how do i use the smilley faces? & where has pen pals gone? or am i being a mupet again? julien,
If you make sure and use the “post a reply” button rather than the “quick reply” button, the smilies are in an array on the right hand side of the box you type into. Just click on the one you want to use. Unfortunately, the buddy lists have been lost 
I’d wait until the site’s been finalised before doing a new one if I were you. A lot of people haven’t made it on here yet either, so they might be missing when you try and add them. Best to wait. Hth. Karen x