In order to fully utilize the abilities of The Safehouse, you are required to register as a member. Registration is free, and allows you to do the following:
Post new threads
Reply to other peoples' threads
Edit your posts
Receive email notification of replies to posts and threads you specify
Send private messages to other members
Enter events in the forum calendar
Set up a 'buddy-list' to quickly see which of your friends are currently online
To register, you will need to specify a username and password, and a valid email address. Entering your email address will not leave you open to 'spam', as you can choose to hide your email address, and messages sent to you via email do not reveal your address to the sender in any case. To verify this, you can try sending an email message to another user. You will then be sent the final part of the registration process by email, so ensure that the email address you provide is valid and working.
How can I markup and customize my posts?
For the most part, your posts will contain plain text, but on occasion, you may want to emphasize certain words or phrases by making them (for example) bold or italic.
The Safehouse utilizes vB cod in lieu of html to mark up text. vB code is a special set of tags which you can use to produce the most popular text-effects.It is very simple to use, and is immune to the malicious javascripts and page layout disruption of html.
You may also find that the administrator has enabled smilies, which allow you to use small icons to convey emotion, and the [img] code, which allows you to add pictures to your message.
For a complete listing of vB codes and how they are used, click here.
How do I change the information in my Safehouse profile?
It is your responsibility to keep the information in your Safehouse profile up-to-date. You should especially ensure that your email address is kept current. You can alter any of the fields in your profile, except your username. Once you have registered your username, it becomes yours for life. In extreme circumstances, you may request a username from the Safehouse administrators, but they will require a very good reason to do so.
These posting controls allow you to quickly and easily enter vBcode into your posts and messages. To use them, simply click the appropriate buttons or select items from the lists to enter vBcode.
There are three message editor options available: basic editor, standard editor and enhanced interface. These editors are selected as defaults in the User CP. Go to Edit Options and find the Message Editor Interface in the Miscellaneous Options. The selection you make here will be your default editor everytime you log in.
When using the basic editor, no markup buttons will be seen. It is simply a text box. This editor is for those who like a minimal interface and are knowledgeable of basic vB code.
When using the standard editor, there are basic markup buttons available to you in two modes of operation. In normal mode, pressing a button will pop-up a dialog for you to fill with text. It will then enter the text with the appropriate vB Code tags at the end of your message. When using enhanced mode, pressing a button will insert the appropriate STARTING tag for the code, leaving you to enter text into the message area. When you have finished the text and want to close the tag, simply press the Close Current Tag button (alt+c). You may also nest tags in enhanced mode, and then use the Close All Tags button (alt+x) to close all open markup. Please note that the 'close tag' buttons only close tags that have been entered using the code buttons.
When using the enhanced interface, you are using a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) styled editor. It acts like a simple word processing program and you view the post exactly as it will be posted in the forums. This is perhaps the easiest to use.
I lost my password, what can I do?
If you forget your password, you can click on the 'Forgotten Your Password' link on any page that requires you to fill in your password.
This will bring up a page where you should enter your registered email address, and an email will be sent to that address instantly, with instructions for resetting your password.
How do I create or vote in a poll?
You may notice that some threads on this forum include a section where you can vote on an issue or question. These threads are called 'polls' and this is how to create them:
Creating a new poll
Anytime you post a new thread, you have the option to create a poll.
This function allows you to ask a question and specify a number of possible responses. Other members will then be able to vote for the response they wish, and the results of the voting will be displayed in the thread.
An example poll might be:
What is your favorite rogue?
Thief
Thug
Assassin
Pirate
Ninja
To create a poll when you post a new thread, simply click the 'Yes! post a poll' checkbox at the bottom of the page, and set the number of possible responses you want to include.
When you click the submit button, you will be taken to the poll creation page, where you can specify the question and the list of responses you want to include.
You may also want to specify a time limit for the poll, so that (for example) it only stays open for voting for a week.
Voting in and viewing a poll
To vote in a poll, simply select which option you want to vote for, and click the [Vote!] button. You may view the current results for a poll before you vote by clicking the 'View Results' link. Voting in a poll is entirely optional. You may vote for any of the available options, or cast no vote at all.
Generally, once you have voted in a poll, you will not be able to change your vote later, so place your vote carefully!
Safehouse Moderator's Note The poll feature is enabled as long as it isn't overused. While the occassional "gag" poll is funny, repeated abuse of the poll function will have it disabled tout suite.
How do I add/change my signature?
After you have registered, you may set your signature. This is a piece of text that you would like to be inserted at the end of all your posts, a little like having headed note paper.
If you have specified a signature, then the forum will automatically append your signature to any messages you post. You can disable signatures on a per-post basis by un-ticking the 'Show Signature' checkbox when you compose your message.
You may turn the signature on and off on posts you have already made by editing the post and altering the state of the 'Show Signature' option.
You can set your signature by editing your profile.
Please acquaint yourself with the Safehouse signature rules here prior to building an elaborate work of art.
Can I edit my own posts?
If you have registered, you will be able to edit and delete your posts.
To edit your posts, click the button by the post you want to edit.
After you have made your modifications, a note will appear in your post, which notifies other users that you have made changes.
Administrators and moderators may also edit your messages.
How do I get a picture under my username?
These small images are called avatars. They are displayed below your username on all posts that you make.
To configure an avatar for your profile, click Edit Avatar from the User CP. There are then two options available: Pre:defined Safehouse avatars or custom avatars.
Safehouse Avatars
The Safehouse has a number of avatars already uploaded and ready to use. Select from one of these and click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page to configure the image for your profile.
To view thumbnails of all of the available default Safehouse avatars click here.
Custom Avatars
Since moving to the vBulletin interface, the Safehouse (for the time being) will host your own avatar art for your profile. These can be uploaded from another server on the web (Enter Avatar URL) or right from your computer (Upload an Avatar From Your Computer). In either case, enter the correct path to the avatar and click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page to configure the image for your profile.
Please acquaint yourself with the Safehouse avatar rules here prior to building an elaborate work of art.
Why have some of my words been replaced with ****?
Certain words may have been censored by the Safehouse. If your posts contain any censored words, they will be blanked-out like this: ****.
The same words are censored for all users, and censoring is done by a computer simply searching and replacing words.
If you see an offensive word not blanked-out by the filter, please feel free to contact the Safehouse administrators (admins@thesafehouse.org)and we will add the word to the list as soon as possible.
DO NOT BYPASS THE WORD FILTER. It is in place for a reason.
How do I add a custom title to my profile?
Short answer is, you can't.
The Safehouse utilizes titles to denote staff, honorary Safehouse members (i.e. game developers and retired staff), and for occassional bouts of silliness.
What are the buddy and ignore lists?
The buddy list is used to keep track of the friends you have made in the Safehouse. By selecting "My Buddy List" from the Quick Links menu , you'll be able to see which of your friends are currently online, and be able to send them a private message. Adding people to your buddy list also allow you to send private messages to multiple forum members at the same time. You may add any member of the forums to your buddy list by clicking this button in a member's posts.
Ignore lists are used for those people who's messages you wish not to read. By adding someone to your ignore list, those messages posted by these individuals will be hidden when you read a thread.
Does the Safehouse use cookies?
The use of cookies on this forum is optional, but may enhance your experience of the site. Muffins, however, are mandatory. Cookies are used to enable functions such as showing whether or not a thread or forum you are viewing has new posts since your last visit, or to automatically log you back in when you return to the site after being away for a while.
When you register, you will be given the option to 'Automatically login when you return to the site'. This will store your username and password in a cookie, stored on your computer. If you are using a shared computer, such as in a library, school or internet cafe, or if you have reason to not trust any other users that might use this computer, we do not recommend that you enable this.
This forum also gives you the option to use a cookie to track your current session, ensuring that you remain logged-on while browsing the site. If you choose not to store this information in a cookie, the session data will be sent through each link you click. Choosing not to use a cookie may cause problems if your computer's connection to the Internet uses a proxy-server and you share links with other users behind the same proxy. If in doubt, we recommend that you select 'yes' to enable the cookie.
After you have registered, you may alter your cookie options at any time by changing the settings on this page.
How do I clear my cookies?
You may clear all your cookies by clicking here. If you return to the main index page via the link provided and you are still logged in, you may have to remove your cookies manually.
Here are the instructions for Windows 2000/XP:
Close all Internet Explorer windows.
Click the "Start" button.
Move up to "Search" and click "Files or Folders" from the menu that appears.
In the new window that appears, in the "containing text" field, type in the "thesafehouse.org" (without the quotes)
In the "look in" box, type in "C:\Documents and Settings\your windows login name\Cookies\" (without the quotes) and press "Find Now"
After it has finished searching, highlight all files (click a file, then press CTRL+A) and delete them (press the "delete" key or SHIFT+DEL)
Your cookies should now be removed. You may want to restart the computer and revisit the forums to be sure.
General Terms of Service and Liability
The Safehouse, LLC shall have the right at any time to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of this web site, including, but not limited to, content, hours of availability, and equipment needed for access or use.
This site is not responsible for damages (virtual, physical, or emotional) that the information on this site may cause to you, your personal affects, your game, or your psyche. Use our collective information wisely and never take medical advice from The Safehouse.
button by the post you want to edit.