 |
The Communication Initiative Welcome to the discussion forums hosted by The Communication Initiative!
|
Forums List
Register
Profile
Log in
Log in to check your private messages
FAQ
Search| The Communication Initiative Forums List |
| Login and Registration Issues |
| Why can't I log in? You must register in order to log in. Have you been banned from the board? (A message will be displayed if you have.) If so, you should contact the webmaster or board administrator to find out why. If you have registered and are not banned and you still cannot log in then check and double-check your username and password. Usually this is the problem; if not, contact the board administrator -- they may have incorrect configuration settings for the board. Back to top |
 |
| Why do I need to register at all? You may not have to -- it is up to the administrator of the board as to whether you need to register in order to post messages. However, registration will give you access to additional features not available to guest users such as private messaging, emailing to fellow users, subscription to members-only discussions, etc. It only takes a few minutes to register so it is recommended you do so. Back to top |
|
| 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. Back to top |
|
| 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 online in no time. Back to top |
|
| I registered but cannot log in! First check that you are entering the correct username and password. If they are okay then one of two things may have happened: if COPPA support is enabled and you clicked the I am under 13 years old link while registering then you will have to follow the instructions you received. If this is not the case then maybe your account need activating. Some boards will require all new registrations be activated, either by yourself or by the administrator before you can log on. When you registered it would have told you whether activation was required. 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. One reason activation is used is to reduce the possibility of rogue users abusing the board anonymously. If you are sure the email address you used is valid then try contacting the board administrator. Back to top |
|
| I registered in the past but cannot 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 the administrator has deleted your account for some reason. If it is the latter case then perhaps you did not post anything? It is usual for boards to periodically remove users who have not posted anything so as to reduce the size of the database. Try registering again and get involved in discussions. Back to top |
|
| User Preferences and settings |
| 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 (generally shown at the top of pages but this may not be the case). This will allow you to change all your settings. Back to top |
|
| My language is not in the list! The most likely reasons for this are either the administrator did not install your language or someone has not translated this board into your language. Try asking the board administrator if they can install the language pack you need or if it does not exist, please feel free to create a new translation. More information can be found at the phpBB Group website (see link at bottom of pages) Back to top |
|
| 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 (if the admin has enabled this feature). This is to prevent malicious use of the email system by anonymous users. Back to top |
|
| Posting Issues |
| How do I post a topic in a forum? Easy -- click the relevant button on either the forum or topic screens. You may need to register before you can post a message. Back to top |
|
| How do I edit or delete a post? Unless you are the board admin or forum moderator, you cannot edit or delete posts. This is a security measure that has been implemented to maintain the integrity of all contributions. If you wish to make a correction to a previous post, simply reply to it and outline the necessary changes. Back to top |
|
| How do I add a signature to my post? To add a signature to a post you must first create one; this is done via your profile. Once created you can check the Add Signature box on the posting form to add your signature. You can also add a signature by default to all your posts by checking the appropriate radio box 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. Back to top |
|
| Why can't I access a forum? Some forums may be limited to certain users or groups. To view, read, post, etc. you may need special authorization which only the forum moderator and board administrator can grant, so please contact them directly with any access or permission inquiries. Back to top |
|
| Formatting and Topic Types |
| What is BBCode? BBCode is a special implementation of HTML. 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. Whether you can use BBCode is determined by the administrator. You can also disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the posting page. Back to top |
|
| Can I use HTML? That depends on whether the administrator allows you to; they have complete control over it. If you are allowed to use it, you will probably find only certain tags work. This is a safety feature to prevent people from abusing the board by using tags which may destroy the layout or cause other problems. If HTML is enabled you can disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. Back to top |
|
| What are Smileys? Smileys, or Emoticons, are small graphical images which can be used to express some feeling using a short code, e.g. :) 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 and a moderator may decide to edit them out or remove the post altogether. Back to top |
|
| Can I post Images? Yes. See the Attachments section below for more detains on how to attach images and other types of documents. Back to top |
|
| 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. Whether or not you can post an announcement depends on the permissions required, which are set by the administrator. Back to top |
|
| What are Sticky topics? Sticky topics appear below any announcements in viewforum and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them where possible. As with announcements the board administrator determines what permissions are required to post sticky topics in each forum. Back to top |
|
| What are Locked topics? Locked topics are set this way by either the forum moderator or board administrator. Topics may be locked for many reasons but it's usually done when a discussion is being steered in another direction, or when a topic has run its course and no further contributions are anticipated. Back to top |
|
| User Levels and Groups |
| What are Moderators? Moderators are individuals (or groups of individuals) whose job it is to 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. Back to top |
|
| What are Usergroups? Usergroups are a way in which board administrators can group users, which facilitates the management of specific discussions. Each user can belong to several discussion groups and each group can be assigned individual access rights and participation permissions. This makes it easy for administrators to give several users access to a private forum, to control the discussion group's permissions, etc. Back to top |
|
| How do I join a Usergroup (or Discussion Group)? To join a discussion group, bring-up your profile information by clicking on the Profile link at the top of any page. Then, scroll down to the Discussion Subscriptions section. Check the box (in the Join this discussion group column) next to the discussion forum you'd like to participate in, and save your profile information. Not all groups are open access -- some are closed and some may even have hidden memberships. Whether or not a particlar discussion is open to anyone, the group moderator will need to approve your request; they may ask why you want to join the group. Please do not pester a group moderator if they turn your request down -- they will have their reasons. Back to top |
|
| Printer-Friendly Topic View |
| What is the :| |: button for? - Cancelling the board's pagination By clicking on this button you can locally remove the board's fixed pagination for the current topic to help your web browser do the proper pagination for printing based on actual line spacing, rather than the forum-wide limit for number of messages per page. Back to top |
|
| What are the boxes on top of the printable output? - Range selection There are two boxes on top of the page and a tape-recorder-like button Show. They allow to select a range of messages. Note that every message in the printable view has a number. Use those numbers to fill out the boxes on top to set up the first and the last message you want to be printed, and press the Show button to rearrange the messages. Another way to set a range is to put a negative number in the second box, which will mean that you want -n of messages to be printed. For example, 4 7 will output messages 4, 5, 6, 7. However if you enter values 4 -7 in first and second box respectively, messages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 will be shown after you press the rewind button. Back to top |
|
| How to print only one message? - Advanced range selection First, go to the printable view of the topic by pressing the Printer button in the topic view. Find your message and note the number in the left of it. Type that number into the first box in the top left of the printable view. In the second box put value -1 and press the Show button. This will tell the database to output only one message starting from the given one. Another way of getting this result is by putting the same number in both boxes. Let's say you want to print only the message number 16. Fill out the boxes in the top as such: 16 -1 and press the go button Show. Instead of 16 and -1 you could as well enter 16 and 16. The result will be the same. This example will work only if there are at least sixteen messages in the current topic, of course. Back to top |
|
| Private Messaging |
| I cannot send private messages! There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged in, the board administrator has disabled private messaging for the entire board, or the board administrator has prevented you individually from sending messages. If it is the latter case you should try asking the administrator why. Back to top |
|
| I keep getting unwanted private messages! In the future we will be adding an ignore list to the private messaging system. For now, though, if you keep receiving unwanted private messages from someone, inform the board administrator -- they have the power to prevent a user from sending private messages at all. Back to top |
|
| I have received a spamming or abusive email from someone on this board! We apologize for this inconvenience. The email form feature of this board includes safeguards to try to track users who send such posts. You should email the board administrator with a full copy of the email you received and it is very important to include the headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). Please consult your email program's manual if you need help finding the headers of an email message. Be assured we will do our best to prevent future ocurrences. Back to top |
|
| Digests |
| What are Digests? Digests are email messages sent to you periodically with summary of postings made here. Weekly or daily digests are available. Back to top |
|
| Why would I want a digest? It makes your life easier. You don't have to explicitly visit this site to see what conversations are going on. Just read your digest and if there is some topic that seems of interest, click on it in your email program and start participating! Back to top |
|
| How can I subscribe/unsubscribe to digests? To start receiving a digest for a particular discussion (or multiple ones), go to your profile settings, and change the Receive contributions via email setting for any discussion to Daily Digest or Weekly Digest. To unsubscribe, select another option from the drop-down menu. Remember to save your profile for these settings to take effect. Back to top |
|
| How often are digests sent? They can be sent daily or weekly. Daily digests are sent every night, while weekly digests are sent on Sundays. Back to top |
|
| What time period is covered by the digest? Either 24 hours or 7 days, depending on whether you selected a daily or weekly digest. Messages older than this will not be sent. You can select which discussions will be included in your digest through your profile settings. Back to top |
|
| Suppose I don't want summaries of every message here. Can I be selective? Yes. You can pick the forum or forums that interest you. By default you will get messages for all forums that you are allowed to access. Back to top |
|
| What email message formats are available? We have selected to send out all digests in plain text format only, to ensure that the vast diversity of our users can see the contents predictably. We may enable the distribution of digest in HTML format at a later date. Back to top |
|
| Do I get the whole message text in the digest? In your profile settings, you can select to receive message excerpts including the first 50, 100, 150, 300 or 600 characters, or the full text of the message (up to 32,000 characters), or you can elect not to see any of the message text and just see the topic subject instead. Anything beyond the limit you set will be truncated. We recommend reducing the default message length (currently set to full contributions) as your digests may get large and become unusable. We have also heard that very large digests may be rejected by your ISP or put you over your server storage quota. An excerpt reduces bandwidth and is usually all that is needed, since each message has a convenient link that will take you directly to the topic or message of interest. Back to top |
|
| Attachments |
| 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. Back to top |
|
| How do I add an attachment after the initial posting? You cannot add an attachment after the initial posting, as editing your post once submitted is an option we have disabled for security reasons. Simply create a new post, or a reply to your initial post and add the attachment as explained above. Back to top |
|
| How do I delete an attachment? The ability to edit a previous post has been disabled for security reasons. To delete attachments once posts have been submitted, please contact the forum moderator, or the board administrator. Back to top |
|
| 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. Back to top |
|
| 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 administrator can grant this access, you should contact them. Back to top |
|
| 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. Back to top |
|
| Why can't I view/download attachments? On some forums, viewing/downloading 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. Back to top |
|
| Who do I contact about illegal or possibly illegal attachments? You should contact one of the forum moderators, the administrator of this board, or any of the staff of The Communication Initiative directly. Back to top |
|
| phpBB 2 Issues |
| Who created this discussion forum tool? This 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. The Communication Initiative has customized this application by adding important features such as full email participation, the possibility to include attachments, to receive digests, etc. Many of these features, for which we are very grateful, were contributed by several independent teams of developers. The Communication Initiative has further customized these features by integrating them to work together seamlessly. Back to top |
|
| Why isn't X feature available? The Communication Initiative has added the features it deemed necessary to answer the needs of its user community. If you feel that an essential feature is missing, please place your request directly with the board administrator. We will carefully evaluate all feature requests, and add the appropriate ones as the resources become available to perform the feature addition and integration with the existing features. Back to top |
|
| Whom do I contact about abusive and/or legal matters related to this board? You should contact one of the forum moderators, the administrator of this board, or any of the staff of The Communication Initiative directly. 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, so contacting them would be pointless. Back to top |
|
| All times are -8 Hours |
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2007 phpBB Group
Customisation and adaptation by The Communication Initiative