Here is the Forum FAQ
Read this before attempting to Pm (Private Message) a Member of Staff (Moderator or Administrator) to ask for any help what-so-ever. This will hold the Frequently Asked Questions.
If you notice any broken or Invalid links, then please tell us and we will fix them. If you want us to add any links then we will do so, if you give them to us.
The Usual Stuff
Thread Icon Legend :
- This means topics with posts you have not read.
- This means topics with posts you have read.
- This means a Popular topic, with posts you have not read.
- This means a Popular topic, with posts you have read.
- This means an announcement you have not read.
- This means an announcement you have read.
- This means a Pinned topic with posts you have not read.
- This means a Pinned topic with posts you have read.
- This means a Popular pinned topic, with posts you have not read.
- This means a Popular pinned topic with posts you have read.
- This means a Locked topic with posts you have not read.
- This means a Locked topic with posts you have read.
General Questions
What is a Moderator ?
A Moderator is the second highest rank, and ensures that the Forum is running smoothly. This is the Group of people you go to if you need something answered, they will endeavor to help as much as possible. They can perform such jobs as Moving threads, Locking threads, Deleting threads, merging threads, and everything around that area.
What is an Administrator ?
An Administrator is the Highest rank you can get on the Forum. They ensure that everyone causing hassle is gone from the Forum. This is the person you go to when you need to complain about a Certain User. They will try their best to help you in anyway possible. They can also perform all the Jobs a regular Moderator can, be cautious when going to these. Make sure you have a Valid reason first, otherwise go to the Moderators.
How do I get a picture below my username ?
The Picture is called an Avatar, This is a very simple process and shouldn't be that hard. We have two choices on how to get an avatar up. First of all you can upload the Image straight from your computer to the site by clicking to your profile, and on the Tabs you should notice Avatar settings. Click that, and then click browse and search your computer for a suitable image.
There is another way in which you don't have a size restriction on, and probably is more preferable to do rather than stealing the sites bandwidth by uploading from your computer. And that would be to go to one of these free image hosting sites, listed here:
- Photobucket.
- Imageshack.
- Az Upload.
- Clip Art host.
- Upload it.
- Ripway.
Once you've signed up, upload the Image to the Image hosting site. And then you can find out the address of the Image. The Address will look something like this: "http://webhost.com/folder/avatar.jpg". Then you have to go to your Profile, and Paste the Link to the Offsite Image, and click Apply.
If you want to see this with a step by step guide, then you can go to Yavanna's FAQ on Signatures and Avatars.
How do I get an Image in my Signature ?
First you must host your Image, using one of the Links posted above. Once you've signed up, upload the Image to your Image hoster and find out the Address of the Image. The Address will look something like this: "http://webhost.com/folder/banner.jpg". Go to your Profile and copy and paste the Img code into the Box labeled "Signature". Add the Tags so your text will look like this [*IMG]"http://webhost.com/folder/banner.jpg"[/IMG*] (remove the stars) and click Submit/Save Changes. Your Image can be no larger than 600 Width, and 300 in Height.
Again if you want to see a step by step guide, go to Yavanna's FAQ on Signatures and Avatars.
What Size can my avatar and banner be ?
Your avatar can be no larger than 80x80.
And your Signature can be no larger than 600x300 (with a Maximum of 300KB).
Why Have Signature Limits ?
Some people who visit the Forum are still on a Dial up connection, and it already takes a while to load a page, so images would make the page load even slower, and so we added this rule.
I'm being Bullied or Annoyed by other members, what can I do ?
Pm (Private Message) a Mod or Admin, and your problem will be dealt with immediately.
What is Hot-linking ?
Hot-linking is Linking to an image you do not have permission to use, or have not hosted yourself. You should always host images yourself, and not use other people's image hosters, because it really isn't fair. Some sites may even put a Code in the actual hot-linking of an Image which could turn into something else. We have had a case of this in "Post Pictures you think are funny."
How can I prevent my name from being displayed in the Online users list ?
This is simple, click your name to link to your profile, go to site options scroll down and look for something like "Allow username to be displayed in on-line user list" simply click No, and Save changes. But be warned certain members of Staff can see that you are online.
How do I find out how many posts I have "Post count" ?
You can see your current Post Count in your profile, or when you are in a Thread it is located underneath your Avatar and location. The same goes for if you want to see someone else's current Post Count.
What are the Number's next to my name on the Active Users list ?
This would be how many posts a certain individual has made in that 24 Hour period of time.
What are the Green 'Pips' underneath my Avatar ?
This is the Contributor bars, when you have it full (check mine, by hovering over it and you should see something like "Top 10 Contributor" appear) it means your within the Top 10 posters. Now remember post count doesn't mean anything, so don't bother about it. It doesn't matter if you are in the Top 10, or the top 200.
Why aren't my images (Signatures and Avatars) not showing up ?
There are a Number of reasons:
-The site hosting the images has restricted you from direct linking to them.
- You typed the wrong address to your avatar and banner in your Profile.
- Your image is not a valid file format, this forum only allows .GIF, .JPG, .BMP and .PNG. (To my knowledge)
- Your image host is currently not working, but the image should be up shortly.
- You did not upload the image to your host, if this is the case try uploading it again.
Can I send Private Messages to Individual Members ?
Yes you can, anywhere where a Username is clickable (i.e. Active User's List, in a Thread just click their Username when they have posted, in the User's On-line bit, and you can even go to Find User and type in your Designated Username). Then you go to their Profile and click Send ______ a Private Message. [______ meaning Username].
Posting Issue Questions
What is BBcode ?
BBcode is a special implementation of HTML. BBcode itself is similar in style to HTML: tags are enclosed in Square bracer's [ ] rather than < > and it offers greater over what and how something is displayed. BBcode is what you use to carry out various formatting alterations to your posts. Examples of this would be Font Size, Colour of your text etc. If you ever hear the mention of BBcode, this is what they are referring to. Some help on BBcodes are listed below:
How do I italic my text ?
There are three ways to do this, the first would be to click the 'I' above the area you type. The second is to use a Keyboard shortcut and that would be 'Ctrl+I'. The third is to write this : [i*]Your message goes here[/i*] (remove the stars).
How do I Bold my text ?
Again there are three ways to do this, the first would be to click the 'B'above the area you type. The second is to use a Keyboard shortcut by pressing Ctrl+B. The third is to write this : [b*]Your Message goes here[/i*]. (again remove the stars).
How do I underline my writing ?
Again same as the above. Three ways to do so, the first it to Click the 'U' above the area you type. The second is to use a Keyboard shortcut by pressing Ctrl+U. The third is to write this : [u*]Your message here[/u*] (remove the stars).
How do I strike through my text ?
I only know one way to do this, and that would be to click the ABC icon with a Strike through it. There is no Keyboard shortcut for this.
How do I post Links to other sites ?
With Sons of Sparda you just copy and paste the Link into the area where you type and post the Message. However, there are other options to do this such as this. [*URL="Type your Url here"]Click Here[/URL*]. This would mask the actual website with "Click Here", everything I put there has to be including if you are masking a URL, even down to the little Speech Marks " ". Here are some examples of this in action.
Photobucket - Free Image Hosting Site
Sons of Sparda - A Devil May Cry community
Imageshack - Another Free image hosting site
How do I insert Images in my posts ?
First you upload the Photo to your own Image hoster (list of free Image hosters up the top). Then you copy the Url or Img link to your post, and then post it. If you copy the URL code you will have to put [IMG*]The Link here[/URL*] (remove stars).
Graphic/Video Questions
What programs do I need to make Graphics, and where can I get them from ?
There are a huge Variety of programs you can use to make Graphics. But I will post the two most popular Graphics editing programs.
Trial Versions Only.
Adobe Photoshop CS Trial.
Corel Paint Shop Pro X Trial.
Can I have a list of sites for resources to make graphics ?
Font Sites :
ExtremeFonts
DaFont
Acid Fonts
Font Freak
High Fonts
Adobe Photoshop Tutorials:
Photoshop Cafe
XEN-FX
Paint Shop Pro Tutorials:
Robin's Blog
Tiem Design
Psd's, Backgrounds and Wallpapers:
Rebellion GFX
Mafia Graphics
How do I animate or Flash my Images?
You need to download an animation program. Adobe PhotoShop usually already comes with this. If you are using Paint Shop Pro, you can to download Animation Shop
I'm no good at making Banners, can you help?
Practice Makes perfect, no one can teach you how to make Graphics as they have their own way of doing it, however there are a couple of people who will offer Graphics Tips.
What Program can I use to make a Video or Slide Show with?
You can use Windows Movie Maker to make these, which is free for download at Windows Updates. It can be found in your Start Menu.
How do I make Good Videos
You need a good movie making program like Windows Movie Maker. Make sure you have the updated version here. You'll need Windows Service pack 2 to run this.
Again there may be some people who are willing to help you here, I don't have any experience in doing this, so ask somebody.
Other Questions
My Question isn't answered here, what should I do?
Private message one of the Moderating team with your Question, we will endeavor to help you, and if we feel it necessary, we will add it to the Forum FAQ.
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FAQ compiled by Steven.