Once you fill out the first page, you will be
asked to upload a photograph. You can skip this step, which we suggest you do
for now, by clicking the link in the lower left-hand corner that says, “Skip
for now.”
The next page will allow you to invite friends to check out
your new space. You can do this now by adding email addresses of friends or
family members, or you can skip this and spread the word once you’ve actually
created your page.
To invite people, input the email addresses and separate each with a comma.
You can add a message, or use the prewritten message that shows on the screen.
Click <Invite> to send the message, or hit the “Skip for now” link to do
this later. Not matter which of those two options you choose, you will be
taken to your main MySpace page to edit.
You now have a MySpace page (in the most
basic sense of the word.) The space will look pretty vacant since you still
need to set it up. The first tasks on the agenda are to change Mobile Alerts
and select a domain name, or URL.
On the left-hand side of your main page you will see many
options for editing your page. Look for the “Get MySpace Mobile Alerts!” link
and click on it. By default your site is set to send your mobile phone a text
message every time your site receives a friend request; blog, profile, or image
comment; new message, or; event invite, but you have to enter and verify a cell
phone number to receive them. While MySpace does not charge a fee for this
service, chances are your cellular service provider will. If you decide to
receive Mobile Alerts, you may want to check with your service provider and
learn the fees for text messages. To remove the alert option, clear the
checkmarks next to each option, by clicking the box with your mouse. Whether
you decide to keep and activate the settings, or remove them, you must click
<Apply Settings>. Next, you will be asked your cellular phone number,
and provider. Enter the information and click <Submit Number>. An
activation number will be sent to your cell phone, which you must input in the
activation box in order to activate the alerts.
Return to the middle section of
the main menu and scroll down to “Pick your MySpace Name/URL” in the red
outlined box. When you click the link to choose a URL, a page will appear with
two boxes: one to select your URL, and the other to confirm it. Type your
choice in each. Be sure to include letters and numbers, and to keep your URL
gender-neutral if you are concerned about security. It is strongly suggested
that users under 21 years of age, always choose a gender-neutral URL and
username.
While you can change your
display name (the name that shows on your profile page) as many times as you
like, once you pick your URL, that’s it—you’re married for better or for
worse. In short, you can’t change your URL once you choose one.
When you’re happy with your URL selection, click the <Submit> button. A
pop up message will appear confirming your chosen name, and asking you one more
time if you like your URL choice. If you do, click <OK>. To make any
changes click <Cancel>. When you click <OK> yet another message
will pop up, asking you once more if you are happy with your choice as it
cannot be changed. Click <OK> or <Cancel>.
This next step is optional and
can be bypassed by clicking the “Skip” link that shows up at the bottom of the
page. Entering your real name (first, last, or both) allows users to search
for you on MySpace. This information is not “public” in the sense that it
won’t be listed on a viewable directly, but keep in mind that anyone could
randomly put together names in search of people they don’t really know.
Remember, if you want specific people to visit your site, you can always send
an invite. Either enter your name and click <Enter> or choose the link
to skip this option.
Real, user,
display—because MySpace asks for quite a few names, this topic warrants
further detail.
- Display
Name: By default this is whatever
name you input as your first name. You can change this whenever, and as
often as you like by going to the Account Settings menu. We detail this
later.
- Username: This is the extension you chose as your URL.
Your username and URL (domain name) cannot be changed.
- Real Name: Your real name is just that—your
actual name. You have the option of entering your real name in order for
other people to find you on MySpace. This option is strongly discouraged
if you are under 21 years old.
Once you input and confirm your
user and domain name, you will see a page that displays your various names (as
discussed above.) You will also see code that you can cut and paste into your
profile (we’ll show you how later) in the AIM section. This is optional.
