Frequently Asked Questions

Using HTML
You may be able to use HTML in your posts, if your administrators and moderators have this option turned on. Every time you post a new note, you will be told whether BB Code and/or HTML is enabled. If HTML is on, you may use any HTML tags, but please be very careful that you proper HTML syntax. If you do not, your moderator or administrator may have to edit your post.

Using BB Code
BBCode is a variation on the HTML tags you may already be familiar with. Basically, it allows you to add functionality or style to your message that would normally require HTML. You can use BBCode even if HTML is not enabled for the forum you are using. You may want to use BBCode as opposed to HTML, even if HTML is enabled for your forum, because there is less coding required and it is safer to use (incorrect coding syntax will not lead to as many problems).

URL Hyperlinking NEW! If BBCode is enabled in a forum, you no longer need to use the [URL] code to create a hyperlink. Simply type the complete URL in either of the following manners and the hyperlink will be created automatically: http://www.yourURL.com www.yourURL.com Notice that you can either use the complete http:// address or shorten it to the www domain. If the site does not begin with "www", you must use the complete "http://" address. Also, you may use https and ftp URL prefixes in auto-link mode (when BBCode is ON). The old [URL] code will still work, as detailed below. Just encase the link as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red). [url]www.totalgeek.org[/url] NEW! You can now have true hyperlinks using the [url] code. Just use the following format: [url=http://www.totalgeek.org]totalgeek.org[/url] In the examples above, the BBCode automatically generates a hyperlink to the URL that is encased. It will also ensure that the link is opened in a new window when the user clicks on it. Note that the "http://" part of the URL is completely optional. In the second example above, the URL will hypelink the text to whatever URL you provide after the equal sign. Also note that you should NOT use quotation marks inside the URL tag. Email Links To add a hyperlinked email address within your message, just encase the email address as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red). [email]james@totalgeek.org[/email] In the example above, the BBCode automatically generates a hyperlink to the email address that is encased. Bold and Italics You can make italicized text or make text bold by encasing the applicable sections of your text with either the [b] [/b] or [i] [/i] tags. Hello, [b]James[/b] Hello, [i]Mary[/i] Bullets/Lists You can make bulleted lists or ordered lists (by number or letter). Unordered, bulleted list: [list] [*] This is the first bulleted item. [*] This is the second bulleted item. [/list] This produces: This is the first bulleted item. This is the second bulleted item. Note that you must include a closing [/list] when you end each list. Making ordered lists is just as easy. Just add either [LIST=A] or [LIST=1]. Typing [List=A] will produce a list from A to Z. Using [List=1] will produce numbered lists. Here's an example: [list=A] [*] This is the first bulleted item. [*] This is the second bulleted item. [/list] This produces: This is the first bulleted item. This is the second bulleted item. Adding Images To add a graphic within your message, just encase the URL of the graphic image as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red). [img]http://www.totalgeek.org/images/tline.gif[/img] In the example above, the BBCode automatically makes the graphic visible in your message. Note: the "http://" part of the URL is REQUIRED for the [img] code. Also note: some UBB forums may disable the [img] tag support to prevent objectionable images from being viewed. Quoting Other Messages To reference something specific that someone has posted, just cut and paste the applicable verbiage and enclose it as shown below (BBCode is in red). [QUOTE]Ask not what your country can do for you.... ask what you can do for your country.[/QUOTE] In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference. Code Tag Similar to the Quote tage, the Code tag adds some <PRE> tags to preserve formatting. This useful for displaying programming code, for instance. [CODE]#!/usr/bin/perl print "Content-type: text/html\n\n"; print "Hello World!"; [/CODE] In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference and preserves the formatting of the coded text.

You must not use both HTML and BBCode to do the same function. Also note that the BBCode is not case-sensitive (thus, you could use [URL] or [url]).

Incorrect BBCode Usage:
[url] www.totalgeek.org [/url] - don't put spaces between the bracketed code and the text you are applying the code to.

[email]james@totalgeek.org[email] - the end brackets must include a forward slash ([/email])

Moderators
Moderators control individual forums. They can edit, delete, or prune any posts in their forums. If you have a question about a particular forum, you should direct it to your forum moderator.

Admins and forum moderators reserve the right to close or delete any post that does not provide a clear and purposefull topic. There are many members who still use 28.8 and 56k modems that do not have the time to wade through useless and senseless topics.

Anyone who posts just to increase their ReasonStation Forums stats or post topics out of boredom risk having there topics closed, removed and/or membership revoked.

Try to make the topic wording mirror what is inside the thread. Topics like "Check this out!" and "~~\\You have to see this!//~~" only attract members to a topic they may not want to read.

Changing Your Profile
You may easily change any info stored in your registration profile, using the "profile" link located near the top of each page. Simply identify yourself by typing your username and password, or by logging in, and all of your profile information will appear on screen.

Customizing Using Preferences
As a registered bulletin board user, you may store your username in memory for up to one year at a time. By doing this we create a way to keep track of who you are when you visit the forum, therefor you can customize the look of the forum by selecting from the themes that the administration has provided. Also, if the administrator allows it you may have the option of creating new themes for the fourms. In creating a new theme you will be able to set the colors, fonts and font sizes on the board, however at this time only the administrator may change the images for each theme. When a user creates a theme the images from the board's default theme will be selected.
*NOTE: In order to use themes you MUST have cookies enabled.

Cookies
This bulletin board uses cookies to store the following information: the last time you visited the forums, your username, and a unique session ID number when you login. These cookies are stored on your browser. If your browser does not support cookies, or you have not enabled cookies on your browser, none of these time-saving features will work properly.

Editing Your Posts
You may edit your own posts at any time. Just go to the thread where the post to be edited is located and you will see an edit icon on the line under your message. Click on this icon and edit the post. No one else can edit your post, except for the forum moderator or the bulletin board administrator. Also, for up to 30 mins after you have posted you message the edit post screen will give you the option of deleteing that post. After 30 mins however only the moderator and/or administrator can remove the post.

Adding Signatures
You may use a signature on your posts. If you click on the profile link at the top of most pages, you will be able to edit your profile, including your standard signature. Once you have a signature stored, you can choose to include it any post you make by checking the "include signature" box when you create your post. This bulletin board's administrator may elect to turn the signature feature off at any time, however. If that is the case, the "include signature" option will not appear when you post a note, even if you have stored a signature. You may also change your signature at any time by changing your profile.

Note: You may use HTML or BB Code if the admin has enabled these options.

Attaching Files
For security reasons, you may not attach files to any posts. You may cut and paste text into your post, however, or use HTML and/or BB Code (if enabled) to provide hyperlinks to outside documents. File attachements will be included in a future version of phpBB.

Searching For Specific Posts
You may search for specific posts based on a word or words found in the posts, a user name, a date, and/or a particular forum(s). Just click on the "search" link at the top of most pages.

Announcements
Announcements have not been implemented, but are planned in a future release. However, the administrator can create a forum where only other administrators and moderators can post. This type of forum can easly be used as an announcement forum.

Lost User Name and/or Password
In the even that you lose your password you can click on the "Forgotten your password?" link provided in the message posting screens next to the password field. This link will take you to a page where you can fill in your username and email address. The system will then email a new, randomly generated, password to the email address listed in your profile, assuming you supplied the correct email address.

Email Notification
If you create a new topic, you have the option of receiving an email notification every time someone posts a reply to your topic. Just check the email notification box on the "New Topic" forum when you create your new topic if you want to use this feature.

Can I search private forums?
Yes, but you cannot read any of the posts unless you have the password to the private forum.

What are the ranks for the ReasonStation Forums?
The ReasonStation Forums have established methods to classify their users by activity through the number of posts.

The current ranks are as follows:

Rank Title Minimum Posts Maximum Posts Rank Image No Ranks in the database

The adminstrator also has the option of assigning special ranks to any user they choose. The above table does not list these special ranks.

Why are some post icons flaming in the forum view?
Flaming icons signify that there are 15 or more posts in that thread. It is a warning to slower connections that the thread may take some time to load.