Using Mibba's Forums

Navigating the Forums

Mibba's forums can be accessed by clicking the Forums tab found at the top of every page.

Mibba forums tab

This will bring you to the forums overview page, which lists all of Mibba's boards and links to the three most recently updated threads on that board. Click a board name (1) to be brought to that board or a thread title (2) to be brought to the most recent unread post in that thread.

Forums overview page

Board pages show all the threads (3) posted to that board in order of most recently updated. Special threads are sticky'd to the top of the page (4) and will always be at the top of the first page no matter when they were last posted in. Sticky'd threads usually either contain important information or are frequently used or otherwise important on the board.

Board page

Board pages show the title of a thread (5), the user who created the thread and their avatar (6), links to the last two pages of the thread (assuming the thread has at least two pages) (7), the user who last posted in the thread (8), and how long ago the thread was posted in (9).

A page icon (10) will appear in the upper right corner of a thread's information if you have viewed the thread, and if you've posted in a thread, a message icon will appear (11).

Thread info
Thread icons

Other icons that appear on board pages are the star (12) which indicates a thread has been sticky'd and the padlock (13) which indicates a thread has been locked. Locked threads cannot be posted in. Usually threads are locked either because they break a rule or because no further discussion on the topic is needed or allowed. On the General and Music board, threads are locked after they reach 200 pages; a new version of the thread may then be started.

Thread icons

The numbers at the bottom of the page can be used to navigate the board (14). Each page of the board shows twenty threads in order of most recently updated. The page you are currently on is highlighted (15).

Page navigation

When you click the title of a thread, you will be brought to the most recent unread post on the thread. (If you've never viewed a thread, you'll be brought to the first post.) Posts are listed in chronological order from top to bottom (ie, the first post made is always at the top of page one). The content of the post (16) is followed by the timestamp (17) and the user's signature (18) if they have one. To the right of the post you'll find information about the user who made the post (19) including their username, avatar, points, rank, age, location, and a link to their custom profile if they have one.

Post

As with board pages, you can navigate the pages of a thread with the numbers found at the bottom of every page.

At the top and bottom of every page of the boards you will find "breadcrumbs" showing your location and linking to the first page of the thread you're in (if you're in one) (20), the board you're on (if you're on one) (21), the forums overview page (22) and Mibba's homepage (23).

Breadcrumbs

Posts

Making a Post

Type the content of your post in the reply box found at the bottom of every page of every thread that isn't locked (1). Use the Preview button (2) if you'd like to check any formatting (read more about formatting your posts under BBcode and Post Design) and the Submit button (3) to add your post to the thread.

Making a post.

Remember that your post must abide by Mibba's rules for the forums. Proper spelling and grammar must be used, spam/off-topic posts are not allowed, and all posts must be respectful. Read more about Mibba's bashing and public ridicule rule here.

If you are posting in a game or swap thread, check the first post for the rules of the thread before posting. If you are posting on the Role-Playing board, Society or Life boards, or Group Stories board, first check their rules, which are different than those of the rest of the forums.

Replying to a User

To reply to another user, press the Reply button at the bottom of their post (1). (It should show up when you hover over the post.) "@ [username]" will be automatically inserted into your post (2) and the user will be tagged. When a user is tagged in a post, they receive an alert that links them to your post.

Replying to a user 1
Replying to a user 2.

Deleting the text "@ [username]" (2) will not untag the user; to do that, click the "x" beside their username that appears above your post (3). Likewise, simply typing "@ [username]" does not tag a user; you must use the reply button or they will not receive an alert.

Quoting a User

To quote a user's post, click the Quote button at the bottom of the post (1). (It should show up when you hover over the post.) The quote BBcode will be automatically added to your post with the content of the user's post (2) and the user will be tagged. When a user is tagged in a post, they receive an alert that links them to your post.

Quoting a user 1
Quoting a user

You can also create a quote in your post with BBcode. Creating a quote with BBcode will not tag the user; you must use the quote button to do that. To untag a user you quoted, click the "x" beside their username that appears above your post (3).

BBcode

BBcode can be used in your posts to change the formatting of text or insert an image, link, or YouTube video. BBcode should not be used in place of post design but rather to emphasize words or phrases (eg, [i]italics[/i], [b]bold[/b], or [u]underline[/u]). A complete guide to BBcode can be found here.

Smilies

Mibba has many smilies that can be used in your posts. The first five appear below the reply box (clicking one will insert it into your post) and the codes for the rest (107 in total!) can be accessed through the "All smilies" link. Copy the code to insert the smiley into your post; it will show up when you preview or submit the post.

Editing a Post

To edit your post, use the edit button at the bottom (1). (It should show up when you hover over the post.) Your post will now become a text box (2). Make your changes and then click the Save button (3). You can cancel the changes by clicking the Cancel button (4).

Editing a post 1
Editing a post 2

Remember to always edit your post if you have something to add rather than double post, unless a significant amount of time has passed since your last post or if your posts are about different topics. Generally, it's preferable to separate different parts of your post with a line than to double post, as this keeps the boards neater.

It's also important to edit your post if you post in a request thread (like the Request a Layout thread) and your request has been filled or you no longer need what you requested.

Deleting a Post

Users cannot delete their own posts. If your computer submits the same post multiple times, or you accidentally post in the wrong thread, or you need a post deleted for some other reason, PM a board moderator or admin with a link to your post and an explanation of why you want it deleted. (It's better to PM board moderators about this, since dealing with the forums is our only responsibility.) You can also edit your post with an explanation (eg, "double post" or "wrong thread") rather than having it deleted.

Linking to a Post

Linking to a post

The Link button allows you to link to a specific post rather than a page in the thread. This is especially useful for reporting posts or asking for a post to be deleted. When you click the Link button, the URL in your address bar will be changed to the URL for that specific post. Copy the URL to create links that will bring others to the thread with the selected post at the top.

Post Design

Go to My Mibba >> Profile >> Post Design to change the default font, font size, and text color of your posts. These changes will be automatically applied to all your posts unless you further format the text with BBcode. Post design also applies to comments you make anywhere on the site and your private messages.

To hide post design (ie, make all text appear in the default font, size, and color of the site) go to My Mibba >> Profile >> Settings, check "Hide post design", and click "Save changes".

Signatures

Signatures are the text automatically added beneath users' posts, comments, and PMs. To create or edit your signature, go to My Mibba >> Profile >> Signature. You can use BBcode in signatures, but the codes to insert images and videos will not work as they are not allowed in signatures.

To request a signature, post in the Signature Request thread on the General board.

To hide signatures, go to My Mibba >> Profile >> Settings, check "Hide signatures", and click "Save changes".

Threads

Creating a Thread

Before making a new thread, always check to see if a similar thread already exists. (See Searching for a Post or Thread for information on doing so.) Duplicate threads (multiple threads for discussing the same topic) are not allowed on Mibba. Even if the thread you find has not been posted in for a long time, you must still post in the existing thread rather than creating a new thread for the same topic.

To create a new thread, click the New topic button found at the top of every board (1).

New topic button

There are three fields you must fill in to create a thread and one optional field: Forum (2), Title (3), Description (4), and Message (5).

New topic page

Forum (2) is the board the thread will appear on. This will automatically be set to the board on which you clicked the New topic button, which is why it's easiest to make a thread through the board you want the thread to be on. Make sure you are posting your thread on the correct board so the forums stay organized. If you're not sure where to post your thread, ask a board moderator or admin. If you post your thread on the wrong board by accident, PM a board mod or admin and ask for it to be moved.

The title (3) of your thread will appear on the board and at the top of every page of the thread. Make sure that your title reflects the topic of the thread so that it'll be easy for other users to find, and remember that decorations are not allowed in thread titles (eg, **~My Fan Fiction Role-Play :)~**). You will not be able to edit your thread's title once it is posted.

The description (4) of your thread will appear below the title of the thread on the board. It is not required, but is useful for providing extra information about your thread. You will not be able to edit your thread's description once it is posted.

The message (5) is the first post of your thread. You can use BBcode and edit this post later like any other post, but you must have the bulk of the content ready before you post the thread. (eg, you can make a thread for a writing contest with the description and add the deadline later, but you cannot make a new thread with placeholder text in the first post like "I'll fill this in when I have time.")

Make sure your thread conforms to the forum guidelines before posting it. Roleplaying threads, group story threads, and discussion board threads have special rules (found in the forum guidelines), so make sure your thread follows those if you're posting on those boards. In general, the first post of your thread should give other users the information they need to respond – so if you're starting a thread for discussion, give background information and/or ask questions; if you're creating a suggestion thread, explain your suggestion in detail; if you're starting a game thread, explain the rules of the game.

If you are making a new thread on the General board because the previous one has reached 200 pages and been locked, be sure to quote the information provided in the first post of the previous version of the thread (even "staple" threads that seem self-explanatory) so that new users will understand the purpose/rules of the thread.

Once you've filled in all the necessary information, click the Submit button (6) to post your thread.

Editing or Deleting a Thread

Users cannot delete their own threads or edit the title or description once the thread has been posted. If you need a thread edited or deleted, PM a board moderator or admin with a link to your thread and an explanation of what you wanted edited or why you want it deleted. (It's better to PM board moderators about this, since dealing with the forums is our only responsibility.)

Recommending a Thread

Recommending a thread

When you click the Recommend button for a thread, a link to the thread will show up on your info page and on your friends' My Mibba pages. You can manage your recommendation through the Recs page.

Subscribing to a Thread

Subscribing to a Thread

When you click the Subscribe button, you will receive emails when anyone posts in the thread and activity in the thread will show up on your My Mibba page.

To stop receiving emails when threads you are subscribed to are posted in, go to My Mibba >> Profile >> Notifications, uncheck "Forum topic subscriptions", and click "Save changes". Thread activity will still appear on your My Mibba page.

To unsubscribe from a thread, either go to the thread page and click the Subscribe button again or delete the thread from your Subscriptions >> Board topics page.

Finding a Post or Thread

Viewing Your Posts and Threads

If you're looking for a post or thread you made, check the bar at the top of every page of the forums:

My topics & my posts

Click My Topics (1) for a list of threads you've created and My Posts (2) for all posts you've made on the Mibba boards.

Searching for a Post or Thread

To perform a simple search, enter your keywords into the search box found at the top of every page of the forums (1) and click search (2).

Search box

To perform an advanced search, click the + button (3). On the advanced search page, you can select which board in particular you would like to search.

By default you will be shown posts that match your keyword made on the thread or board from which you searched (or selected through advanced search). To see threads with titles/descriptions that match your keyword(s), click the Topics tab (4) and, if you searched from a thread, the Forum tab (5). This will show you threads that match your search terms on the board you searched from.

Search results

To see posts or topics that match your keyword(s) on all the boards rather than only the one you searched from, click the Forums tab (6).

Posts / thread topics will be arranged with more recent posts / more recently updated threads at the top.

Reporting a Post or Thread

All posts and threads have report buttons, but at the moment these are not functional. To report a post or thread, PM a board moderator or admin with a link to the post and an explanation of why you're reporting it. Do not make a report through profile comments or other public means of communication. This is considered public ridicule and is against the rules.

You can report a post or thread for breaking the rules, but you can also report it for being in the wrong place or a double post. Users will not get in trouble for posting in the wrong place. Usually users who make this mistake don't know they've made it, so it's important for other users to let a board mod know so the mistake can be corrected and the boards kept organized.

If you see rule breaking but don't want the user to get in trouble, you should still report it. Minor rule breaking and most first time offenses do not result in a banning – staff will contact the user with a warning and an explanation of the rule that was broken so it doesn't happen again. Only severe rule breaking (eg, harassment, excessive spamming) or non-compliance from the user will result in bans.

Read more about making reports on Mibba here.

Special thanks to Emmelz Liebe for her help with this guide.

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