Special Interest Groups are called "Groups" and can be accessed via The Hall of the Groups of Ancient Worlds. As you will see from the Hall of the Groups of Ancient Worlds, the Groups are divided into three categories: Academic Centres, Historical RR and RolePlay Groups. These categorisations are also used at World level for the Groups there.

You are permitted to browse around and read postings from all of these areas. Whilst anyone can participate in the Public Boards of each World, you must become a  member of the Special Interest Groups to gain authorship privileges.

Choosing a group takes you to its main screen.  From here, you are able to view a list of the members of the group, read the postings, or sign up to become a member.  The message threads can be quite interesting and can take hours to go through.  Unlike other messaging systems, however, AW does not "indent" threads - so sometimes, it can be a little difficult to follow.

To become a member, you need to apply to each group you're interested in.  As a Novice (and indeed as a Citizen), you will be limited to membership in only one board.  So, obviously, most Novices spend a lot of time "shopping around" until they find the Special Group that most interests them.  If you decide that you wish to leave a Group, there is an option allowing you to "Unsubscribe," freeing up a slot so you can go join something else.  In order to Apply to a Group, a user would go to the main page for that Group, and towards the bottom of the screen click on "Apply." Usually the user is asked to give a brief statement as to why they wish to join the group.  You also agree to pay a joining fee which is deducted from what is in your cashbox and is non- refundable if you leave the Group.  After a day or two, upon review by the Group Supervisors, the individual is either admitted or denied.  If admitted, this means that the individual will not only be able to read the message threads of the Group, but they will now be able to post their own messages, thoughts, and ideas as well.  They will also find the Group membership fee deducted from their cashbox at their home!

You will also notice, against the names of Group members in the membership list, the word "more" and against their name in posts the label saying "Group Profile". Both of these take you to a page which gives details of the individual's Group membership activity including access to the various posts they have made. This can also be quite useful to you in terms of tracking your own activity within the Group.

[Posted by Frontinus Sempronius and based on The Beginner's Guide]

Last updated 22 January 2006