Site Post » FAQ Update · 4:04am Dec 17th, 2012
Howdy folks!
As part of the (le epic) site redesign, we're looking at retooling the FAQ - it's showing its age a bit, especially with all of the group changes that have come out recently.
That said, we're hoping you guys can offer some questions for us to throw in there. Things that, as a user of the site (or a potential user) you might have wondered about. Current examples of forthcoming (or already present) questions include:
- How do I make an account?
- I didn’t receive my sign up email, what should I do?
- How do I create a story?
- How do I edit a story?
- What are groups, and why are they so awesome?
- Why can’t I post comments or add stories to a particular group?
While we probably won't be able to fit all suggestions into the updated list, the more you can give us the better, so we know what kind of things it would be helpful for users to know.
Also, thanks to everyone for their support and feedback throughout our updates!
Edit: Oh God Knighty broke the comments
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
Yes... why are groups awesome. Tell me. Sell groups to me.
"How do I search for groups relevant to my interests?"
I still haven't figured that out.
What is the difference between Admins, Contributors, and Regular Members in groups?
Who should I contact first about a problem within a specific group? (The Admin(s) of said group)
What is the forum, and how do I use it?
How come I get a notification about threads and when stories are added to a group, and how do I stop this?
I'll comment again later if I think of anymore. Keep up the awesome work, guys! I still love the new site layout. Have wonderful days!
620841
Hover over your username on any page, click 'groups' and there's a search bar you can use to find groups.
What does the "Revoke Submission" button do?
"How do I filter out group notifications?"
"How do I comment using mobile devices that aren't Poultron's Android?"
"Is there a mobile version? How do I access it?"
Serioisly, if there isn't a link or mention of it on the front page, at least it should be on the FAQ.
How about: Some people have profiles that look different than mine. What's going on?
I can see that as being a major source of confusion for newbies.
"What's the best way to search for a story that caters to my (obviously superior to everyone else's) interests?"
Why aren't Human(as in Humanized or Anthro) and HIE(or POE) different tags? (Seriously, this angers me.)
How do I save changes without unpublishing then republishing my chapter.
It happens. Then I have eight chapters I haven't read, but no unread chapters on the actual story when I go check.
It absolutely pisses me off when it happens.
620881 The tags are for very high-level categorisation; they aren't intended to give a lot of detail. There are many ways a story can be funny, but only one [Comedy] tag. Likewise, there are several ways a story can include humans, but only one [Human] tag.
"which pony has the best ass?"
it's applejack
620894 It's infuriating to wade through 100 HIE fics to find one humanized fic.
620835 You've got to be kidding me. I've been further even more decided to use even go need to do look more as anyone can. Can you really be far even as decided half as much to use go wish for that? My guess is that when one really been far even as decided once to use even go want, it is then that he has really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like. It’s just common sense.
620895 NO
PRAISE SUNBUTT
Here are some things I can see newcomers wondering:
How does the comment interface work, i.e. what do all those buttons do?
How do I log into the chat?
Having logged into chat, where is everyone?
What do the tags mean, exactly?
Can I track something without favoriting it?
Why do comments display starting with the newest first?
Where did all those emoticons that I keep seeing others use that aren't next to the comment box come from?
In my settings page, there seems to be an option to change the banner at the top. How, exactly, does this function?
I don't know the answer to that last one myself actually - I have no idea what the different buttons do. Does "remove" remove them from the rotation, or just the list? "Add" doesn't seem to do anything - do I need to do something specific before the selected banner is added to the rotation, has it just not shown up yet, or is this not what the button is meant to do?
620908
We do not support the Fimfiction Enhancement Suite. We officially recommend that all users uninstall this addon as it only causes issues with site functionality.
620895
That's completely off-topic and irrelevant.
But goddamnit, you're right.
620899 Yeah, I can see how that would be frustrating. I don't think tags are the answer though.
620835 Glad to see this whole, only liking posts relevant to the discussion, thing is working out.
Oh right crap I haven't contributed anything meaningful to this post yet. So um.... questions for the faq.... right. Perhaps a question addressing what all of the different tags mean? Wanderer D has helped with this some already, but it would be a nice thing to have in the faq.
I would like to know why Meta-fictions aren't allowed on here. I'm just curious. I did not send in a fic that I didn't know was a meta-fic until I got a message saying it was.
yes I did...
How about 'How do I start a new story?' or 'Where do I submit a new story?'
You have no idea how long it took me to find the darn button for adding/submitting stories when I wanted to submit my first one. And the FAQ couldn't point me in the direction I needed. I basically floundered around blindly till I found it.
620835 Aquaman, you're a butthead.
620895 You mean "Asslejack".
Also, glad to see the FAQ was improved upon. You would not believe the amount of PM's I've gotten titled "How do I create a story?"
A bbcode primer may be helpful for newer users.
Not sure if it's suggested yet: I have submited my sory for reviev, and [insert timeframe] have passed. Why haven't it been approved yet?
620914
Really? I've never had any problems with the site when I use it. Granted, I only turn it on when commenting when I want to use one of the emotes but, still.
Step-by-step guide to submitting a fic for review.
620920
What are you talking about? That's a legitimate question.
620930
Please tell me someone still has that audio file and can send it to me.
I suggest a question of "Where did the featured box go?" or "Why is the site different?" for those who have been living under a rock/ those who don't ever check the front page. You know they will appear at some point.
Well I think you should do an update on what a Meta story is.
This is from the FAQ. I submitted a story twice and was told both times it was meta. If i were to go with what this said, then my story isn't meta at all. I think you need to explain that a bit more so that new writers or current ones can understand what else the Mods determined what is and isn't meta because what I just quoted...doesn't help me that much
"How do I add custom pictures to my story or comments?"
I know that the site does not host images, and needs links from imgur or similar, but maybe an entry to clarify that for people who do not know and want to find out.
620958 I agree whole heartedly with this. I also want to know WHY they're not allowed on here. Granted, my own first story was COMPLETELY meta, but I did not know this until I sent it in. STILL THOUGH! WHY?
620949 I think Dancer has it on her soundcloud.
620966 Well meta stories can be insulting and hurt others, lets say I write a story about (insert writer here) it can be hurtful to him/her. It also has no correlation with the theme of the site which is about the show. A meta fic is also, considered to not have any story plot in it. One of my stories was deemed meta (same story I talked about) but it just said meta...when asking the mod he/she said that it had no story plot and any character could have fit in with the rest of them. That helped me more when going to a mod but I don't think that it is annoying for the mods to get a ton of notice asking them why it is meta. That is why i think you need to elaborate more on what is and isn't meta
How do I permanently filter out group notifications? Can I do it for certain groups?
How do I make the "Oldest First" comment view the default?
Also, BBCode primers.
Wait a minute... Why are the newest comments at the top?
620977 The first fic I made wasn't intentionally meta, but it soon BECAME meta. In a nutshell, it was set in the distant future where earth has been destroyed by war. One man unintentionally started a rebellion. And it was a Brony rebellion. If I was allowed to keep on writing it, I would have given my story a life of its own. My characters had back stories, at least, some of them did. I had that idea for WEEKS and when I finally wrote its first chapters, it was shot down.
Granted, I still used various elements of it in my other stories, more specifically my One shot, but I'm still disappointing that it was shot down. What I'm saying here is that, while it was a meta fic, it had a STORY! A true to life STORY that I thought was pretty good! I know you might say that "everyone thinks their idea is great" or something like that, but my characters wouldn't just be thrown into a situation from the start, I had exposition. I had a rising action. I HAD THE
DAMGOOD CLIMAX TOO! And... well I just want to know WHY!Just WHAT is a meta any way? Is it ONLY a story about a writer and his/her fantasy? Or can it be MORE? I just want to know that.
Again granted I'm probably only one of a few people who cares, but still! I hope one of the Mods sees this and helps me out.
Here's a question for the FAQ that I reckon should be mandatory for all users to read [even if there is no way to enforce it]: "What qualifies as inappropriate in terms of comments?" [How not to make completely irrelevant comments on a story page, in other words.]
I want to see / do not want to see mature stories, help!
i.imgur.com/btxd8.jpg
Why are there two different numbers on the view panel for stories?
how do i gain more security? like the ability to hide my favorites and other sensitive information. or any thing else you can say as far as security goes
"How does the 'popular stories' list work?"
620990 I agree, I hope one of the mods does see it so they can clarify more on what is and isn't meta. They need to broaden what they deem is meta so that we it gets turned down we won't have to bother them about it because it said so on the site
Where can I go to see what groups my story is placed in now? There used to be a place in your stats page that showed what groups your story was in, but now its gone. Since other people can add your story to groups I was wondering if there was a way to find them? Maybe bring that feature back? Any way I'm liking what you guys are doing with the site!
If I think of anything else I'll let you know!
Is profanity acceptable in a story rated Everyone or do I have to put a Teen/Mature rating on my story?
I remember never getting an answer to that....
621149
That'll be covered in one of the FAQ sections for sure, but I'll just answer it for you right now - any profanity should have at the very least a' teen' rating. 'Everyone' is the content level that's meant to be akin to the show itself - there's some flexibility, obviously, but I'm pretty sure swearing, even lightly or with minor profanity, would be crossing that content divide.
Okay. None of my stories contain profanity, but I was always curious about that. Thanks for answering that.
Does a character created for a specific story, never named or described, but has a large role count as an OC or Other?