General Questions

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  1. *Emoticons*

    All those little images that are used on the site.

  2. A 'How-to' StoryWrite List

    A list containing Columns on Emoticons, Chatterbox Policy and other Site Hints

  3. An Overview of Chatterbox Policy

    Chatterbox Policy

  4. Do we get points for comments?

    YES!

    However, you only get them when the owner of the story rates your comment. You get 4-10 points for 2-5 rating stars (two per star), and no points for 1 star.

    Only stories are eligible to get points. If you've already gotten rating points for a comment, you won't get more for a second comment on the same item.

    You also get bonus points for commenting on a story in the featured box, in the lower right section of the screen.

  5. How do I find my way around the site?

    There are three main navigation areas: 1) The top of page navigation, 2) the top of sidebar (right side of page), 3) the bottom of sidebar, and 4) the bottom of page links



    1. Top of page navigation: Links to the main 'sections' of the site. Stories lets you browse stories. Contests lets you browse and enter contests run by fellow site members. Groups are writing groups that help people exchange critiques. Forums are a place to get to know your fellow users. Click the Storywrite logo to go back to the start, 'overview' page of the site.

    2. Top of the Sidebar: These are links relevant to the current "section" of the site you are in. Sometimes they'll have other headings too, like "Group Options".

    3. Bottom of the Sidebar: Things that are always there, like our messaging system and featured stories. The chatterbox is a place where you can talk with other people currently on the site. "Send message to" lets you send an instant message to another user on the site. "Show online" show or hides the list of other users currently on the site. "Browse Categories" lets you browse stories on a certain topic from anywhere on the site.

    4. Bottom of page links. Useful links like "Content Complaint"- a method to alert moderators that a page has inappropriate content, our chatroom, a 'random' link to a random story, and our terms of use that all members agree to by joining and using the site.

    Storywrite is a big place, and it's easy to feel lost! Hang in there, ask for help from a moderator or fellow poet online, and read our help sections. Each main page has a green question mark along the right edge, or click Help along the top of the page.

  6. How do I send someone a message?

    Storywrite has a messaging system we call Instant Messages, that let you talk with your friends whether or not they are online.
    • Start with the person's name you want to send a message to.
    • If they are one of your friends, you can choose → Show online, then → Show offline friends if they're not online currently.
    • Hover your mouse over the name. A box should appear below it - choose 'send message'.

    • The user's name will then appear in the box under Send message to.
    • Type your message in the box below it, then hit <tab> + <enter>, or click Send Message

    • The area around the Send message to line will update, saying that the message was sent, and showing you any new messages from others.
    • Hint: You can click the user's name directly, which will (on most pages) visit their author profile. On some pages (like your Messages page), it will start a message to them. Try it!

  7. I can't login

    Our site requires that you have a fairly new internet browser. Internet explorer version 6, Firefox, Safarai, and most ‘new’ browsers are supported. Internet Explorer version 5 is not, nor is the version included on Macintosh (use safari instead).

    If you are unable to login, or the site doesn’t remember your login information:

    Instructions for Internet Explorer:
    • Up top in the pull-down menus (File, Edit, Tools etc.), click Tools, then ‘Internet Options’
    • This brings up a dialog with 6 tabs across the top (General, Security, Content, .......)
    • Click ‘General’ then look for ‘Temporary Internet Files’
    • Click ‘Delete Cookies’, then click ‘OK’
    • Click ‘Delete Files’, then click ‘OK’.
    • This should clear all cached pages and cookies, which can sometimes cause the problem.
    • Click the ‘Privacy’ tab along the top
    • If it is not greyed out, click ‘Default’ to reset your security settings to the default (safe) level.

  8. I want to leave the site

    Sorry to see you go! You can delete your stories from their respective "edit" pages. Once you don't have any more stories, after you don't login for 3 months, your name will be cleared up for another to use.

  9. I'm interested in becoming a moderator

    Moderators help keep storywrite moving smoothly, by making sure users are not harassing other members.

    We're going to start the moderation of storywrite slowly, and keep it as small as possible.

    If you're interested, please contact us, and let us know why you'd be a good moderator, and any relevant experience you have.

  10. Javascript Problems

    Javascript is a useful part of the Internet, and lets websites do neat things, like start an instant message when you click someone's name, or quickly add a comment without refreshing the page. They can sometimes be annoying (popup windows, which we don't have), but are not dangerous.

    Storywrite requires javascript. To enable your javascript in Internet Explorer:
    1. Click Tools, then Internet Options.
    2. Click 'Security' from the tabs along the top.

    3. Click "Default Level"

  11. No Spamming in the Chatterbox

    Requests asking for others to read your latest work in the chatterbox is not allowed.

    It's fine to discuss your latest piece and any difficulties you had on it, etc, but please be careful not to spam other users of the chatterbox.

  12. Paid memberships

    Storywrite is a free site with optional paid memberships. Please click the 'Store' link above for more info about our membership options.

    There will always be a free membership, which will include at least the ability to add stories, and add and receive comments.

  13. Something is broken!

    Please post in the ‘site suggestions’ board with the error message you received, and we’ll get right on it!

    We also automatically record errors as they happen, so will probably notice anyway.

  14. Staying logged in (Cookie Problems)

    If you got sent here after trying to log in, most likely your cookies are disabled.

    Cookies let us remember who you are from page to page. This scares some people, because they aren't truly anonymous. But you aren't anonymous anyways, as we can tell your IP address, and cookies don't tell us any more information anyways. Cookies are not something to be afraid of, and if you are, you should read more until you are convinced otherwise. If you are still nervous, you can read our privacy policy.

    Storywrite requires cookies. To enable your cookies on Internet Explorer:
    1. Click Tools, then Internet Options.

    2. Choose Privacy from the tabs along the top.
    3. Move the slider to "Medium".

  15. What are our policies?

    Using the site means you agree to the terms of use. Our privacy policy promises not to share your email with anyone.

  16. What is the chatterbox? How do I use it?

    The chatterbox is a way to chat with the other authors currently on storywrite.

    There are actually two versions:
    1. If you have Flash 8 installed, you will see a version that automatically updates when others say something. Just type in the box, then press <enter> - your message should appear!

    2. If you do not have Flash 8 installed, it will update the area above the Send message to prompt each time you change pages or send a message. To send a message, enter 'chat' in the Send message to field, and your message in the box below it.

  17. When I write a comment, it just dissapears until I reload the page

    Our new site is suppoesd to show you the new comment immediately above or below the form that you are writing it on.

    This appears to be having some issues for some users. Please make sure you have javascript enabled, then let us know that you're having trouble. Please include what web browser you are using, and if you see an exclamation point in the very bottom corner of your browser. We're trying to fix it as fast as possible, and sorry that you were affected.

    18. → Back to the top of the page