There are four main User Groups concering HMAD: Visitor or Guest; New Member; Member; and Premium Member. Also, there are other User Titles members can be promoted to or given depending on how active they are on the forum.
As a spam prevention measure, new members have reduced permissions. In addition, to encourage participation in the forum, as members become more active the permissions increase.
It is also possible to purchase an account upgrade to become a Premium Member (PM). PM's are granted further benefits, and any such members are identified by their banner (banner coming soon).
The following information explains what permissions and benefits are available at each stage, which is largely determined by the number of posts made.
New Member
All new members have limited permissions, but can post in the forum and on profiles with the following restrictions:
The first 5 posts are moderated to disallow the insertion of links
Posts cannot be edited after 15 minutes
Posts cannot be deleted after 15 minutes
Conversations cannot be deleted after 5 minutes
Conversations cannot be edited after 5 minutes
Number of members allowed to participate in conversation = 3
Showcase items cannot be created
Signatures are not permitted UNTIL member has posted 10 messages and received at least 2 likes
Member
After 5 posts, the permissions increase as follows:
The insertion of links is allowed if member also has received 2 likes (providing they don't contravene our spam policy)
Signatures are permitted once the 10 messages and 2 likes are met
Premium Member
Upon upgrading to a Premium Member you will have access to the private forums (not open for general public view):
Can create Rate it/Showcase items
Posts can be edited for 24 hours after being created
Posts can be deleted for 24 hours after being created
Conversations can be edited for 15 minutes after being created
Conversations can be deleted for 15 minutes after being created
Number of members allowed to participate in conversation = 10
Signatures are permitted regardless of post number or likes received
Links within threads are permitted regardless of post number or likes received
The following table summarises the permissions.
| Functionality | New Member (1 to 5 posts) |
Member (6 to 25 posts) |
Premium Member (Upgrade) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posts are pre-moderated | Yes, first 5 | No | No |
| Posts can be edited | Yes, 15 minutes | Yes, 15 minutes | Yes, 24 hours |
| Posts can be deleted | Yes, 15 minutes | Yes, 15 minutes | Yes, 24 hours |
| Posts can be liked | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create signature | No | Yes | Yes |
| Post a link in a thread | No | Yes | Yes |
| Create Media image or video | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create Rate it/Showcase item | No | No | Yes |
| Conversation messages can be edited | Yes, 5 minutes | Yes, 5 minutes | Yes |
| Conversation messages can be deleted | Yes, 5 minutes | Yes, 5 minutes | Yes |
| Max group conversation participants | 3 members | 3 members | 10 members |
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