'Probie' Status for New Members

[strandrijker]

My user level is "Animal" but it is not in the list here: http://forum.gateworld.net/threads/1...for-newbies%29

What does it mean?

[jelgate]

Its part of the monthly GW name change for user ranks and rep status. The standard titles won't apply for the next few days

[MsKayJ]

Newbie here. Went to the FAQ's and still can't seem to find the button that will allow me to PM someone. What am I missing? It says it's up by the Welcome box, but I sure don't see it and I'd like to think I'm at least savvy enough to PM someone Thanks in advance for any help.

[Bagpuss]

Hi!

Not being able to use Pm immediately is one of the restrictions we were forced to introduce because of the massive number of Spammers and Hackers who bombard the site.
( Some restrictions were listed in your e-mails.)

See Post 1 : Reasons for Probie Status

Post around the forum ,get past the Probie status,and you'll be able to access the rest of the Forum features.

ETA : Btw : there are two Probie stages :
Probie Status ,which restricts all new members in what they can do for a while,then Probie Rank
The Probie Rank is purely based on post count (0-25).

Some handy advice is given in this thread X-treme Guide to GateWorld for newbies,the FAQ and the other "Stickied" threads in this section.

[Ahrima]

Okay, so I should be able to post freely in a few days? Or is there something I have to do? It would be a shame if I was waiting for ever and did not know I had to do something XD

[Bagpuss]

Just find some threads of interest ,and we'll clear your posts to the forum as quickly as possible.

Can't tell you when you'll be off Probie Status ,because of the variable factors in post 1 of this thread ,but in the meantime ,we have a "Welcome" thread here that you might find fun : *Welcome New Members!

(*Posts aren't counted towards our totals in the Off Topic Chatter section,just so you know that in advance,but there are loads of games and more serious topics you might enjoy.)

[Ahrima]

Ah, I see. Thank you so much, Bagpuss, for all of your help.

~*~Long Live Anubis~*~

[Phazedout]

Greetings and saluations, since there doesn't seem to be a general introducitons thread I thought I'd pop in here and say Hi (and duly await moderator approval).

I'm Phaze (or phazedout, or phazedup or on one memorable ocassion while drink phazesidwayswithatwistoflemon). I'm a fan in the original sense of the word, a contraction of the term "fanatic) Mhy interests include Babylon 5, Terry PRatchett oh and a little ting called Stargate.

Ok I admit it's a shameless plug for Gatecast (http://gatecast.phazecast.com) where me and my long suffering co-host Mike/Jarrak break down and mst3k style Stargate. As we say, for fans, by fans. Think of us oh gateworld mods as the annoying little brother who hangs around when you're trying to watch sci fi with your older, wiser mates.

We've recorded in excess of 120 episodes at this point and recently suffered (oh ow we suffered) through sight unseen, which should be on Saturday week.

As to the probie status (see I can wander faintly back on to topic) I cannot currently edit my signature or I'd stick all the relevant information in there. Look forward to interacting with you lot about all things stargate (except infinity, we like to pretend, like Terminator 3 and Blade Trinity, that those things didn't happen).
Phaze
on the "Gatecast, for fans by fans and wouldn't happen without fands and our tireless editor, Jarrak" ID

[Nolamom]

Here's the Welcome New Members thread - for general introductions

[kiadau]

Hi all,

The mods have actually been planning this change for quite a while now, and the recent problems have prompted us to implement it now.

From now on, all new registered members will enter the forum in Probie status. This is almost identical to the previous entry-level usergroup, Basic Trainees, except their posts are automatically queued for moderator approval and they cannot create photo albums on their profile page.

ETA: They also will not have access to the profiles of others or themselves, or be able to send or receive Private Messages. And their Visitor messages will be moderated. This includes the use of signatures

'Probie' status is intended to be short-term. It is a measure to help protect our community from spammers and other abusive users, and by no means punitive.

The mods are on most hours of the day, every day, and will do their very best to approve posts from new members promptly.

New members will be automatically promoted to "Basic Trainee" when they meet a minimum threshold for posts, length of membership, Reputation. (These thresholds will not be disclosed, for obvious reasons, and may be periodically adjusted.) The moderators are also empowered to manually promote new users if they are convinced that they are "law-abiding" citizens and not spammers in disguise.

Thanks to everyone, and especially to our newest members for their patience and understanding.

This is very helpful, especially to somebody new here and to forums. I wish I had read this first. Thank you for your info.

[ColonelJack]

Ah, this explains why I can't edit my profile info. Like, adding an avatar and stuff

[SamanthaJenniferChloe]

Hello!

I just wanted to know if there is a set number of post that one needs to make or is it the time that is on the board before the Probie status gets changed.

Thanks!

[Skydiver]

There is a 'magic number' but it does change and we don't publicize it, largely because we have literally had spammers make dozens of posts trying to find it so that they can get their spammy message through. (I've literally woken up to dozens of queued posts in the hope that their one 'download porn here' message gets posted)

Probie graduation is a complex formula of several things and does vary from person to person.

We know it's a drag to be stifled in the first few days, but unfortunately we delete dozens of spammy posts a day so we have no choice.

[SamanthaJenniferChloe]

Hello!

I thank you for your response. I will just have fun posting until I get to that whatever number.

I know that moderating a message board can be rather interesting. I have moderated a board before so I know that you have to keep on your toes sometimes.

[Solidstrike]

Though it is to my disadvantage here (I want to start on the RP) but I can clearly understand why you implemented this. It certainly is an effective way of rooting spammers out.