Note: this Forum FAQ deals with questions about how to use the SpamCop Forum. Please see the SpamCop FAQ or the SC Wiki for questions about the various SpamCop tools including Email, Reporting, Blocking List Service, etc.

Important notice: On 5-12-06 this forum was upgraded from version 2.0.4 to 2.1.6
It was later upgraded to 2.1.7 and currently developement work is being done to upgrade to 2.2.22.3.1
The following FAQ requires some updating as well to reflect the changes caused by the upgrade.
Please bear with us as we work on updating the varrious entries.

Table of Contents

How to use the SpamCop Forum

Pre-Registration

Registration

Maintaining & Updating Your Account

My Controls & Forum Settings

Login & Navigation

Troubleshooting & Quick Links/Shortcuts (under construction)

Change of Username

SpamCop's System & Active Staff User Guide

Forum Section - How to use the SpamCop Forum

Archive of development posts used to create this FAQ

If you can not find what you are looking for in this FAQ regarding how to use the SpamCop Forum, then there is also the How to use .... Instructions, Tutorials Subforums and under that the SpamCop Forum sub forum. If that fails to help, you can always post your question.



SECTION 1 - Pre-Registration

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

New Account / Signing Up

This is a support area for the tools provided by the SpamCop.net system. However, it is not physically connected to any of those tools, such that even if you have a SpamCop reporting account or a SpamCop Filtered E-Mail account, use of this Forum requires its own login details.

Q. What are the Benefits to Registering on the SpamCop forums?
A. To be able to use all the features on this board, we require that you register for a member account.
Registration is free and only takes a moment to complete.

Benefits of Registration
Once you have registered and logged in, you will have access to your private messenger and your control panel.
You are able to actively participate in our large & popular community forums.
You can make & reply to topics and polls.
You can SEARCH SpamCop Forums and newsgroups.
You can EMAIL members via forum
There are also Registered-Only forums which you can only access when you sign up

Q. How do I sign up for a account?
A. To register click >>HERE<<

Q. How old do I have to be to sign up for SpamCop?
A. You may be any age, but SpamCop is rated PG13. If you are under 13 you must sign up under a COPPA Agreement, which is signed & approved by your Parent(s)/Guardian

Q. What is COPPA Registration?
A. All users under the age of 13 must seek permission from a parent or guardian before you may participate on SpamCop forums. You can to start the registration process prior to us receiving a permission form, please click the continue link below. However, please note that you will not be able to complete your registration until we have the signed form.

Notes:
-Any member that has not signed a COPPA Registration (signed up as a normal member) and is found to be under 13 will/may have their account blocked/suspended/deleted until a permission form has been signed by your Parent/Guardian.

-When you sign up you must use a VALID email, otherwise you will not receive your Email Confirmation and will be unable to complete the registration process.

-Please do not use your e-mail address as a "user/display" name.
Edit: Code was touched 1Oct2005 that may actually interfere with an attempt such as this, replacing the @ character with the [at] string ....
Edit: seen from a user registering in 2Oct2005, this modification appears to have no effect on someone using their e-mail address as a "user/display" name ...

SECTION 2 - Registration

Processing your membership

Q. What happens after I've signed up / registered?
A. The following process will occur:

• Step 1 - Account Created :
  After you have agreed to the Spamop Forum Terms & Conditions, and clicked "Submit my registration" button your account will be created.
• Step 2 - Confirm Registration at SpamCop Forum:
  We require that you "validate" your registration to ensure that the email address you entered was correct. Normally within 10 minutes (usually instantly) of signing up you'll receive an email (sent to the account you registered with) with instructions on the next step. Don't worry, it won't take long before you can post. Simply click on the link in the email to request activation.
• Step 3 - A SpamCop administrator must approve your account:
  (actually not activated at this point, but this is an action reserved for the future, if needed) You will receive an email as soon as one of the SpamCop administrators has activated your account. This protects against unwanted spam and malicious abuse.

Q. I signed up using the wrong email address. What do I do? (and again, please do not use your e-mail address as your "user/display" name.)
A. If you signed up using an email account that you can't access, please contact a SpamCop Forum Admin.
Please DO NOT make a new account.

Registration Confirmation

Q. What do I do with Registration Confirmation Email I get?
A. We require that you "validate" your registration to ensure that the email address you entered was correct. This protects against unwanted spam and malicious abuse. Simply click on the link in your email or follow the copy/paste instructions to request activation.

Validation Problems

• E-Mail address used in the Registration process is invalid.
• Validation e-mail shuttled off into the Junk/Spam/Bulk Folder at the Receiving end
• Brain-dead bozo filter in use, tripping on the word 'spam' in SpamCop.net, so e-mail is rejected, bounced, or dropped, depending on how the idiotic software was configured

Notes:
-(again, a possible future action) You will receive an email as soon as one of the SpamCop Forum Admins has activated your account. Please contact a SpamCop Forum Admin using/providing the valid EMAIL ACCOUNT you signed up with ONLY if you do not receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.

-SpamCop Forum members are only permitted ONE member account. If you have more than one, it may be banned/blocked/deleted without notice.

SECTION 3 - Maintaining & Updating Your Account

Logged in as: Your_Member_Name (Log Out)

Your Account

Q. Am I allowed more than one account?
A. SpamCop Forum members are only permitted ONE member account. If you have more than one account, contact a SpamCop Forum Admin immediately to rectify the situation. It is in your interests to let us know as anyone found to have more than one account may have the account(s) blocked or deleted without notice.

Q. Can I change my forum nick-name? (account name)
A. Yes, but ONLY a SpamCop Forum Admin can change your nick-name. Please email or PM (private message) your request directly to them. (More on this topic later.)

Q. Can I delete my account?
A. Specific answer: no, a user can not delete his/her account. Administrative action can happen to a user account for several reasons, to include a user request. The account can be 'handled' in a few different ways, typically being moved into the Banned group so that it can't be used again ... but the posts, Topics, Discussions will generally remain in place, again, for the benefit of the next person that runs into the same 'problem' that caused you to register and post. The question is actually a bit confusing. This Forum is a support venue for use of the SpamCop.net toolset. The majority of the Forum is open to be "read" by any and all .. which includes the Forum itself, the single-page-access-expanded version of the SpamCop FAQ, the added Dictionary, the Glossary, the Wiki ..... in all likelihood, registering to get posting privileges may not be necessary at all, as any 'problem' you're having may already be addressed. Note that even if the account is 'handled' .... queries made, replies and answers provided become part of this public knowledgebase. Deletion of this data is extremely rare ... even the spam that manages to be posted gets moved to a non-public Forum section for data tracking.

Member Groups Explained

Q. What are the different types of "Member Groups" and what do they mean?
A. The "Member Groups" on the SpamCop Forum include:

• Guest - not logged in or just visiting
• Validating - submitted data for Registration, but not yet completed the Validation process
• Member - Logged-in Registered user
• Moderator - Has capability to manage/edit postings & Topics (more later)
• SpamCop Staff - Owners & paid staff of the SpamCop system parts
• Admin - BOFH of this Forum application
• Banned - Basically, Admin at work ... spammers, out-of-control users, etc.

Q. What are the Member Titles & how can I change mine?
A. The Default Member Titles are based on your post count. See Titles and Pips Chart below.

Q. What are the pips for and how many posts do I need to increase the amount of pips in my profile?
A. The pips give a simple graphical representation of your post count. It makes it easier to see who has posted alot in the forums. Be aware though, you shouldn't place any difference between members based on Post Counts or pips alone. See Requirement For Titles and Pips Chart below.

Note: Your Contribution to SpamCop's forum isn't based on a high post count or lots of pips. Regular and long term members base it solely on your conduct and the quaility of your posts. Placing posts just to increase post count is very much frowned on.

Current settings:

• Newbie ----------------> 0 - 9 posts ------------->
• Member ---------------> 10 - 99 posts ---------->
• Advanced Member --> 100 - 999 posts ------->
• Been There ----------> 1000 - 2999 posts ---->
• T-shirt wearing out -> 3000 - 4999 posts ---->
• What Life? -----------> 5000+ posts ----------->

Change Password & Email Address

Q. How do I change/update my forum password?
A. To change your password: My Controls > Change Password

Q. I have forgotten my password. What do I do?
A. Security is a big feature on this board, and to that end, all passwords are encrypted when you register. This means that we cannot email your password to you as we hold no record of your 'encrypted' password. You can however reset your password. To do this, click on the Lost Password link.

• Step One: Enter your account username.
• Step Two: Email validating the request is sent to your registered email address.
• Step Three: Follow the instructions in the email.

Q. I received a Password recovery information in a SpamCop Forum email, but I didn't request it. What do I do and is my account safe?
A. If you did not request this password change, please IGNORE and DELETE the email immediately. Your password will stay the same. If it happens repeatedly and you require further help, you may make a topic in the SpamCop Lounge Forum area or send a PM to a SpamCop Forum Admin.

Q. How do I change my email address?
A. To change it, go to: My Controls > Change Email Address
NOTE: You will have to re-activate your account after changing your email address. An email will be sent to the email address you specify outlining what you need to do.

The action will log you out. It is strongly recommended that you reset your password before changing your email address if you are unable to remember your password.

SECTION 4 - My Controls & Forum Settings

My Controls:

Q. What is "My Controls / Control Panel / Your control panel"
A. Your control panel is your own private board console. You can change how the board looks and feels as well as your own information from there. It allows you to:
Add or edit your contact information
Enter some personal information if you choose
You can edit your Signature and avatar
Change Email & Password Settings
Change your personal photo
Change Skins and Languages
Manage ignored users
View Subsciptions

4a: Signature

Q. What is a signature and how do I make one?
A. A board 'signature' is very similar to an email signature. This signature is attached to the foot of every message you post unless you choose to check the box that allows you to omit the signature in the message you are posting. You may use BBCode to format the text in your signature.

To edit/make a signature: My Controls > Edit Signature

Q. Are there any signature guidelines/rules on size, color, type etc.?
A. Yes (just not documented yet )

4b: Avatar Questions

Q. What is an Avatar?
A. An avatar is a little image that would appear under your username when you view a topic or post you authored. However, the use of Avatars in this Forum has been disabled.

4c: Private Messages

Q. What is my private message service?
A. Your personal messenger acts much like an email account in that you can send and receive messages instantly (SpamCop Forum only) and store messages in folders.

Q. Were can I get help with Private Messaging?
A. Your Personal Messenger Help

Q. I am getting Spam/Abusive PM's. What should I do?
A. Always report it to a SpamCop Forum Admin. Don't reply or retaliate, a SpamCop Forum Admin will deal with the problem.

Q. How can I stop/block a member from sending me PM's?
A. PM Buddies/Block List

Q. How can I disable / enable PM's?
A. Go to Board Settings Under Personal Messenger Options you will find the following:
Disable your personal messenger?
If you disable your personal messenger, you will not be able to make or receive personal messages.
Select NO (do not disable) to be able to send and receive PM's
Select YES (disable) to disable your PM account.

Q. How do I toggle pop-up / e-mail notification on and off when I get a new private message?
A. My Controls > Board Settings

4d: Forum Settings & Options:

Q. Were can I change my Time Zone?
A. My Controls > Board Settings

Q. How do I turn off (not see) signatures & avatars in forum posts?
A. My Controls > Board Settings

Q. How do I remove the quick reply box?
A. My Controls > Board Settings

Q. How do I change Number of posts /Number of topics /Number of days to show for each topic page?
A. My Controls > Board Settings

4f: Subscriptions

Q. What's a subscription?
A. This board can notify you when a new reply is added to a topic. Many users find this useful to keep up to date on topics without the need to view the board to check for new messages.

Q. How do I subscribe to a topic?
A. To do this, simply click on the 'Track This Topic' link found at the top of any topic. When you click this link, the topic will be added to your subscriptions that are managed from your control panel.

Q. How do I view / manage which forum & topics I'm subscribed to?
A. My Controls > Topic Subscriptions
My Controls > Forum Subscriptions

name=trackchoice> Unsubscribe
Change to: No Email Notification Change to: Immediate Email Notification Change to: Delayed Emailed Notification Change to: Daily Email Digest Change
to: Weekly Email Digest

Unsubscribe: Unsubscribe action just seems to happen.

No Notification: This will not send out any emails but it will retain the forum or topic in the subscriptions panel which will allow you to 'bookmark' useful or favourite topics/forums.

Immediate: This will email you immediately after a new topic has been made (forum subscription) or reply has been made (topic subscription). This will send an email regardless of activity and it will send multiple emails if there are multiple replies.

Delayed: This is 'classic' mode. The board will email you notification when you're not active on the board.

Daily Digest: This will email you a digest of all new topics (forum) or replies (topic) in one email - once per day

Weekly Digest: This acts in the same way as the daily digest but it will digest the week and send it - once per week.

4h: Email Notification

Q. Why do I keep getting "Topic Subscription Reply Notification" Emails?
A. Because someone has posted a reply to the topic that you have subscribed to, and you asked to be notified of any replys via email.

You can change your Email settings to turn ON/OFF 'Email Notification' by default.

Q. How do I stop getting "Topic Subscription Reply Notification" Emails?
A. You can unsubscribe to the topic via the instructions inside email you received.

Q. How do I stop getting "New PM" Emails?
A. You can change your Email settings to start/stop sending a confirmation email when you receive a new private message.

4i: Changing Forum Skins

Q. How do I change the color / look of the forum?
A. In the lower-left corner of the forums at the very bottom, there is a drop-down box entitled, "Select a skin:". You could choose a skin style from there. However, purchasing, developing, or installing additional skins has not been actioned here.

4j: Common Forum Settings Questions

Q. Where is the option to add a member to my Buddy List?
A. PM Buddies/Block List

Q. I want SpamCop Forum members to be able to use an Instant Messaging program to contact me.
How do I let them know what my IM contacts are?
A. Edit Profile info

Q. I want to take down a note or save some text. Can I do this on the SpamCop forum?
A. Yes. Your personal note pad can save & store short peices of text.
My Controls > Your personal note pad

SECTION 5 - Login & Navigation

Links on Forum Screen:

Dark Blue bar at top of screen - opens targeted items in a "NEW" window
Grey bar (third one down) - replaces existing web page in browser display
(Newsgroup link excepted, as if it works, your newsreader application will fire up, normally this is not your web browser)

Why the difference?

• Accessibility issues - throwing up new windows can confuse some helper apps
• System Resources - you open a new window, memory is allocated .. close that window, not all that allocated memory is freed up, eventually causing some systems to crash
• User Control - some would like new windows, some would like to use Tabbed browsing (which is usually trashed by forcing a new window to open), some folks get confused when a 'new' window opens up over the top of the existing window and the "Back" button doesn't work ..
• Matches the actions of the existing items in the grey bar
• Justifying the hacking of more than one section of code

Categories and Subjects
Please post your query/comments into the appropriate Forum section. The Forum Admin/Moderators may have a different opinion of the placement and may perform their duties in attempting to keep things organized. This may include moving posts to another forum section, merging posts into another Topic/Discussion, closing of Topics/Discussions, sometimes even deleting particularly disruptive and inappropriate commentary/behaviour.

• Announcements - system events, issues, surprises
• Start Here - before you make your first Post - Introduction to the SpamCop.net system parts
• How to use .... .... tutorials, instructions
  • SpamCop Forum
  • SpamCop Reporting
  • SpamCop Filtered E-Mail Account
  • Research Tools
• SpamCop Reporting Help - issues with Parsing & Reporting
• SpamCop Blocklist Help - issues with the SpamCopDNSBL
• SpamCop Email System & Accounts - issues with a SpamCop Filtered E-Mail Account
  • SpamCop Flat-Rate Email Account Setup - Setup issues with your SpamCop E-Mail Account
• Mailhost System Configuration - issues with configuring your reporting account for MailHost data
• New Feature Request - Suggestions, additions, feature requests
• SpamCop Lounge - all those other things
• Geek/Tech Things - non-SpamCop related issues, problems, solutions
  • Hardware Issues
  • Software Issues
• Suggested Tools and Applications - Know of the magic tool?
• Testing - Try it out, get acquainted
• FAQ Under Construction - work area for FAQ development

Forum page display - Topic View

Once you select one of the above Forum sections, you will then see a page listing existing Topics under discussion. There may be some Pinned items .. the act of Pinning a Topic locks it at the 'top' of that forum section display. The remainder of the displayed Topic list (default) is time-ordered based on the last post within that that Topic. Most of the Forum sections are set to default to only showing items posted/responded to within the last 30 days. Sort order, cut-off dates, type of post can be selected via dropdown menus at the bottom right of a Topic View screen. Example follows: