Forum FAQ

Read the Guidelines

Do I have to register to use the forum?
Are there rules about what can be posted/commented?
What about offensive posts/comments?
Do you use cookies?
Can I add new forums and topics?
Can I edit my posts/comments after they appear?
Can YOU edit my posts after they appear?
How do I use the emoticons?
Can I use HTML in my messages?
Please explain the Poster Status level.
What's the Participation Meter for?
You didn't answer my question.

Do I have to register to use the forum?

You don't have to register to read the forum, you are perfectly welcome to browse or lurk as a guest. You do have to register if you want to post any messages or replies. However, like the best things in life, registration is free... and easy.
Click here to register.

Are there rules about what can be posted/commented?

Simple, simple rules: Use common courtesy and common sense. Otherwise, our moderators will take action.

What about offensive posts/comments?

Our policy on this is still evolving... by which I mean we are figuring this stuff out as we go along. As you'll have read in Forum Guidelines one goal of this forum is to allow free speech. We are counting on the intelligent, mature members populating this forum to be civil and at least minimally respectful of others.

Of course, there are bound to be members who are NOT intelligent and mature, and while we do have the power to edit or delete posts, we don't want to do that if we can avoid it. We have a couple options for dealing with this:

• We have the covers team and our covers linesmen patrolling the forum looking for troublemakers. If you want to report a disturbance, go to the Help Forum to post your message.

• For the incorrigibles, we've got the PENALTY BOX. If you get banished to the box, you're not coming out again until we think you can handle yourself.

Do you use cookies?

Yes, cookies are used to store your username and the date/time of your last visit. They are not used to identify you or to track your movements through the forum. If you have cookies turned off in your browser, the forum will not work properly for you.

Can I add new forums and topics?

New topics can be added anytime from within each forum. Adding new forums, on the other hand, is an administrative function. We decided to start out with just a few forums, and have since added a number of new forums in response to suggestions and increasing traffic. If you think there should be more (or different) forums, start a discussion about it in the Help Forum.

Can I edit my posts/comments after they appear?

Nope, sorry. Reread carefully before hitting that submit button.

Can YOU edit my posts after they appear?

Yes indeedy, we reserve that ultimate power for ourselves! We keep a close eye on the forums, and if certain content is excessively offensive or wildly inappropriate, we WILL edit or delete it. If we edit it, we will clearly state that we did so — but most often we will move the thread (and the poster) to the PENALTY BOX.

How do I use the emoticons?

Emoticons are used to clarify a user's meaning in a message. It is sometimes difficult to tell what exactly a person means by some statements, especially if they are joking or being sarcastic — adding a smiley face can make the intention clearer. Remember that common courtesy rule...

To add the emoticon to your message, click on the image with your cursor in the location where you want it to appear.

Can I use HTML in my messages?

No, but you can cut and paste text from outside sources. However, you can't attach files or images (other than the provided emoticons) in your messages.

Please explain the Poster Status level.

All users in the forum will be given a posting status based on the number of posts they have contributed. See chart for status criteria.

What's the Participation Meter for?

The Participation Meter bar located with your posts indicates how active you have been in the forum over the past 30 days. The busier you are - the more green bars you obtain. Posts submitted within the penalty box forum do not count towards your meter level.

You didn't answer my question.

Sorry about that! Please post it in the Help Forum, or feel free to e-mail us .