Castaways is a Forum with no equal. A Forum that sets the level to which all others should, and in time, MUST, strive to attain, with most falling short since they will care little about, at least from my perspective and experience on several other Forums, the general membership. Such Forums seem to be under the belief that the members are there for their benefit, which is completely untrue,
any Forum is a service provided for those who frequent them. Something that We are well aware of, and have not forgotten, and so long as I am able to continue making the base post for the monthly introductions,
We will not forget!Now, We're not perfect, We still make mistakes, some days more than others, learning each time. Will We, the Staff, ever achieve perfection...probably not (though We do have one member,
andydufresne, who may attain such eventually.....Hiya AD
), but We still continue to strive for making
Castaways Forum and your experiences here enjoyable and entertaining.
We have a few Rules, but nothing that is really out of the ordinary from most other Forums:
*
Policy And Practice -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,291.0.html*
Forum Rules -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,287.0.html*
Objectionable Content -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,6.0.html*
Banned File Hosts -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,14601.0.html*
Banned Pic Host Sites -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,3025.0.htmlIdeally, for hosting of pictures, We'd like you to use one of Our Host Sites.
By doing so you can actually have a role in supporting the Forum!*
Castaways Image Host -
http://www.castawayimage.com/index.php*
UpIt-DownIt All In One File Host -
http://upit-downit.com/index.php*
Pixoplenty Image Host (please refrain from using for adult pictures on this Site, any found on it will be deleted) -
http://pixoplenty.com/index.phpSo bookmark it and use frequently...a few other Forums are now allowing it as well.
Also, if you truly appreciate and enjoy what
Castaways offers, and want to contribute to it in another manner, we have made it possible for you to make a financial Donation to the running and upkeep of the Board. This is
not, I repeat
NOT a requirement, just wanted to make it possible for those who felt the desire to give something back. There is an upside to Donating as well: 1) you will receive a "badge" indicating your status as a Donator; and 2) you will also be granted VIP status. This is just our small way of showing our appreciating to those that make it possible to keeping this place running somewhat smoothly.
If you have never been required to post an Introduction before, know that We do this to minimize the likes of Bots and other automated entities. For an idea as to what We are looking for in the ways of an Introductory Post you have a couple of options:
*Read through any previous month to see what is acceptable and what is not; or
*
Read the Guideline To Making An Introduction -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,8.0.htmlAnd while We would prefer it if you would post an Introduction in your own words, We have allowed 'copy & paste' of the Sample I have in the Guideline, however everytime someone does a 'c&p', I get a point of Mana (at least I am supposed to).
Unacceptable Introductions (such as Hi, Hello, or anything in a similar vein that qualifies as a greeting) will be deleted (and on this subject, I am a bit of an asshole when it comes to enforcement of what constitutes a satisfactory and legitimate Introduction), requiring the failed Introductee to post a new Introduction, hopefully getting it right the second time....We have had a few that are apparently unable to get it right even after multiple attempts.
Now We don't expect any new members to immediate start adding to the content, though when it does happen it is always appreciated. We have alternative methods that you are more than welcome to partake in regarding making a contribution to the overall Board:
*
Tiki Trivia -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/board,197.0.html*
Chat Room - yes, you read correctly, Castaways has it's very own Chat Room which is open to all members, regardless of post count
Now for those that have never attempted to upload and post pictures or videos on a Forum, We have two threads that should be able to make such an endeavor easier for you:
*
Poster's Guide -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,404.0.html*
How To Make A Screencap -
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/topic,409.0.htmlIf you are still having problems with such, do not hesitate to message a Mod or two for assistance, there is almost always one online at any given time of the day or night.
A major hangup for the majority of Forums is the issue of "reposts". Well that is something you need not concern yourself with here. With the relatively short lifespan of download links these days, what with reporters and time limits and everything else that results in dead links, here you are more than welcome to make your own post of something that may already exist! Here they are
Mirrors, all we ask is that you first search to see if what you want to add is already present, and if so then please post in the same thread/topic. If your subject isn't present, then by all means start a new thread/topic, for as long as what you post doesn't break the few rules we have (content and host), all is welcome and appreciated.
Some forum sections you may look forward to include:
On occasion We have competition which will run for a particular month, once in awhile We have more than on contest. The usual prize is a 1-Month (ie, 30 day Premium Rapidshare Account for the lucky member who wins). So keep an eye on the Forum Business, News & Updates Section (
http://castawaysforum.com/island2/index.php/board,60.0.html) where such contests will be announced, as will the winner of any active contest.
A new addition ot Castaways is our
Chess and
Arcade, featuring versions of some classic video games from yester-century. Do you have what it takes to take down the current High Score Holders? If so, then take them down, the arrogance a few are displaying is getting on my nerves.
If, during your browsing of the assorted material posted here at Castaways, you come across a link that has died for whatever reason, please be sure to Report the particular post using the Report Button, and just to be sure, a personal message to any Moderator and/or the Original Poster. If notifying via personal message, please be certain to include a link to the thread as well as which post has the nonfunctional link. Fortunately all posts are numbered in a thread so include the post number with your personal message Report and ideally the link will be renewed, however such is not guaranteed.
As always,
We Thank You for choosing to join
Castaways Forum,
The First Total ForumGraeGor & The
Castaways Staff
Special Note regarding the Teasers Section: This is a special preview section We have set up for guests/visitors so they can get an idea of what Castaways has to offer them when they become full members. Now overall We don't mind new additions being made there, however lately We have been having issues with people registering, then posting there without first making an Introduction. This activity is something We frown upon. Making a post there does absolutely noting for a person's post count (in other words, by making a post there without an Introduction will not, repeat WILL NOT, grant anyone access to the rest of the Board). We reserve the right to remove such posts until the poster makes a proper Introduction, at which time the Questionable Thread will either be moved back to where it was originally, or to a different Section as determined by its content.Lately we have be deluged with a rash of Spammers, people that register, and unload a shitload of questionable content, to questionable sites, using questionable hosts and in a "foreign" language. Now granted to them the language may be native, however since this is an English-based Forum, if the Staff cannot read the text that is part of the post, then it will be at a minimum moved, with PM's (Personal Messages) asking them to post in the language of this Forum (English/American). If the PM is ignored, and the offender continues to post Spam, the post will be deleted with the possibility of User's Account being DELETED as well, with NO apologies, at least from me. So to those that wish to do something related, no matter how remotely, conside this your one and only warning.[/i]
And here is where I throw in a little something that I hope is fun and informative for those that actually take the time to read this post in full:
March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of the seven months which are 31 days long.
March in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of September in the Northern Hemisphere.
The name of March comes from ancient Rome, when March was the first month of the year and named Martius after Mars, the Roman god of war. In Rome, where the climate is Mediterranean, March is the first month of spring, a logical point for the beginning of the year as well as the start of the military campaign season. The numbered year began on March 1 in Russia until the end of the fifteenth century. Great Britain and her colonies continued to use March 25 until 1752, which was when they finally adopted the Gregorian calendar. Many other cultures and religions still celebrate the beginning of the New Year in March.
In Finnish, the month is called
maaliskuu, which originates from
maallinen kuu, meaning
earthy month, because during
maaliskuu, earth finally became visible under the snow. Historical names for March include the Saxon
Lenctmonat, named after the equinox and gradual lengthening of days, and the eventual namesake of Lent. Saxons also called March
Rhed-monat or
Hreth-monath (deriving from their goddess
Rhedam/Hreth), and Angles called it
Hyld-monath.
Events in March*American Red Cross Month
*Fire Prevention Month (The Philippines)
*Women's History Month (United States)
*The wearing of a Martenitsa in Bulgaria and Mărţişor in Romania, March 1
*Saint David's Day, March 1
*National Reading Day (United States), March 2
*Texas Independence Day, March 2: State holiday in Texas, United States
*Mardi Gras (February 3 to March 9 in regular years, February 4 to March 9 in leap years)
*Ash Wednesday (February 4 to March 10 in regular years, February 5 to March 10 in leap years)
*World Maths Day, the 1st Wednesday in March
*International Women's Day, March 8
*Pluto Planet Day (New Mexico), March 13
*White Day(Asia), March 14
*Pi Day, March 14
*The Ides of March, the anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus, Cassius, Casca and others (March 15)
*Anniversary of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution, March 15
*Saint Patrick's Day, March 17
*Saint Joseph's Day, March 19
*The equinox, named the vernal or spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the autumnal equinox in the southern hemisphere, occurs on dates varying from 19 March to 21 March (in UTC)
*Nowruz: New Year's Day in Iran and several other countries; also a holiday in Turkey and Central Asian countries as well, celebrated on the day of the equinox
*Good Friday, a Friday between March 20 and April 23, being the last Friday before Easter
*Human Rights' Day (South Africa), March 21
*Easter, the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21, sometimes in April
*World Water Day, March 22
*Pakistan Day, March 23
*Day of Polish-Hungarian Friendship, March 23
*Annunciation, March 25
*Last day of Japanese fiscal year and school calendar, March 31.
Hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, starts around this time of the year.
*Prince Kūhiō Day, March 26: state holiday in the State of Hawaii, United States
*Bangladeshi Independence Day, March 26, 1971
March SymbolsMarch's birthstone is aquamarine and bloodstone. They mean courage.
Its birth flower is the daffodil and Jonquil.
And YAY
to me for finally getting an Introduction Thread up on time (ok, a little early, but at least it aint late this time around)
edit In light of the downtime, and the overall lack of Introductions in general, going to extend this to include April...which is pretty much over anyways, so no real harm done
