Wow!! What a great response, thanks you guys.  Gotta run and pack for San Francisco, be right back..
The starter kit was Bob's idea, I have to give HIM the credit on this one. Thanks Bob!!  :-)  haha

Oh Brad--every time I turn around--there you go again posting great info!!  Will bookmark it!  Thanks for all you help, as well!

P.s.  Since Leslie asked about Localism--How do I become a neighbor in  my area?---I am not listed as an neighbor--at all!  Where's Mr. Rogers when you need him!

Aida -

You become a top neighbor based on your contributions to localism. Jon just featured a great post breaking down 9 points about localism.

p.s.s.  I don't think I'll be able to make it to the "land rush" on july 31--I still too lost in the "rain"  there so many things I still need to learn!  is there a post that explains this "land rush" thing and how to become a neighbor

There is, you can go to http://localism.com/sponsor

Michelle - thanks, I just rechecked all the links and they seem to be fine.  There is a post "The Ultimate Guide To Ideas For Your Post" I must have duplicated the link.  It was really a test just to see if anyone is clicking on the links! lol~  not really....thanks again. :-)

Myrl - it's ok to use images stored on your server. If you choose to upload a photo from your computer to a post directly, the photo will be renamed and stored in a sub-directory on AR. The is no image library, just a subdomain folder where your images are stored.  You can use either or both options.  For animated .gifs, you'll have to use your server to store those and then the URL to have them appear on your post.  :-)

Myrl - you can upload an image from your computer, just click on the icon next to where you are placing the url for your other images. It looks like this:

Lisa -  You'll sleep again and better than ever knowing that your efforts here will pay off.  If you work hard and just follow some of these simple steps, you'll witness the same successes that many others have. :-)

Gita - I wish that too.  It's taken me over a year to write the posts and create this.  I hope it will help. :-)

Jeff - I just checked and it seems to be fine.  Try this link and see if it works. If not, please let me know.

"How To Customize Your Active Rain Blog Using the ActiveRain Customizer Video Tutorial"

Peggy - I'm glad to hear that.

Sherry - this is a permanent link on the AR home page. It's the "getting Started" link above the featured posts on ActiveRain.com.  Glad you found this, I hope it helps. If not, let me know.

How do I put a banner across the top of my blog?

Cristina - you'll have to use the AR customizer to put up a custom banner on your AR Blog. Go to Activeraincustomizer.com, register and follow the steps. If you need help, jut let me know.  Have fun!  :-)

Russell - yes, I am still a rocker...in a rocking chair that is...  lol~  Loved taking my son to see and meet Joe, he'll never forget it the rest of his life.  He wants to be a rock star now and has his sights set pretty high.  I love all styles of music and like you, the 2000 songs on my iPod would make anyones head spin!  :-))

Mirelalicious - love the nickname, thanks.  I'm honored by your comment and moved by your words.  Thank you for being so appreciative and grateful.  That means a lot to me.  You get a passing grade from me for sure!  ;-)  Thanks again!!

Thomas - thanks.  Hey, which links didn't work for you?  Maybe I can help.  I just went through each link in this post and they all worked fine for me.  I use Firefox and wonder if your Internet Explorer browser might have been the culprit.  Let me know, I'm happy to help if you need.

Kevin - thanks for recognizing my commitment here on AR. I appreciate your comment and value it's intention.  Keep your excitement in high gear, it will take you far on this network, and out in your community.

Jean - that would be like giving you an apetizer with no main course and no desert.  Without this information to assist you, the likeliness of you coming back to Blog or use the network properly and successfully would be impaired greatly.  Busy people need as much information as possible up front to get them started here, otherwise it could take you months to discover all these things about AR and the power that lies within these boundless walls.

Victor - thanks, I should create an end kit for those who have arrived like yourself.  It only makes sense that if there is a "Starter Kit" there should be an End or "Celebration Kit" as well.  haha.  :-))

Mark - there is, but first you have to be logged in.  I can tell by your comment that you are not logged in, your name will have a link back to your Blog when logged in. 

To add a photo, just click on the little tree icon that's located on the toolbar, then browse your computer or put in the url where your photo is located. 

You can even add them to comments if you like, the toolbar above any comment section also has the    which allows you to Insert/Edit Image into comments.

Matthew - I see you found it!  Awesome my friend, let me know if there is anything you need help with here, I have posted many How To posts on my AR profile if you need.  Again, welcome to ActiveRain. :-)

Thanks to each of you for your comments, I'm glad this post is finding it's way to your computer screens and assisting you with how and where to get things done here in the rain.  Enjoy your time and journey here, your efforts will not go unrewarded, I can promise you that.

Elayna - thank you so much, that was a very sweet comment and I appreciate that very much.  I know what new members go through having been one once, I can only imagine how much harder it must be now with all the NEW tools and features we've added since I joined a year and a half ago.  It all started when I invited over 100 local agents from my area and when they joined, the first question was always "What Do I Do Now?"  Hence ActiveBrad evolving to ActiveRain...Full-time!  :-)

Matt - great question, and I highly recommending you add your name, just go to your profile page on AR, click on Edit, and add your Name in the same box that you have your company name currently.  That's how they are doing it.  :-)

Elayna - thanks for subscribing, let me know if you ever need any help here with anything on AR.  :-))

Rob - that area is used for advertising and sponsoring communities and neighborhoods on Localism.  It does not affect your AR Blog or any kind of paid account to be here.  If you are interested in advertising, or purchasing communities on our Localism.com site, let me know and I'll hook you up with the right people.

Rob - there's a whole lot more than the value of links here, read some of the success posts and stories.  There's a link to them on te Main AR home page. 

Charles - I would not post peoples emails to you without their permission. Or at least keep information annonymous, but I would always ask first. Remember your audience and what you're trying to accomplish with your Blog and your Blogging endeavors. That's just my 2 cents, I would also recommend you read the terms of service and guidelines first before continuing. This will help you understand the rules better. :-)

Colleen - It's kinda hard to keep that one hidden.  LOL~  :-))

Sheri - can't wait to check out that first Blog.  BTW - How did you go from Fairfield to Lake Norman?

Ginger - you just call and I'm there...  I'm not cheap....  will work for food????   hahaha   :-))

Jerry - as long as you are logged into to AR, you're doing it right.  You'll notice the backlink in your name above, and you will be awarded 25 points for comments made on other members posts as well.  The points take a while to show up sometimes,  just be patient and they will come.  :-)

Marshal - we're ready and excited for ya!!  :-)

Nori - this is where we discuss anything you like?  :-))

Benjamin - no worries, that's what this is here for.  Thanks and enjoy!  :-)

Marian - funny thing is, I still have to come read this myself once in a while.  Thanks.  :-)

Jerry - I wrote this for you. :-)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/959045/Week-In-Review-Top-10-ActiveRain-FAQs

Hi Gloria - it's a great place to "Get Started" on ActiveRain, or at least somewhere to begin your Blogging journey! :-))

Vickie - make sure you login to AR first before doing anything, this way your comment will have a link-back to your profile and blog.  Otherwise, there is no way for me and others to know who you are, and reciprocate by visiting you and commenting on your blog.   Oh yeah, and you're very welcome too.  :-)

Hi Carin - check out the 5th and 6th links in this post.  They will explain the RainMaker membership account for you.  Let me know if you have any questions after you review those two links.  Thanks.

Carin - you can use the tree image in the tool bar above to add photos and images into Blogs and comments. Let me know if you need any help, you can call me anytime.  :-)

Melissa, Judy, Carl, Nancy, and Cristine - Welcome to AR!  There are plenty of folks here to help you out and to learn from, myself included.  Don't hesitate to contact any of our staff if we can assist you in any way.  Again, welcome aboard!  :-)