Frequently Asked Questions

For the most part, your posts will contain plain text, but on occasions, you may want to emphasize certain words or phrases by making them (for example) bold or italic.

Depending on the rules of the forum, you may use HTML code to produce these effects. However, more often than not, the administrator will have disabled HTML code, and opted instead to use vB Code: a special set of tags which you can use to produce the most popular text-effects. vB code has the advantage that it is very simple to use, and is immune to malicious javascripts and page layout disruption.

You may also find that the administrator has enabled smilies, which allow you to use small icons to convey emotion, and the [img] code, which allows you to add pictures to your message.

For more information about vB code, click here.

These controls allow you to quickly and easily enter vBcode into your posts and messages. To use them, simply click the appropriate buttons or select items from the lists to enter vBcode.

There are two modes available: normal and enhanced mode.

When using normal mode, pressing a button will pop-up a dialog for you to fill with text. It will then enter the text with the appropriate vB Code tags at the end of your message.

When using enhanced mode, pressing a button will insert the appropriate STARTING tag for the code, leaving you to enter text into the message area. When you have finished the text and want to close the tag, simply press the Close Current Tag button (alt+c). You may also nest tags in enhanced mode, and then use the Close All Tags button (alt+x) to close all open markup. Please note that the 'close tag' buttons only close tags that have been entered using the code buttons.

To use the clickable smilies, simply click the smiley that you want to insert into your message, or click the Show All Smilies link (if available) to access the full list of smilies.

If the administrator has enabled the Private Messaging system, registered members may send each other private messages.

Sending Private Messages

Private messages work a little like email, but are limited to registered members of this forum. You may be able to include vB Code, smilies and images in private messages that you send.

You may send a private message to a member of this forum by clicking the 'Send A Private Message' link in the private messaging section of your user control panel, or by clicking the button in a member's posts.

When you send a message, you have the option to save a copy of the message in your Sent Items folder.

Private Message Folders

By default, you will have two folders in your private message area. These are the Inbox and the Sent Items folders.

The Inbox folder contains any new messages you receive, and allows you to view all the messages you have received, along with the name of the person who sent the message to you, and the date and time the message was sent.

The Sent Items folder contains a copy of any messages that you have sent, where you have specified that you wish to keep a copy of the message for future reference.

You may create additional folders for your messages by clicking the 'Edit Folders' link.

Each folder has a set of message controls which allow you to select messages, then either move them to one of your custom folders, or delete them completely. You may also have a button which allows you to forward multiple messages from a folder to another member of the forum.

You will need to periodically delete old messages, as the administrator has probably set a limit to the number of private messages you can have in your folders. If you exceed the number of messages specified by the administrator, you will not be able to send or receive new messages until you delete some old messages.

Whenever you read a message, you will have the option to reply to the message, or forward that message to another member of the forum. You may also have the ability to forward that message to multiple members of your buddy list.

Message Tracking

When you send a new private message, you may have the option to request a read-receipt for that message. This will allow you to check whether or not a message has been read by its recipient by viewing the Private Message Tracking page.

This page is divided into two sections: unread messages and read messages.

The unread messages section shows all messages that you have sent with a read-receipt request, that have not yet been read by their recipient. The time of the last activity of the message recipient is also shown. Messages in this section can be cancelled if you decide that their contents are no longer relevant, or for any other reason. Cancelled messages can also be restored to active status if the administrator has enabled this feature.

The read messages section shows all messages you have sent with a receipt request that have been read and acknowledged by their recipient. The time that the message was read is also shown.

You may choose to end the tracking on any message you choose by selecting the message and clicking the [end tracking] button.

When you receive a message with a read-receipt request, you may have the option to read the message while denying the read-receipt request. To do this, simply click the 'deny receipt' link rather than the title of the message, if it appears.

Smilies are small graphical icons which you can insert into your messages to convey an emotion or feeling, such as a joke or embarrassment. For example, if you entered a sarcastic comment, rather than type 'that was a joke', you could simply insert the 'wink' smilie.

If you have used email or internet chat systems, you will probably be familiar with the concept of smilies already. Certain combinations of text characters are converted into smilies. For example,:) is converted into a smiling face. To understand smilie codes, tilt your head to the left and look at the text: you will see that :) represents two eyes and a smiling mouth.

For a list of the smilies currently used by this forum, click here.

On occasions, you may want to prevent the text in your message being converted into smilies. You will see a checkbox which you can select when you make a new post, which will allow you to 'Disable Smilies'.

Things that are unacceptable in a signature

• Bad/foul language and swearing.
• Personal Insults or Attacks
• Your own or anyone else’s email address (this is for your own security) or other personal contact details
• Any information on how to hack or crack or produce code with some other malicious intent.
• Content that is religious in nature
• Content that is political in nature
• Spam

Albums and Pictures

How do I use albums?

As a member, you can create Albums of images that are linked to your public profile. Albums can be created by visiting the User Control Panel, and clicking on the 'Pictures & Albums' link, and then clicking on 'Add Album'.

Each album can have a title ('Joe's Holiday to Nepal'), a description ('A bunch of photos from my recent adventure') and can be of three different types: Public, Private or Profile.

• Public albums can be viewed by anyone
• Private albums can only be viewed by site staff (moderators, administrators) and your Friends and Contacts (info)
• Profile albums are viewable only by you. However, you can use the images to customize your public profile (info)

How do I upload pictures?

Once you've created an album you can upload images to it. Simply view the album and click on 'Upload Pictures'.

You'll have the option to give each picture a caption, and to set one image as the Album cover, which will be displayed on the public profile. To delete an album or edit the title, description or album type, click on 'Edit Album'. To delete an image, or to edit a caption or change the album cover, click on 'Edit Pictures'.

All members who have access to your album images can comment on them, in a similar way to Visitor Messages (more info). You can delete any image comments from your albums, and report inappropriate messages to moderators.

When you have uploaded a picture, you can place it in your posts by using the BB code text that is displayed below the image when you view it at full size.

Posting New Messages

How do I format my posts and messages?

When posting messages you may wish to include some formatting such as bold text, italic text and underlined text.

Adding formatting to your post can be done in two ways:

• Using clickable controls similar to those found in most word processors
• Typing formatting commands in BB code

Clickable controls are available in the Standard and Enhanced WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors. The difference between these is that the standard editor will show the BB code in your message and be processed when it is displayed. The enhanced WYSIWYG editor will show your message as it will be displayed while you are typing.

To use these, simply click the button, for example the B (bold) button and then type to get bold text. Click the button again to stop using that formatting. You can also highlight text that you have already typed then click the formatting button to format existing text.

BB code is a special set of codes similar to HTML that can be used in posts to the board. To see the full list of BB code tags that can be used on this site and examples of their use, click here.

Private Messages

If the administrator has enabled the Private Messaging system, registered members may send each other private messages.

How do I send Private Messages?

Private messages work a little like email, but are limited to registered members of this forum. You may be able to include BB code, smilies and images in private messages that you send.

You may send a private message to a member of this forum by clicking the 'Send A Private Message' link in the private messaging section of your user control panel (more info), or by clicking the 'Send a Private Message' link in the drop down menu that appears in a member's posts when you click on their username.

When you send a message, you have the option to save a copy of it in your 'Sent Items' folder.

How do I work with Private Message Folders?

By default, you will have two folders in your private message area. These are the 'Inbox' and the 'Sent' Items folders.

The 'Inbox' folder contains any new messages you receive. It allows you to view all the messages you have received, along with the name of the person who sent it, and the date and time it was sent.

The 'Sent Items' folder contains a copy of any messages that you have sent, where you have specified that you wish to keep a copy for future reference.

You can create additional folders for your messages by clicking the 'Edit Folders' link.

Each folder has a set of message controls which allow you to select messages, then either move them to one of your custom folders, or delete them. Once you have selected your messages, you can choose the following options in the 'Selected Messages' box at the bottom of the list:

• Move to Folder
• Delete
• Mark as Read
• Mark as Unread
• Download as XML
• Download as CSV
• Download as TEXT

You will need to periodically delete old messages, as the administrator has probably set a limit to the number of private messages you can have in your folders. If you exceed this number, you will not be able to send or receive new messages until you delete some old ones.

If you would like to keep a record of your messages before you delete them, you can use any of the 'Download as..' options listed above to take a copy and store them on your own computer.

Whenever you read a message, you will have the option to reply or forward it to another member of the forum. You may also have the ability to forward that message to multiple members of your contact list.

How do I track messages?

When you send a new private message, you may have the option to request a read-receipt. This lets you check whether or not a message has been read by its recipient. To do this, go to the 'Message Tracking' page.

This page is divided into two sections: unread and read messages.

The unread messages section shows all messages that you have sent with a read-receipt request, that have not yet been read by their recipient.

The read messages section shows all messages you have sent with a receipt request that have been read and acknowledged by their recipient. The time that the message was read is also shown.

You may choose to end the tracking on any message you choose by selecting it and clicking the 'End Tracking' button.

When you receive a message with a read-receipt request, you may have the option to read the message while denying the read-receipt request. To do this, simply click the 'Deny Receipt' link rather than the title of the message, if it appears.

Editing a Post

It is appropriate to edit a post to add formatting tags ([code]) where they could sensibly be used e.g. the user has posted a lot of code without using tags. Just fill in the “edit reason” for the post if you do this and the user will receive an automated PM.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove formatting tags ([b], [i]) where they have been used inappropriately. Just fill in the “edit reason” for the post if you do this.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove any bad/foul language; the words should be asterisked out. Depending on the severity and frequency of the bad/foul language you could consider deleting the entire post. Also depending on severity anything from an “edit reason” to a post or PM to a ban may be required. If you are unsure contact an Administrator or fellow moderator for advice.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove a link to a site that is not allowed. It is suggested that you just fill in the “edit reason” for the post if you do this unless there is an excessive number of links in which case stronger action may be needed.

It is appropriate to edit a post to remove an email address. Just fill in the “edit reason” for the post or alternatively PM the user telling them why posting their email address is a bad idea.

What is an Insight Article

You will find below an outline of the ideal structure of a Insight article ...

• There is no minimum size for an article as long as it conforms to the guidelines


• When you post an Article the copyright for the work remains with you, but by posting it you are implicitly giving Bytes.com permission to use the material and display it on the site.

Comment Posting Guidelines

A post that does not conform to standard posting guidelines will be deleted. Any poster who repeatedly breaks the guidelines will be subject to the following punishments (in order) from an Administrator, site Moderator or Moderator: a warning, a temporary site ban, a permanent site ban.

1. The content of a comment should be related to the Article it is made in reply to. This content may be a critique of the article, an indication of how useful the article was (or wasn't) or a note on the technical content of the article.
2. Comments should be fairly succinct, e.g. a few sentences, 1 or 2 short paragraphs.
3. Comments are subject to the normal posting guidelines in that they must
   • Use clear English
   • Not use leet or text speak
   • Not be in all capitals (it is considered to be shouting)
   • Not be in all bold or all italic
4. Comments are subject to the normal posting guidelines in that they may not contain
   • Foul language
   • Personal attacks
   • Email addresses
   • Political content
   • Religious content
   • Links to sites with inappropriate content
   • Information on the production or procurement of malicious code
5. If you feel that a posted article violates any of these guidelines (including copyright infringement) please DO NOT post a comment; contact an Administrator.

How to format your Articles and Posts

BB code is a special set of codes similar to HTML that can be used in posts to the board. To see the full list of BB code tags that can be used on this site and examples of their use, click here.

Insight Posting Guidelines

An article that does not conform to these points is likely to be moved to Writers Corner. Once there you will be given a chance to correct your article and once it reaches an acceptable form it will be moved back into the Insight Articles section it was intended for.

The following are some clear guidelines on submitting new articles etc. to the "Insights" section

These guidelines clearly outline what is expected from new submissions to this area.

3. The types of articles suitable for the Insights section are those that inform members (and guests) on:

• general procedural instructions on a language - How to approach something
• valuable coding tips with accompanying text
• useful procedures and functions with background and textual commentary
• general algorithms giving clear explanation of the algorithm approach and including “cost”. These should preferably use pseudo code as they are cross platform
• other useful articles to the developer

4. All articles can be reviewed at any time and if it is felt that further work is required then please contact a moderator with the changes you wish to make

5. Articles should be clearly formatted to make them more readable to the user and should be checked for grammar and spelling.

6. Titles should clearly indicate the content of the article and contain any keywords that would normally be used to find such an article when searching the web.

7. The Article must not plagiarize any other source.

8. The Article must be factually correct.

9. The Article must be written in good clear English.

10. The Article must be laid out well with appropriate use of text formatting such as bold and italics.

11. All code in an Article must be within code tags ( [code] ... [/code] ).

12. The Article must list any reference materials the author used in writing them.

13. Articles are subject to the normal posting guidelines in that they may not contain
    • Foul language
    • Personal attacks
    • Email addresses
    • Political content
    • Religious content
    • Links to sites with inappropriate content or to competing forums
    • Information on the production or procurement of malicious code

If you see an article on this site that breaks point 7 then in the first instance please contact an Administrator.

Code of Conduct - For Moderators and Administrators

An important part of the success of the scripts are the moderators and the image and attitude they project. This code of conduct describes this attitude so that it may be more uniformly projected by the moderation team.

Be Patient

Try to be patient, yes sometimes it is necessary to step an OP through what an expert would consider a trivial problem. Losing your patience with a member is never constructive and could be very off-putting for other members and guests.

Be Responsible

Always remember you are responsible for how this site is viewed and perceived by other members and guests. Consider how your remarks will be interpreted before you make them. Try to make sure the message you convey is the one you intend.

Be Formal

If one is available use a standardised formal response to any given situation requiring moderation. Several of these available in the Guidelines to Moderators, more can be provided on request. Feel free to make up your own, but keep the code of conduct and posting guidelines in mind when doing so.

This formality standardises the responses of the moderators to similar situations and helps to provide a united front to the members.

Be Courteous/Respectful

Even under time pressure, courtesy costs little and impresses people a lot. It's not about whether working with the person is easy or difficult; it's about setting the right tone. Try not to use an elitist tone.

Set a good example

Behave in the manner you expect other members to behave in. If you want them to be calm, then stay calm yourself. If you want them to be courteous and friendly, be courteous and friendly. Follow the posting guidelines.

The habitual behavior of members on this site is the most powerful influence on newbies arriving on the site. You will soon find that new members will generally follow the tone and behaviour they find in other threads in the forum.

How to ask a question

• Post your question in a relevant forum
• Make sure you are not posting in an Insights section
• Give the relevant Platform, OS and Version information
• Give as much detail as possible When you post a question or problem, express the situation clearly and concisely and include all relevant information, code used, data used, result expected, result achieved and any error codes or messages that you get as a result.
• Use Clear English to write your question in if possible, try to avoid using abbreviations
• Do not make duplicate posts or bump your thread to get attention.
• Make use of the available formatting tags in the forum Use CODE tags around your code unless you are posting a single line of code in which case it is acceptable to omit them:
  • [code]..code goes here..[/code]
  • NOTE: You can also use the icon with '#' on the reply window.
• Do not ask people to reply by email or follow up answers with a PM
• Please don't say that a problem is urgent. To get a solution quicker make sure you put effort into the question.
• Please try to read your own post after you've posted it. If you can't make any sense of it, it's a fair bet that our experts will struggle and waste time just trying to understand what you're trying to say. Also, if you get bored when you're half-way through reading it because it rambles on endlessly, how will our experts fare?
• If you wish to post a question do not post it in a discussion created by someone else unless it is about exactly the same problem. Please start a new discussion.

How to Respond to a Question

• Post your question in a relevant forum
• Make sure you are not posting in an Insights section
• Give the relevant Platform, OS and Version information
• Give as much detail as possible When you post a question or problem, express the situation clearly and concisely and include all relevant information, code used, data used, result expected, result achieved and any error codes or messages that you get as a result.
• Use Clear English to write your question in if possible, try to avoid using abbreviations
• Do not make duplicate posts or bump your thread to get attention.
• Make use of the available formatting tags in the forum Use CODE tags around your code unless you are posting a single line of code in which case it is acceptable to omit them:
  • [code]..code goes here..[/code]
  • NOTE: You can also use the icon with '#' on the reply window.
• Do not ask people to reply by email or follow up answers with a PM
• Please don't say that a problem is urgent. To get a solution quicker make sure you put effort into the question.
• Please try to read your own post after you've posted it. If you can't make any sense of it, it's a fair bet that our experts will struggle and waste time just trying to understand what you're trying to say. Also, if you get bored when you're half-way through reading it because it rambles on endlessly, how will our experts fare?
• If you wish to post a question do not post it in a discussion created by someone else unless it is about exactly the same problem. Please start a new discussion.

Deleting a Thread

• All deletes are soft deletes
• Threads should be deleted when the question doesn't comply with site standards
• When deleting a thread please fill in the "Reason for Deletion" textbox.

• Send me the full codes questions
• Threads, where the question or Insight is unintelligible
It's ridden with
• Really bad spelling, that a quick edit couldn't fix
• Lack of any kind of details
• Vague questions, where the expert has to continuously ask for more details
• Really bad grammar and punctuation, makes the thread incomprehensible
• Profanity, cursing, YELLING
• spamming, promoting commercial products
• off-topic

Things that are generally unacceptable

• Bad/foul language and swearing.
• Posting duplicate questions. Also known as flooding the forums. ( "What is Flooding?" )
• Bumping your thread by posting a reply to move it up the list.
• Posting your own or anyone else’s email address (this is for your own security)
• Posting links to a site that contains inappropriate content or content that would break the posting guidelines if posted directly on Bytes. Specifically but not limited to sites that contain excessive bad/foul langauge, sexually explicit content, gambling or content that resorts to harrasment of individuals or groups of individuals.
• Using inapproprate formatting such as all bold and/or italic posts. These are meant for placing emphasis on specific bits of your post not the entire message.
• Using capital letters for your entire post. Use of capitals is generally considered to be shouting and therefore rather rude.
• Posts containing any information or questions on how to hack or crack or produce code with some other malicious intent. Note however that security topics whose intent is generally not malicious but rather is discussing methods of improving security are allowed.
• Posting an attachment that contains binary code (raw or zipped) of any nature. There is no need to post or attach anything other than source code which should generally be text
• Posting Spam (see "What is Spam?")