Helpful hints about SpanishDict
I have been on this site since October of last year--though only recently have I been an intermittent regular (when my other studies allow me to pursue this in my leisure time). However, I have found that there are still things I don't know about this site.
Like today, I just realized I can pause the little timer when I'm doing the other exercises after a lesson (in Recall, Recognize, etc.). Do you know how many times I have almost peed my pants because I didn't know I could do that?
So, I thought it would be nice to start this thread so people could mention things that a newbie may not realize. Mention it even if it seems obvious! I think it has been commented on before that some people don't even realize that there is a dictionary and translation area on this web site. And even though I've been doing the flashcards--it is only now that I noticed the "pause"--in blue--under the little timer.
I don't doubt I may even learn some things. 
13 Answers
One of my favorite features is the ability to double-click on any word in the site and a blue box will appear with the translation of that word (both English & Spanish).
For Firefox users, check out this thread, where you can find other ways to check your words in the "text box" (where you type question/answer)... namely, the ability to click on the word in the grey box directly below the "text box".
I rarely hear anyone discussing this feature of SpanishDict and fear that it is unknown to most new members: The multimedia section listed on the opening page of SpanishDict. It contains links to current newspapers, videos, TV, etc. all in Spanish. It is a very underrated feature of this site.
I will admit, however, that I had to check out the links to see if they are still valid. That's how long it has been since I used this feature. ¡Qué lastima!
There is a whole heap of good stuff under "More" in the big blue menu at the top of the page. Including a chat room, which many people apparently aren't aware of.
Hay una montaña de cosas buenas bajo "Más" en el menu grande y azul al encima de la página. Inclusivo un chat, de que muchos no están al tanto.
Go to this link Link)
Click the search area (on the question box) after you click the link and it will lead you to MANY similar questions
If you want to send someone a PM (Private Message):
Go to the person's profile page by clicking on his/her name. Way down on the left hand side of the page you will see "Send a private message." Click on that and write your message.
The person receives an email letting them know that a PM has arrived on SpanishDict.
There is also a program, that one of the SD users created, that allows you to use your "Windows" key + letter to create the tilde and accents and such. Check out this thread.
I knew it! I just knew it! I must have practiced typing 'pensamiento' 50 times trying to be able to get the full ten points on recall! On some of the expressions especially those with more than one accento there was no way people (computer, maybe, but not people) could have typed them in the alloted time!!! I wanted to post the question "how is it done" but couldn't bring myself to ask if there was cheating going on! Vincent, calm down! Take a deep breath, relax, and then thank the lady! Thank you lady.
I 'fess up. I went to look. The pause option is not there during recall. Not that I can find! And you did not say it was, I jumped to the wrong conclusion. It is there between questions, not during the answer time frame! So I am back to being baffled and am going to broach the subject.
The section Quentin has supplied can also be found on the reference, another pretty unknown part
A newbie should read this:
Leslie has already mentioned the "More" tab (located at the top of every screen) and all the great things you'll find on the drop-down menu. One of the features is a Blog. If you haven't already done so, I'd like to encourage you to take a look at it! There are some very interesting articles that are listed under the Categories: Announcements, Culture, Interesante, and Language. You can even post comments there.
Here's the Link: link text
Enjoy!
I like the Verb Conjugation section a lot. It helps a lot.
I also like the Spanishdict TV 
Another helpful hint for those of you making flashcards--and you haven't figured out how to use the keyboard strokes to make the accents and such.
If you have Microsoft Word, open it. Go to the Insert tab, and then click on Symbols. You can find most of the symbols you need (except the upside down question mark). Copy and paste it into the flashcard area.
Or, another alternative, is type the word and hit the green box. If you are lucky, it may translate the word correctly. I can get my upside down question mark by asking a question.
I wonder if everybody has seen this:
