-->
Forum Rules & FAQ
forum.wiseautoclub.com - faq
FAQ
Login and Registration Issues
Why can't I log in?
Why do I need to register at all?
Why do I get logged off automatically?
How do I prevent my username from appearing in the online user listings?
I've lost my password!
I registered but cannot log in!
I registered in the past but cannot log in anymore!


User Preferences and settings
How do I change my settings?
The times are not correct!
I changed the timezone and the time is still wrong!
My language is not in the list!
How do I show an image below my username?
How do I change my rank?
When I click the email link for a user it asks me to log in.


Posting Issues
Forum Rules? What is that necessary for?
How do I post a topic in a forum?
How do I edit or delete a post?
How do I add a signature to my post?
How do I create a poll?
How do I edit or delete a poll?
Why can't I access a forum?
Why can't I vote in polls?
A note on member privacy


Formatting and Topic Types
What are Smileys?
Can I post Images?
What are Announcements?
What are Sticky topics?
What are Locked topics?


User Levels and Groups
What is the Modertor-team, who are Administrators and Moderators
What are Usergroups?
How do I join a Usergroup?
How do I become a Usergroup Moderator?
What are User ranks such as Sifu, Junior Member, Senior Member...


Private Messaging
I cannot send private messages!
I keep getting unwanted private messages!
I have received a spamming or abusive email from someone on this board!


Login and Registration Issues

Why can't I log in?
Have you registered? Seriously, 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 definable avatar images, private messaging, emailing to fellow users, usergroup subscription, 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
How do I prevent my username from appearing in the online user listings?
In your profile you will find an option Hide your online status; if you switch this on you'll only appear to board administrators or to yourself. You will be counted as a hidden user.

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
The times are not correct!
The times are almost certainly correct; however, what you may be seeing are times displayed in a timezone different from the one you are in. If this is the case, 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 changing the timezone, like most settings, can only be done by registered users. So if you are not registered, this is a good time to do so, if you pardon the pun!

Back to top
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.

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
How do I show an image below my username?
There may be two images below a username when viewing posts. The first is an image associated with your rank; generally these take the form of stars or blocks indicating how many posts you have made or your status on the forums. Below this may be a larger image known as an avatar; this is generally unique or personal to each user. It is up to the board administrator to enable avatars and they have a choice over the way in which avatars can be made available. If you are unable to use avatars then this is the decision of the board admin and you should ask them their reasons (we're sure they'll be good!)

Back to top
How do I change my rank?
In general you cannot directly change the wording of any rank (ranks appear below your username in topics and on your profile depending on the style used). Most boards use ranks to indicate the number of posts you have made and to identify certain users. For example, moderators and administrators may have a special rank. Please do not abuse the board by posting unnecessarily just to increase your rank -- you will probably find the moderator or administrator will simply lower your post count.

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
Forum Rules? What is that necessary for?
We would like to explain the necessity of rules and policies, so that you understand WHY we have them in force. The mission of WiseAutoClub.com is to give advice. We give advice by means of articles, but also by means of a forum. However, the forum is part of the 'articles'. There is a link between the articles and advice requests in a certain forum. It is possible to switch between them if you look at the pages. To avoid that new guests/members come across the same (read: duplicate) topic over and over again, we do not allow duplicate topics for example. To keep things civilized and easy to read we ask to refrain from using profanities and swearing. There is a reason for these basic rules. We ask you to abide by them when posting your topic.

Posting rules in short
  • Reposting your topic is not allowed. Please contact a Moderator for assistance in gaining more replies.
  • Post your topic in the most appropriate forum
  • Personal ads are not allowed
  • Commercial ads are not allowed
  • Respect copyrights from others
  • Bring controversial messages under the attention of a Moderator. Swearing, vulgarities, profanities and flaming in topics and replies is unacceptable and will result in the loss of your post and possible revocation of your account.
  • Members are required to avoid imposing their morals, beliefs, etc. onto others members.
  • Please post in letter style. Netspeak, and shortcutting (b4, str8, etc) are difficult to read and not permitted in posts.
    • Divide your message in paragraphs
    • Refrain from overusing CAPS (all capital letters), numbers, emoticons and punctuation
    • Use correct punctuation.
  • One-liners are not allowed
  • Use the edit button to correct your message
  • Posting contact or personal information about another individual without
    permission.
  • Posting material containing profanity, vulgarity, hate speech, or
    threats of violence.
  • Posting material (graphic or text) that is obscene, pornographic or
    adult in nature.
  • Using JavaScript, active or other coding, making repetitive posts, or
    other actions that interfere with site operations.
  • Advertising merchandise, auctions, services or commercial web sites.
  • Posting copyright items without the permission of the copyright owner.
  • Refusing to follow our staff`s instruction or direction.
  • Posting material that in any way violates our User Agreement and other
    rules, regulations and policies.
  • Starting any inappropriate threads in the forum/public areas.
Back to top
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. The facilities available to you are listed at the bottom of the forum and topic screens (the You can post new topics, You can vote in polls, etc. list).

Back to top
How do I edit or delete a post?
Unless you are the board admin or forum moderator you can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post (sometimes for only a limited time after it was made) by clicking the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. This will only appear if no one has replied; it also will not appear if moderators or administrators edit the post (they should leave a message saying what they altered and why). Please note that normal users cannot delete a post once someone has replied.

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
How do I create a poll?
Creating a poll is easy -- when you post a new topic (or edit the first post of a topic, if you have permission) you should see a Add Poll form below the main posting box. If you cannot see this then you probably do not have rights to create polls. 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

Back to top
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 users 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

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 you should contact them.

Back to top
Why can't I vote in polls?
Only registered users can vote in polls so as to prevent spoofing of results. If you have registered and still cannot vote then you probably do not have appropriate access rights.

Back to top
A note on member privacy
Wise Auto Club values members privacy. Therefore as a general policy we do not release identifying information about members to any other person including other members. However we do reserve the right to release such information when required by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to conform to the edicts of the law or comply with a legal process.

Back to top

Formatting and Topic Types

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?
Images can indeed be shown in your posts. However, there is no facility at present for uploading images directly to this board. Therefore you must link to an image stored on a publicly accessible web server, e.g. http://www.some-unknown-place.net/my-picture.gif. You cannot link to pictures stored on your own PC (unless it is a publicly accessible server) nor to images stored behind authentication mechanisms such as Hotmail or Yahoo mailboxes, password-protected sites, etc. To display the image use either the BBCode [img] tag or appropriate HTML (if allowed).

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. You cannot reply to locked topics and any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be locked for many reasons.

Back to top

User Levels and Groups
What is the Modertor-team, who are Administrators and Moderators
  • The Moderating team is being formed by the Site Owner, Administrators and WiseAutoClub.com Moderators. To start with: we are not the WiseAutoClub.com police. The Moderating Team is responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the WiseAutoClub.com forums and website as a whole. We make sure that duplicate topics are being avoided and that topics are being posted in the most appropriate forum.

    Our work is purely voluntary. We do not get paid for this job. In return for our service, we only ask for your respect. How? In case you receive a note or warning, please make sure to follow them. All policies and rules on WiseAutoClub.com have a purpose (see the link below). The Moderation Team services you. We are standing by to assist you in any forum related question that you might have. Feel free to ask our help and assistance.

  • Administrators are people assigned the highest level of control over the entire board. These people can control all facets of board operation which include setting permissions, banning users, creating usergroups or moderators, etc. They also have full moderator capabilities in all the forums.

  • 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 lock, unlock, move 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. Each user can belong to several groups (this differs from most other boards) and each group can be assigned individual access rights. This makes it easy for administrators to set up several users as moderators of a forum, or to give them access to a private forum, etc.

Back to top
How do I join a Usergroup?
To join a usergroup click the usergroup link on the page header (dependent on template design) and you can then view all usergroups. Not all groups are open access -- some are closed and some may even have hidden memberships. If the board is open then you can request to join it by clicking the appropriate button. The user 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
How do I become a Usergroup Moderator?
Usergroups are initially created by the board administrator who also assigns a board moderator. If you are interested in creating a usergroup then your first point of contact should be the administrator, so try dropping them a private message.

Back to top
What are User ranks such as Expert, Junior Member, Senior Member...
User ranks are based on number of posts a user has:
  • Newbie 0-88 posts
  • Junior Member 89 - 500 posts
  • Senior Member 501 - 5000 posts
  • Sifu 5001 - 10000 posts
  • Junior Grand Master 10001 - 20000 posts
  • Senior Grand Master 20001++ posts
Back to top

Private Messaging
I cannot send private messages!
There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, 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 are sorry to hear that. 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 this include the headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). They can then take action.

Back to top
>>Go back to the forum

Hosted for free by InvisionFree* (Terms of Use: Updated 2/10/2010) | Powered by Invision Power Board v1.3 Final © 2003 IPS, Inc.
Page creation time: 0.0364 seconds | Archive