Frequently Asked Questions

Login and Registration Issues

Why do I need to Register for THF?
THF is a Private Forum. To view and fully participate on THF, you must be a Registered Member and also Logged In. Registration will give you access to additional features that are not available to Guests such as definable Avatar Images, Private Messaging, Emailing of fellow Members, Forum and Topic Subscription, etc. It only takes a few minutes to Register for THF!
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I have just Registered but I can’t Log In!
Membership of THF is activated by the Administrator before you can Log In; this information was present during Registration. If you were sent an Acitvation Email, just follow the instructions. If you did not receive an Activation Email, you may have provided an incorrect Email Address or the Email may have been picked up by your spam filter. If you are sure the Email Address you provided is correct, try contacting the Administrator.
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I am a current and Active Member but I still can’t Log In!
There are several reasons why this could occur. First, ensure your Username and Password are correct. If they are, contact the Administrator to make sure you haven’t been Banned.
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I Registered for THF some time ago but now I can’t Log In!
It is possible the Administrator has Deactivated or Deleted your Membership. Some Forums also periodically Auto-Delete Members who have not been active for a long time to reduce the size of the Database. If this has happened, try Registering again or contact the Admistrator.
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Help! I’ve forgotten my Password!
Don’t panic! While your Password cannot be retrieved, it can easily be reset. Visit the Log In page and click Help! I forgot my Password!. Follow the instructions and you should be able to Log In again shortly.
However, if you still have problems and are unable to reset your Password, contact the Administrator.
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Why do I get Logged Out automatically?
If you do not check the Forget Me Not! box when you Log In, THF 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 Forget Me Not! box during Log In. This is not recommended if you access THF from a shared Computer, e.g. Library, Internet Cafe, University Computer Lab, etc.
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What does the “Delete all THF Cookies” do?
“Delete all THF Cookies” deletes the cookies created by the Forum that keeps you authenticated and Logged In to THF. Cookies also provide functions such as Read Tracking. If you are having Login or Logout problems, Deleting all THF Cookies may help.
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User Preferences and Settings

How do I change my Settings?
When you are a Registered THF Member, all your settings are stored in the THF Database. To alter them, visit your User Control Panel; a link can usually be found by clicking on your Username at the top of all THF pages. This system will allow you to change all your Settings and Preferences.
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How do I prevent my Username appearing in the THF Online Listing?
Within your User Control Panel, under “Board Preferences”, you will find the option Hide your online status. Enable this option and you will only appear to the Administrators, Moderators and yourself. You will be counted as a Hidden Member.
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The Forum times are not correct!
It is possible the time displayed is from a Timezone different from the one you are in. If this is the case, visit your User Control Panel and change your Timezone to match your particular area, e.g. London, Hull, Paris, New York, Sydney, etc. Please note that changing the Timezone, like most settings, can only be done by Registered Members. If you are not Registered, this is a good time to do so.
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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 incorrect, then the time stored on the Server clock is incorrect. Please notify the Administrator to correct the problem.
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What are the Images next to my Username?
There are two Images which appear along with a Username when viewing Posts. One of them is an Image associated with your Rank or Group, in the form of a star. Another, usually larger Image, is known as an Avatar and is generally unique or personal to each Member.
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How do I display an Avatar?
Within your User Control Panel, under “Profile” you can add an Avatar by using one of the following methods: Gallery, Remote or Upload. If you are having issues selecting an Avatar, contact the Administrator.
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When I click the Email link for a Member it asks me to Log In?
Only registered Members can send Emails to other Members via the built-in Email form. This is to prevent malicious use of the Email system.
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Posting Issues

How do I create a New Topic or Post a Reply?
To Post a New Topic in a Forum, click "New Topic". To Post a Reply to a Topic, click "Post Reply". You will need to Register and Log In before you can Post a Message.
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How do I Edit or Delete a Post?
Unless you are an Administrator or Moderator, you can only Edit or Delete your own Posts. You can Edit a Post by clicking the Edit button for the relevant Post for a limited time after the Post was made. 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 which lists the number of times you Edited it along with the date and time. This will only appear if someone has made a Reply; it will not appear if a Moderator or Administrator Edited the Post, though they may leave a note as to why they’ve Edited the Post at their own discretion. Please note that you cannot Delete a Post once someone has Replied to it.
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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 via your User Control Panel. Once created, you can check the Attach a 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 button in the User Control Panel. If you do so, you can still prevent a Signature being added to individual Posts by un-checking the add Signature box within the Posting Form.
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How do I create a Poll?
When Posting a New Topic or Editing the first Post of a Topic, click the “Poll Creation” tab below the main Posting Form. Enter a Title and at least two options in the appropriate fields, making sure each option is on a separate line in the textarea. You can also set the number of options Members may select during voting under “Options per user”, a time limit in days for the poll (0 for infinite duration) and lastly the option to allow Members to amend their Votes.
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Why can’t I add more Poll options?
The limit for Poll options is set by the Administrator. If you feel you need to add more options to your Poll than the allowed amount, contact the Administrator.
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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 an Administrator. To Edit a Poll, click to Edit the first Post in the Topic; this always has the Poll associated with it. If no one has cast a Vote, Members can delete the Poll or Edit any Poll option. However, if Members have already placed Votes, only Moderators or Administrators can Edit or Delete it. This prevents the Poll’s options from being changed mid-way through a Poll.
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Why can’t I add Attachments?
Attachment Permissions are granted on a per Forum, per Group, or per Member basis. The Administrator may not have allowed Attachments to be added for the specific Forum you are Posting in, or perhaps only certain Groups can post Attachments. Contact the Administrator if you are unsure about why you are unable to add Attachments.
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Why did I receive a Warning?
THF has a set of Guidelines for using the Forum. If you are deemed to have broken a Guideline, you may be issued a Warning. Please note that this is the Administrator’s or Moderator’s decision. Contact the Administrator or a Moderator if you are unsure about why you were issued a Warning.
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How can I Report Posts to a Moderator?
You should see a button for Reporting Posts next to the Post you wish to Report. Clicking this will walk you through the steps necessary to Report the Post.
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What is the “Save” button for in Topic Posting?
This allows you to save Drafts to be completed and submitted at a later date. To reload a saved Draft, visit your User Control Panel.
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Why does my Post need to be Approved?
The Administrator may have decided that Posts in the Forum you are Posting to require review before submission. It is also possible that the Administrator has placed you in a Group of Members whose Posts require review before submission. Please contact the Administrator for further details.
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Formatting and Topic Types

What is BBCode?
BBCode is a special implementation of HTML, offering great formatting control on particular objects in a Post. The use of BBCode is granted by the Administrator, but it can also be disabled on a per Post basis from the Posting Form. BBCode itself is similar in style to HTML, but tags are enclosed in square brackets [ and ] rather than < and >. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the Posting page.
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Can I use HTML?
No. It is not possible to post HTML on THF and have it rendered as HTML. Most formatting which can be carried out using HTML can be applied using BBCode instead.
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What are Smilies?
Smilies, or Emoticons, are small Images which can be used to express a feeling using a short code, e.g. :) denotes happy, while :( denotes sad. The full list of Emoticons can be seen in the Posting Form. Try not to overuse Smilies however, as they can quickly render a post unreadable and a Moderator may Edit them out or remove the Post altogether. The Administrator may also have set a limit to the number of Smilies you may use within a single Post.
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Can I Post Images on THF?
Yes, Images can be shown in your Posts. You may either Upload the image to THF or you can link to an Image stored on a publicly accessible web server, e.g. http://www.example.com/my-picture.gif. You cannot link to Pictures stored on your own PC (unless it is a publicly accessible server) nor Images stored behind authentication mechanisms, e.g. Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo Mailboxes, Password Protected sites, etc. To display the Image use the BBCode [img] Tag.
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What are Global Announcements?
Global Announcements contain important information and you should read them whenever possible. They will appear at the top of every Forum and within your User Control Panel. Global Announcement permissions are granted by THF Admin.
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What are Announcements?
Announcements often contain important information for the Forum you are currently reading and you should read them whenever possible. Announcements appear at the top of every page in the Forum to which they are Posted. As with Global Announcements, Announcement permissions are granted by THF Admin.
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What are Sticky, or Pinned Topics?
Sticky, or Pinned Topics within the forum appear below Announcements and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them whenever possible. As with both Announcements and Global Announcements, permissions are granted by THF Admin.
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What are Locked Topics?
Locked Topics are Topics where Members can no longer Reply and any Poll it contained was automatically ended. Topics may be Locked for many reasons and were set this way by either a Moderator or Administrator.
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What are Topic Icons?
Topic Icons are Author chosen images associated with Posts to indicate their content.
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User Levels and Groups

What are Administrators?
Administrators are assigned with the highest level of control over the entire Forum. Administrators control all facets of Forum operation, including Setting Permissions, Banning Members, creating Usergroups or assigning Moderators, etc., dependent upon the board Founder and what Permissions they have given the Administrator. They also have full Moderator capabilities in all Forums.
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What are Moderators?
Moderators are individuals who look after the Forums from day to day. They have the authority to Edit or Delete Posts and Lock, Unlock, Move, Delete and Split Topics in the Forums they Moderate. Generally, Moderators are present to prevent Members from going Off-Topic or Posting abusive or offensive material.
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What are Usergroups?
Usergroups are Groups of Members that divide the THF community into manageable sections that Administrators can work with. Each Member belongs to a Group and each Group can be assigned individual Permissions. This provides an easy way for Administrators to change Permissions for many Members at once, such as changing Moderator Permissions or granting Members access to a private Forum. You can view all Usergroups via the “Usergroups” link within your User Control Panel
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Why do some Usergroups appear in a different colour?
It is possible for the Administrator to assign a colour to the Members of a Usergroup to make it easy to identify the Members of the particular Group.
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What is the “THF Team” link?
This page provides you with a list of THF Staff, including Administrators and Moderators and other details such as the Forums they Moderate.
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How do I contact the THF Administrator?
Easy peasy! Just send an Email to: admin@thehockeyforum.co.uk
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Private Messaging

I cannot send Private Messages!
There are two reasons for this; you are not Registered and/or not Logged In or the Administrator has prevented you from sending Private Messages. Contact a the Administrator for more information.
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I keep getting unwanted Private Messages!
You can automatically delete Private Messages from a Member by using Message Rules within your User Control Panel. If you are receiving abusive Private Messages from a particular Member, Report the Messages to the Moderators; they have the power to prevent a Member from sending Private Messages.
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I have received a Spamming or abusive Email from someone on THF!
Sorry to hear that. The Email form feature of THF includes safeguards to try and track Members who send such Posts, so Email the Administrator with a full copy of the Email you received. It is very important that this includes the headers that contain the details of the Member that sent the Email. The Administrator can then take action.
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Friends and Foes

What are my Friends and Foes lists?
You can use these lists to organise other Members of THF. Any Members you add to your Friends list will be listed within your User Control Panel for quick access to see their Online Status and to send them Private Messages. Posts from these Members may also be highlighted. If you add a Member to your Foes list, any Posts they make will be automatically hidden from you by default.
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How can I Add / Remove Members to my Friends or Foes list?
You can add Members to your list in two ways. Within each Member’s profile, there is a link to add them to either your Friend or Foes list. Alternatively, from your User Control Panel, you can directly add Members by entering their THF Username. You can also remove Members from your list using the same page.
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Searching the Forums

How can I Search a Forum or Forums?
Enter a Search term in the Search box located on the Index, Forum or Topic pages. Advanced Search can be accessed by clicking the “Advance Search” link which is available on all pages on the Forum.
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Why does my Search return no results?
Your Search was probably too vague and included many common terms which are not Indexed by the Database. Be more specific and use the options available within Advanced Search.
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Why does my Search return a blank page?
Your Search returned too many results for the Server to handle. Use “Advanced Search” and be more specific in the terms used and Forums that are to be Searched.
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How do I Search for THF Members?
Visit to the “Members” page and click the “Find a THF Member” link.
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How can I find my own Posts and Topics?
Your own Posts can be retrieved either by clicking the “Show your Posts” link within the User Control Panel or by clicking the “Search Member’s Posts” link via your own Profile page or by clicking the “Quick Links” menu at the top of THF. To Search for your Topics, use the Advanced Search page and fill in the various options appropriately.
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Subscriptions and Bookmarks

What is the difference between Bookmarking and Subscribing?
On THF, Bookmarking is more like Subscribing to a Topic. You can be notified when a Bookmarked Topic is updated. Subscribing, however, will notify you when there is an update to a Topic or Forum on THF. Notification options for Bookmarks and Subscriptions can be configured in the User Control Panel, under “Board Preferences”.
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How do I Bookmark or Subscribe to specific Topics?
You can Bookmark or Subscribe to a specific Topic by clicking the appropriate link in the “Topic Tools” menu, conveniently located near the top and bottom of a Topic discussion.
Replying to a Topic with the “Notify me when a reply is Posted” option checked will also Subscribe you to the Topic.
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How do I Subscribe to specific Forums?
To Subscribe to a specific Forum, click the “Subscribe Forum” link at the bottom of each page, upon entering the Forum.
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How do I remove my Subscriptions?
To remove your Subscriptions, go to your User Control Panel and follow the links to your Subscriptions.
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Attachments

What Attachments are allowed on THF?
The Forum Administrator can allow or disallow certain Attachment types. If you are unsure what is allowed to be Uploaded, contact THF Admin for assistance.
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How do I find all of my Attachments?
To find your list of Attachments that you have Uploaded, go to your User Control Panel and follow the links to the Attachments section.
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