PavementSucks.com is free to register and use for everyone. However, to help offset ever increasing operating costs, registered users can donate to PavementSucks.com. Each donation provides additional privledges to registered users for one year after the donation is made. The donations levels and privledges include:

Bronze
  $5/yr: Inlcudes contributor status in Forums and in the Member Listing.
Silver
  $10/yr: An additional 7 images, for a total of 10, for each of your Reader's Ride submissions.
Gold
  $20/yr: Ability to upload and attach one image to each of your posts without having to host the image on another server.

Each level includes the benefits of the one above it.

Images for upload are limited to 500 pixels wide and under 50kb in size. This is needed so that there is space for all those that donate.

You can donate via the eStore under the "Donate" category. Please include your Username in the Comments section of the order form.

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PavementSucks.com is signed up with Top4x4Sites.com in order to gain additional exposure and to show others how popular the site is. The more "votes" we get, the higher we rank. The higher we rank, the more people will see the link to our site and come join us. This is also a decent measurement of how PavementSucks.com compares to other participating sites.

Voting is not required by any user. However, if you wish to participate there are several ways. Unregistered users can simply click the Top4x4Sites.com link image on the Home page. Registered users, can either just click on the Top4x4Sites.com link image on the Home page also, or if you wish to be reminded when you are eligible to vote, you can enable a reminder in your preferences. Goto Members Home, then click Edit Preferences and finally check 'Yes' to the 'Show Vote Reminder Page?' option. If you enable this option, everytime you come to the site and it has been at least 24 hours since your last vote, a new page window will open asking you to vote. Simply click the link, let the page load and then you can close this new window.

Voting is allowed only once per user per 24 hours. If you abuse the voting and vote more than once in 24 hours, it can impact the rank and discount previous votes.

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Registration is not required to view most areas of PavementSucks.com. Registration is required to post messages in the Forums, add your ride to the Reader's Rides Gallery, to submit a club to the 4x4 Club List, to add a website to the Links Section or participate in the 24 hour Chat. However, all visitors are allowed to view these areas, with the exception of Chat. There are other member specific areas, including avatars and other site preferences.

Registration is free and highly recommended in order to take full advantage of what PavementSucks.com has to offer. You will be required to supply your full name, an email address, and secret question and answer. Your name and secret question/answer will never be revealed to the public. They are used only for account verification. You will have the option to allow others to view your email address. Your email address will only be used to email you a new password if you have forgotten yours.

A valid email address is required for registration as an account activation key will be sent to the address you specify. You will then have 48 hours to activate your account by visiting the URL provided, otherwise it will be deleted and the username you selected will be available for anyone else to use.

You can register by clicking here

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Members can send messages directly to any other member of PavementSucks.com by using the Private Message feature. Only logged in members can send and view Private Messages, or PMs. PMs can use BBCode, include images, sig lines, smilies, and the same formatting regular posts can use. All users are limited to 50 total messages.

Please try to keep all personal comunications between members to Private Messages.

You can choose to Ignore PMs from a specific user. Users in your Ignore List will see a message stating that you are not accepting their messages when they attempt to send a PM to you.

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You may easily change any info stored in your registration profile, using the "Member Home" link located near the top of each page. Simply identify yourself by typing your username and password, or by logging in, and then you will have access to the [Edit Profile] link.

There is a minimum amount of required data in order to update your profile. Username, and password are first. You may change your password at this time as well. Your first and last name, email address, as well as a secret question and asnwer are required. These fields will not be made available to the public. They are for adminsitrative purposes only. The only exception is your email address, which you may opt to display, by setting that option in your preferences.

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Registered users can set their Preferences, just as they would their Profile. Simply click the "Member Home" link near the top of any page once logged in and then click the [Edit Preferences] link. Here you can set several items to customize the operation of .

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An avatar, or personal image, is the small image displayed under your username in the Forums with each of your posts. All avatars are can not exceed 100 pixels in either direction and 6 kb in filesize. As long as the image does not violate the Terms and Conditions or otherwise deemed inappropriate, the image will be approved for use.

To add or edit an avatar, login and go to the Member Home. Then click on the [Edit Avatar] link and select a file from your local computer using the Browse button. Click Submit and the file will be uploaded to the server and queued for administrator approval. Upon approval, your avatar will be automatically displayed when any of your posts are shown.

Currently, the avatar page will automatically resize JPEG and PNG images to the correct dimensions. Simply select the original file on your machine as if it were already sized and the server will adjust it for you. Sorry, this feature is not available for GIF or animated GIF images.

To delete an avatar, go to the Member Home, click [Edit Avatar] and then click the link under the Browse button where it says 'To delete your avatar, click HERE.'

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Registered users can choose to ignore Private Messages, Forum Posts or both, from specific users. This option can be found by following the [Ignore List] link in the Member Home area. You can easily edit your ignore list at any time to allow or disallow the individual ignore items for each user in your list by using the links next to your user list.

Private Messages to you, from users in your ignore list where PMs are ignored, will display a message to the user stating that you are not accepting messages from them. Forum posts by users in your ignore list where posts are ignored, will not be seen by you when logged in and browsing the Forums. However, if another user quotes a post from the ignored user, you will still be able to view the ignored users post.

Moderators and adminstrators can not be ignored, even if added to your ignore list. The opposite of that is true also. Moderators and adminsitrators are not allowed to ingore any user, regardless of the ignore list settings.

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You may use a signature on your posts. If you click on the [Edit Profile] link in the Member Home, you will be able to edit your profile, including your standard signature. Once you have a signature stored, you can choose to include it any post you make by checking the "include signature" box when you create your post. This bulletin board's administrator may elect to turn the signature feature off at any time, however. If that is the case, the "include signature" option will not appear when you post a note, even if you have stored a signature. You may also change your signature at any time by changing your profile.

Note: You may use HTML or BB Code if the admin has enabled these options. If enabled, your signature line is limited to 500 characters, including spaces, html, BBCode and punctuation.

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In the even that you lose your password you can click on the "I forgot my password!" link provided in the login page next to the password field. This link will take you to a page where you can fill in your username and email address. The system will then email a new, randomly generated, password to the email address listed in your profile, assuming you supplied the correct email address. If this system does not work for you, or you changed your email address, you may contact the site adminsitrator. If you have properly filled in your secret questionand answer, that information will be used to verify you as the account owner and your info will be updated.

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At this time, only the original poster of a topic can subscribe to a thread, by checking the Email option at the bottom of the page prior to submitting the post. THis features requires a valid email address in your profile.

We are currently working on a subscription system where you can subscribe/unsubscribe to any thread at any time. Please give us some time to enable this feature.

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The PavementSucks.com Forums have established methods to classify their users by activity through the number of eligible posts. These titles are displayed under a members username in the Forums.

The current ranks are as follows:

Rank Title   Minimum Posts   Maximum Posts   Rank Image  Web Wheeler 0 200 Pavement Pounder 200 500 Weekend Warrior 500 1000 Still On the Trail 1000 5000 Here so much... have time to wheel? 5000 50000

However, a member with over 200 posts can create their own title by editting his/her profile.

The adminstrator also has the option of assigning special ranks to any user they choose. The above table does not list these special ranks.

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Moderators control individual forums. They can edit, delete, or prune any posts in their forums. If you have a question about a particular forum, you should direct it to your forum moderator. Also, you can use the "Report This Post To a Moderator" link if you find a post you feel needs attention. Provide a small reason for the report and that forum's moderator will be notified.

Admins and forum moderators reserve the right to close or delete any post that does not provide a clear and purposefull topic or in anyway violates the Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service (available via the 'Legal' link in the bottom menu).

Anyone who posts just to increase their PavementSucks.com Forums stats or post topics out of boredom risk having there topics closed, removed and/or membership revoked.

Moderators are also responsible for approving the many user submitted avatars, reader's rides and club entries. They also have the ability to edit or delete user submitted rides, clubs, links, and guestbook entries.

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uses cookies in order to maintain your logged in status as well as several other user preferences. While not required, if you choose to not enable cookies, you will be limited to viewing PavementSucks.com and will be unable to log in, post messages, add to our Reader's Rides, etc.

Please realize that cookies are not a security risk in and of themselves. If you are in a shared computing situation where your computer is accessible byothers, simply log out from PavementSucks.com and you account information will be safe. We do not store any personal information in the cookies we use, nor do we store financial information. You should feel confortable allowing your browser to accept cookies from PavementSucks.com.

There is a possibility that PavementSucks.com will start using an alternative method of passing your user status in the future, but right now only cookies are supported.

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The following information was compiled by MasterChief:

You must be a Gold Level Contributor to upload/attach pictures directly from your computer! The picture(s) must be hosted by a site somewhere on the internet (example: cardomain).

(For this example I will be using a random image from the PavementSucks.com homepage.)

- In Internet Explorer,

1a. First find the pic that you want to post, right click on the picture, highlight properties and click on it.


1b. Once you have clicked on properties, highlight the "Address(URL)". Right click on the highlighted text and select "copy".



- In Netscape,

1. First find the pic that you want to post, right click on the picture and select Copy Image Location.


For all browsers,

2. Now to use the picture in a post. I would recommend that you first post a picture in the "Test Posts" forum so you can become a ninja in the art of picture posting. Below the "Subject Bar" is a row of buttons, starting on the left with the "bold" button and ending on the right with the "URL" button. Click the button titled "Img". Once you do that, two tags will appear in the "Message Body" box.
(The Img tags are the "[img][/img]" pictured below in the Message Body box)


3. Right click between the image tags [img][/img] and Paste the URL. (Or you can click in between the tags and use the paste shortcut, Ctrl+V)



4. If you would like to post more than one pic…rinse, lather, repeat.

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You've probably seen others use smilies before in email messages or other bulletin board posts. Smilies are keyboard characters used to convey an emotion, such as a smile :) or a frown :( .

The PavementSucks.com Forums automatically converts certain smilies to a graphical representation. Several of these smilies are avialble for use by simply clicking on them in the New Topic, Reply, or Edit areas of the forums. The remaining smilies must be typed in using the code supplied below. The following smilies are currently supported:

What to type Emotion Picture :D Very Happy  :-D Very Happy  :grin: Very Happy  :) Smile  :-) Smile  :smile: Smile  :( Sad  :-( Sad  :sad: Sad  :o Surprised  :-o Surprised  :eek: Surprised  :-? Confused  :???: Confused  8-) Cool  :cool: Cool  :lol: Laughing  :x Mad  :-x Mad  :mad: Mad  :P Razz  :-P Razz  :razz: Razz  :oops: Embaressed  :cry: Crying (very sad)  :evil: Evil or Very Mad  :roll: Rolling Eyes  :wink: Wink  ;) Wink  ;-) Wink  :nono No-No!  :drool Drool  :rant Rant  :rotfl ROTFL  :dunno Dunno  :bigthumb Thumbs Up!  :rotf ROTFL  :shoot Shooting  :321 Finger  :drinking Drinking  :argue Argue  :vampbat Vampire Bat  :bdaysmile Birthday Smile  :bday Birthday  :blowup BlowUp  :cheers Cheers!  :cuss Cuss  :evil Evil  :eyecrazy Crazy  :morning Good Morning  :bounce1 Bouncing  :sadeyes Sad Eyes  :rainfro Afro  :scatter Scatter  :shock Shocked  :silly Silly  :sleep Sleeping  :smash Smash  :smile1 Smile  :smile2 Smile  :sniper Sniper  :spiral Spiral  :tomato Tomato  :burning Burning  :usa USA  :vampire Vampire  :xmas X-mas  :wall Bang Head  :blueevil: Blue Evil  :bluedizzy: Blue Dizzy  :bluecry: Blue Cry  :poke: Poke  :baby: Baby  :bluesad: Blue Sad  :lookdown: Look Down  :finger: Finger  :fu: F-U  :withstupid: I am With Stupid  :idea: Idea  :naughty: Naughty  :bulb: Light Bulb  :smhair: Small Hair  :confused2: Confused  :thumbsdown: Thumbs Down  :twak: Twak  :worthless: Worthless  :loser: Loser  :kicknuts: Kick In The Nuts  :puke: Puke, Barf  :bs: B.S.  :bad: Bad Idea  :hack: Cut it Up  :idiot: Idiot  :slap: Bitch Slap  :sorry: Sorry  :flipoff: Smart-ass  :driving: Driving

You can use smilies not listed above by linking to them using the image BBCode. Linked smilies are subject to the same rules as any other image.

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PavementSucks.com does not allow the use of HTML in the message forums. However, several generic HTML tags are allowed in signature lines and custom titles to aid in formatting. These are line break <br>, bold <b></b>, italic <i></i> and underline <u></u>. However, we suggest that you use BBCode for formatting your post text.

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BBCode is a variation on the HTML tags you may already be familiar with. Basically, it allows you to add functionality or style to your message that would normally require HTML. You can use BBCode even if HTML is not enabled for the forum you are using. You may want to use BBCode as opposed to HTML, even if HTML is enabled for your forum, because there is less coding required and it is safer to use (incorrect coding syntax will not lead to as many problems).

When posting new messages or replying to or editting existing messages, you will see buttons above the area where you enter your message. These buttons will insert the BBCode tags below at the end of the message. Once the tags have been inserted, simply enter the text you want between the tags.

URL Hyperlinking If BBCode is enabled in a forum, you no longer need to use the [URL] code to create a hyperlink. Simply type the complete URL in either of the following manners and the hyperlink will be created automatically: http://www.yourURL.com www.yourURL.com Notice that you can either use the complete http:// address or shorten it to the www domain. If the site does not begin with "www", you must use the complete "http://" address. Also, you may use https and ftp URL prefixes in auto-link mode (when BBCode is ON). The old [URL] code will still work, as detailed below. Just encase the link as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red). [url]www.totalgeek.org[/url] You can also have true hyperlinks using the [url] code. Just use the following format: [url=http://www.totalgeek.org]totalgeek.org[/url] In the examples above, the BBCode automatically generates a hyperlink to the URL that is encased. It will also ensure that the link is opened in a new window when the user clicks on it. Note that the "http://" part of the URL is completely optional. In the second example above, the URL will hypelink the text to whatever URL you provide after the equal sign. Also note that you should NOT use quotation marks inside the URL tag. Email Links To add a hyperlinked email address within your message, just encase the email address as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red). [email]james@totalgeek.org[/email] In the example above, the BBCode automatically generates a hyperlink to the email address that is encased. Bold, Italics and Underline You can make italicized, underlined or bold text by encasing the applicable sections of your text with either the [b] [/b], [u] [/u] or [i] [/i] tags. Hello, [b]James[/b] Hello, [i]Mary[/i] Hello, [u]John[/u] Color and Size You can alter the display color of your text by using the [color=XXX] [/color] tags. Simply replace the XXX with the color of choice. You can also use HEX based colors. You can also adjust the font size of any textual part of your message. Simply use the [size=XX] [/size] tags. Replace XX with the font size you wish to use. Hello, [color=blue]James [/color] Hello, [size=4]James[/size] Bullets/Lists You can make bulleted lists or ordered lists (by number or letter). Unordered, bulleted list: [list] [*] This is the first bulleted item. [*] This is the second bulleted item. [/list] This produces: This is the first bulleted item. This is the second bulleted item. Note that you must include a closing [/list] when you end each list. Making ordered lists is just as easy. Just add either [LIST=A] or [LIST=1]. Typing [List=A] will produce a list from A to Z. Using [List=1] will produce numbered lists. Here's an example: [list=A] [*] This is the first bulleted item. [*] This is the second bulleted item. [/list] This produces: This is the first bulleted item. This is the second bulleted item. Adding Images To add a graphic within your message, just encase the URL of the graphic image as shown in the following example (BBCode is in red). [img]http://www.totalgeek.org/images/tline.gif[/img] If you wish to control the size of your image, or the image is too large for the forum layout, you can add sizing values to the opening [IMG] tag (do not alter the closing [/IMG] tag). The first value is the image width and the following is the height. These are the values that will be used to display the image, they not the actual image dimensions. Please limit the width to 500 pixels or less in order to retain the forum layout. If you alter the display width, you need to supply a new height value. To determine the new height value, calculate the following value: (new_width / old_width * old_height) and enter that value as the height [img=450x345]http://www.totalgeek.org/images/tline.gif[/img] In the example above, the BBCode automatically makes the graphic visible in your message. Note: the "http://" part of the URL is REQUIRED for the [img] code. Quoting Other Messages To reference something specific that someone has posted, just cut and paste the applicable verbiage and enclose it as shown below (BBCode is in red). [QUOTE]Ask not what your country can do for you.... ask what you can do for your country.[/QUOTE] In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference. Code Tag Similar to the Quote tage, the Code tag adds some <PRE> tags to preserve formatting. This useful for displaying programming code, for instance. [CODE]#!/usr/bin/perl print "Content-type: text/html\n\n"; print "Hello World!"; [/CODE] In the example above, the BBCode automatically blockquotes the text you reference and preserves the formatting of the coded text.

You must not use both HTML and BBCode to do the same function. Also note that the BBCode is not case-sensitive (thus, you could use [URL] or [url]).

Incorrect BBCode Usage:

[url] www.totalgeek.org [/url] - don't put spaces between the bracketed code and the text you are applying the code to.

[email]james@totalgeek.org[email] - the end brackets must include a forward slash ([/email])

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Currently, only Gold Level contributors can attach JPG, GIF and PNG image files to their posts. See the Contributor section for more information. Attachments are limited in width and in overall filesize.

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You may search for specific posts in the forums based on a word or words found in the posts, a user name, a date, and/or a particular forum(s). Just click on the "search" link near the top of the forum pages.

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You may edit your own posts at any time. Just go to the thread where the post to be edited is located and you will see an edit link on the line under your message. Click on this link and edit the post. No one else can edit your post, except for the forum moderator or the administrator. Also, for up to 30 mins after you have posted you message the edit post screen will give you the option of deleteing that post. After 30 mins however only the moderator and/or administrator can remove the post.

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Announcements are made via the Announcement forum at top of the Forum listing. This is where you will find all official PavementSucks.com messages regarding all features and functions of the site. Only moderators and adminsitrators can post to this forum.

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Yes, but you cannot read any of the posts unless you have the access to the private forum.

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Flaming icons signify that there are 40 or more posts in that thread. It is a warning to slower connections that the thread may take some time to load.

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If you would like a picture of yours considered for the front page random rotation, simply email a 400x300 pixel image, under 25kb to NO_SPAM_jasonb@pavementsucks.com (remove the "NO_SPAM_" portion).

Upon verifying the cotent and sizing requirements, we will add the image to the random rotation.

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The dollar amounts listed on the Index page are the "Site Funds". It displays the most recent month's server fees, including any overuse charges, in red. Current available funds are dispalyed in blue. These funds are from member Contributions only.

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The recent posts listing on the Index page are the five (5) most recent posts since you last visited a Forums page. It is not impacted by your time on non-forum areas of the site. The other option is to use the Latest Posts page of the Forums directly.

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Any registered member can add an unlimited number of entries to the Reader's Ride Gallery covering one vehicle each. Your ride entries are also listed in the Member's public profile as a link to Gallery.

To add your ride, simply click the Add Your Ride link on any of the main Ride's pages and follow the on-screen instructions.

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In order to add images to your Reader's Ride entry, you first need to add your basic vehicle info. After updating the text portion, you can click the Add an Image link. You wull be promoted for an image on your local machine and by clicking the Browse button.

Only JPG, GIF and PNG files are accepted. JPG and PNG files will be automatically resized to the proper scale. Due to licensing issues, we are unable to resize GIF images for you.

Images are limited to a maximum of 400 pixels wide and 400 pixels tall. A filesize limit of 50kb is also in effect.

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Regular users can add up to 3 images per Reder's Ride entry. Silver and Gold level contributors can add up to 10 images while the contriubtor status is in effect. After the contributor status expires, the images will stay, but you will not be able to edit any images until you delete the additional seven images.

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Yes, you can edit your entry at any time. Simply click the Edit or Delete links shown in the Members Home area where your Ride entry is listed. It is as simple as originally adding your ride.

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Upon adding your Reader's Ride entry, it is stored in a queue awaiting moderator approval. If you would like to expidite the approval process, be sure to click the Submit Your Ride link in order to let the moderators know you have finished editting your entry. If you do not use the Submit option, the moderators may wait a while to approve your entry assuming you have not finished editting it.

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There are only two reasons that a Ride entry will be removed from public view. First is that the content of the entry violates the TOS of the site and was deleted. The second reason is that you have editted your entry, which pulls it from public display pending moderator approval once again.

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Due to bandwidth issues, remote linking from other sites to the Reader's Rides Gallery is not allowed. If we ever move to a larger server, this restriction may be lifted.

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The current version of the site does not allow user uploads to the gallery. However, you can email NO_SPAM_jasonb@pavementsucks.com (remove the "NO_SPAM_" portion) requesting an album. Then simply provide the images via email, including the location, date and attendees so the album can be labeled. We will create all the thumbnails and correctly size the images.

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Due to bandwidth issues, remote linking from other sites to the Photo Album is not allowed. If we ever move to a larger server, this restriction may be lifted.

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Any registered member can add an entry to the 4x4 Clubs section. You can upload club name, description, location, number of members and sveral methods of contact. You can also inlcude a link to your club's logo.

To add your club, simply click the Add Your Club link on any of the Club's page and follow the on-screen instructions.

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Upon adding your 4x4 Club entry, it is stored in a queue awaiting moderator approval. This requirement is for the protection of and its members.

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Yes, you can edit your entry at any time. Simply click the Edit or Delete links shown in the Members Home area where your Club entry is listed. It is as simple as originally adding your club. After editting your club, it is removed from public view until it is re-approved by a moderator.

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Any registered member can add an entry to the Links section. Simply click the Add link associated with the category most appropriate. For all categories other than Personal Sites, you can even provide street address, sales and technical support phone numbers.

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Yes, you can edit your entry at any time. Simply click the Edit or Delete links shown in the Members Home area where your Link entry is listed. It is as simple as originally adding your link.

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