Petie

[font=Verdana][color=blue]I've always liked dragons and they would probably rank in at number two here for me but my favorite mythical creature would have to be the phoenix. I've always just thought they were awesome - a bird of fire which technically never dies. When it does "die," it burns to ashes and is then reborn from said ashes.[/color][/font]

[quote name='RiflesAtRecess][font=trebuchet ms']I think I posted in a topic like this one before... Oh well.[/quote][/font][font=Verdana][color=blue]You have, which is why I'm merging the two threads. For those of you who may have answered this question twice now though, don't worry about it - it's inevitable when threads are merged.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]We already have a Da Vinci Code thread, which can be found [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=53577]here[/url]. Please use that thread for any discussion related to The Da Vinci Code.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]If you have any questions, feel free to PM me or any other staff member.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]Thread closed.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]First of all, double posting is not allowed here. If you would like to say more after your post, please use the edit button.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]Second, this is the type of question best left to Google. I'm sure that if you just search online for the kind of site you're looking for, you'll find it without a problem.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]If you really don't know where to look though, you can head on over to [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=85]Art by Request[/url] and ask for one to be made for you. Just be specific in what you ask for if you have something specific in mind.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]The picture you are using cannot be larger than 125x125 and cannot have a file size greater than 50 KB (51,200 bytes). The picture also must be in either jpg or gif format. To find out the dimensions and file size of your picture, right click on it and click properties. If the picture is already on a website, the new window that opens will have that information listed right there. If the picture is on your computer already, the file size will be listed on the first tab of the new window. To get the dimensions, click on the Summary tab and then click on the Advanced button if you see it. The dimensions are listed as Width and Height. The format is indicated by the extension of the file name (the part after the period) and can also be found under the File Type heading.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]I'm assuming Windows XP in giving these directions though. The steps to follow might be slightly different if you're on a different version of Windows or on a Mac (for instance, on a Mac, you'd right (or CTRL +) click on the image and click Get Info instead of properties, assuming it is already on your hard drive.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]I saw this movie Friday night and personally, I liked it. All throughout the day, I had heard mixed reviews. Some said it was horrible while others said it was great and others said it was somewhere in the middle. So going into the movie, I really had no idea what to expect.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]I thought it was good though. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone who hasn't seen it but this should be enough to get my point across - there was a couple of awesome moments that I really didn't expect.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]And of course, my friends and I who went had all seen the [spoiler]"Juggernaut B****" clip many times so hearing that in the movie was a great moment[/spoiler] :)[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]If it's a picture you found online that you want to use, right click on the picture (CTRL + click on a Mac) and click Save Target As (or something to that effect, depending on the browser). Save it somewhere easy to get to, like your desktop. From there, go to your backroom and click on edit picture, as described above, click browse, navigate to your desktop, and select your newly downloaded picture. Then, just click Upload My Picture and you're done.[/color][/font]

[font="Verdana"][color="blue"]Recently, we've had a lot of the same questions repeated many times so I decided to put together the answers to all of them in one place. This FAQ will continue to grow as time goes on so before you create a new thread to ask a question, check here first to see if it has already been answered.[/color][/font] [b][font="Verdana"][color="blue"]Q: How do I make my myOtaku background transparent?[/color][/font][/b] [font="Verdana"][color="blue"][b]A:[/b] Go to your [url="http://www.myotaku.com/account/styles/"]Edit Styles[/url] page and fill in #xxxxxx for Border Color, Inner Background Color, [i]and[/i] Menu Color. Please note that this trick only works on myOtaku sites.[/color][/font] [b] [/b][b][font="Verdana"][color="blue"]Q: Why doesn't OtakuBoards have an official chat room?[/color][/font][/b] [font="Verdana"][color="blue"][b]A:[/b] Although this may be a possibility in the distant future, don't expect it to happen anytime soon. OB's emphasis on quality, in terms of features and moderation as well as general discussion, makes it difficult to implement any type of live chat. On the other hand, we've had many unofficial chat rooms in the past (which were created using programs like AIM). For further information on this topic, please check out [thread=53668]these[/thread] thread=52251]threads[/thread]. [b]Update:[/b] While it is not an official OB chat room, if you've been a member over at theOtaku.com for more than three months, you have access to [url="http://www.theotaku.com/chat"]theOtaku's chat room[/url] where you'll also find many OB members. [/color][/font] [b][font="Verdana"][color="blue"]Q: Why isn't there a spam/flaming forum?[/color][/font][/b] [font="Verdana"][color="blue"][b]A:[/b] For the same reason that we don't currently have an official chat room. We strive to uphold fairly high standards, and creating a spam forum would be self-defeating.[/color][/font] [b][font="Verdana"][color="blue"]Q: What are the different member titles?[/color][/font][/b] [font="Verdana"][color="blue"][b]A:[/b] While we used to have a larger variety of member titles, we've eliminated that system in favor of two basic groups: New Members and Members. You're counted as a new member from the time you join until you have 50 posts, and from thence forward, you'll be a member. Along with that, you also have a Custom Title; by clicking on [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/profile.php?do=editprofile"]Edit Profile[/url], you can set it to pretty much anything you like. The custom title option is basically there for fun. [b]Update:[/b] As you may have noticed, there is now a new "Senior Member" title as well. This may be just the start of a series of new titles to come. While we've given you the post-count requirement for the first title, the rest shall remain a mystery...[/color][/font] [b][font="Verdana"][color="blue"]Q: Am I allowed to post an introduction thread?[/color][/font][/b] [font="Verdana"][color="blue"][b]A:[/b] No, but you are allowed to introduce yourself. While we encourage you to jump right into conversations, we do have an [thread=57985]Introduction Thread[/thread] which you can use to introduce yourself. So, while you can't post your own introduction thread, feel free to say hello there.[/color][/font] [b][font="Verdana"][color="#0000ff"]Q: Can I change my username?[/color][/font][/b] [font="Verdana"][color="#0000ff"][b]A:[/b] Yes but you can't do it yourself. To change your username, send a PM to [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=6651"]Dagger[/url], [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=684"]Desbreko[/url], or [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=8750"]me[/url] (click the links to send PMs). Since there are only two or three people changing usernames though, please do not abuse the privilege.[/color][/font] [font="Verdana"][color="#0000ff"][b]Q: How do I display a link to my theOtaku portfolio in my posts?[/b][/color][/font] [font="Verdana"][color="#0000ff"][b]A:[/b] Simply go to the [url="http://www.otakuboards.com/profile.php?do=editprofile"]Edit Profile[/url] page and fill out the textbox under "theOtaku User Name." This will display a link to your portfolio in all of your posts as well as in your profile. By filling out the textbox right below it, labeled "myOtaku User Name," you can also provide a link to your myOtaku page in your profile.[/color][/font] [font="Verdana"][color="blue"]If you have any other questions that are not covered here, please PM me or reply to this thread and I'll put them up. Thanks to Dagger for helping to put this thread together.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Here's the simple solution. If you'd like to keep your background from repeating and scrolling, add the following code to your intro or post styles:[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]body{background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed;}[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]You can also position your background by adding this after "...fixed;" :[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]background-position: center center;[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]That will center the image in the middle of the page, both horizontally and vertically. The first center can be top, center, or bottom and the second can be left, center, or right as well, depending on the look you're going for.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Take a look at some of the sites out there and you'll realize that you can do everything you want to do already, with a little work. Both the posts and the intro have full HTML/CSS support so all you have to do is know the right code to use.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Any forum with the word "Archives" in its title (specifically the Anime Archives and the Video Game Archives) is read only. They are collections of old, inactive threads left for the sake of memories and conversations from the past.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Shy, I do see what you're saying as this really is a community driven site. I guess it's really time to give a reason for my thinking that there be no member involvement in the selection.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]Having only the staff choose the titles does not completely remove it from the community - after all, only the community can receive the titles. What it does do though is eliminate any complications due to voting, counting, and popularity. The staff would be better suited to give an unbiased judgement based on facts. The community end would come when the awards are announced - we could still have a thread listing the winners and maybe even a running thread listing everyone who has won since the beginning.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]It seems that there's still quite a bit to be worked out but I think when we hammer out the fine details, this could end up being really fun, assuming it's done correctly.[/color][/font]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]While that would make things very convenient, I'm not sure how easy it would be to implement. I've been using an equally easy solution for quite a while now though. I used to use Word to check spelling but the Google Toolbar now has a built in spell checker which works perfectly. Plus, it gives a nice easy way to get to Google so there's no real downside unless you don't like extra toolbars.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Retribution][size=1']I'm still adamantly opposed to letting members have a say in the decisions.[/size][/quote][font=Verdana][color=blue]Personally, I'm with you on this one but it would appear that the general consensus is to let the members vote. Though in theory, it may still work since they'd have to select from a list of Staff-chosen candidates.[/color][/font]

[color=Blue]I've noticed this before in Opera on the comments pages. It seems to be an Opera rendering problem, which is why I don't use the browser because the problem does not appear with any other browser. My suggestion, for now anyway, would be to just use a different browser when browsing theOtaku. [/color]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Ah, I see what you're saying about the polls. I didn't think of that at first but you're right - it would appear that unless we can find a way to make custom polls (Multiple questions in one pole with different sets of answer choices, which doesn't appear to be an option or an easy one to implement), text-based voting seems to be the best way to handle it.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Gavin][size=1']Perhaps an additional way to speed it up even further would be to have the nominations set as a Poll, making counting a hell of a lot easier and more clear, it would also yield results far quicker than traditional counting.[/size][/quote][font=Verdana][color=blue]I'm with you on this one. I meant to mention this earlier but completely forgot. I think if members are voting, the best way to do it would be to use a poll and moreover. I guess if members would like to leave reasons for their votes, they could, but I think it would be more interesting to do this anonymously by making the voting thread strictly a poll with no posting at all. After all, reasons for the votes cannot sway the results in one way or another as it's just the numbers that will matter in the end.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Shy][size=1']Apparently you haven't read the Otaku Awards' threads in a while, have you? I'm not naming names, but it became obvious that leaving the nominations up the regular members turns everything into a popularity contest. At least doing it with staff we can hide behind our titles, and pretend that we have ethics.[/size][/quote][font=Verdana][color=blue]I haven't read the Otaku Awards' threads in a while so I guess I was believing Desbreko's title and assuming he had ethics ;)[/color][/font]

[quote name='Desbreko][color=#4b0082']Though I doubt we'd have any trouble getting enough people to vote. Just look at the Nifty Fifty and the Otaku Awards before that. Both of those events have been really popular every time they've been held, and there've been plenty of votes.[/color][/quote][font=Verdana][color=blue]Heh, okay. So I didn't think that one through to well. I was really just using it as an example of an (apparently not so) possible problem. You seem to have gotten the meaning of my post just fine though which is really all that matters.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [b][font=Verdana][color=#0000ff]Edit:[/color][/font][/b] [font=Verdana][color=#0000ff]And Shy, I've got a bunch of ideas running through my head for this as well so I'd be more than happy to work out some details with you on AIM if you'd like.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Desbreko][color=#4b0082']I guess what I don't like about moderators directly choosing the title recipients is that it seems too one-sided. These would be special titles specifically for regular members and regular members only, so I think they should be involved in the process. Otherwise it would almost be like saying, "You're a great member, but we don't need/want you as part of the staff, so have this instead." And that just doesn't sit well with me.[/color][/quote][font=Verdana][color=blue]Personally, I think that's exactly why the Staff should be the only group involved in this process. Not because it's one-sided but because the award is for regular members. I don't feel it's saying that they're not good enough for Staff positions. As has been made well known, new Staff is hired when it is needed so when there is no need, there are no new additions. This does not mean the members are not good enough, just that there is not a place for them yet.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]For the members to vote on their own awards (obviously nominees couldn't vote for themselves but I hope you see what I'm trying to say here) just doesn't seem right to me. Because it's a title awarded to a member based on their contributions to the site, it should be the Staff who makes note of and votes on those contributions.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue][/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]Also, you're relying on enough members voting to provide a fair result. This could very easily happen but on the other side of the coin, it very well may not. At least with the staff voting (and I'm assuming the staff would still vote, not just choose), you can get a fair opinion from the people who are looking for these qualities to begin with.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Gavin][size=1']First off Petie thanks for replying, I was hoping to get a Mods input quite soon into the thread, in relation to the idea causing already busy Moderators extra hassle, as I said this would probably be only a once a month or even longer thing. Besides, maybe it's just me here but the biggest contributors to any forum are pretty obvious at face value. For repeat winners, I think having a set time period, say six months before they can win again kind of prevents a constant build up of awards. Plus since it would replace their User Title as opposed to Custom Title you could see previous awards straight off.[/size][/quote][font=Verdana][color=blue]I realize it would be only once a month and personally, I'd have no problem with it. The only concern I had was time, considering the already rising complaints about quality, though I realize now that we could just have a dedicated thread where we could nominate and then vote so we never really have to actually all be around at the same time to discuss it. Also though, I do see what you're saying about obvious choices which should cut down on the time it takes as well.[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=blue]I'm not sure what you're saying about the previous titles though. Are you planning on a comma separated list or something else to display past wins? Let's say you win once - your title is changed to reflect that. Now, let's say six months later, as you suggested, you win again. Again, your title is changed to reflect that new win, overwriting your old title. Do we just forget about past wins altogether or is there something I'm just not seeing?[/color][/font] [font=Verdana][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [QUOTE=Kura][size=1]Personally, I do like the idea. Baron has pointed out that flaw of being friends with a moderator. Perhaps the solution to that problem maybe a small committee (two or three regular users of OB) that are separate from the moderators and admin staff. They would have to make sure that they have the time to spare for these monthly awards and that they will try their best to be as unbiased to everyone as possible (if that makes sense). That way the moderators/admin could suggest potential award winners to the committee and they committee could make the final decision. Just a thought.[/size][/QUOTE][font=Verdana][color=blue]I don't know if this would really work the way you planned it. For one, this committee would never be able to win because of the fact that they'd be voting. Plus, non-staff would not actually be able to see the nomination/discussion thread related to the process which would mean that if the final decision came down to this committee, it would be based solely on what they thought to begin with or what they have discussed amongst themselves.[/color][/font]

[color=blue]I think the idea has potential with one problem - this method of rewarding titles would require quite a bit of time from an already very busy staff. I'm not speaking for everyone here but I know that I personally don't have as much time as I'd like to for this site due to school and I'm sure there are others who would agree with me. Other than that though, I like the idea. I'm just not sure how repeat winners would work. Maybe a list of previous awards on the user profile? That would require some fancy custom fields though...[/color]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Read the current announcement at the top of every forum for an easy answer to your question.[/color][/font]

[color=Blue]Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions. The definition of entertaining varies from person to person. Just because the show does not have a set story line or the type of action you may or may not like in a show does not mean it isn't entertaining to others. Sometimes it's fun to just sit down and watch something completely random, which is exactly where Happy Tree Friends fits in. [/color]

[font=Verdana][color=blue]Right, which is why I did not try to give a set time that all dynamic IPs change. I gave mine as a point of reference for Comcast on the East Coast of the United States. I assume it's the same everywhere for Comcast but I can't give even an estimate for other ISPs in other places.[/color][/font]