OurStory Help
Review our FAQs.
If you have further questions, email support@ourstory.com.
- Settings
- How do I reset or change my password?
If you cannot remember your password or are having trouble signing into OurStory, you can request a new password by going to the OurStory login page. Enter your email address in the appropriate field and press "Reset Password."
To change your password, press Settings located in the upper right hand corner. Under "Change Password" enter your current password and then your new password. After confirming, press "Save."
- How do I change my email address?
To change your email address, press the Settings link located in the upper right hand corner. Under "Email Preferences," enter your new email address in the empty field. Click the radio dial button and then "Save." Press "remove" to delete your previous address.
- How do I adjust what name is displayed on OurStory?
To adjust what name publicly appears, go to your "Home" page or your "My Timeline & Stories" page and click "Edit Profile" underneath your profile image. Here you can change your "First Name" and "Last Name."
Please note: The name that appears on your profile is searchable via internet search engines. This means that whatever name you enter for your first and last name will be accessible to the world wide web.
In regards to privacy, OurStory allows you to adjust your privacy levels for each story.
Your media is private until included in a story, and will take on whatever privacy setting you have selected.
- How do I adjust the emails I receive from OurStory?
To adjust the emails you receive from OurStory, press Settings in the upper right hand corner.
To completely turn off all emails from OurStory go to "Email Preferences" and un-check the box "I want to receive the OurStory monthly newsletter" and select "Off" next to "Email Notifications."
To adjust what notices you receive from your connections go to your "Email Notification Levels" (under Email Preferences.) For each connection you can be notified on: "Everything" (new posts and comments), "New Posts Only" or "None."
- Premium Account Features
- What is included in a Premium account?
Premium members can:
- Enjoy all of the benefits of OurStory's Free service.
- Create unlimited privacy circles. Create private circles for you and someone special or a group.
- Upload unlimited number of videos to your "My Photos" page. They will remain private until placed in a story or comment.
- Create an unlimited amount of "Additional Profiles." Create a story for your child, parent, collection of poetry or short stories. Excellent way to separate stories with one login.
- Add some pizazz to your story with our Rich Text Editor.
A Premium membership is $39.95 per year.
- How do I upgrade?
There are many different ways to upgrade to a Premium account:
- Click the plus sign next to your profile photo in the upper right corner.
- Go to your Settings area and click "Upgrade Account" underneath "Other Profiles."
- On either your "Home" page or "My Timeline & Stories" page, underneath your Profile image, click "Not a Premium Member?"
- Click here to upgrade.
- What is an additional profile and how do I create one?
Creating an additional profile allows for you to have more than one "My Timeline & Stories" page. This allows for you to keep your stories separate. Maybe you want to have a family page and your own private journal. You can do this with additional profiles.
Additional profiles are a premium member feature. You can create an unlimited number of additional profiles.
It's just like having another OurStory account, but you only have to use one login and password. Each profile includes its own inbox, timeline, storyline, photos and connections.
There are two ways to create an additional profile.
- In the upper right-hand corner, you will see your profile image next to two silhouette images. You will also see a "plus" sign. Click this "plus" sign and click "Add a New Profile" from the drop-down menu. If you have not upgraded to Premium, you will need to do this first.
- Go to your Settings page and click the "Create New Profile" button in the "Other Profiles" section.
To access your "Additional Profiles," just click the profile image in the upper right hand corner of each screen or the "plus" sign and select the profile from the drop-down menu. You will then be on that profile's page.
To delete a profile, go to your Settings area and under "Other Profiles" place a check next to the profile you would like to delete. Then click "Delete."
- What are privacy circles and how do I create and manage them?
Privacy circles are an excellent way to share stories with select individuals or groups from your "Family & Friends" area.
Free members have one privacy circle: "Family & Friends."
As a Premium member, you can create as many privacy circles as you'd like. There are two preset privacy circles: "Family" and "Friends."
To create and organize your privacy circles, go to your "Friends & Family" page. Press the "Manage Privacy Circles" button (located on the right-hand side.) Under "Create New Privacy Circle" type the name of your new circle and click "Save."
The next page will allow you to add members to the circle from your list of "Family & Friends" connections. Simply click "Add to Circle" next to their profile picture to add your connections to the "Privacy Circle Members" list. Click the "Save" button when you are finished.
How to use a privacy circles:
- On your "Add Story" page, create your entry.
- Below entry, under "Who can view my story?" select a privacy circle underneath "Only My Connections"
- Only those in your selected privacy circle will have access to your story.
- On your "My Timeline & Stories" page, you will see a lock icon indicating your story is restricted.
- What happens to my account if I don't renew?
If you cancel your Premium membership, your data will still be available in a standard account without the added Premium features.
Any restricted posts in various privacy circles will remain in those circles, you just won't be able create new restricted entries with those same circles. You will just have your "Family & Friends" circle.
Your additional profiles will be separated into individual accounts.
- Home
- What appears in "My Inbox" on my Home page?
Your My Inbox includes the following:
- Private messages.
- Your pending questions.
- Answers to questions you've asked.
- Stories that have been submitted to your "My Timeline & Stories" page.
- Approved stories that you have submitted to others.
- Connection requests from other OurStory members.
- Invites that you've sent that have been approved.
- Guestbook photos that have been added to your stories.
You can sort your Inbox by pressing the arrow on the drop-down box.
- Is there a way to organize and save my Inbox messages?
Not yet. Currently we do not offer a way to file and save Inbox messages. We hope to offer this in the near future.
- What appears in the "Recent Stories from My Family & Friends" mosaic?
The mosaic on your "Home" page is a collage that visually displays the latest stories from connected family and friends. Click to be taken to their story. Leave comments and add images to their entries.
- What does "Stories to Approve" mean?
In OurStory, there is the option for your members to "Add to this Story." This allows others to add stories and images to your Timeline.
If someone uses this option, it will be restricted (only viewable by you) until you sent privacy levels.
You can adjust the settings of this feature in your Settings area (towards the bottom of the page).
The following options are available:
- Accept submissions from anyone with my approval
- Accept submissions from my connections with my approval
- Accept submissions only from my connections, no approval necessary
- What are "subscriptions?"
When you comment on a story, you have the option to "Subscribe to this story." This option will automatically be checked after you write a comment and press "Save." To unsubscribe, un-check the box.
Using this feature, allows for you to stay up-to-date with that particular story and be notified of new comments.
Notifications will be placed in your My Inbox on your Home page.
- My Timeline & Stories
- How can I change my Profile image?
To change your profile image:
- Click "Edit Profile" on either the Home page or the My Timeline & Stories page.
- Click "Browse..."
- Find the desired image on your computer and click "open."
- Press "Upload."
- What does "Edit URL" mean?
Think of your URL as your own unique OurStory web address. Customize it and then share it with your family and friends. They can then enter your unique URL and view your public "My Timeline & Stories" page.
OurStory will select a default URL, but you can personalize it to something of your choice.
To change your OurStory URL, click your "My Timeline & Stories" tab and click “Edit URL.” The "Edit Profile" page will open and you can change or modify your URL under “Personal URL”. Once you click "Save," your new URL will be active.
- Does OurStory offer page design templates?
Yes. OurStory offers different colored page templates to enhance your individual experience. Just click "Choose a Story Design" from your "My Timeline & Stories" page and select a color design from the drop-down menu.
We will be offering additional templates in the near future.
- What's an "Introduction" and what can be placed there?
An "Introduction" is where you can put a quote or statement introducing your "My Timeline & Stories" page. Here you can enter information about who you are and why you are creating this page.
You can enter simple HTML, embed videos, counters, and slideshows. To learn how to do these techniques, visit our Bling Bling profile.
- Does OurStory offer a counter?
OurStory does not offer a counter, but you can use widgets and add one to your Introduction area. There are many styles to choose from.
Visit our Bling Bling profile for more information.
- Can I add music or a slide show to my OurStory page?
To add music or a slide show to OurStory, visit our Bling Bling profile.
- What appears on my Timeline?
Your interactive, visual timeline easily records any milestones, event, moment or memory. Stories will appear chronologically and optimally shown by decade, year and month.
You can browse your Timeline by scrolling through images and titles. It's easy to interact directly with the Timeline to input new stories or edit existing ones.
- What does "Quick Add" mean?
When you press "Quick Add" a drawer will open with the option to:
- Drag and drop icons representing life's milestones onto your timeline. Choose from many different icons ranging in topic from: life, education, work, travel, people and children.
- Drag and drop unused photos. Easily sort through unused images and make quick entries.
- Add to Story. Quickly jot down thoughts and add them to your Timeline.
- Can I "export" my timeline and place it on another blog or website?
Yes. To place your Timeline on another blog or website, press the "Export" button.
Click here for detailed instructions.
- How are my stories organized?
Stories are organized chronologically on your Timeline. This is based upon what date you entered in your "Timeline Date" area on your "Add Story" page.
On your Storyline, the default setting is "Recent." You can press "See All" on your "My Timeline & Stories" page to sort via "Recent," "Lifetime" or "Favorites"
- How do I know which stories are public or private?
We have included icons on your individual story entries that indicate visually whether a story public, restricted or private.
A "world" icon indicates that the story is public.
A "lock" icon indicates the story is restricted.
An "eye" icon means the story is for "Me Only," or private.
A "heart" icon indicates that the story is one of your favorites and is public.
- What does "RSS Feed" mean?
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a lightweight XML format designed for sharing headlines and other Web content. Think of it as a distributable "What's New" for your site.
This feature allows people to stay up-to-date with your latest public posts to your OurStory profile...without having to log into OurStory or their email. This feature also provides a great way for non-OurStory members to stay current with your story. Whenever you update your story, your feed is updated as well.
- How do I print my stories into a book?
To print your stories into a book, press the "Preserve Your Stories: Print them in a book" box on either your Home page or My Timeline & Stories page.
Currently, OurStory offers two book publishers: Blurb and Momentos Press.
Blurb is a do-it-yourself project. You can use Blurb's BookSmart™ software to convert stories and pictures into a bookstore-quality book....automatically.
- Imports and maps story text, images, comments, and links into a professionally-designed template, producing a draft book in real time.
- Allows you to customize and edit your book as little or as much as you like.
- Bookstore-quality printing and binding; up to 440 pages per book.
- Prices start at $18.95.
Momentos Press offers a concierge service to help you create your project. They offer professional layout and design services. Your book is made with your input and their experience.
- Sign up and someone at Momentos Press will contact you. OurStory will provide Momentos Press with your selected stories and pictures.
- Choose a template. Your Momentos Press contact will layout and design your book using your OurStory content.
- Preview your book. After your approval, Momentos Press will print your hand-crafted book.
- Prices start at $150.00.
To learn more about this option, click here.
- How do I archive my stories onto a DVD?
To archive your stories on DVD press the "Preserve Your Stories: Archive them on DVD" box on either your Home page or My Timeline & Stories page. Prices start at $14.95.
To learn more about this option, click here.
- How do I delete a story?
To delete a story, go to your "My Timeline & Stories" page and find the story you would like to delete. Press "view." On the next page, press "More Options" and a drop-down menu will appear. Press "delete."
- How do I add a story to "My Favorites" area?
To save a story to your My Favorites area, go to your "My Timeline & Stories" page and find the story. Press "view." On the next page press "More Options" and a drop-down menu will appear. Press "Add to My Favorites."
- What does "Submit to be Featured" mean?
When you submit a story, you are requesting for it to be displayed on the community "Explore" page.
To feature a story on the Explore page, go to your "My Timeline & Stories" page and find the story you would like to feature. Press "view." On the next page press "More Options" and a drop-down menu will appear. Press "Submit to be Featured."
Our OurStory editors select a new featured story every few days.
- My Photos
- Photo Specifics
- OurStory supports images in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
- OurStory accepts images up to 3 MB in size.
- You can upload an unlimited amount of images into your "My Photos" area.
- Images will remain private in your "My Photos" area until they are designated to a story or comment.
- You can add up to 6 images per story and comment.
- Video Specifics (premium member feature)
- OurStory is partnered with VideoEgg, which supports OurStory's video uploading.
- Acceptable video formats include: .3gp, .3gp2, .avi, .dv, .mpg, .mpg4, .mov, .mqv, .wmv, .asf
- Videos are limited to a maximum of 5 minutes in length.
- You can upload an unlimited amount of videos to your "My Photos" area.
- Videos will remain private in your "My Photos" area until they are designated to a story or comment.
- Videos will be placed in your "My Photos" area and marked VIDEO over the file's thumbnail image.
- Premium members can add up to 3 videos per story and comment.
- Supported systems: Windows 2000, ME, or Windows XP
- Supported Browsers: Internet Explorer 5.5 , Firefox 1.5 , Netscape 8.1 , Opera 9.0
- Please note: Currently video uploading is not supported on Mac operating systems.
- What is Videoegg Publisher?
The VideoEgg publisher is a small website plug-in that makes it simple for end-users to capture, edit, encode, and post digital video online. A "universal adapter" that captures directly from hundreds of devices and reads dozens of formats, the VideoEgg Publisher allows users to painlessly publish videos that anyone can watch without worrying about player compatibilities, encoding settings, or extra software.
- Can I organize the "My Photos" page?
Currently, there is not a way to create albums or folders for your images.
You can sort images by pressing "Edit Filters." You can view images in your My Photos area only or view all images that others have added to your story. You can also view images that have been added by the Yahoo image feature.
- Is there a way to tag photos or videos?
Currently, OurStory does not have a way to tag photos or videos. You can add a caption.
- When I upload an image and/or video is it public or private?
Images and videos will remain private in your "My Photos" area until they are designated to a story or comment.
- My Family & Friends
- What does "Manage my Privacy Circles" mean?
To manage your "Privacy Circles," go to your "Family & Friends" page. Press the "Manage Privacy Circles" button located on the right-hand side. Under "Create New Privacy Circle" type the name of your new circle and click "Save."
The next page will allow you to add members to the circle from your list of "Family & Friends." Simply click "Add to Circle" next to their profile picture to add your connections to the "Privacy Circle Members" list. Click the "Save" button when you are finished.
After creating your new story, you can then select your specified privacy circle, under "Who can view this story?"
- How do I delete someone from my "Family & Friends" area?
To delete someone from your Family & Friends area, mouse over the person's photo, and choose "edit." This will take you to a page that displays their current circle status. Click the selection "Remove this person from my connections" and click the "Save" button.
The person will be removed as a connection.
- Can I organize my Family and Friends?
No. Currently we do not offer a way to organize your connections page.
You can sort via your "Privacy Circles." Just click "View Privacy Circle" and select from the drop-down menu which circle you would like to view.
- How do I connect to other OurStory members?
There are two different ways to connect to other OurStory members.
If you use "Search" to find another member, you can mouse over their photo and click "Connect."
If you are on a person's "My Timeline & Stories" page, click the blue “Connect to Me” button above their profile picture.
- Can I block someone from accessing my account?
Currently, OurStory does not offer the option to block members from accessing your account.
If you are experiencing problems with other OurStory members please email support@ourstory.com.
- How can I send a private message to another member?
To send a private message to another member, go to their "My Timeline & Stories" page. Press the "Send a Message" button, below their profile image.
- When I upload an image and/or video is it public or private?
Your media when uploaded, is private until included in a story, and will take on whatever privacy setting you have selected once published.
- Add Story
- How do I access my "saved drafts?"
To access your drafts:
- Click "view" next to "You have _ drafts" located at the top of your "Add Story" page.
- A pop-up window will appear.
- Click the hyper-linked title.
- Your story will appear on the "Add Story" page.
- Continue your story and press "Save" to publish to your "My Stories" page.
- To delete a draft, place a check in the box next to the date and press "Delete."
You can also access your "Saved Drafts" from your "Home" page under "My Timeline Tally."
- What are "auto-saved drafts?"
Every 90 seconds, your story will automatically be saved in your "Automatically Saved Drafts" folder. This helps prevent a total loss of your story in the event that something unfortunate happens. Once you press "Save" your draft will disappear.
Please note that this auto draft feature is not a recommended alternative to manually saving your story.
- How many photos and videos can I add to my story?
With a Free account you can:
- Upload up to six images per story. 3MB size limit.
With a Premium account you can:
- Upload six images per story. 3MB size limit per image.
- Upload three videos per story. Five minute limit per video.
- What type of privacy settings does OurStory have?
With a Free and Premium account there are three different privacy settings:
- Only My Connections. Share stories privately with only your connections. Premium membes can create unlimited amount of privacy circles. Free members have only one circle, "Family & Friends."
- Me Only. Completely private, for your eyes only.
- Everyone (Public). Share your stories with the world.
- When I mark a story "public" what does that mean?
When you mark a story "Everyone (Public)," you are sharing your story with the world. These stories can be viewable via the OurStory community and the world wide web.
- When I mark a story "Only My Connections" what does that mean?
When you mark a story "Only My Connections," and select a privacy circle, only your connections and the specified circle can view your story.
For a Free account, you have one privacy circle "Family & Friends." If you do not have anyone in your "Family & Friends" area, your stories are private.
For Premium members, in your "Connections" area you can create unlimited privacy circles (just you and your mom, group members only, etc). You can then select a specified privacy circle under "Only My Connections" when selecting "Who can see this story?"
- What are tags?
Tagging is a simple way to categorize your stories with specified keywords.
OurStory offers three options for tagging your story:
- Who's in this story?
- What is this story about?
- Where did this story take place?
In the near future, we will offer advanced tagging methods and easier ways to access your tags.
- Does OurStory have a Rich Text Editor?
Yes. The Rich Text Editor feature is available to Premium members.
This feature can be turned "on" or "off" in your Settings.
- How do I turn off the suggested Yahoo image feature?
You can turn off the Yahoo image feature in your Settings area, under "System Features." It's called "Post Image Recommendation."
If you have the option turned to "on," you will automatically received Yahoo! Image Search recommendations after pressing "Save," if you have not added an image to your story.
Please note We are aware of the random nature of Yahoo! Images and therefore have provided the option to turn this feature "off."
- What does "Email this Story" mean?
"Email this Story" allows members the ability to share stories with those that are non-OurStory members. You can find this feature when viewing your "My Timeline & Stories" page. This option is located next to "view."
Another way to share your stories is once you have clicked the "Save" button and successfully added your story to your "My Timeline & Stories" page, you are given the option to send your story to others not on the service.
Simply enter the email addresses and click the "Send" button. They will receive an email that will allow them to view your story and comment.
- Question Sets / Collaborate
- Is there a way I can send a question from the "Question Sets" page to someone else?
Currently, the Question Sets are just for you to answer.
This is great for writers block and also building out your story.
- What does "Collaborate" mean?
The Collaborate page is place for you to send questions to others and have their answers and photos appear on your timeline.
You can send questions to your Family & Friends connections or send to people who are not currently members of OurStory.
- Explore
- Does OurStory offer Groups?
Yes! To find a group go to the "Explore" page and press "OurStory Groups."
If you are interested in adding a group to this page, email support@ourstory.com.
- How can I find new people on OurStory?
Stay connected with the OurStory community by viewing the "Explore" page.
Here you will find the "Recent Public Story" mosaic displaying all of the OurStory public entries from fellow OurStorians.
You can see the latest "New People" area. In addition, take some time to read "OurStory's featured story" and answer our "featured question."
Don't be shy, meet some new friends. You can even join an "OurStory Group!"
- How can I get a story featured on the Explore page?
To feature a story on the Explore page, go to your "My Timeline & Stories" page and find the story you would like to feature. Press "view." On the next page press "More Options" and a drop-down menu will appear. Press "Submit to be Featured."
Our OurStory editors select a new featured story every few days.