To-Do "Getting Started" -- Help Us Create The Ultimate FAQ!

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Hello, dear members!

As you know, we have built a really great community here, and we have filled it to the absolute brim with cool and awesome features that make navigating both the site and the forums an absolute breeze.

HOWEVER, many of these "toys" may not be immediately obvious to newcomers just joining in on the fun. And while the dozen stickies going into detail about some of these features definitely help, they are not as easy to find or follow as we would like them to be. Likewise, the Ask The Mods! AMA is currently out of reach for many members due to the level restrictions applied to the "Games & Chatter" section — and that’s where you all come in.

Basically, we would like you to help us create and put together a "Getting Started" topic, covering everything a fresh RGTer may need to know. An overview of sorts, with links to fuller explanations of each feature (if they happen to be available) through the aforementioned pinned threads. BUT, we also want you to think outside of the box and talk about those lesser-known features that make the RetroGameTalk experience that super rich thing you all keep coming back for -- like, did you know that you can ask staff to disable your account when you want to take a break, without outright deleting it? And that you can set the duration of this "Away Mode" to be interrupted whenever you'd like? That sort of thing.

Please help us brainstorm the ultimate FAQ!

~ Your Mod Team.

PS: Thank you, @Kamako for proofreading the text and fixing the typos ^^!

 

[ZEGA ZONICZEGA ZONIC's icon]

So what would fit in the "Getting Started" topic?
How to put someone on ignore mode, how to report, how to change your look of your profile, how to get to the Repo & how to DM a user.

 

[Glimbo]

A list of XenForo BB codes should be linked in the FAQ.

BB codes

The list of BB codes you can use to spice up the look of your messages. This page shows a list of all BB codes that are available.

xenforo.com

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Also a list of file extensions that we are allowed to attach in posts as well as mentioning the 2MB file limit.

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I saw a number of posts asking how to delete and edit comments in the Forum Usage section. The timers for all the different types of posts would be good to know. I think these are all of them and correct me if I'm wrong on the time limits.
editing and deleting a post (1 hour)
editing and deleting a profile post (no time limit)
editing and deleting a DM (5 minutes)
editing an article (7 days)
editing an opening post in Romhack Releases (no time limit)

I'm not sure if opening posts in Fan Translation also has no time limit on edits.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

So what would fit in the "Getting Started" topic?
How to put someone on ignore mode, how to report, how to change your look of your profile, how to get to the Repo & how to DM a user.

We will ignore the Repo part, but all the rest is golden

 

[Glimbo]

Making some corrections to my previous post.

A list of XenForo BB codes should be linked in the FAQ.
https://xenforo.com/community/help/bb-codes/

We actually have BB codes in the Help page. But the help button is all the way at the bottom of the page and I just realized it was there after all this time. It should still be in the FAQ for better visibility.

I saw a number of posts asking how to delete and edit comments in the Forum Usage section. The timers for all the different types of posts would be good to know. I think these are all of them and correct me if I'm wrong on the time limits.
editing and deleting a post (1 hour)
editing and deleting a profile post (no time limit)
editing and deleting a DM (5 minutes)
editing an article (7 days)
editing an opening post in Romhack Releases (no time limit)

I'm not sure if opening posts in Fan Translation also has no time limit on edits.

I grouped editing and deleting but those time limits are different from each other so those times are wrong for the deleting time limit. Well, you guys know what those times are anyways.
I'd also like to add you can contact a moderator to request an edit to your post if needed.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Thanks, dude.

That's gonna be super useful.

 

[thumbsdown's iconthumbsdown]

Maybe try to incorporate some of the frequent forum usage questions in the FAQ?

Forum Usage Questions

retrogametalk.com

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Just so we are clear: I steal men's souls and make them my slaves this is going to be a quick, bullet point-y way for people to absorb as much info as possible before running wild on the board -- most important points will get an overview, then get linked to their respective, in-depth topics (unless said topics don't exist).

 

[thumbsdown's iconthumbsdown]

Maybe try to incorporate some of the frequent forum usage questions in the FAQ?

Forum Usage Questions

retrogametalk.com

Oh, and stuff like all the general guidelines currently existing, like the one related to making and submitting articles for the writer's guild. Maybe it would work really great if linked to the FAQ, not to make it overwhelming for people to read.

 

[Glimbo]

New and old suggestions in the form closer to what you're looking for.
Some of these might be worded better or have some wrong info.

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I just created my account. Is there anything I should do before I start?
Please read the forum rules before posting.
You may also want to view your privacy and preferences settings to change what works for you.

What do I do if I see someone breaking the rules?
The best practice is to click the report button below their post and let the moderators handle it. Avoid replying or quoting the offending post as it makes cleaning up more difficult.

What are levels and what do they do?
Levels are gained by making posts and certain perks will become available as you level up. Be aware that posts made in Introductions, Forum Games & Chatter, and profiles do not contribute to your post count. View a detailed explanation of levels.

I have enough posts but my level didn't increase?
Levels may take a few hours to update or require logging out and back in.

Why can't I post in General Discussion and Forum Games & Chatter?
These places require you to be at least level 1, be a member for 30 days, and have no active warnings on your account.

I tried to attach a file to my post but it wouldn't let me. What's wrong?
Attached files must be 2MB in size or less and have any of the following extension types:
*list of extensions*

Where can I find a list of BB codes?
https://retrogametalk.com/help/bb-codes/

Why can't I edit or delete my posts?
There is a time limit on when a post may be edited or deleted to prevent vandalism to the forum.
If you need to edit a post after the time limit, you can send a request to a moderator with what you would like to be edited.

	Forum Posts	Profile Posts	Direct Messages	Articles
Edit
Delete

Opening posts in Romhacks Releases and Fan Translations do not have a time limit on editing.

Who are the forum moderators?
https://retrogametalk.com/members/?key=staff_members

What do I do if I'm having problems with my account?
Use the Contact Us form found at the bottom of the page.

 

[ZEGA ZONICZEGA ZONIC's icon]

Some funny images of the examples might be good. And you could place them next to the bullet points.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I swear, I'm this close from calling it The Glimboire XD

Splendid work, my friend.

 

[ArchienineZXAdventArchienineZXAdvent's icon]

The FAQ was created now?

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

The FAQ was created now?

Not yet.

It will likely keep on being edited after that, too.

 

[Glimbo]

What does Following another user do?
Following a user gives you quick access to their site activity which can be viewed in your News Feed.

What if I don't want another user to Follow me?
There is currently no way to stop another user from Following you, but you can restrict who can receive your News Feed in your Privacy Settings.

Edited:

Why can't I post in General Discussion and Forum Games & Chatter?
These places require you to be at least level 1, be a member for 30 days, and have no active warnings on your account. You can click the Requirements button below a sub-forum to view posting requirements.

 

[Comster]

Posts made in Introductions do contribute to your post count.

 

[Glimbo]

Posts made in Introductions do contribute to your post count.

Thanks for the correction. I figured I had some of the info wrong. The mods can correct it if it makes it into the actual FAQ.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

We will be checking, compiling and posting this at some point in the near future.

Thanks for being such elite members, y'all.