Why can't I log in?
Have you registered? Seriously, you must register in order to log in. Have you been banned from the board? (A message will be displayed if you have.) If so, you should contact webmaster to find out why. If you have registered and are not banned and you still cannot log in then first check and double-check your username and password. Usually this is the problem; if not, go to http://marvel.com/company/index.htm?sub=user_help.php for further help in logging in. Back to top
Why do I need to register at all?
Registration gives you access to a whole bunch of great marvel.com features including the rights to post on our message boards, blogs, and Marvel Universe, as well as read digital comics, and download wallpaper. To register click here Back to top
Why do I get logged off automatically?
If you do not check the Log me in automatically box when you log in, the board will only keep you logged in for a preset time. This prevents misuse of your account by anyone else. To stay logged in, check the box during login. This is not recommended if you access the board from a shared computer, e.g. library, internet cafe, university cluster, etc. Back to top
How do I prevent my username from appearing in the online user listings?
In your profile you will find an option Hide your online status; if you switch this on you'll only appear to board administrators or to yourself. You will be counted as a hidden user. Back to top
I've lost my password!
Don't panic! Go to http://marvel.com/company/index.htm?sub=user_help.php to retrieve your lost password. Back to top
I registered but cannot log in!
If you are having difficulty logging in go to http://marvel.com/company/index.htm?sub=user_help.php. If you are able to log-in but have not confirmed your email address, you may re-send your confirmation from your personal control panel at http://marvel.com/users/controlpanel.htm. Confirmation emails come from confirmation@marvel.com so be sure to add that to your list of trusted senders so that you can ensure the confirmation email ends up in your inbox (check with your email provider or email program documentation on how to do this). Back to top
User Preferences and settings
How do I change my settings?
Go to your personal control panel at http://marvel.com/users/controlpanel.htm. You can change your message board settings, subscribe or unsubscribe to email lists, and lots more! Back to top
The times are not correct!
The time defaults to [what is our default timezone]. You can set the local timzeone in the control panel. Back to top
How do I show an image by my username?
There may be two images by a username when viewing posts. The first is an image associated with your rank; generally these take the form of stars or blocks indicating how many posts you have made or your status on the forums. Below this is a larger image known as an avatar, which you can select from a list on your control panel. Back to top
How do I change my rank?
Your rank will change based on your level of participation on the board. You cannot change it manually. Back to top
Posting Issues
How do I post a topic in a forum?
Easy -- click the relevant button on either the forum or topic screens. You must be registered in order to post in forums. Back to top
How do I edit or delete a post?
Unless you are the board admin or forum moderator you can only edit or delete your own posts. To edit a post, click the edit button for the relevant post. If someone has already replied to the post, you will find a small piece of text output below the post when you return to the topic that lists the number of times you edited it. This will only appear if no one has replied; it also will not appear if moderators or administrators edit the post (they should leave a message saying what they altered and why). You may not delete a post once someone has replied to it. Back to top
How do I add a signature to my post?
To add a signature to a post you must first create one in your profile page. Once created you can check the Add Signature box on the posting form to add your signature. You can also add a signature by default to all your posts by checking the appropriate radio box in your profile. You can still prevent a signature being added to individual posts by un-checking the add signature box on the posting form. Back to top
How do I create a poll?
Creating a poll is easy -- when you post a new topic (or edit the first post of a topic, if you have permission) click on the 'Add Poll' button. You should enter a title for the poll and then at least two options -- to set an option type in the poll question and click the Add option button. You can also set a time limit for the poll, (0 means that the poll will have no expiration period) . There is a limit of options you can list. Back to top
How do I edit or delete a poll?
As with posts, polls can only be edited by the original poster, a moderator, or board administrator. To edit a poll, click the first post in the topic, which always has the poll associated with it. If no one has cast a vote then users can delete the poll or edit any poll option. However, if people have already placed votes only moderators or administrators can edit or delete it; this is to prevent people rigging polls by changing options mid-way through a poll Back to top
Why can't I access a forum?
Some forums may be limited to certain users or groups. To view, read, post, etc. you may need special authorization which only the forum moderator and board administrator can grant. Contact a moderator or administrator via PM or email [moderation email] if you have questions about a specific forum. Back to top
Why can't I vote in polls?
Only registered users can vote in polls to prevent spoofing of results. If you have registered and still cannot vote then you probably do not have appropriate access rights. Contact a moderator or administrator via PM or email [moderation email] if you have questions about a specific poll. Back to top
Formatting and Topic Types
What is BBCode?
BBCode is a special implementation of HTML. You can also disable it on a per post basis from the posting form. BBCode itself is similar in style to HTML: tags are enclosed in square braces [ and ] rather than < and > and it offers greater control over what and how something is displayed. For more information on BBCode see the guide which can be accessed from the posting page. Back to top
What are Smileys?
Smileys, or Emoticons, are small graphical images which can be used to express some feeling using a short code, e.g. :) means happy, :( means sad. The full list of emoticons can be seen when you enter or edit a post. Try not to overuse smileys, though, as they can quickly render a post unreadable and a moderator may decide to edit them out or remove the post altogether. Back to top
What are Announcements?
Announcements often contain important information and you should read them as soon as possible. Announcements appear at the top of every page in the forum to which they are posted. Back to top
What are Sticky topics?
Sticky topics appear below any announcements in view forum and only on the first page. They are often quite important so you should read them where possible. As with announcements the board administrator determines what permissions are required to post sticky topics in each forum. Back to top
What are Nuked topics?
Nuked topics are set this way by either the forum moderator or board administrator. You cannot reply to locked topics and any poll contained inside is automatically ended. Topics may be 'nuked' for any number of reasons. Back to top
User Levels and Groups
What are Administrators?
Administrators are people assigned the highest level of control over the entire board. These people can control all facets of board operation which include setting permissions, banning users, creating usergroups or moderators, etc. They also have full moderator capabilities in all the forums. Back to top
What are Moderators?
The moderators of the Marvel.com forums are comprised of Marvel Entertainment employees as well as a dedicated group of volunteers who help ensure that participation in our message boards are a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone who comes here. Moderators have the power to edit and delete posts, lock, unlock, and move threads, and in some cases block and ban users. Moderators will always privately message you prior to Moderators decisions are generally final, but if you feel a moderator has sanctioned you inappropriately, you may email [moderation email] and we examine the record. Back to top
Private Messaging
I cannot send private messages!
There are three reasons for this; you are not registered and/or not logged on, the board administrator has disabled private messaging for the entire board, or the board administrator has prevented you individually from sending messages. If it is the latter case message a moderator and ask them why. Back to top
I keep getting unwanted private messages!
In the future we will be adding an ignore list to the private messaging system. For now, though, if you keep receiving unwanted private messages from someone, inform the board administrator -- they have the power to prevent a user from sending private messages at all. Back to top
I have received a spamming or abusive email from someone on this board!
We are sorry to hear that. The email form feature of this board includes safeguards to try to track users who send such posts. You should message the board moderator with a full copy of the email you received indluding the full headers (these list details of the user that sent the email). They can then take action. Back to top
