Birdpix.nl Forum Index |
General Issues |
What is the goal for Birdpix.nl? Birdpix.nl brings bird photographers in touch with each other and stimulates, the advanced as well as the beginning user, the exchange of knowledge and abilities about bird photography. Birdpix.nl users can comment on and rate each others pictures. Birdpix.nl also aims to show digital bird photographs of average to outstanding quality to a greater public. Last but not least, birpx.nl wants to contribute to the protection of birds. By showing the beauty of the birds people are convinced of the need for protection and conservation. Back to top |
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Who are the faces behind Birdpix.nl? Birdpix.nl was launched in 2003 by two brothers: Jan Willem and Daan Schoonhoven. Jan Willem is an experienced Web designer and Daan an avid birder and bird photographer. Jan Willem is responsible for the technical department and works at Zygomatic. Daan is responsible for the contents of the site. The moderators also play an important role at birdpix.nl. They screen all the pictures before release and communicate with the users. Without them birdpix.nl would not be what it is today. At this moment Marcel van der Tol, Ad Sprang, Michel Veldt, Arie Ouwerkerk, Hendrik van Kampen, Michel Geven (Mies), Inge van der Wulp and Seraf van der Putten. are the moderators. Back to top |
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How can I post my picture? First of all you register. Next you go to "Albums" and select the "Collection and upload" album. You can't upload pictures directly into the database albums. (How your photo's end up in the database albums you can read in one of the next FAQ's below). Then you go to 'albums' and choose to which album your picture belongs. Click 'upload pic' in the top left corner to go to the upload screen. Fill in all the details and find your picture via the link 'Browse...' on your PC. Click OK and your picture will be uploaded. Bridpix.nl assumes that the person that uploads the picture is the owner of the rights of that picture. By posting your picture you make yourself know to birdpix.nl as the owner of the rights of the picture. If this is not the case birdpix.nl will immediately remove the picture. Birdpix.nl has the legal right to permanently expel the user from the site. Back to top |
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Which format is used? Birdpix.nl only accepts pictures in JPEG-format. Back to top |
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What is the maximum file-size for my picture? Your picture can be no larger than 150KB (for PixPas users 200 KB). Back to top |
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What is the maximum size in pixels? The measurements are between 500 and 800 pixels wide for landscape and between 375 and 450 pixels wide for portrait. Back to top |
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Why doesn't my picture appear on the site immediately? Birdpix aims to show only pictures of average to outstanding quality to the public. When you upload your picture to one of the common folders, it will first be screened by one of the moderators. If he has doubts concerning the quality of your picture he will await the verdict of the other moderators. If necessary they will confer on it. That is why it may take some time before your picture appears. When your picture does not meet the criteria it will be placed in the temporary album which gets emptied once a month. These pictures do not appear on the front page or in the recent photo album. Moderators can decide to place a picture in a different album than requested, i.e. in the determination album in stead of the album for The Netherlands and Belgium. Back to top |
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How does the collection and upload album operate? In the first place it is the album where you upload your photo's. Photo's that meet the standard criteria are placed in this album and appear on the portal with the "Recent Pics". Photo's that are defining and/or an addition to the database and/or have a high aesthetic value are transferred from this album to the appropriate database album. The other photo's remain in the collection and upload album. For these photo's there is a limit of 25 for non-paying members, 100 for PixPas (basic), 250 for super PixPas Plus and 500 for PixPas Pro. If necessary you can delete photo's to free up space for new ones. Our aim is in this way to offer a podium for both beginning and advanced photographers and also to stimulate self-criticism. Back to top |
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How will my photo find its way to a database album? For the database albums, besides the standard criteria, the next criteria apply:
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I am notified that I have reached my upload limit, what should I do? The limits for uploading photo's vary. As not-paying user you can upload one photo per day and three per week. If you become a paying user (PixPas holder), you can upload more photo's per day and week. Go to the PixPas page for details. Your personal album has a limit of 10 photo's, but again, if you have a PixPas the limit is higher. When you reach the limit you must delete pictures before you can upload new ones. Finally there is a limit to the amount of photo's in the collection and upload album. When you have reached your limit you must delete photo's before being allowed to upload new ones. Back to top |
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Where is my personal album? Click on 'albums'. At the bottom of the page in the dark-yellow you see the link 'Personal Albums >> Your Personal Album'. Click here and you enter your personal album. When you click the button 'upload pic' you can upload your own pictures. You can upload a maximum of 10 pictures to your personal album, unless you become a paying member. Back to top |
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Which criteria are used by the moderators? The photo’s are judged on the following criteria:
In all instances in which previous items aren’t clear or fully available the moderators have the right to make decisions as they see fit for the interest of birdpix.nl and its users. Back to top |
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Can I post other nature pictures? For nature pictures other than birds we have http://www.nederpix.nl. Here you can post all your other nature pictures. Back to top |
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How many pictures can I upload? To post a picture you have to register first. Regular users can post 1 photo per day with a total of 3 per week. Paying users (PixPas holders) can post more pictures. See the PixPas-page for more details Back to top |
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How can I get the PixPas? By becoming a paying member (PixPas) you support the maintenance and development and therefore the existence of this website. On the PixPas-page everything about the PixPas is explained. Back to top |
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Why are my files smaller on birdpix.nl than on my Apple-Macintosh? Apple uses a different file-system from Windows. The extra information that Apple stores with your photo doesn't count for the size of the pictures for birdpix.nl. Back to top |
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I want to download a picture from birdpix.nl Downloading of pictures is not allowed without consent form the owner of the picture. Birdpix doesn't own the rights of the pictures. If you want to use a picture for publication or on a website you need to contact the owner of the picture. Back to top |
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How can I contact the owner of a picture? Birdpix.nl has it's own message system, that you can use to send a private message to another user. To do this you need to register as a user. Many users have put private email addresses and/or links to their own websites on their profile-page. The profile page of a user can be reached by clicking on his or her name. Back to top |
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I can't get in contact with a user. Sometimes you are very eager to get in contact with an other user, for instance to get permission to use one of his or her photo's for a publication, but the user doesn't respond to private messages, or doesn't have a private e-mail or website on their profile page. Birdpix.nl may mediate but will under no circumstances give out private details. Birdpix.nl can ask a financial reward for these services and can also refuse a request without reason. In this case use the contact button in the menu-bar to get in touch with the site-administrators and clearly state your reasons for contacting the user. Back to top |
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I receive nasty emails or personal messages from other users. Birdpix.nl is a rapidly expanding community. In every community irritations occur, or are there users that take the rules of common sense less seriously. Birdpix.nl wants every user to feel safe and secure. Feel free to contact the site-administrators. Back to top |
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Should pictures I put in my personal album also be screened by the moderators? For personal albums there is no screening. Pictures should however fit the frame of birdpix, or in other words must be of bird (or other natural subjects). Moderators have the right to remove pictures that don't fit in. Back to top |
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Which pictures are shown in 'Recent pics'? Only pictures posted in the collection and upload album appear in the recent pictures album. Pictures posted in your personal album and in the temporary album don't appear in the recent pictures album. Back to top |
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How do I make a picture smaller? To resize your picture you can use Adobe Photoshop Elements or Irfanview. Check the Links-page to download these programs. All photo enhancement programs have possibilities to resize and/or crop pictures. Back to top |
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Should I give the brand and type of my camera? Yes please!! Better still, put this information in your signature, so that anyone can see at anytime what type of camera you use. You change this on your profile page. Back to top |
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Can I post analogue pictures? Of course! Any form of photography is welcome at this forum. You have to change it in to a digital file however. Make a comment that your picture was an analogue picture, in this way the critics can use this information while commenting on your picture. Back to top |
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How can I comment on or rate other users photo's or react on the messages in the forum? You must register first as a user. You can do this by clicking on the link 'register' in the introductory text or on the link 'register' in the login-menu. You receive an email with a link to complete your registration. Save this email because it contains your username and password. Below every picture you find a blank white window to type your comment. Click OK to place your comment under the picture. In each forum subject you find a button 'new answer' and 'new subject' below the last comment. With the button 'new answer' you can give your reaction to the current subject. With the button 'new subject' you open a new subject. Back to top |
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How does my picture get in to the Birdpix book? A team of editors judges all the posted pictures. In case your photo gets selected you will receive a message. Back to top |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Posting Issues |
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Formatting and Topic Types |
What is BBCode? BBCode is a special implementation of HTML. Whether you can use BBCode is determined by the administrator. You can also disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. BBCode itself is similar in style to HTML: tags are enclosed in square braces [ and ] rather than < and > and it offers greater control over what and how something is displayed. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the posting page. Back to top |
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Can I use HTML? That depends on whether the administrator allows you to; they have complete control over it. If you are allowed to use it, you will probably find only certain tags work. This is a safety feature to prevent people from abusing the board by using tags which may destroy the layout or cause other problems. If HTML is enabled you can disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. Back to top |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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User Levels and Groups |
What are Administrators? 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. Back to top |
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What are Moderators? 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 edit or delete posts and lock, unlock, move, delete 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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phpBB 2 Issues |
Who wrote this bulletin board? This software (in its unmodified form) is produced, released and is copyrighted phpBB Group. It is made available under the GNU General Public License and may be freely distributed; see link for more details Back to top |
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Why isn't X feature available? This software was written by and licensed through phpBB Group. If you believe a feature needs to be added then please visit the phpbb.com website and see what the phpBB Group has to say. Please do not post feature requests to the board at phpbb.com, as the Group uses sourceforge to handle tasking of new features. Please read through the forums and see what, if any, our position may already be for features and then follow the procedure given there. Back to top |
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Whom do I contact about abusive and/or legal matters related to this board? You should contact the administrator of this board. If you cannot find who that is, you should first contact one of the forum moderators and ask them who you should in turn contact. If still get no response you should contact the owner of the domain (do a whois lookup) or, if this is running on a free service (e.g. yahoo, free.fr, f2s.com, etc.), the management or abuse department of that service. Please note that phpBB Group has absolutely no control and cannot in any way be held liable over how, where or by whom this board is used. It is absolutely pointless contacting phpBB Group in relation to any legal (cease and desist, liable, defamatory comment, etc.) matter not directly related to the phpbb.com website or the discrete software of phpBB itself. If you do email phpBB Group about any third party use of this software then you should expect a terse response or no response at all. Back to top |
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