you have selected an image, you may:

• Select the layout you want to use when displaying this image in a Connections or Crosstalk post.
  • You can drag the image using the cursor to better position it.
  • Please note, your selection only applies to Posts you create.
  • The original image will still be displayed when you click on it in a post.
• Add an optional title and description.
• Click on the Map icon to add a location.
• Click on the Notes icon to add additional information:
  • Notes provides text formatting options such as:
    • Bold or Italic
    • Bullet list
    • Numbered List
  • Select whether to keep the notes private.
• Share it to Crosstalk and Connections.
• Choose where you want to save it to:
  • Select Stash to save it for later use.
    • Stashed items can be displayed by clicking on the Stash tab located on the Collection Page.
  • Assign it to an existing Collection

Collaboration

You may allow a group of your friends to collaborate with you on your collections. This works for any privacy setting, as long as they are permitted to view the collection.

• Adding collaborators to a Collection allows them permission to contribute content to only that Board. For example:
  • Adding a Friends Group as collaborators to a Top-Level Collection does not allow them permission to contribute to any of the Folders assigned to the Top-Level Collection.
  • You must add collaborators to each Collection or Folder individually.

Adding Content

• There are 2 ways for a collaborator to add content to a Collaboration Board:
  • Upload content; either an image or video.
  • Use the "Repost from Stash" icon
    • Collaborators must save content to their Stash which can then be added to the collection

Collections

About Collections:

Collections are "boards" to which you can assign items (images or videos).

Collections may contain up to 3 levels of folders. For example:

• Collection: Beautiful Beaches (Top-Level or First Level)
• Folder: North America (Second Level)
• Folder: California (Third Level)

The first level Collection is also referred to as either the Top-Level or Parent Collection.

• A Folder assigned to a Top-Level Collection is also referred to as a Child.
• Collections do not have a limit on how many folders they may contain.
• Each Collection level may also contain items along with folders.
  • Items assigned to a Collection can be returned in search results using the Collection's topics and hashtags.

Creating a Collection

Required information:

• Title
• Privacy setting
• Select at least 1 topic (3 maximum)

Optional information

• Description
• Add up to 5 hashtags
• Collaborate (See Collaboration above)
• Allow Sharing
  • Determines whether the content on this collection can be reposted, shared or stashed by another user

Editing a Collection

• The Cover Image may be changed using any image assigned to this Collection level.
• Title and Description may be edited.
• Privacy can be changed except when currently set to Friends or a Friends Group.
• Topics and Tags may also be changed.
  • Note: Changes to Privacy, Topics and Tags can only be changed for the Top-Level Collection as all items (images and videos) and folders assigned to this Collection inherit these values from the Top-Level Collection.
• You may change who may collaborate on this Collection by creating or selecting a Friends Group.

Deleting a Collection

A Collection (Board) is deleted automatically from your Collections Page when you delete the last item (image or video) that was assigned to it.

• If the Collection being deleted has folders assigned to it, then those folders will still exist but now as Top-Level Collections.
• Folders within a Collections will also be automatically deleted when the folder's last item is deleted.

Collection Navigation Panel:

How Collections are displayed in the Collection Navigation Panel:

• A Collection, which is in the Top-Level (or Frist Level) position, is called a Parent.
• A Collection, which is a Folder below another Collection, is called a Child.
• Collections can only have 3 levels; Top-Level, Second Level and Third Level.

Managing a Collection's Organization:

• Open the context menu identified by 3 vertical dots displayed on the right side of a Collection to display the following options:
  • Make Folder
    • Will create a new folder underneath the current Collection using the Collection name you enter.
    • Not available if the Collection is on the 3rd level.
    • Will assign the cover image from the Collection above it as the new Collection's cover image.
      • Once created, you can upload or repost another item to the folder and then replace the existing cover item by editing the Collection.
  • Rename Collection
    • Allows you to rename the Collection directly from the Collection Navigation Panel.
  • Move
    • You can move a Collection folder to the Top-Level or a Top-Level Collection to the Second or Third Level.

Collection Page

The Collection Page consists of 3 tabs

• Collections (Boards)
  • A listing of all your current collections.
  • Each collection card displays:
    • Title
    • Description
    • Collaborator icon (if applicable)
    • Privacy icon
    • Number of Folders (Collections assigned to this Collection)
    • Total number of items (images or videos) contained in this Collection and its Folders.
• Recent Images
  • A listing of all your items (images and videos) that are assigned to your Collections with the most recent on top.
• Stash
  • Collection of images and videos that you stashed for later use are found on this page.
  • Stashed content may be selected from when collaborating on another user's Collection.

Open Collection Page

• Collection Header Panel
  • Title
  • Collaborator icon (displayed if the owner assigned collaborators from their current friends to this Collection)
  • Privacy icon
  • Number of images in this collection only
  • Collection description
  • Topics and hashtags (assigned to all folders and content items from the Top-Level Collection)
  • Icons:
    • Toggle to show or hide image info on each content item.
    • If the viewing user is the Collection owner or collaborator:
      • Add Image
      • Add Video
      • Repost from Stash
    • Edit Collection information (if the viewing user is the Collection owner).
• Collection Navigation Panel
  • Only the Top-Level Collection and its Folders are displayed for the open Collection.
  • See Collection Navigation Panel under Collections above for more information on its features.
• The content items for a given Collection (Board).

Browser Extension

• Features:
  • Add content from around the web to Pictalk. The Pictalk Save Button lets you add things you like from the web to your Pictalk Collections or just stash them for later use.
  • Collect ideas for DIY projects, home furnishings, fashion design or recipes from your favorite food sites.
  • Tag the location for those images that you would like to travel to.
  • Add in-depth descriptions, recipes or personal notes to any image.
  • You can create collections with folders inside them for better organization.
  • Add topics and hashtags to make your images easier to find in search results.
  • Choose whether you want your collections to be viewed by everyone, friends, certain friends or only you.
• Installation
  • Go to the Chrome Web Store (chrome.google.com/webstore) and search on "Pictalk"
  • Select and click on the "Add to Chrome" button

Groups

Creating a Group

• Go to your Feed Page and select "Create Group" from the Groups panel
• Basic Info Tab
  • A group name and description are required:
    • Hint: You can add hashtags to the description. Hashtags make your group easier to find in Group Search Results.
• Privacy Tab
  • Select the group type and set the rules for the group:
    • Public
      • Any user can join
      • Any user can find and view the group
    • Closed
      • Joining requires an invite
      • Any user can request to join but must be approved
      • Any user can find and view the group
    • Private
      • Joining requires an invite
      • Hidden from searching
  • Who can post content?
    • Only Owners
    • Administrators:
      • Owners and Administrators
    • Administrators and Collaborators:
      • Owners, Administrators, and Collaborators
        • Collaboration:
          • Owners and Administrators can offer certain group members the ability to add content to the group.
    • Any Member
• Customize Tab
  • Select an image for the group banner (required):
    • You may upload the image or select from existing images found in your Collections.
    • Optimum image ratio: 4:1
      • For example:
        • Image width: 1200 pixels
        • Image height: 300 pixels
  • Group Location (optional):
    • Displays a map with the location for meetups, etc.
  • Select up to 3 topics that help define the type of group you are creating:
    • You must select at least 1 topic.
    • Adding topics make your group easier to find in Group Search Results.
  • Group Contact Information:
    • Optional

Finding Groups

You may search for any groups except those that are "Private".

• Go to your Feed page and select "Find Groups" from the Groups panel.
• Using the filters:
  • Search by Group Name:
    • Will return groups that have the text entered here in their name (partial match).
  • Search by location:
    • No Location
      • If selected, then the user must enter a full or partial group name in order to perform the search.
    • Current Location
      • Will use the browser's current location.
    • Custom Location
      • Select from a displayed map.
    • Search Radius
      • Area to search from either the Current or Custom Location selection.
      • The radius defaults to 50 miles.
      • Groups that did not select a location when created will be omitted.
  • Topics (optional):
    • Enter up to 3 topics.
    • Any group that has 1 of the topics selected is considered a match.
  • Hashtags (optional):
    • You may add up to 5 hashtags.
    • Any group that has 1 of the hashtags selected is considered a match.

See Pictalk Group Terms