Premium User Help

Below are some of the most common questions associated with the Premium User Subscription functionality. We will continue to add additional information, tips, and how-to's over the coming months.

Q: How much file space do I get?

A:  The User Package provides a total of 25mb of server space to host your images and files. This space is allocated for all characters created under your account. Only you can upload and manage these files. It is your own personal file area in Guild Universe. Use it to post images in any forums on the site, to spice up your character descriptions, add an image to your character signatures, or if you are a founder or officer, decorate your guild site descriptions, forums page, or news posts. Wherever you use the HTML editor, you can reference an image from your file space.

TIP: When uploading images, we recommend that you use .jpg files rather than .bmp. Jpg's are generally smaller files. A screen-sized .bmp can be over 1Mb in size, while the same image in jpg format can weight in at around 200k. Also, play with the compression settings when exporting your images. Compression of around 70% is a good balance between image size and quality.
This will allow you to fit many more images in your allotted file space. Additionally, dial-up visitors to your site will not lose interest and leave while waiting for large images to download. All image uploads are limited to 1000K in size.

Q: What new features are available in the HTML editor?

A:  The first thing that you may notice is the addition of the 'HTML Mode' checkbox located at the bottom of the editor.  When clicked, the editor will allow you to enter full HTML into the editor.  This allows for complete customization of your post.

Secondly, you will notice the addition of several new buttons in the menu area of the editor.  An explanation of these buttons is as follows:

	Insert Flash Media
	Insert Media (.mov, .asf, etc)
	Insert Document
	Insert Image

The HTML editor also acts as it's own file manager.  Clicking any of the buttons above will bring up a dialog button which allows you to view, upload, and insert any of the documents stored in your file space.  Each button's dialog box will only show the documents specific to the file type (e.g. the Flash button will only show the files that are Flash.)

Q: Can my entire guild use my Premium User features?

A: No. The Premium User features are strictly for you and the characters you have created. The files and characters you create will remain as long as you are a Guild Universe subscriber. They are essentially guild-independent. If you leave a guild, your subscription and files stay with you.

Guilds will eventually have the option to subscribe to the Guild Premium package which will incorporate many of the same features. These features will be Guild-specific and will be available to the Guild collective. Look for more details on this package in the coming weeks.

Q: How do I disable ads?

Once your subscription is active, simply click the button directly above the left banner ad. Clicking this button will enable/disable ads for you on all sites in Guild Universe. Also, if you are a founder, this will disable ads on your guild site for non-subscribing members of the guild.

Q: When I disable ads, do visitors and members of my guild site still see them?

A: Visitors will see all ads. But, if you are a subscribing founder and have ads disabled, all members of your guild will not see ads on your site. Only the founder has the ability to toggle ad visibility on a guild site. Members will see or not see ads based upon the founder's preferences. Also, Members will still see ads on other areas of Guild Universe.

Q: How are my files organized?

A:  Your files are organized in four main folders. These folders are 'Documents', 'Images', 'Flash', and 'Media'.  Each folder is designed to hold the types of files corresponding to its name.

HTML Editor - File Manager

Guild Universe's HTML editor has the capability to insert and upload images. The tutorial below will help you unlock these features.

Uploading an Image

1) Click on the  button located in the HTML editor toolbar. A dialog box will appear as shown below.



The tab labeled 'Image Properties' allows you to view and select all of the images that you have in your directory.  Note the buttons on the far right of the dialog box also allow you to delete or insert images.

2) To upload an image click the 'Upload Image' tab.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



3) Next Select the 'Browse' button.  Use the dialog box to select the image file that you would like to upload.

4) Finally, click the 'Upload' button. 

The file that you uploaded will now appear in the list of files under the 'Image Properties' tab.

To insert the image into your document, simply highlight the image name and click insert.

Uploading Flash

1) Click on the  located in the HTML editor toolbar.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



2) The drop down menu labeled 'Flash File' is a listing of all the Flash documents that you currently have loaded in your 'Flash' directory.  To upload a new file so it appears in this selection click the 'Upload Flash' tab.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



3) Next Select the 'Browse' button.  Use the dialog box to select the flash file that you would like to upload.

4) Finally, click the 'Upload' button. 

The Flash file will be loaded directly to your 'Flash' directory and will appear in the list of available Flash files in the drop-down menu on the 'Flash Properties' tab.

Upload Image

1) Click on the  button located in the HTML editor toolbar.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



2) The drop down menu labeled 'Media File' is a listing of all the media documents that you currently have loaded in your 'Media' directory.  Media files will include files with the extension of .mov, .asf, .wmv, etc.  To upload a new file so it appears in this selection click the 'Upload Media' tab.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



3) Next Select the 'Browse' button.  Use the dialog box to select the media file that you would like to upload.

4) Finally, click the 'Upload' button. 

The media file will be loaded directly to your 'Media' directory and will appear in the list of available media files in the drop-down menu on the 'Media Properties' tab.

Upload Documents

1) Click on the  button located in the HTML editor toolbar.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



2) The list box labeled 'Document File' is a listing of all the documents that you currently have loaded in your 'Documents' directory.  To upload a new file so it appears in this selection click the 'Upload Document' tab.  A dialog box will appear as shown below.



3) Next Select the 'Browse' button.  Use the dialog box to select the document file that you would like to upload.

4) Finally, click the 'Upload' button. 

The document file will be loaded directly to your 'Documents' directory and will appear in the list of available media files in the drop-down menu on the 'Document Properties' tab.

Accessing files via the File Manager

To access your files without using the HTML editor simply click on the  icon located above your character portrait.  This icon will take you directly to the file manager. 

Q: How do I configure Domain Name Support (www.myguildsite.com)?

First, you must already own a domain name and have a host for your DNS record. To point your domain name to your guild site, you must first create an A record at your DNS host. You need to configure an A (Alias) record for "www" that points to the Guild Universe server IP address (70.84.208.146). Once the A record is configured, browse to your www domain address. If it goes to the Guild Universe home page, then you are ready to update your guild settings.

To configure your DNS name at Guild Universe, simply go to your Guild Management page and note the Edit URL link next to your guild URL in the general information section. Click that link. We recommend that you configure your A record with your DNS host before updating the guild URL information at Guild Universe.  Note: Do not do this step unless you have an active and registered domain name from a authorized registrar.

Once on the Edit URL page, note the information about configuring your A record. Enter the sub-domain and domain information in this page. For example "www" and "mydomain.com". Once updated, the new URL will go to your guild's homepage.

Q: What is the Guild Universe Refund Policy?

A:  All subscription purchases are final.  We do not offer refunds.