The purpose of this FAQ document is to give an overview of the forum functions. Please also read our Forum Terms of Use which explains what is and what is not allowed on our forums.
Why do I need to register?
You can read our forums without registering but you must register in order to post. Registration will give you access to additional features not available to guest users such as definable avatar images, private messaging, etc. Having a registration system helps to prevent spammers and other idiots from causing a nuisance on our forums. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes.
Why do I have to supply an email address to register?
We need a valid address in order to send an account activation email, to reset your password in the event that you forget it, to send topic update notifications (when you've ask for them), so that you can receive private messages from other members via our messaging system, and so that the admistrator can contact you about your account if necessary. Note that all of this is done WITHOUT revealing your email address to other members or any third party.
Why can't I log in?
Have you registered? You must register in order to log in. If you have registered and you still cannot log in, see below.
I registered but cannot log in!
Double check that you are entering the correct username and password. This is usually the problem. One way to check that you are using the correct username is to find yourself on our member list
I registered in the past but I am no longer on the member list!
Member accounts are deleted after 12 months of inactivity in order to reduce the size of the database. If you find that your old account has been deleted, simply create a new one. (Please feel free to contact the Administrator if you are entitled to membership awards.)
I'm on the member list so why can't I log in?
Are you sure that you are using the correct password? (see below for how to reset it). If your account is new and you have never used it before, it could be that it still needs activating. When you registered you would have told you what type of activation was required. Usually this is a case of having to respond to an email that we send. If you did not receive the email, check your spam folders. Activation is used is to reduce the possibility of rogue users abusing the board anonymously. If you are still unable to log in after reading all of the advice in this section, please contact the administrator.
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 on the 'I've forgotten my password' link. Follow the instructions and you should be back online in no time.
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 who shares your computer. To stay logged in, check the box during login. This is not recommended if you access the board from a computer at a school, library, Internet cafe, etc.
How do I post a topic in a forum?
When you are logged in (see above) you will see various buttons on our forum that allow you to reply to other posts and to create new topics.
Can I edit or delete posts?
You can edit your own posts by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find that a small piece of text is automatically added below the post saying how many times you edited it. You can delete your own posts provided that nobody has replied to it. Please note that when a post is edited or deleted, the old version is copied to a special archive that can be accessed by the administrator in case of a dispute. Also note that the administrator and moderators can edit and delete other people's posts however they should insert a message to say why they have done so.
Can I add a signature to my post?
Many forums have this facility but we do not. The two most common uses for signatures (on other boards) are to advertise something or to make the same witty comment over and over again until everybody is bored to death by it. We decided that they was not appropriate use for them on TerraGenesis.
Can I use HTML in my posts?
No. If you see references to it on the phpBB screens it is because phpBB can handle it however we have disabled this functionality. Use BBCode instead (see below)
What is BBCode?
BBCode is a special implementation of HTML. You can also 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. See our BBCode FAQ for further information.
What are Locked topics?
The administrator and moderators have the power to lock topics such that no further replies can be posts. Any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for several reasons; usually because any content that is going to be archived has been archived and the thread itself is now scheduled for deletion.
How long do posts stay on the forum?
Some forum areas use auto-pruning to remove topics that haven't been posted to for a while. For example, the off-topic areas are set to automatically remove topics that haven't been replied to for a month. Other areas, such as the competition forums are pruned manually by the Administrator. The main terrain forums auto-prune topics that have not been posted to for three months.
What are Administrators?
TerraGenesis currently has a single Administrator, the site owner (Andy Slater), who can control all aspects of board operation including suspending member accounts and creating moderators. He also has full moderator capabilities in all of the forum areas.
What are Moderators?
Moderators are individuals who have been given extra powers in certain forum areas, usually to run a competition. They have the power to edit or delete posts and lock, unlock, move, delete and split topics in the forum they moderate. If you take issue with any action being taken by a Moderator, please contact the Administrator.
How can I post Images?
Please see our Image Posting FAQ for further information.
How do I post a link?
If you simply type a URL into your post, it will get turned into a link i.e. phpBB will add [url] and [/url] BBCode tags for you. There is an alternative syntax whereby you can specify the text that will be made clickable. See our BBCode FAQ for further information.
How do I create a poll?
When you post a new topic you should see an Add Poll form below the main posting box. 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, which is set by the board administrator
How do I edit or delete a poll?
As with posts, polls can only be edited by the original poster, a moderator, or board administrator. To edit a poll, click the first post in the topic, which always has the poll associated with it. If no one has cast a vote then you can delete the poll or edit any poll option. However, if people have already placed votes only moderators or administrators can edit or delete it; this is to prevent people rigging polls by changing options mid-way through a poll
Why can't I vote in polls?
Only registered users can vote in polls so as to prevent spoofing of results. Note that you must be logged in.
How do I change my settings?
All your settings (if you are registered) are stored in the database. To alter them click the Profile link on the menu to your left. This will allow you to change all your settings.
The times are not correct!
The board records times in GMT and converts them to your local time using the timezone settings in your member profile. If the times look wrong, you should change your profile setting for the timezone to match your particular area, e.g. London, Paris, New York, Sydney, etc. Please note that this only applies when you are registered and logged in. If you are not logged in then the times you will see are in GMT.
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.
Can I change my username?
No, but the Administrator can change it for you at your request.
How does private messaging work?
Everything you need to know about our private messaging system is contain in its terms of use document.
I cannot send private messages!
You must be registered in order to use private messaging.
I keep getting unwanted or abusive private messages!
If you receive spam or abusive private messages from someone, please inform the Administrator immediately.
Who wrote this bulletin board?
The software (in its unmodified form) is produced, released and is copyrighted phpBB Group. It is made available under the GNU General Public License and may be freely distributed; see link for more details. Please note that the TerraGenesis board has been heavily modified by the System Administrator.
Whom do I contact about abusive and/or legal matters related to this board?
You should contact the Administrator using the contact mechanism on the menu to your left. Please do not contact phpBB Group as they have absolutely no control over what goes on here at TerraGenesis.