The Next Level Forum FAQ

Here you can find answers to questions about how the board works. Use the links or search box below to find your way around.

Why should I register?

Reading the forum without being a registered user is like looking at the world go by behind a two-way mirror. It makes as much sense as playing nothing but full-motion-video Sega CD games. Sooner or later, you'll want to climb in and get your hands dirty. Registration is free and allows you to do the following:
  • Reply to topics with your own avatar and signature
  • Post your own topics
  • Receive instant, daily, or weekly e-mail notification of new replies to threads you specify
  • Send and receive private messages to/from other members
  • Set up a buddy list to quickly see which of your friends are currently online
  • Set up an ignore list to block out members that annoy you

What information will I need to provide?

To register, you will need to specify a user name, password, and a valid e-mail address. You will receive an automated e-mail, usually within seconds, with the activation link you need to click to become a full member. If the forum will not accept your e-mail address, it is likely that you have already tried to register with it, so contact an administrator using the link found at the bottom of each page.

How safe is my e-mail address?

The Next Level will not reveal your e-mail address to anyone else without your permission, and any messages you send via the forum will keep your address hidden from the recipient.

Do I need to have cookies enabled?

No, but cookies log you in automatically and keep track of what topics you have not yet read, so you may want to use them for the sake of convenience unless you share your computer with someone that might not be trustworthy. You can change your cookie settings on the user control panel after you register.

How do I clear my cookies?

You can clear all your cookies with a simple click. If you return to the main index page via the link provided and you are still logged in, you may have to delete your cookies manually using your browser. If cookies are keeping topics marked as unread that you do not want to read, you may use the "Mark Forums Read" link in the Quick Links menu near the top of the page for a fresh start; otherwise, unread topics will be marked as read after about a week.

Please note that if you use your browser's Back button, you may have to refresh the page to update the display.

What is the User CP?

The User CP (Control Panel) is accessible at the top right of every forum page and allows you to adjust various settings related to your profile and the way the forum is displayed for you.

How can I change the information in my profile?

You can change everything but your user name via the User CP. Please make sure to keep your e-mail address current as a means to contact you if there is a problem with your account.

What is the signature for?

You can set certain text and/or images to appear after each of your posts. You choose whether it will appear all the time or only for some replies.

Signatures may contain no more than five lines of text and one row of images 128 pixels high. No single image can be more than 600 pixels wide or 100 kilobytes in size. We may remove any image deemed to be disruptive or inappropriate.

You can create, set, and edit your signature (or block all signatures for more work-friendly browsing) via the User CP.

I lost my password. What can I do?

If you do not have your password, click on the "Forgotten Your Password?" link on any page that requires you to fill it in. You will need to enter the e-mail address associated with your profile (usually the address you used during registration) so your password can be reset. If you can no longer receive mail at that address, contact an administrator via the link at the bottom of any forum page for help.

The e-mail with instructions on how to reset your password should arrive within a few minutes. If it does not, make sure your spam filter is set to allow mail from the-nextlevel.com.

How do I add a custom status to my profile?

A "status" line appears alongside your name and avatar in every post. There are default statuses that change with milestones in your post count (currently, the last update is applied with your 20,000th post). You can add a custom status at registration or via the User CP any time afterward. Note that forum staff may override your custom status at their discretion.

How do I get a picture (avatar) under my user name?

The image displayed below your user name on all your posts is called an avatar and can be uploaded via the User CP. Pick an image you like that is no larger than 160 pixels wide by 100 pixels high and no more than 32 kilobytes in file size. As with signatures, The Next Level staff may remove any avatars ruled disruptive or inappropriate.

You can block all avatars from displaying via the User CP.

What are the buddy and ignore lists?

The buddy list can be opened in the User CP or via the Quick Links menu near the top of the page. Add user names to the list to easily track which of your friends are online. The buddy list also allows you to send private messages (PMs) to one or more buddies at a time. You may add any member of the forums to your buddy list through his profile page or in the User CP.

Ignore lists - set via the User CP - are used for those people whose messages you wish not to read. As long as someone is on your ignore list, his messages will be hidden to you.

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