Welcome to Gaia! ::

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ANNOUNCEMENT!: The security question password retrieval system has been implemented at last! The onus of account protection is now 100% on the shoulders of the user. Your email account being compromised can no longer result in your password being retrieved. Password retrieval now requires the retriever to answer 2 questions. Please read the announcement below made by Jakobo.



I spend a lot of time in the Questions and Feedback forum on Gaia, and recently there seems to be a large trend in users reporting their accounts have been hacked and/or they were scammed by loaning an item to a friend, or having a user not live up to their end of a trade. After listening to thread after thread on these topics, and the how and why of these things occuring, I've compiled some lists of steps to take to ensure you are safe from hackers and are not scammable.

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Hacked But Can Still Access Hacked Account

If you have been hacked but are able to access your account, please do the following:

1. Change your password. (Profile - Edit Profile - and fill in your current password, then the new password and confirm password boxes). This prevents the hacker from getting back in on a password guess.
   
2. Disable Autologin. (Uncheck the box under your avatar on the sign in page)
   
3. Go to the bank. (Click Map, then the up arrow, then the bank.)
   
4. Click the "Pending Trades" button. This will take you to the Pending Trades screen.
   
5. Click on the "Completed Trades" link at the bottom.
   
6. Review recent trades.
   

If you see any trades you do NOT remember conducting PM a CONNECTED General Moderator (their names appear in green at the bottom of the main forum index page) with the following information:

1. The name(s) of the receiver(s) of the trades you did not authorize yourself.
   
2. A list of your missing items/gold.
   
3. When you were last in your account prior to the hacking.
   

The moderator will be able to investigate the trades, trace the mules and originating accounts, and block or ban the person(s) who hacked you and all their extra accounts.

The moderator will advise you whether or not to fill out a feedback form (located on the FAQ page) to request admin assistance in reclaiming your items. However, per the Terms of service:



Hacked But Cannot Access Hacked Account

If you have been hacked and the hacker changed your password, preventing you from logging into your account, please contact a General Moderator (Green name) with the following information:

1. The name of the hacked account
   
2. The last few dates/times you were logged into the account.
   

They will be able to determine if your IP matches the account's last logon, and if not, can match up that IP to the hacker's real account and ban them. Per the Terms of Service you ar unlikely to get your items back, but you have a good chance of getting your account password reset so you can reclaim your old account. The moderator will advise you on any further actions you need to take.


Scammed

If you have been scammed, please contact a connected General Moderator (green name) with the following information:

1. The name(s) of the scammer(s)
   
2. A link to the scam thread
   
3. The specifics of the scam (What was promised and what was delivered)
   
4. The amount of gold/items you lost
   
5. The number of people scammed
   

It is almost impossible to be scammed on Gaia if you are careful, but the areas you are most vulnerable are in the Lottos/Money Games forum and in any contests where you have to pay an entry fee. Gaia is not responsible for your gold or item loss but will punish the scammer.

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1.) Use a secure password (combo of letters and numbers, caps and lowercase. DO NOT use any words found in the dictionary).

2.) Do not use this password for any other thing except Gaia. MSN, Hotmail, AIM, Yahoo, and other such web sites/programs are notoriously easy to hack, and if your password and username are the same, your Gaia account is compromised.

3.) Avoid insecure email providers. MSN, Hotmail, Yahoo, and Netscape are well known for their email systems being easily hackable. Avoid using them for your Gaia registered email if at all possible.

4.) Do NOT display your email address under your posts. Making your email public on Gaia is an invitation for someone to try and hack your email to be able to retrieve your password through the "lost password" function on the site. Many Gaia hackings occur this way. Click Profile -> Edit Profile then scroll down to the checklist at the bottom. Select "No" for "Always show my Email Address" and Sumbit. The Email button will no longer appear under your posts and in order to hack you someone will have to determine your email address another way.

5.) Do not give out your registered Gaia email to anyone. Use an email address that you do not receive general public email at. If using your ISP-based email make a new address through your ISP's instructions just for your Gaia account, so you can still give your standard email to Gaia friends to communicate with you.

6.) Use a web-based email address for Gaia ONLY if someone else uses the computer you are on. This requires someone to log into that email account to retrieve things such as your password. Whereas if you use the email set up on your PC, they just have to be on your computer. Avoid using the easy to hack web-based email providers listed in #3.

7.) Do not use autologin.

8.) Log out of your account everytime you leave Gaia by pressing the logout button, rather than just closing the browser. To be safe, close down the browser window as well.

9.) Never share your password with anyone, ever, for any reason whatsoever. There is zero reason for them to know your password. Let them make their own account. Gaia, its admin, and its mods will never ask you for your password for any reason, EVER. If someone claims they need your password for Gaia for any reason, they are lying. If you share your password with anyone, you have compromised your account.

10.) Update and Run Lavasoft Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy once per week. These will clear any spyware/keylogger software/and pop up ads from your machine.

11.) Keep your virus scan updated and run weekly.

12.) Empty your temp files and delete any unrecognizeable cookies DAILY. Cookies are notoriously weak points in computer security and often contain enough information to compromise your accounts. It is safest to disable cookies entirely, but some people do need to use them for certain websites and must leave them turned on. Also remember to empty your trash/recycle bin after deleting, otherwise they are still on your machine and retrievable.

13.) Do not sign up for other online forums/message boards/chat rooms with the same name and password you use on Gaia. Sometimes users set these up in order to harvest accounts from Gaia users or users of other online games. Make sure the only thing you use this name and password combo for is Gaia!

14.) Do not post screenshots of your inventory. This only encourages hackers to attempt to get into your account. Where they might not make an effort to get in to take the pair of headphones and the devil tail they can see you're wearing, if they see you also have 20 letters, bunnie slippers, a bear hat, and nightmare and mini angellics, they will be more tempted.

15.) Be Wary of Downloads! .exe files sent as email attachments or over Instant Message programs can contain keyloggers and/or trojans which can log your usernames and passwords and send them to a hacker. Do not accept any program files you weren't expecting from anyone, and only accept expected files from people you know very well.

16.) Never put your Gaia username and password as a login for a site that is not hosted on gaiaonline.com! Many scams claim to be gaia sites requiring you to use the same login and password. These are nothing but scams to get your password and steal your account/items!

17.) Use hard to know security question/answer combinations. Do not choose the question and answer combos about things you chat about regularly here or elsewhere. If everyone and their brother knows where you were born and your first pet's name, they can retrieve your password.

18.) Do not discuss the items you set as security question/answer combos! Also be sure that once you've chosen your security Q&As that you don't let yourself be lured into discussions about those types of things. Be EXTREMELY WARY of any users who are posting threads asking for users to talk about any of the things located in the security questions. A thread entitled "Where were you born?" or "What was your first Pet's name?" Should be reported immediately to a moderator as someone trying to gather security info.


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1.) Do not participate in lottos or contests run by a person with minimal posts, who is naked and just joined, or who appears on the Blacklist in the Exchange. Wait until these people are more established on Gaia or cleared off the list before you risk your funds.

2.) Look at the prizes being offered, check their values, then check to see if the tickets being sold will bring in enough revenue for the runner to purchase the item/give out that amount. Lottos are typically run for the purpose of making a profit. If the take doesn't equal or exceed how much they're giving out, it is likely a scam.

3.) Check the user profile of the runner to get an idea of whether or not they could have gathered up those items/gold from their post count and time on. check their values, then . If they joined 2 weeks ago, have 100 posts, and claim to have a panda hat to give away, it's likely a scam.

4.) Keep an eye open for suspicious ticket purchases/entries by users who should not be able to afford the tickets/entry fees. They may be a mule account of the game runner and will be set up there to "win" at the end, transferring the funds back to the main account and collecting all the ticket money as well.

5.) Never enter a lotto or contest which requires you to pay more than you are willing to lose or in which the odds of winning are astronomical for the ticket cost. Contests and lottos are not guaranteed wins. Play smart. If there are 300 tickets being sold at 3000 gold each, and you only have 3000 gold to spend, your odds of winning are 1:300. Not very good at all. Math is your friend here!



1.) The Gaia trade system is there to protect you. When a trade is initiated, the initiator has to confirm twice, once when they start it, and once after the other party has confirmed. This means both sides get a chance to confirm that the other party has included the gold/items promised before the trade is completed. Keep your eyes open and make sure what you are trading for is in that other window before you confirm!

2.) Don't loan out your items without collateral. Some people are generous and loan out items to friends. However, if I had a gold piece for every recent thread saying "My friend wont give back/stole my item!!!", I could buy a halo. Do not loan your items to your friends, no matter how long you've known them and how much you trust them unless they are willing and able to put up collateral. This means gold, an item, or items comparable in value to the one you are lending them. This way if they refuse to give it back, if you can't get your item returned when they are banned or reprimanded, at least you have the means to get yourself a replacement item.

3.) There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to have to borrow an item from you to see how it looks on their avatar. If they ask and you wish to help them out, delete your avatar, recreate it with their features, and model it for them. Easy enough, and you remain protected.

4.) There is no reason for anyone to sell you Donation Letters "In Advance". Insist that they follow the posted practices and do not initiate the trade until they have the sealed or physical envelope in their inventory to trade to you. This sealed letter system was made specifically to put a stop to donation scams. Use it to your advantage and protection.

5.) When trading a large number of items for a single item (such as numerous newer donation letters for an older one) remember that the trade window can only accept 12 items at one time. Because of this, it is safest for you to send the cheapest items in the first trade(s) and for the sender of the single item to send the item in trade for your most expensive 12 items in the final trade.


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If you are a smart Gaian and use these guidelines and practices to protect yourself, there is no reason why you should ever be scammed. You also greatly minimize your chance of being hacked by protecting your account and making yourself less of a target. So be a smart Gaian and use your noggin. Read stickies, profiles, and the first posts of a thread before getting into something. Check to make sure the people you are dealing with are established and trustworthy. Research things a bit before diving into them headlong. Enjoy your time here on Gaia!

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Gaia is comprised of multiple forums and subforums, each having it's own purpose and posting rules. Here is a summary of each forum and the DO's and DON'Ts for each one.

GENERAL WARNING!!!: DO NOT POST PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF! This includes real name, address, phone numbers, etc. This goes double for anyone under the age of 16, as collection and distribution of personal information on minors is forbidden under COPPA. Please protect yourself from stalkers and *****, and Gaia from lawsuits by being a responsible poster.

Definitions of terms you will find in the descriptions:

• Cyber: Roleplayed sexual activity.
  
• Flame: An aggressively worded harassing attack on another poster, their opinion, or beliefs.
  
• Munchkin: A power posing/godmodding/cheating roleplayer who poses in a manner where they are invulnerable, invincible, faultless, and perfect in every way, and pose other people's actions and reactions for them.
  
• Spam: OFF TOPIC posts as well as nonsense posts.
  
• Troll: A post meant to incite a negative or angry reaction.
  

What is not permitted in ANY forum:

• Cybering or requests to Cyber
  
• Harassing users through Flames or Trolling
  
• Posting materials or comments in excess of PG-13
  

What is permitted in ONLY specific forums:

• Spam (Only allowed in Chatterbox Forum)
  
• Begging or Donation Requests (Only permitted in Charity subforum)
  
• Looking for Dates (Only permitted in Chatterbox, the Personals, and Roleplay Threads)
  

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Announcements Forum - This is where you will find urgent and timely information on site problems, dangerous scams or viruses, and announcements of updates and upgrades to the site, such as donation letter item releases, holiday events, and special occasions.

Only Administrators can post here. However it is one of the most important forums for Gaian members to read.

DO: check whenever you log on to see if there are new posts.

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Welcome To Gaia Forum - The place to post an introduction about yourself.

This is a place where new members of Gaia are welcome to introduce themselves to existing players and other new players, and read and receive information which can help them learn about using the site and it's policies.

DO: Post an intro about yourself as a new player, or welcome new players and answer their questions if you are a veteran of the site.

DON'T: Create Bars, Hangouts, chat threads or the like (This is not the place for them. The ones you do see here are information distributers primarily and hangouts secondarily).

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General Discussion Forum - This is a place where you can post a topic for short term discussion on things suitable for the general public.

Examples of acceptable topics include news and world events, likes and dislikes about the site, and generally anything that isn't spam or has another area of Gaia specifically dedicated to it (such as entertainment and anime)

DO: Read through the existing thread titles before posting there, offer an honest opinion without insulting or bashing the opinions of others, and post thought-provoking topics.

DON'T: Post a thread on a duplicate subject if there is already one active.

• Subforum Word Games and Others - This is a place where you can post and/or participate in word games such as hangman and trivia.
  
  These games do not require entry fees, as those belong in the Lotto/Money Games subforum of the Exchange forum.
  
  DO: Read the instructions in a game thread's first posts before posting.
  
  DON'T: Post a game with entry fees.
  
  
• Subforum Avatar Talk - This is a place where you can post and/or participate in threads to rate avatars, ask for suggestions on your outfits or looks, and discuss ideas for future avatar items or styles.
  
  DO: Be polite when commenting on other people's avatars and ideas.
  

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Extended Discussion Forum - This is a place where you can post a topic for more serious and longer term discussion.

Examples of acceptable topics include History, Education, Literature, World Events, and Society.

DO: Read through the existing thread titles before posting there, offer an honest opinion without insulting or bashing the opinions of others, and post thought-provoking topics.

DON'T: Post a thread on a duplicate subject if there is already one active, post a topic which has a subforum for it under the forum (see below).

• Subforum Politics - This is exclusively for discussions on politics in your own country and worldwide.
  
  DO: Read through existing thread titles before posting, and offer informed, honest opinions on the topics without insulting others' opinions.
  
  DON'T: Post duplicate threads if there are existing active ones on that subject.
  
  
• Subforum Science and Technology - This is a place where you can post and/or participate in threads to discuss past, present and future scientific and technological advances and education in those fields.
  
  DO: Read through existing thread titles before posting, and offer informed, honest opinions on the topics without insulting others' opinions.
  
  DON'T: Post duplicate threads if there are existing active ones on that subject.
  
  
• Subforum Morality and religion - This is exclusively for discussions on religion in all its forms, from Christianity to Wicca and back again.
  
  DO: Read through existing thread titles before posting, and offer informed, honest opinions on the topics without insulting others' opinions.
  
  DON'T: Post duplicate threads if there are existing active ones on that subject, insult or invalidate other's religious or moral beliefs.
  
  
• Subforum Life Issues - This is a place where you can post and/or participate in threads to discuss life issues.
  
  Topic examples are relationships, sex (non graphically only), rape, suicide, abuse, families, siblings, dating, and sexual orientation.
  
  DO: Read through existing thread titles before posting, and offer informed, honest opinions on the topics without insulting others' opinions.
  
  DON'T: EVER encourage suicide or self abuse (this will result in you being banned from Gaia), post duplicate threads if there are existing active ones on that subject, or discuss sexual or violence issues in graphic detail.
  

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Questions and Feedback Forum - This is the place where you can post questions about the site and give feedback to the admin and moderators.

This is another very important forum on Gaia. Examples of acceptable topics include queries on how parts of the site work, questions about errors you are receiving, and queries on what is acceptable or unacceptable for users to do.

DO: Read through the existing thread titles before posting there (PLEASE, duplicate threads in there make it harder for helpers and mods to answer everyone's questions in a timely manner), post your thread subject with the problem in it rather than something vague like "I need help!!!", Word your question in proper English with good spelling and grammar (leave out the L337speak and netspeak please, we can't answer you if we can't understand you), and be patient.

DON'T: Post a thread on a duplicate problem if there is already one active, post item suggestions anywhere but the Official Item Suggestion Thread sticky, post feature suggestions anywhere but the Official Feature Suggestion sticky, ask when Weapons, the battle system, or the Casino will be available (we don't know and the admin are NOT telling), bump if your thread has not fallen off page one (this forum moves slowly), post your thread title or problem in all caps, or use l337 or netspeak.

• Subforum Bug Reports & Technical Support - This is a place where you need to post any technical issues or errors you are experiencing which only Lanzer (the coder of Gaia) can fix.
  
  An example is the site's incompatibility with the America Online browser, or your signature not working in anything but PMs and preview windows.
  
  DO: Read the threads already existing before making a new one.
  
  DON'T: Post a duplicate thread (instead post in the existing one with your problem), use l337 or netspeak.
  

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Chatterbox - This is the ONE AND ONLY forum on all of Gaia where spam is permitted. Post whatever you like as long as it does not violate site rules.

DO: post as much as you like here.


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Barton Town Forum - This is one of the main roleplaying forums on the site.

This is where you join or create stories and adventures in a variety of theme threads, create characters, and post your actions as that character.

DO: Read the first posts of a thread for instructions on joining and character restrictions before posting in it, and put anything out-of-character in parentheses ((like so)) in your posts .

DON'T: be a munchkin or post in a thread which isn't open RP without applying to play there per thread instructions.

• Subforum Guild Roleplaying - Threads in this subforum require you to be a member of the guild that created it in order to particpate.
  
  DO: Read up on the guild to see if you'd like to join and rp with them.
  
  DON'T: Post in a guild roleplaying thread unless you are a member of that guild, be a munchkin, flame or troll, beg for charity, look for dates, post materials or comments in excess of PG-13, cyber or solicit cybering, or spam.
  

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Guilds Forum - This forum is for people with like interests to get together in a "Club" setting.

There are guilds with open membership, allowing anyone with similar interests to join, and others with closed memberships which require you to apply or request permission to join. The main forum is for general guilds other than Interest based ones (Inuyasha fans, Skateboarders) and military/org related ones (Mafia, ninja clans, armies, etc).

DO: Read the first posts of a guild thread for instructions on joining before posting in it, read the existing guilds before creating a new one.

DON'T: create a duplicate guild if there is already one for that interest or post in guild threads until you have been accepted by that guild.

• Subforum Organization/Military-Based Guilds - Threads in this subforum are military related or run as an official type of organization.
  
  Examples are knighthoods, ninja clans, schools, and pirate guilds.
  
  DO: Read up on the guild to see if you'd like to join and rp with them.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate guild (Check the directory), post in a guild roleplaying thread unless you are a member of that guild.
  
  
• Subforum Interest-Based Guilds - Threads in this subforum are for guilds related to interests, hobbies, loves, entertainment and so forth.
  
  DO: Read up on the guild to see if you'd like to join and rp with them.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate guild or post in a guild roleplaying thread unless you are a member of that guild.
  

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Gaia Commerce - This forum is the other major roleplaying forum on Gaia, but this one revolves around users roleplaying in RPed businesses.

Bars, taverns, Inns, matchmaking services, stores, wedding planners, resorts, private investigators, dance clubs...if you can think up a business, you can likely find one here. Also the home of the Gaia Times, official Gaia newspaper thread, and Radio Gaia!

DO: Read the first posts of a thread for thread rules before posting in it and abide by those rules.

DON'T: be a munchkin or post images or ads for other threads/business/etc without the explicit permission of the thread owner.

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The Gaia Exchange Forum - This forum is where users can sell items they have to other users, rather than sell back to the stores.

The stores only give you back 75% of the purchase price, and offer minimal or no sellback on uncommon, rare, event, and donation items, so you are more likely to gain if you sell here. YOU MAY ONLY POST IN THIS MAIN FORUM IF YOU ARE SELLING A GAIA CREATED ITEM!!! If you are seeking something to buy, asking for charity, or trying to sell something a user created (art, pets, signatures, etc) you must post it in the appropriate subforum ONLY. This is one of the few forums bumping is acceptable in (and is rather necessary)

DO: make your thread title reflect what you are selling and whether you are selling or auctioning the item, follow trading guidelines and practices as stickied, post your prices clearly, and whether or not you are accepting post offers only or also accepting PMed offers, and follow a seller's instructions in their first posts if you wish to buy or bid on what they are selling.

DON'T: falsify what you are selling in your thread title, make an offer below the seller's minimum price or offer items they clearly state they don't want, complain about their prices unless they are selling store items above what the store charges, pester users to sell to you before their auctions end, sell items which are not made by Gaia, sell gaia items for real money, sell neopets points or the accounts/items/services of other online forums/MMORPGs/etc for Gaia gold/items (this is a bannable offense), make bids with funds you do not have, attempt to sell items you do not have (scam), PM a bid if the auctioneer explicitly states "No PM bids", or award the item to someone posting after the auction deadline even if they offered more.

• Subforum Lotto/Money Games - Threads in this subforum are for contests which give prizes but require entry fees, such as lotteries where you buy tickets or word games where you have to pay a fee to enter.
  
  DO: be careful about scams (see my scam protection guide in the first post), and run fair games or lotteries.
  
  DON'T: run a lotto/game you cannot afford to pay out the prizes for, or enter a lotto/game with the expectation of winning. In other words, only offer or bid what you are willing or can afford to lose.
  
  
• Subforum Charity/Quests - THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE ON GAIA WHERE BEGGING FOR DONATIONS IS ACCEPTABLE.
  
  Here you can find organizations which aid those seeking gold or items, and you can post your request or your quest to get an item. Do not expect everyone to be willing to help you out. Most Gaians worked hard, were active, and earned their gold and items, you should do the same before you expect charity from others. Users who successfully receive charity are those who have shown activity on the site, and are working towards a formidable goal (such as bunny slippers, an event item from last easter that is very rare and worth about 850,000 gold). If you've just joined the site in the last few days and only have a few dozen posts, immediately begging for gold is likely to get you flamed by other users because it is seen as laziness and a lack of willingness to try and be active on the site.
  
  Quests are threads in which a user declares they are saving up to purchase a pricy item but do not yet have enough to make a legitimate offer for said item.
  
  DO: post politely with good spelling and grammar, once you've begun establishing yourself on the site, and distribute wealth to those asking who seem worthy of it.
  
  DON'T: expect or demand donations, beg if you've made no effort to earn on your own, or ask for cheap items you can easily earn with a few days of posting on the site, or hijack other beggers threads.
  
  
  
• Subforum Wanted - Threads in this subforum are strictly for users who are looking to buy specific or general items and are not selling items of any kind.
  
  DO: be specific in your thread title with what you are seeking to buy, set specific prices you will pay, read the specifics of purchasing which a buyer posts in their thread, and avoid posting quests before you are close to having a legitimate offer.
  
  DON'T: set up a quest for an item if you only have a bare fraction of the going price of that item for an offer, harass sellers if they do not want to pay the price you ask, or ask for more than the owner lists as their max offer.
  

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Mini Shops - Threads in this Forum are for user created items such as art and signatures, and any pets which are not breedabe or do not change after purchase (ie hatch, grow up, etc) as those belong in the Breedables subforum.

DO: try to be original when setting up a shop, use your own art, be creative, read the rules of the shops you wish to purchase from, and set up easily understandable rules about purchases in your own shops.

DON'T: copy other users ideas or art (Art theft is bannable), harass store owners if you do not win an auction, offer less than the owner lists for the item, or demand a spot in a closed list.

• Subforum Requests and Commissions - Threads in this subforum are for users to request artists to draw something specific for them, or for artists to set up shop to draw for gold or items.
  
  DO: set your art prices based on the quality of your work, check what other artists are charging for similar work before setting your prices, and read over the instructions in artist's threads for ordering and payment.
  
  DON'T: demand commissions in closed lists, commit to do art you don't have the time to do, copy others art (Art theft is a bannable offense), or order art you don't have the funds to pay for.
  
  
• Subforum Breedables/Changing Pets - Threads in this subforum are strictly for user created pets which are either breedable to produce new offspring (and thus new art) or which undergo changes when purchased (ergo have new art added later).
  
  Examples of these would be an egg which hatches into a creature sometime after purchase, or a puppy which grows up into a dog.
  
  DO: try to be original when setting up a shop, use your own art, be creative, read the rules of the shops you wish to purchase from, and set up easily understandable rules about purchases in your own shops.
  
  DON'T: set up a changeable/breedable shop if you do not have the time to devote to it and are committed to continuing it as breeding and the changing aspects of the pets are what people are paying for, don't copy other users ideas or art (art theft is bannable), harass store owners if you do not win an auction, offer less than the owner lists for the item, or demand a spot in a closed list.
  
  
• Subforum Breedables/Changing Pets Roleplay - Threads in this subforum are for diaries and other roleplay involving the pets sold in the Breedables/Changing Pets subforum.
  
  Examples of these would be a diary for someone's pet, or a breeding pen roleplay where users come to choose who to breed their pet with.
  
  DO: clearly identify what pet(s) are being roleplayed in the thread and clearly define any rp rules in the first posts. Do abide by the rules in all threads.
  
  DON'T: set up thread of your own for pets you do not own, or post in someone else's pet diary without their permission.
  

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Entertainment Discussion Forum - This forum is for the discussion of entertainment such as movies, books, and television.

Music and Toys and collectibles discussions are restricted to subforums. Comics, Anime, Manga, Videogames, Computers, and Sports have their own forums so please do not post them here.

DO: Read the threads before posting a new one, and discuss politely without insulting the opinions of others.

DON'T: create a duplicate thread if there is already one for that topic.

• Subforum Toys & Collectibles - Threads in this subforum are about old and news toys and collectibles such as trading cards.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum Music - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on bands, songs, videos etc.
  
  Musical instruments and playing your own music belongs in the Musicians subforum of Art Discussion forum.
  
  DO: Read xisting threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  

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Anime/Manga/Comics Forum - The main part of this forum is for the discussion of Anime only.

Discussion on Anime series, TV anime, Manga, Comics, and Conventions belong in their respective subforums.
DO: Read the threads before posting a new one, and discuss politely without insulting the opinions of others.

DON'T: create a duplicate thread if there is already one for that topic.

• Subforum Anime Series - Threads in this subforum are for the discussion of anime series in particular.
  
  Examples would be Sword of the Berserk or Bubblegum Crisis.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum TV Anime - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on anime that can be seen on TV.
  
  Examples would be Yu-Gi-Oh! and DragonBallZ.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum Manga - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on manga (Japanese comics).
  
  Examples would be X/1999 and Rayearth.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum Comics - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on American and other non-manga comics.
  
  Examples would be X-Men and Batman.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum Conventions - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on Anime, Cosplay, Comic, Sci-fi and other conventions.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  

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Videogames Discussion Forum - This forum is for the discussion of PC, Online, and Console games.

RAGNAROK Online, Final Fantasy, and Fighting games each have their own subforums, so keep discussions on them in those areas.
DO: Read the threads before posting a new one, and discuss politely without insulting the opinions of others.

DON'T: create a duplicate thread if there is already one for that topic.

• Subforum RAGNAROK Online - Threads in this subforum are for discussion of the MMORPG only.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum Final Fantasy - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on the Final Fantasy series of games.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
• Subforum Fighting Games - Threads in this subforum are for discussions on all types of fighting games.
  
  Examples would be Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  

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Computers & Technology Forum - This forum is dedicated to the discussion and troubleshooting of computer and technology news and issues.

DO: Read the existing posts before posting a new thread and answer questions if you can.

DON'T: post duplicate threads.

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Sports Forum - This forum is dedicated to the discussion of sports of all kinds.

DO: Read the existing posts before posting a new thread.

DON'T: post duplicate threads.

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Art Discussion Forum - This forum is for the discussion of art in all its forms.

Music, Art Requests and Commissions, and site/gallery promotions are restricted to their respective subforums.

DO: Read the threads before posting a new one, and discuss politely without insulting the opinions of others.

DON'T: create a duplicate thread if there is already one for that topic.

• Subforum Musician's Forum - Threads in this subforum are for discussion ofplaying/writing music and musical instruments.
  
  DO: Read existing threads before posting a new one, and politely discuss without attacking the opinons of others.
  
  DON'T: create a duplicate thread.
  
  
  
• Subforum Promotions - Threads in this subforum are for promoting your websites, galleries, and contests on or off Gaia.
  
  DO: make your thread title informative and include all info someone needs to reach your site/contest.
  
  DON'T: make false links.
  

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Picture Post - This forum is for the posting of art and photography done by users.

PLEASE NOTE NUDE/EXCESSIVELY VIOLENT/ADULT IMAGES ARE FORBIDDEN AND CAN GET YOU BANNED. Tasteful nudity is permitted if you link to it rather than directly post, with a warning about the content.

DO: be considerate of users and link to an image if it is large enough to scroll the forum or is a large file size, and comment politely on the works of others giving constructive criticism.

DON'T: post large images (dimensions or file size) directly, post images of yourself which can identify your real life location, post images of yourself if you are under the age of 16 (COPPA laws).

• Subforum Works in Progress - Threads in this subforum are for posting unfinished works of art to solicit advice on finishing them.
  
  DO: be considerate of users and link to an image if it is large enough to scroll the forum or is a large file size, and comment politely on the works of others giving constructive criticism.
  
  DON'T: post large images (dimensions or file size) directly.
  
  
• Subforum Art Contests - Threads in this subforum are for user-run art contests.
  
  These include original art, avatar art, avatar edits and other wide and varied criteria. Some contests have large prizes, some have smaller ones. Some require entry fees, some do not. Some have short runs, others have longer deadlines.
  
  DO: read all the rules of a contest before beginning a submission and please read the stickied guides to contest entering and contest running as they have invaluable information.
  
  DON'T: run a contest unless you have the funds to supply the promised prizes and don't be afraid to try but don't expect to win.
  

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Writers Forum - The main part of this forum is for the discussion of writing, it's tools and techniques, and education.

Posting of your poetry, lyrics, stories, prose, and collaborative works have their own subforums.

DO: read existing thread titles before posting a new one.

DON'T: post duplicate threads.

• Subforum Poetry/Lyricism - Threads in this subforum are for posting your poems and song lyrics.
  
  DO: Post your works and give constructive criticism to others.
  
  DON'T: plagarize other writers.
  
  
• Subforum Stories/Prose - Threads in this subforum are for posting your stories and prose.
  
  DO: Post your works and give constructive criticism to others.
  
  DON'T: plagarize other writers.
  
  
• Subforum Collaborative Works - Threads in this subforum are for posting your collaborative written works with other writers.
  
  DO: Post your works and give constructive criticism to others.
  
  DON'T: plagarize other writers.
  

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Studio XD: General XD - This forum is for the discussion of past and present Studio XD projects.

Studio XD is comprised of the creators of Gaia, your admin!

DO: check existing threads before posting new ones.

DON'T: post duplicate threads.

• Subforum Announcements - Only Admin can post in this forum, where they make announcements about Studio XD projects.
  
  DO: read up on what they are doing.
  
  
• Subforum Last Shot - Threads in this subforum are for the discussion of Studio XD's comic series, Last Shot.
  
  DO: check existing threads before posting new ones.
  
  DON'T: post duplicate threads.
  

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Studio XD: UDON Comics - This forum is dedicated to the discussion of UDON comics and their works.

They are an affiliate of Gaia who does comic work for many major comic companies and produce the Battle of the Planets, Xin, Vampi, and Sentinel books.

DO: Read the existing posts before posting a new thread and answer questions if you can.

DON'T: post duplicate threads.

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Test Forum: - This forum is where you can make threads in order to test formatting and layout signatures, and see how your posts look before you have them moved to the proper forum.

When your post is ready, please PM a moderator with a request to move your thread to the desired forum.

DO: feel free to test in here at will.

DON'T: post in people's test threads, post non-test threads, post a test in there then repost a new thread in another forum. This is a waste of database space. Please request your test thread be moved to the proper forum.

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Memorable Threads Forum: - This forum is where threads with special meaning to the site as a whole are locked and preserved for future Gaians to read.

All posts in this forum are locked and cannot be posted in by non-moderators.

DO: come and read and find out some of the fun things that have happened here in the past.

• Subforum Halloween Party - This section stores the numerous threads of the Gaian Halloween party of 2003.
  
  DO: come and read what happened at the party!
  

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This section provides a listing and information on GAIA-related scams which have been reported. These reports primarily refer to hacking/password theft scams, although occasionally if there is a proliferation of another type of scams (item theft, fake contests, commission theft) it will be reported. Remember, NEVER give out your password or lend your items to anyone on or off this site for any reason unless you fully expect to never see your items or gold again. "Best friends" are the number one culprits when it comes to theft and hackings. Paranoia is your friend. People who want to "try on" an item can visit the Gaian Avatar Simulator to see what it will look like on them (The link to it can be found in the "Recommended Reading" post of this very thread).

PRIVATE MESSAGE (PM) SCAMS!

Gaia Nitemare Guild Scam (11/13/04)
Recent scam PM going about which is CLEARLY based off the Sushi Clan scam. Never use your Gaia username and password on any other site. Gaia will NEVER run anything official offsite. Report anyone sending this to you to a General Moderator.



Gaia Sushi Clan Scam (11/11/04)
Recent scam PM going about. Gaia keeps no elite sponsored groups and does not run anything offsite. Nor will any member of the staff EVER ask you for your password. Any exception to this would be prepended with a formal announcement in the Announcements Forum. Never use your Gaia username and password on any other site. Report anyone sending this to you to a General Moderator.




Gaia Fishing Tester Scam (11/05/04)
Recent scam PM going about. Gaia does not do testing externally with users; it is interally done with the Admin . Any exception to this would be prepended with a formal announcement in the Announcements Forum. Report anyone sending this to you to a General Moderator.



I Can Make You A Moderator Scam (Resurfaced 11/03/04)
This is an old scam which has begun circulating again. Moderator appointment is a strict process done ONLY by the Admin of Gaia. No user or moderator can make you a mod. Mods are chosen after long months of observation, and then extended an invitation from Lanzer to become a mod. He does not require your password to make you a mod. Remember, no staff member of Gaia will EVER ask you for your password for any reason. Report anyone sending this to you to a General Moderator.



Gaia Online Monitor Scam (Reported 10/26/04)
Recent scam PM going about. The perpetrator has been reported, but this will likely pop up frequently. Remember, Gaia WILL NOT change any policy on the site without making a formal announcement by an Admin in the Announcements Forum. Report anyone sending this to you to a General Moderator.



11K Secret Code Scam (Reported 9/04)

This is a prolific PM. There are absolutely no cheat codes that work on Gaia. Anyone who requests your password is requesting it to hack your account, period. Report anyone sending this to you to a General Moderator.



Gold/Item Doubler Glitch Scam (Reported 7/04)

There is a rash of scam PMs circulating from people claiming to know a glitch that can double all your gold and items. Firstly, if any such glitch DID exist, just like when there was an exploit in the new Marketplace to dupe your items, using it would be an INSTANT PERMANENT BAN offense. This is a sample of the PM, which is a total scam to get your password. Report anyone sending it to you to a General Moderator.



E-MAIL SCAMS!

If you advertise your e-mail on gaia by making it public, you're inviting scammers to send you things. You're also inviting them to try to hack your email to retrieve your password. Guard your email and don't display it publically! To be safe, do not give out your email you registered with for Gaia to anyone. Use a different e-mail for correspondence with other Gaians.

Account ProblemScam (Reported 9/04)

I can ASSURE you that no moderator would contact you from a yahoo account. Furthermore I can doubly assure you that any Gaia staff member contacting you would be able to spell accidentally, immediately, and unless, and would use proper caps. E-mails from Gaia staff are automated through the system and will always come from "admin@gaiaonline.com" or "gaia@anihq.com" with the name being "Gaia Administration Staff". I'm posting a real (albeit pre-changeover to gaiaonline.com) staff mail message after the scam one so you can see what the headers should look like.





Banning Threat Scam (Reported 9/04)

When you get a warning from Gaia, it explains your offense and the period of your banning. It will not be a general mail and it will NEVER ask for your password. NO GAIA STAFF MEMBER WILL EVER ASK FOR YOUR PASSWORD FOR ANY REASON, EVER!



Beta Tester Scam (Reported 1/04)

If you receive an email telling you that you are a beta tester and to go to a site ending in .tk do NOT go there and login. They steal your username and password to hack your account on Gaia. It is not a new scam, but there are a lot of users receiving emails to join it and many of them have been hacked because of it, including longtime users who should know better.



It has been around since January of 2004 when VO made the following announcement in the Announcements forum:



Staff Prize Scam (Reported 7/04)

There is a rash of scam emails circulating from people claiming to be Gaia staff asking for your password to give you a prize. No staff member of Gaia will ever ask for your password for any reason whatsoever!





INSTANT MESSENGER (IM) SCAMS!

I'M A MOD AND CAN GIVE YOU 10K A DAY SCAM (Reported 11/12/04)

AIM Scammer lying and claiming to be Remme, a mod on Gaia, offering to get you 10K a day if you give them your password. If you are contacted by them, I recommend asking them to PM you on Gaia or you wont give them the password. Don't give it to them anyway, but once they PM you, you can report the user to a General moderator and get them banned.



MSN Fake Cheat Scam (Reported 10/15/04)

MSN scammer might try to sell you on a fake Gaia cheat. THIS IS A SCAM!

Bump!

Thank you for the Bump Kimberly!

Bump bump. whee

This is informative. I remember when my AOL got hacked into, such a long time ago. My password was 'password'... sweatdrop