LISTENING TO SONG SAMPLES

To listen to song samples it is suggested you get WinAMP (www.winamp.com) which is a free player that will stream the samples. The system sends a playlist file (.M3U) which is handled locally by your PC. If song samples do not play then look for a player that can play .M3U files outside your browser. NOTE: By default most systems use the Windows Media Player embedded in a browser window. This is not the best solution as you cannot listen and browse the site at the same time.

YOUR MadSpace PAGE 

You can access your MadSpace using the link below the toolbar on the far right or you can access other members' MadSpace pages by clicking nicknames where they appear in blue on the site. You can also click on nicknames under facts, reviews or lyrics on the song, album or artist pages.

Your page contains basic information about you which you can add to in the 'interests' section. You can send e-mail or instant messages to other members, personalize your page further with photos and avatars or write in your blog. You can also share files using the new My Files feature.

You can also invite others to be your friend by accessing their MadSpace page and clicking the 'Add to Friends' icon next to the smiley. The invited member will receive an instant message and an e-mail announcing the invite and be instructed to go to the 'Manage My Friends' section of their MadSpace where they can accept or decline the invitation. When they've decided, you will receive a message and mail with their decision. It's not necessary to send another friend request in return. This will only result in multiple avatars on the MadSpace pages.

CENSORSHIP 

One of the things we've always struggled with was the debate between freedom of speech and the desire to offend as few as possible. To find a good middle ground we have installed an "automatic censor" which will hide offensive words by putting * characters in place of offensive words. This is managed by an option on your My Account page - If you set is to "Censor Offensive Material" it will * the words. If you turn this "Nanny Switch" off, then the words will appear as the author intended them to be - in all their graphic detail. Of course, if you are not logged in, all words are censored "to protect the little children" <grin>.

USER LEVELS

Members are given different levels and different colors on the Friends page and the Who's Online page. The different levels are based on the length of time they have been a member and the amount of participation they have with the website. Generally...