Gaieus,
Thank you for your very clear answer.
It was not so much as impatience, as perplexity. To me, it was those I had asked, "How do I copy an object in Sketchup, rather than move it?", and having over 50 people read the question, without getting a single answer.
You could avoid problems like this very easily: whenever someone clicks on a disabled button, display an explanation for why they cannot make that selection.
I had already attempted what you suggest. Here is the usergroup I'd like to join (under control panel/Usergroups:
"Plugin contributors
This is a group of members who are generously and often freely contribute with different plugins, update them regularly and provide ongoing support for the whole SketchUp community.
This is a closed group, new members can only join upon invitation of a group leader."
The problem is I am unable to select this group by clicking the button to the right of the group name/description. The button looks no different after I click it as before, and there is no visual clue that it has been clicked. If I click the button for an open group, a little dot appears on the button and I can proceed. I naturally assumed this is the button being referred to in the FAQ ("...If a group requires approval to join you may request to join by clicking the appropriate button.") Same problem with all closed groups.
Should it matter, I just joined sketchUcation yesterday and have the free membership.
C'mon, why is my question so tough? Many of you out there must know to do something so simple as making a request to join a private group.
Cary
The FAQ says the following about this:
"Where are the usergroups and how do I join one?
You can...
...If a group requires approval to join you may request to join by clicking the appropriate button. The user group leader will need to approve your request and may ask why you want to join the group..."
What does "clicking the appropriate button" mean?