I just joined, unsure what to do

[Marvolo Cresswell]

Hello everyone. So, I just joined the main site the other day and am unsure on what I need to do. I was sorted into Hufflepuff by the sorting hat. I need to register over there, is that right? Is there anything else I should do at this point? I can't join any classes until September as I believe, looking at the information I read in the handbook, it would be too late to join now, since it's the end of the year. Regarding the other houses, would there be any point registering with them?
Thanks for the help.

[Anne-Marie Gagne]

Hi Marvolo and welcome to HOL!

I do recommend registering with the other houses! It does end up being required for the mandatory HOL 101 class you'll automatically be added to at the start of the year, so if you end up wanting to wait until then, that's also okay

As for what to do, HOL forums have games and discussions you can partake in until classes open back up in September. The forums also have activities occasionally you can join in (right now, Gryffindor has an activity going on that ends on the 18th of August). You can also visit that IRC chat since there's a few of us in there every day.

I hope you enjoy your time here at HOL and if you have any questions, feel free to ask them! Any of the prefects or staff will gladly answer them. My PMs are always open for questions or even if you just want to talk

[Marvolo Cresswell]

Hey. Thanks for this, I really appreciate it. About this IRC chat, I did read about that in the handbook, but I find it complicated to understand how that works. Are you, or someone else, able to explain that to me a bit more? Also, I should add that if you want to use images to explain something, it won't help me much because I'm blind and can't see those. If they are used, I'd appreciate some kind of explanation being put with them, so I know what I'm dealing with.
Thanks.

[Prof. Sky Alton]

Hey. Thanks for this, I really appreciate it. About this IRC chat, I did read about that in the handbook, but I find it complicated to understand how that works. Are you, or someone else, able to explain that to me a bit more? Also, I should add that if you want to use images to explain something, it won't help me much because I'm blind and can't see those. If they are used, I'd appreciate some kind of explanation being put with them, so I know what I'm dealing with.
Thanks.

Hi Marvolo - welcome to HOL! The more technical side of IRC is a lot to get your head around but actually using the chat is pretty simple. If you head back to the main website and go right to the bottom, there’ll be a link for chatrooms. On that page, you’ll find a little widget that should let you sign in directly. I think it should be accessible – I’m a screen reader user myself and I can use it okay but please let me know if not.
Anne-Marie mention the orientation class. While you can’t take it until September, you can always read through the lessons to give you a Headstart. It’s here:
https://sites.google.com/site/holhogwarts101/

Also, just a heads up, I’ve moved this topic to the Ask a Prefect Area as that’s a better place for questions.
Please just let us know if you need anything else! We’re always happy to help.