Updated the forum to the current version
added some new mods for functionality
also made the forum to be a bit more responsive

everything should be working correctly, but please feel free to report any errors that you may find.

so it seems that one of the security measures to help prevent spam and other bad bots was also blocking ipv6 users from the site...

my bad!!!!

which sucks because now I can't use that mod until they, if they decide to update it to work with ipv6

and as I know not everyone is tech savvy and doesn't know how to disable ipv6 on your device, I will just leave the security mod off for the time being.

So um..... to all who may have visited the forum and gotten the "Database Error" page....no the site wasn't down but the bouncer blocked you from entering....

Hello Guest
if you are new here, well then you'll probably want to read through some things here
if you're not new, well it's a refresher 

when creating a post don't forget to fill out the Subject
clicking on the formatting tab has all of the bbc shortcuts and formatting options
the attachments tab, well is for attachments
other options tab you can select/deselect settings like notify me of replies and other things
then there is all of the smiley tabs 
the [more] button just displays all of the smileys except the basic smileys in a pop-up (I may eventually get rid of it)

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There are 5 themes installed currently (3 light and 2 dark)
please note that not all modifications may work correctly on all themes (I will try my best but some themes may lack certain options)
if you notice an error or that some functions do not work on the theme you are using, please let me know and I will work on fixing it, if I am able to (as stated some modifications will not work on all themes) *please be sure to include where the error was and the theme used, a screenshot would be helpful as well*
due to heavy modifications I will not be installing brand new themes
if you prefer one theme over another but would prefer a different color, ask and I will see what I can do

4REarth (default - costume to match our site)


Curve (standard theme that comes with script)


Boru


LimeStone


NightBreeze (one of my personal favorites)

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To try and help users there are several different languages to choose from, please pick the utf8 version where available
please note however that you are to post in english outside of language specific forums, this is just to help with functionality (also note that not everything is translated, if you find something please let us know and the appropriate translation and it will be added)



not that I think anyone will need it, but posts are "limited" to 100,000 characters 
however there is a minimum of 15 characters and minimum 3 words (to try and cut down on spam type replies)

the karma system aka Repute (as I renamed it) is member based and not post based (hence the rename)

signatures have a max 400 characters and 2 lines, 5 smileys are allowed, bbc is allowed, 3 images are allowed max width 200px, max height 100px, max font size allowed is 12px (please note that donors get 3x the amounts)

there is a warning system in place...warnings do not decrease over time unless an admin changes it
only staff and the warned user can see warning levels
after 5 warnings the user is automatically put on a watch list
after 15 warnings the user is automatically put on to moderated posts (staff must approve posts)
after 20 warnings the user is automatically put on mute
depending on the severity a user may be banned without any warnings

as noted above, there are a lot of modifications that have been done to the forum (over 200, pushing 300)
a few of them are
incase of a browser crash, one modification will attempt to restore entered text in the Quick Reply form and Reply form
The text entered in the Quick Reply field is saved when moving between pages of the same topic, which allows you to reply to messages located in a different places of the current topic.
along these same lines is the multi-quote that uses cookies to allow multiply quoting of messages (even from different topics)
as well as there is the Save as Draft button, if you start to create a post but are not ready to actually post it yet.

The extended helper, a good place to learn about how the forum functions
Introduction - SMF User Help
it's not 100% but it's a good start for those new to forums

Member awards, you will see that at the bottom of your posts there might be some awards, you can also find them in your profile...there are awards that are automatically added/removed such as most time online, most posts, years you've been a member, ect....then there are some that can be assigned such as helpful user, knowledgeable, ect

you will also notice at the bottom of posts there is a smiley post rating (it does not show up on your own posts, only on others posts)

you will notice that when you post a link (most of the time) it will display the links title instead of the url

bots and topic authors do not increase post view count

in your profile you will find all kinds of settings
custom titles (you can use bbc), member name colors, referrals, buy me a drink (if set and put your paypal, if members wish to they can send you donations for helpful posts and things), and many more things

there's a treasury (if you'd like to donate, also shows where donations are going), a buddy page, hall of fame page

the list goes on about modifications but 

Please note that posts are to be in english, unless within a specific language board

Specific language boards will be created on a need to need basis....if there are enough members that speak a specific language, you can request a board to be created here.

A poll may be put up for members to vote on to help decide if there is a need for a specific language.
As well as then a member to become a moderator for that specific language and be held responsible to make sure posts don't go against the rules. You can nominate a member (or yourself) for this responsibility and the staff will then decide on it.

I have been using this for years now and love it....

Best $5.00 spent!
Eucalyptus - 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil - 10ml from ebay!
And reusing an empty febreze bottle (any spray bottle will work)
You can also add any other essential oil fragrances that you would like

Bet you didn't know all the wonderful uses of eucalyptus oil:

+ Odors/pest repellent
Add three drops of eucalyptus oil to a spray-bottle filled with warm water and shake well before each use to create a deodorizing/bacteria killing spray that doubles as a pest repellent (can even be used on plants).

+ Degreaser/Stain Remover
A few drops of pure eucalyptus oil will remove sticky residue (like chewing gum, sticker/decal) from surfaces (even glass, stainless steel and vehicles) and take grease, oil, paint and ink out of clothes, carpets and furniture

+ Cleaner
Bathroom: Mixing 1.6 ounces of eucalyptus oil in a quart of water creates a fresh-smelling disinfectant, mould and mildew remover and prevent re occurrence for cleaning toilets, tubs and sinks

Laundry: Add 1-2 teaspoonfuls of eucalyptus oil to your load of washing for a fresh scent along with the anti-microbial benefits

+ Air Freshener
At home: A few drops on your ducted heating or cooling air intake will freshen your house and help remove stale odors and bacteria from the ducting

In the car: add a few drops to you old hanging car freshener (never buy car fresheners again)

Not to mention that while using it as a spray to deodorize rooms and repel bugs and kill bacteria....eucalyptus is also a natural decongestant so for all of us with allergies can hopefully breath easier as well.

AND THE LIST GOES ON!
Best part is, a little bit goes a long way!