I'd say "forum" noob, but I've been on forums since they were BBS's in someone's basement. These are things I haven't found answers for, despite looking high and low before bugging the overworked and underpaid staff. (Yeah, I know how these things go.) What's the meaning of the crossbuck-and-wigwag icons? I got the locked, I've posted, moved tags, but why are some lighted, some unlit and in color, and some neither lit nor colored? How do I create a blog? If I start one early, I'll keep it up; if it's postponed, it will get lost in the shuffle. Is there a list of things that are acquired privileges? I already got slapped for trying to post a link on Day 0, and that apparently includes quoted replies (which I think it shouldn't). Thanks!
The icons show activity within a forum or thread. If it's lighted/operating, that indicates new posts since your last visit. If it's colored, that indicates a "hot" active thread. A blog can easily be started with the "Blog this Post" prompt at the bottom of a post (as yours above) Some actions, like links or photos, are on hold until registration is confirmed but become available quickly. Others are available to those who elect to assist us financially, which are explained here. Hope these helped, and enjoy the trip!
Yep. I've been around since before anyone thought of the BBS concept. Actually, you weren't "slapped". What that you experienced was a built in time delay. It goes away after a certain number of days. This also applies to starting a blog, uploading photos to RailImages, etc. This was added from years of experience, to prevent the hit-and-run spammers who do a quick join, post their trash and filth, then flee. It stops the porn idiots from uploading photos, which they not only link in here, but any place else which allows linking. It gives us time to take a look and weed out 99% of pending troubles, so you and all others are undisturbed. Unlit means there are no new posts in that forum since your last visit. Lit then means there's something to check out.
Cool! By "slapped," I mean caught unawares and told I couldn't after I tried. I tripped over the blog, looking for another members posts (weren't any), and saw "My Blog." Putting 2 and 2 together to make 5.7, I've started.
