<span class="ev_code_YELLOW">IMPORTANT NOTE:

Hotlinking images is not permitted. Many websites now utilise methods to prevent hotlinking which replaces any hot linked images for offensive content, the intention to deter persons from hotlinking their images.

Posting hotlinked images may result in the poster inadvertently posting offensive content within the forums which WILL result in account suspension/ ban.

You need to ensure that your chosen avatar and signature images are stored on an Imagehost site that allows remote-linking. There are many sites on the internet that are free, and where you can store your images.
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The maximum allowed for sig pics is <span class="ev_code_BLUE">500 in width by 150 in height </span> for all images combined (i.e. all images that you use have to fit in a 500 x 150 box). The maximum file size should be no more than <span class="ev_code_BLUE">60kb</span>.
You can use up to <span class="ev_code_BLUE">4</span> lines of text, including spaces (each line no more than 80 characters in length).
Avatars should be no more than <span class="ev_code_BLUE">15kb</span> in file size. If you visit other forums and their guidelines are smaller, I suggest you go with their's to avoid problems.

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">IMPORTANT - AVATAR RESIZING</span>
The Forum software automatically resizes the Avatar's to <span class="ev_code_BLUE">64 x 64 pixels</span>
However the bytes remain the same as the original size.
It is very important that you stick to <span class="ev_code_BLUE">15kb</span> and ensure that before you set your avatar that it doesn't exceed the dimensions and size set out above.
There is another reason why this needs to be enforced.
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">If the link to the avatar doesn't work - the Forum software doesn't resize it - messing up the thread layout</span>
I appreciate your cooperation on this.


ADDING SIGNATURE AND AVATARS

To place a picture in your signature do the following:

1. Click <span class="ev_code_BLUE">GO</span> drop down menu followed by <span class="ev_code_BLUE">My Space</span> then <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Profile</span> (1.)



2. Click <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Edit Profile</span> then scroll down to the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Signature</span> section and place the URL of the pic you want to use in the white Edit Box (3.) It must look like this:
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">[ IMG ] URL to Imagehost NOT to your Hard drive [ /IMG ]</span> taking out all spaces.



3. To add an Avatar, do step 1, but after clicking <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Edit Profile</span> scroll down to the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Avatar / Picture URL </span>section and click on <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Edit</span> (2.)
A window will pop up which looks like this:



4. Make sure you select <span class="ev_code_BLUE">URL for your Custom Avatar</span> (4.) and NOT <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Upload Custom Avatar</span> or else you'll get a Permissions Error.

5. Click on the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Select This One</span> and your image will appear where (5.) is.
After a few seconds, you'll get a confirmation that your avatar has been updated successfully.

6. If you are unsure how to accomplish the above, or are having problems, please PT someone and get help.

PRIVATE MESSAGES

To Private Message someone, do the following:

Click the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">GO</span> drop down menu followed by <span class="ev_code_BLUE">My Space</span> then <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Private Messaging</span>

Click the<span class="ev_code_BLUE"> New Private Message</span> Button and a window will pop up.
Highlight a username in the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Left Column</span> then click on the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Add >></span> Button.
The selected username will now appear in the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Right Column</span>

Click on the <span class="ev_code_BLUE">Invite Members</span> Button to initiate the Private Message.

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">NO ADDING TEXT TO YOUR AVATAR TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE A CUSTOM TITLE!</span>

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">IMPORTANT ALL READ!!!</span>
Avatars & Sigs; Keep them clean and appropriate. Determination of what is clean and/or appropriate is at the sole discretion of the admins and mods. Violators will not be warned and will be banned. Consider this your first and final warning. If you think your sig or avatar may be inappropriate, it probably is, so don't risk a ban over it. This will be strictly enforced, regardless of who the perpetrator is.

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">NOTE:</span> The Sig and Avatar threads on all UBI forums are monitored. Anyone caught trying to increase their post count on the sly by spamming the test threads of several different forums will be noticed.

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">IMAGE FORMATS </span>Please use Image Formats: *.JPEG or *.PNG.
These are smaller in size than *.BMP.
So if you are using a *.BMP Signature, please change it to *.JPEG or *.PNG.
Doing so will speed up page loads.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation

I would like to pass my thanks to Moderators FCY & Bitebug for their work in creating the above