Ask the Staff v8

[Alastor]

I've made a new thread for this discussion about loading speed in The Internet

So please continue the discussion here: About loading problems & other troubles with the internet.

[barrychenault]

How does one become a member of the staff? I know I haven't posted much, and I'm not even been considered for Hogsmeade. I am going to my best to become a much more active member of the forum, and I was just curious about being a member of the staff one day. Thanks!

[Alastor]

Inviting new staff members is not a regular process. Only when we think new Aurors are needed a few candidates are chosen among the Hogsmedians and invited. These choices have never been based on applications.

So there isn't much more you can do than to be a good poster and see what, if anything happens.

[barrychenault]

Thanks very much!

[freelantzer]

I noticed today when i logged in that my profile is all wonky. My background pics and even some of the pics in my albums have been changed to random pictures or designs I've never seen before. Any ideas what might've happened? I'm not very technologically savvy so any suggestions would be appreciated.


ETA:
Nevermind. It must be something wrong with my iPad. When I logged in on my laptop everything was normal.

[GrimeldaDursley]

How does one start a new social group? I was interested in starting one for Ravenclaws of Pottermore.

By the way, I like COS better than Pottermore.

[RemusLupinFan]

Originally Posted by GrimeldaDursley

How does one start a new social group? I was interested in starting one for Ravenclaws of Pottermore.

By the way, I like COS better than Pottermore.

If you go down to the bottom of the social groups page there should be a link that says "Create a new group". Then just give it a name and a short description and you're good to go.

[merrymarge]

Thanks for your recent suggestions, but I have come to accept the fact that I am not tech savvy and Pottermore site is just slow for me. I don't check it out everyday for this reason.
Are we allowed to discuss Alohomora, from Mugglenet, or is that just for the chat rooms?

[marissav119]

Is there a way to change my user name or make a new account? I don't feel comfortable using my real name anymore, but when I tried to create a new account, it was banned for being a duplicate account. I just want a more anonymous user name....

[Midnightsfire]

As someone that has sympathies with "anonymity" I can understand. However, you've given almost nothing in the way of personal info. (It's surprsing how often people give out that sort of thing.) As long as you continue to do so, I'd say you're fairly safe.

Bear in mind that allowing a person to change the user name is almost never done. (Considering how many people want such a change almost daily, and the sheer volume of people here at times, it would be impractical to say the least)

[marissav119]

Can I delete this account and start fresh? This username is linked to a multitude of other things, including a few professional sites.

[Alastor]

Originally Posted by merrymarge

Are we allowed to discuss Alohomora, from Mugglenet, or is that just for the chat rooms?

Sorry for the late reply. As it is an unofficial HP site I'm not too keen on having it in the Cloak. Do you think a social group would do?

Originally Posted by marissav119

Can I delete this account and start fresh? This username is linked to a multitude of other things, including a few professional sites.

No. You can't. Only admins can delete accounts and we don't do it. But it happens on very rare occasions that we change an user name if there is a valid reason for it. I'm sending you an owl.

[Schlubalybub]

It's not a big deal, I'm just curious, but...
Why does everyone who has been here nine years have eight stars? I only noticed when I checked yesterday, because I've been here nine years as of monday. Like I said, I'm not that bothered, more curious. And if it's because there can't be, that's fair enough

[Hes]

Originally Posted by Schlubalybub

It's not a big deal, I'm just curious, but...
Why does everyone who has been here nine years have eight stars? I only noticed when I checked yesterday, because I've been here nine years as of monday. Like I said, I'm not that bothered, more curious. And if it's because there can't be, that's fair enough

It's a task for our tech admins, who are very busy

[Schlubalybub]

OK, no probs...like I said I was only curious

Thanks for your reply

[JMUpotterfan]

How do you join groups or accept invitations?

[MerryLore]

Originally Posted by JMUpotterfan

How do you join groups or accept invitations?

Depends on the group.

In the Social Group section, click on the name of the group you're interested in joining.
Directly across from the group's name, it will either say "public group" or "invite only group."
If it says "public group" then directly above those words you should see "join group" - click that.
If it says "invite only" then directly below the name of the group, you'll see who created the group. Click on that person's name and send them a message and ask to join the group.
Their are exceptions. If it's a house (this doesn't include the Pottermore groups, though) - Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, etc., then a staff member will send you an owl with a link to join your common room once you have been sorted here.

Hope this helps!

(disclaimer - I'm not a staff member)

[SusanBones]

Thanks, MerryLore. Those are good suggestions.

Originally Posted by JMUpotterfan

How do you join groups or accept invitations?

If you are using the default skin,( Deathly Hallows UK) it can be very hard to see the "join group" option, since the words are in yellow and almost impossible to read. You can try switching to another skin so you can see the words. The option for switching the skins is located in several places, one of them being a drop down menu at the bottom of the page.

[ccollinsmith]

Originally Posted by SusanBones

The option for switching the skins is located in several places, one of them being a drop down menu at the bottom of the page.

Bottom left, to be precise. Right above "Powered by: vBulletin" (etc.)

Just about any skin other than DH: UK will make it easier to find the Join option.

[twinsrule26]

It has been noticed by a few members that when they reach their 9th year here at COS that they are not getting a 9th. star is there something wrong ?

I checked on a member/friends profile, who I know has been a member since Dec. 2002 and his profile shows him with only 6 stars instead of 9. any ideas as to whats wrong ?

ETA. I've also noticed that other members profile list them as having only 6 stars even though they have been members longer than I have, eg.joined in 2004 or earlier and thus should have 7 or 8 stars .