Why can't I log in?

Have you registered? Seriously, you must register in order to log in. Have you been banned from the board? If so, piss off. If you have registered and are not banned and you still can't log in, check and doublecheck your username and password. If you still have problems, please email Greg with your username and assumed password, and we'll see what we can do.

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Why do I need to register at all?

We require registration to post, and to read our 'Artistic Expression' forum. The requirement helps keep down spamming and useless posting. It also helps us enforces the rules of the board, and keep things above board in terms of John Law. Further, the registration process allows users to use our private messaging system, avatars, and other features.

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Why do I get logged off automatically?

If you do not check the Log me in automatically box when you log in, the board will only keep you logged in for a preset time. This prevents misuse of your account by anyone else. To stay logged in, check the box during login. This is not recommended if you access the board from a shared computer, e.g. library, internet cafe, university cluster, etc.

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How do I prevent my username from appearing in the online user listings?

In your profile you will find an option Hide your online status; if you switch this on you'll only appear to board administrators or to yourself. You will be counted as a hidden user.

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I've lost my password!

Don't panic! While your password cannot be retrieved, it can be reset. To do this go to the login page and click I've forgotten my password. Follow the instructions and you should be back on the board posting the red robe picture in no time.

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I registered but I can't log in!

First check that you are entering the correct username and password. If they are correct (and please doublecheck!), then your account might need to be activated. We require account activation: if you were sent an email then follow the instructions; if you did not receive the email then check that your email address is valid. Activation is used is to reduce the possibility of asshole users abusing the board anonymously. If you are sure the email address you used is valid, please email Greg with your username and password.

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I registered a while ago, but I can't log in anymore!

The most likely reasons for this are: you entered an incorrect username or password (check the email you were sent when you first registered) or there is a problem with your account. We had to transfer user accounts from ikonBoard to phbBB, and there may have been an error during the process for your account. Please email Greg if you're having problems and you're certain you're registered.

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How do I change my settings?

All settings for registered users are stored on our server. To change them, click the Profile link (here or above). This will allow you to change all your settings. If you are not register, please register to save your settings.

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The times are not correct!

The times are almost certainly correct; however, what you may be seeing are times displayed in a timezone different from the one you are in. If this is the case, change your profile setting for the timezone to your particular timezone (e.g. London, Paris, New York, Sydney...). Please note that changing the timezone, like most settings, can only be done by registered users. If you are not registered, this is a good time to do so! (Pardon the pun!)

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I changed the timezone and the time is still wrong!

If you are sure you have set the timezone correctly and the time is still different, the most likely answer is daylight savings time (or summer time as it is known in the UK and other places). The board is not designed to handle the changeovers between standard and daylight time so during summer months the time may be an hour different from the real local time. The administration does its best to keep things correct, however.

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How do I show an image below my username?

The image below your username is called an avatar. This is generally unique or personal to each user. Go to your profile and either select an avatar from our extensive gallery, or enter a URL for your own (external). To use an external avatar, you must have a web host for your image. If you're a member in good standing, and you can't get image hosting elsewhere, you can email your image to Greg, and he'll take care of it.

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How do I change my rank?

In general you cannot directly change the wording of any rank (ranks appear below your username in topics and on your profile depending on the style used). Most boards use ranks to indicate the number of posts you have made and to identify certain users. For example, moderators and administrators may have a special rank. Please do not abuse the board by posting unnecessarily just to increase your rank -- you will probably find the moderator or administrator will simply lower your post count.

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When I click the email link for a user it asks me to log in.

Sorry, but only registered users can send email to people via the built-in email form. This is to prevent malicious use of the email system by anonymous users.

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How do I post a new topic in a forum?

Easy -- click the 'New Topic' button on either the forum or topic screens. You must be a registered user to post a new topic.

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How do I edit or delete a post?

You can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. This will only appear if no one has replied; it also will not appear if moderators or administrators edit the post. Please note that users cannot delete a post once someone has replied.

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How do I add a signature to my post?

First, create your signature in your profile. You can add your signature by default to all your posts by checking the appropriate radio button in your profile. You can still prevent a signature being added to individual posts by un-checking the add signature box on the posting form.

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How do I create a poll?

Creating a poll is easy -- when you post a new topic you should see an Add Poll form below the main posting box. If you cannot see this then you probably do not have rights to create polls. You should enter a title for the poll and then at least two options -- to set an option type in the poll question and click the Add option button. You can also set a time limit for the poll, 0 being an infinite amount. There will be a limit to the number of options you can list (12 at the time of writing).

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How do I edit or delete a poll?

As with posts, polls can only be edited by the original poster. To edit a poll, click the first post in the topic. If no one has cast a vote then users can delete the poll or edit any poll option.

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Why can't I access a forum?

Some forums may be limited to registered users. To view, read, post, etc. you may need special authorization which only registered users have.

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Why can't I vote in polls?

Only registered users can vote in polls so as to prevent spoofing of results.

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What is BBCode?

BBCode is a special implementation of HTML. You can disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. BBCode itself is similar in style to HTML: tags are enclosed in square braces [ and ] rather than < and > and it offers greater control over what and how something is displayed. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the posting page. If you overuse or abuse BBCode (posting in unreadable colors after warnings, being generally annoying, etc) your account will be prevented from posting BBCode.

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Can I use HTML?

No. This is a safety feature to prevent people from abusing the board by using tags which may destroy the layout or cause other problems.

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What are smileys?

Smileys, or emoticons, are small graphical images which can be used to express some feeling using a short code. :) means happy, :( means sad. The full list of emoticons can be seen via the posting form. Try not to overuse smileys, though, as they can quickly render a post unreadable, or just really stupid looking. If your smiley use becomes annoying, the privilege can be revoked (DON'T BE A BEEGARY).

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Can I post images?

Images can indeed be shown in your posts. However, there is no facility at present for uploading images directly to this board. You must link to an image stored on a publicly accessible web server, i.e. http://www.nin.com/bg.gif. You cannot link to pictures stored on your own PC nor to images stored behind authentication mechanisms such as Hotmail or Yahoo mailboxes, password-protected sites, or personal webhosts (Geocities, Tripod, etc). To display the image use the BBCode [img] tag.

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What are Announcements?

Announcements often contain important information and you should read them as soon as possible. Announcements appear at the top of every page in the forum to which they are posted.

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What are sticky topics?

Sticky topics appear below any announcements in the forum view and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them where possible. Unlike announcements, you may be able to reply to sticky topics.

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What are locked topics?

You cannot reply to locked topics, and any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for many reasons. If it is a duplicate, offtopic, or any number of other reasons. Please see the rules if you're confused.

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Who runs this garbage pit?

The administrators of this forum are (by-reverse-alpha): orestes, Leviathant, drunkpoet, and AdamSelene. Administrators are the highest level of control over the entire board. We control all facets of board operation which include setting permissions, banning users, appointing moderators, beating one-legged cats, etc. We also have full moderator capabilities in all the forums. We try to steer the forum in a positive direction, and keep things rolling happily along.

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What are Global Moderators?

Global moderators have the power to edit, delete, lock, and move posts throughout the entire board. Our current global moderators are Pixie Wolfe and Exit Domina. They keep things on topic and keep things working smoothly, keeping an eye on everything, and missing not a single detail. Beware their wrath and beg their pleasure (also forward all Clique applications here).

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What are Forum Leaders?

Forum Leaders look after the running of the forums from day to day. They have the power to edit or delete posts and lock, unlock, move, delete and split topics in the forum they moderate. Generally moderators are there to prevent people going off-topic or posting abusive or offensive material. They also help start and encourage discussion in the forums they lead.

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I cannot send private messages!

There are two reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, or the board administrator has prevented you individually from sending messages. If it is the latter case you should try emailing Greg.

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I have received a spamming or abusive email/message from someone on this board!

We are sorry to hear that. The email form feature of this board includes safeguards to try to track users who send such posts. You should email Greg with a full copy of the email you received. It is very important this include the headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). We will do the best we can to stop anyone from abusing the private messaging facilities of our board.

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Why does my postcount look funny?

We have found that in general, people like having a high postcount. To this end, they post a bunch of random crap, or pointless, one line responses ("ME TO!!!!", "LoLz!@!"). To combat this tidal wave of sewage, your postcount will only increase in proportion to the amount of content you add to the discussion at hand (measured by volume). Further, any posts in transient topics will not count towards your postcount.

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Why can I only see the last X replies to this topic?

This is a transient topic. This topic only displays a certain number of recent posts. The threshold is set by moderators, and is listed on the forum view page in parentheses.

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I can't see the last post in this topic!

From time to time topics seem to drop posts. This is due to a variety of reasons, but it is a serverside problem we are working on resolving. It is most common in transient topics, but it can happen in regular topics. PM a moderator or administrator if you notice this problem, and we'll fix it.

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Who wrote this bulletin board?

This software was originally produced, released and copyrighted by the phpBB Group. It was made available under the GNU General Public License and may be freely distributed; see link for more details. Extensive modifications have been (and are in the process of being) made by Greg. Current release date for the modified phpBB software is unknown, as as of yet, this software is NOT being distributed. Whenever it is distributed, it will be under the GNU General Public License as required by the initial terms of copyright.

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Why isn't X feature available?

We work hard to create a useful and feature-rich board. If you believe a feature needs to be added, please check the Reports and Suggestions forum, and if you don't find an existing suggestion or notice about your feature, please feel free to post about it.

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How do I add an attachment?

You can add attachments when you post a new post. You should see a Add an Attachment form below the main posting box. When you click the Browse... button the standard Open dialogue window for your computer will open. Browse to the file you want to attach, select it and click OK, Open or doubleclick according to your liking and/or the correct procedure for your computer. If you choose to add a comment in the File Comment field this comment will be used as a link to the attached file. If you haven't added a comment the filename itself will be used to link to the attachment. If the board administrator has allowed it you will be able to upload multiple attachements by following the same procedure as described above until you reach the max allowed number of attachments for each post.

The board administrator sets an upper limit for filesize, defined file extensions and other things for attachments on the board. Be aware that it's your responsiblity that your attachments comply with the boards acceptance of use policy, and that they may be deleted without warning.

Please note that the boards owner, webmaster, administrator or moderators can not and will not take responsibility for any loss of data.

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How do I add an attachment after the initial posting?

To add an attachment after the initial posting you'll need to edit your post and follow the description above. The new attachment will be added when you click Submit to add the edited post.

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How do I delete an attachment?

To delete attachments you'll need to edit your post and click on the Delete Attachment next to the attachment you want to delete in the Posted Attachments box. The attachment will be deleted when you click Submit to add the edited post.

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How do I update a file comment?

To update a file comment you'll need to edit your post, edit the text in the File Comment field and click on the Update Comment button next to the file comment you want to update in the Posted Attachments box. The file comment will be updated when you click Submit to add the edited post.

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Why isn't my attachment visible in the post?

Most probably the file or Extension is no longer allowed on the forum, or a moderator or administrator has deleted it for being in conflict with the boards acceptance of use policy.

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Why can't I add attachments?

On some forums adding attachments may be limited to certain users or groups. To add attachments you may need special authorisation, only the forum moderator and board admin can grant this access, you should contact them.

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I've got the necessary permissions, why can't I add attachments?

The board administrator sets an upper limit for filesize, file extensions and other things for attachments on the board. A moderator or administrator may have altered your permissions, or discontinued attachments in the specific forum. You should get an explanation in the error message when trying to add an attachment, if not you might consider contacting the moderator or administrator.

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Why can't I delete attachments?

On some forums deleting attachments may be limited to certain users or groups. To delete attachments you may need special authorisation, only the forum moderator and board admin can grant this access, you should contact them.

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Why can't I view/download attachments?

On some viewing/downloading forums attachments may be limited to certain users or groups. To view/download attachments you may need special authorisation, only the forum moderator and board admin can grant this access, you should contact them.

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Who do I contact about illegal or possibly illegal attachments?

You should contact the administrator of this board. If you cannot find who this is you should first contact one of the forum moderators and ask them who you should in turn contact. If you still get no response you should contact the owner of the domain (do a whois lookup) or, if this is running on a free service (e.g. yahoo, free.fr, f2s.com, etc.), the management or abuse department of that service. Please note that phpBB Group has absolutely no control and cannot in any way be held liable over how, where or by whom this board is used. It is absolutely pointless contacting phpBB Group in relation to any legal (cease and desist, liable, defamatory comment, etc.) matter not directly related to the phpbb.com website or the discrete software of phpBB itself. If you do email phpBB Group about any third party use of this software then you should expect a terse response or no response at all.

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